Symphony confessions: I played a concert where a woman took off her top
So when you head to the Charlotte Symphony tonight at the Blumenthal (Pause: You are going, right? It’s free. You can drink beer for cheap. Eat free food. Come and go and chat during the concert. Details below…), you might have some preconceived notions.
Like: Everybody who goes to the symphony is old. And symphony musicians are old.
False. We’d like to introduce you to three of the cool kids in the band:
AUBREY FOARD
What song do you choose to sing at a karaoke bar? Why?
Horn Concerto No. 1 in Eb Major by Richard Strauss, using mouth trumpet. Did you know mouth trumpet is a real thing? I kid you not. Google it. I’m actually pretty terrible at remembering lyrics, so I stick to “safe tunes” like Beatles songs.
Do you have a pre-concert ritual?
I drink from a fifth of bourbon until I feel nice and toasty inside. (Is he serious? ….no.)
What’s a perfect date night in Charlotte?
Eating two pounds of barbecue and then riding all the roller coasters at Carowinds. Really?! No, not really. Two of the best date night spots I’ve been to lately are The Summit Room on East Blvd and Vivace in the Metropolitan. I also have Evoke, The Little Spoon, Futo Buta and Lumiere on my “to-try” list.
Where do you go in Charlotte to unwind after a concert?
I’m partial to Fahrenheit, Roosters and The Punch Room in Uptown. My latest discovery is Tiki Hideaway in Montford. They can have all of my money.
Would you ever date a rock star? Why/why not?
Tough call. Let’s assume I’m not in a relationship (which I am – sorry, ladies, who really want to date a tuba player… uh – so, sorry, NOBODY). Anyway, I’m assuming this is an ’80s Scandinavian metal band. I would be FOR the hard-charging lifestyle, but probably AGAINST having to co-habitate with a tiger or whatever other mascot they use.
SARAH MARKLE
Did you hate to practice your instrument when you were a kid? How did your parents bribe you?
I actually really liked practicing when I was little. High school was a different story, but by then bribery had less of an impact on me than the badly-concealed-disapproval approach.
Do you have a pre-concert ritual?
My pre-concert ritual should be “remember to spit out your gum.”
What’s a perfect date night in Charlotte?
I love Luna’s Living Kitchen! I would eat there every night (and day) if I could.
Where do you go in Charlotte to unwind after a concert?
There’s a pizza at Mellow Mushroom that I’m addicted to, especially post-concert. Am I talking about food too much?
Name 3 songs from your favorite ipod playlist.
“Qualified” by Dr. John, “Empire of Light” by Tin Hat Trio, “Old Virginia” by Crooked Still.
BEN GELLER
What’s your karaoke song?
Beastie Boys, “Paul Revere.” I know all the words, and I don’t love my singing voice.
Did you hate to practice your instrument when you were a kid? How did your parents bribe you?
Yes, I hated practicing so much that I’d break my toys in defiance. My parents weren’t big on bribing, but I’d frequently lie about having practiced, and they would set egg timers that I’d find and wind down…
Weirdest thing that’s ever happened at one of your concerts.
I played a concert with Peter Frampton where a woman took off her top…so…
Perfect date night in Charlotte?
A perfect date night is heading to Davidson and eating as much bread as Kindred can give us. We’re classy like that.
Where do you go in Charlotte to unwind after a concert?
Midwood Country Club where I subject everyone to Frank Zappa.
Finish this sentence: The Charlotte Symphony is ____________
…the biggest collection of the greatest musicians in the city and you should come and see us play something.
Symphony on Tap
Spend happy hour with the Charlotte Symphony at its first-ever free season preview party beginning at 5:30 p.m. tonight at Belk Theater.
A photo posted by Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (@cltsymphony) on Aug 24, 2015 at 11:17am PDT
Music Director Christopher Warren-Green will conduct a casual, hour-long concert including selections across the Symphony’s upcoming Classics, Pops, and KnightSounds series, plus a special audience-choice selection. (Bernstein or Brahms: Vote here!)
Bars inside the theater will remain open throughout the night, offering specials including $2 domestics and $4 Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Copper drafts. In other words: This is not your typical sit-down, button-up concert. Mingling, chatting and bar hopping is perfectly fine etiquette for the evening.
An after-party with free appetizers and live music by Symphony musician Rick Dior’s Latin quartet will follow in the Belk Theater lobby, along with the opportunity to meet Charlotte Symphony musicians.
For more information, visit charlottesymphony.org.
What’s #OnTap? We are on 9/16 w/ a FREE season preview party! Drink specials. Audience voting. No rules. http://t.co/1v0n5Qwawt @cltcheap
— Charlotte Symphony (@CLTsymphony) August 24, 2015
This story was originally published September 15, 2015 at 8:00 PM.