A packing mishap: concert attire and finding belonging

By Kate Roth

While packing for Ecuador, my music-major brain had a legitimate thought of, “Do I need to bring my concert blacks?” For any who are unaware, ‘concert blacks’ refers to the all-black outfit that each ensemble wears for every concert at Goshen College (save for Lavender Jazz, which is slightly more informal). After thinking about it for more than two seconds, I decided that I certainly did not need to bring my standard concert outfit. I had never heard of any of the music majors that have gone to Ecuador on SST playing or singing in a concert, and why would I be any different? Slightly disappointed that I would be separated from an outfit that I wear so often and is so central to what I do, I put away my concert blacks.

All throughout our study term, I was perfectly fine without my concert blacks. However, this all changed when Hillary and Micah announced our service placements. Hillary began with explaining the first half of my day, which involves going to work at the San Luis School, which many former SSTers have worked at. I was already excited. Then, in a shocking turn of events, Hillary went on to share my second placement: working with the brass section of a youth orchestra in Riobamba. And, there was a concert coming up, which I would be playing in!

My mind started spiraling in two different directions. The first was pure excitement, as these two placements perfectly encapsulated both of my majors (music and education). And, I would have a very good reason to play the trumpet that I had brought from home. The second was a path of extreme regret. I immediately knew I had made a fatal mistake in my packing: I didn’t have my concert attire. I started thinking of various ways to retrieve my current concert blacks or buy a new all-black formal outfit. Then I realized a delightful coincidence. Jerrell Ross Richer would soon be coming to visit us in Ecuador, and the weekend that he was leaving was the same weekend that my family would be in Goshen with my sister for New Student Orientation. An obvious plan came to my mind, which involved my family bringing my standard concert outfit (a black button-up shirt, black pants, black belt, and black flats) and sending it to Ecuador with Jerrell. After a few texts and emails, my plan was set in motion.

Jerrell arrived in Ecuador a few days later, and I was joyously reunited with my most worn outfit. I was, frankly, ecstatic and I put it on when I got home, out of pure excitement for my upcoming placement. But, preparing for a concert isn’t just about wearing the correct outfit. First, I had to settle into my new home in Riobamba, in the Chimborazo province, and have a week of practice. On my first day at the OSMUR Kids (Orquesta Sinfónica Municipal Riobamba) rehearsal, I discovered that we actually had two concerts in my first week in Riobamba; one on Wednesday (two days after I started working with the orchestra) and a much larger one in Quito on Sunday. I and my concert blacks would be putting in the work. 

The first concert went off without a hitch, even though I had really only rehearsed the music twice. Playing trumpet in a concert was such a familiar feeling, and I felt at home in the theater where the concert took place. But, we were not done. Next, we had to prepare for the upcoming concert in Quito. 

Despite some interesting and complicated travel situations due to another musical engagement I was a part of, I arrived back in Quito on Saturday. This concert consisted of two “Mega Orchestras”, both made up of 5 youth orchestras from around Ecuador. The OSMUR Kids group was playing in the second Mega Orchestra, which involved around 240 kids. I was fortunate enough to play with this massive orchestra, even though I am not a kid. I ended up sitting as principal trumpet (a thing I’m still conflicted about, given that I am a college student studying trumpet, and not a high schooler, but I digress), which put me right in the center of the stage.

Playing in a large group made of many smaller groups took me back to many festivals I played in throughout junior high and high school. In Fulton County, OH, we have All-County Band and Choir, in which the top players and singers from each school in the county come together to form a combined band and choir. I had the opportunity to play and sing in this event many times, and this combined orchestra felt exactly like All-County. I didn’t understand every note given to the orchestra, given that I’m still learning all the music terms in Spanish, but I felt like I knew exactly what was going to happen at all times. This is an unusual feeling on SST, but I think the fact that I got to be a player in a large ensemble made me feel right at home.

After a hotel stay in Quito, we came to concert day. Armed with my trumpet and concert black outfit, I headed onto stage, twice. First, the OSMUR Kids group played two pieces by ourselves., which I considered very successful. Then, the mega orchestra filled the stage. And I do not exaggerate when I say filled. I think we could have maybe fit two more chairs in the string section, but any more than that would have spilled off the stage. The mega orchestra played 7 pieces, the last being a merengue, which was a crowd favorite. The audience enjoyed the concert so much that they called for an encore and we played the merengue again, with the entire audience clapping and dancing along.

 

I had never seen so much joy at an orchestra concert. Of course, I am always filled with joy when I get to see the Chicago Symphony Orchestra or when I get to play in a GC orchestra concert. But, that joy inside me is miniscule compared to the whole hall of parents and relatives experiencing this massive orchestra. I couldn’t help but smile as we finished the concert, even though my lips were in pain after playing so many songs. As we left the stage and returned to our holding area, the OSMUR directors handed out certificates to each student and teacher. Even though I had only been a part of this orchestra for a week, I also got a certificate, which I was probably too excited about.

We headed home to Riobamba after the concert, and I sat on the bus and while surrounded by a bunch of orchestra kids, I felt secure in the career path I’ve chosen. Seeing the amount of joy from the orchestra and the audience reminded me of the importance of music education. As I contemplated my future as a band director, I was greeted by incredibly clear views of my favorite volcano in Ecuador, Cotopaxi.