As I write this, yet another major American orchestra has made the headlines in a troubling way: a lockout over a labor dispute.Financial difficulties.The blogosphere/theFacebook/TheWhatHaveYou is peppered with comments:

"Classical music is dead."

"Classical music isn't relevant anymore."

The Young People of Today just aren't into it."

Well. I have been playing concerts with the BSO,weekly,almost,since 1995. I have a bit of a different perspective on things. Since I play the cello, it's pretty unmistakeable that I just played in the concert as I walk home through the streets of Mount Vernon. EVERY SINGLE TIME,a concertgoer has approached me to tell me about how what they just heard and saw affected them in a profound way.

"That was very healing for both of us. Thank you."

"I have so many things weighing on me right now.You just took me somewhere else for two hours. Thank you."

I have even been told that the person hated the piece,or the interpretation, or all of it. I have had many lively and fruitful discussions with complete strangers!

....this is why I am running for BOLT.And, by the way, I actually HATE running. I have no photo to post of myself crossing a finish line in a blaze of glory. NONE EXIST. Nevertheless. I am going to do the(ulp) HALF marathon.Thanks in advance to Falls Road Running for providing me with proper shoes!:)