Olympians are a lot like classical musicians

Every two years we watch in awe as athletes at the top of their game come together to compete at the highest level. While I often do ponder the wisdom of such an expensive gathering, I must admit that I love to see the accomplishment as people from all over the world push themselves to go faster, higher, and stronger than they have ever gone before. It is so exciting to witness the glory of the gold medal win and all of the special stories that emerge over the course of the Olympics that showcase the triumph of the human spirit.

I have found myself lately thinking less about the glory of the gold and more about the daily grind of training and what drives these extraordinary athletes to push themselves day in and day out over years to realize their dreams. I love to imagine how many young children will be inspired by this iteration of the Olympics to begin their own journey towards excellence.

In my line of work as music director and conductor of the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra (which is happily also my passion), I often find myself in the midst of people who wistfully express their regret at having given up their musical pursuits. I sometimes think that if I had a dollar for every person that says “if only my parents hadn’t let me quit” and another dollar for every parent that says “I just couldn’t handle the arguing about practice anymore” I would be a rich woman.

So, as a parent myself and a teacher, I find myself thinking a lot about what will keep students motivated to develop the diligence and discipline to realize their dreams which might only come after years of hard work.

Recently, I heard a wonderful choral concert which saw three choirs come together for a workshop, a meal, some shared rehearsals and the closing concert. There were three different ages represented; elementary students of the Okanagan Children’s Choir, middle school students of the Vancouver Youth Junior Choir and the high school students of the Kelowna Secondary School Mixed Chamber Choir. Hearing the beauty of all of these singers was a joy and seeing how the choirs progressed in maturity and ability all in one afternoon was wonderful.

For me, the true inspiration was witnessing the realization of their diligence and discipline and when I spoke with some of the youngest students they expressed how inspired they were by hearing the older choirs. It is so important to provide these opportunities for the next generation to get inspired by the work and results of those who are at the top of their game.

So, I am particularly excited about the upcoming Viva l’Italia concert with the OSO because we have three different opportunities for music students to be inspired by our professional musicians and to grow in their own diligence and discipline. This show will see the 80 students of the Okanagan Symphony Youth Orchestra (OSYO) playing side by side with the pros of the OSO on Respighi’s Pines of Rome, a piece of extraordinary grandeur.

They will have hours of individual mentored rehearsals and it is so fun to see them learning at the speed of lightning.

On the day of our dress rehearsal (which is also open to the public), we will be visited by 250 middle school band students who will receive instruction from our OSO pros and OSYO students so they can see and hear what the realized dream sounds like. Finally our guest artist, Jens Lindemann, one of the greatest trumpet players in the world today will give a clinic for beginners and pros alike. I know that I will be watching him with awe and feeling the inspiration of all the future musical dreamers that are just starting out on their journey.

The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra presents Viva l’Italia as part of The Chase Masterworks Series on Feb. 16 in Kelowna, Feb. 17 in Penticton and Feb. 18 in Vernon. For more information visit Okanagansymphony.com

Rosemary Thomson is music director and conductor of the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra.