Indianapolis SymphonyOctober 2006

Indianapolis Concert

Next up was a concert of Carmina Burana in Indianapolis. I was so happy to be in Indiana again after many, many long years. I had not been back to my father's home state since before my grandmother went into a nursing home. My father didn't want us to see our grandmother in her later stages, as she recognized no one and was in a terrible state. He wanted us to remember the pie-baking granma, the goddess of macaroni and cheese and the maker of the STRONGEST iced tea you've ever sampled in your life.
My aunt Ruth was nearby Indianapolis, so I was able to make the drive out with a friend's car to see her! It was great to have a walk down memory lane, and find out more about my own family. Aunt Ruth has even collected family tree information online over the years, so it's always interesting to find out more about the Claycombs! I even had the luck that my Grandmother's sister (my great-aunt), whom I didn't even realize was still alive, called from Florida while I was there. My grandma was what everyone imagines in a grandma - I had forgotten that she had taught me how to crochet until I saw some of her handiwork at my aunt's house. What a treat! I hadn't even questioned my distance with that side of the family. The sheer distance and the loss of my grandfather and grandmother basically had shut the door on all the rest of my kinfolk up in Indiana. We just never went up there anymore. It was nice to make a small first step towards that side of my family again.
Happily, one of my main reasons for wanting to sing in Indianapolis all these years has been the orchestra's Principal English Horn player, Roger Roe. Roger's been a dear friend since we met at Interlochen Music Camp when we were both about 17. He's also from the Dallas area (Lewisville) and went to SMU, as well (as a President's Scholar, at that!) He has remained a close friend over the years, and has been principal in the orchstra for quite a few years. A few years ago, he came onboard Indiana University's prestigious faculty as professor of Oboe. (I knew him always as an Oboist in undergrad!) I'm very proud to know this lovely human being and musician!