Sphinx Chamber Orchestra Tour

Hello again, friends and family of Sphinx...
I apologize in advance for both the questionable grammar and lack of substance in this segment -- we arrived in Rochester a few hours ago after a 14-hour bus trip; needless to say, my brain is - understandably - mushy! Although I'm sure many of my Sphinx family members would fervently dispute my stance on this, I personally had a lovely time on the bus ride up from Greensboro, North Carolina. Unlike last year, where double-digit-hour bus rides became part of the routine early on in the tour, this was our first, so there was some question as to how the group this year would fare. As for me, I enjoyed multiple snoozes, a viewing of Slumdog Millionaire, and the opportunity to be alone with my thoughts for a few hours. There's something about the slow hum of moving vehicles that makes me feel at peace, and gives my mind the opportunity to wander at its own leisure. The later hours of the trip also provided absolutely gorgeous scenery -- the first traces of autumn have begun to coat the Northeast, and the evening light bathed the sprawling fields and trees in the most beautiful golden glow. It was a lovely backdrop for what was, for me, an already very cozy trip with my beloved Sphinxies.
It goes without saying that this has been a wonderful musical experience, just as it was last year. While the schedule itself has been much more vigorous last year (almost double the amount of performances and venue changes) and thus the risk of burning out has become more imminent, the sense of comaraderie is at its usual high. It has been a somewhat difficult last few weeks for me, personally, and I can't thank my family members here enough for having my back. My roommate, Melissa, has been an unspeakably patient friend, listening to me blather on incessantly, and the smiles of everyone in the orchestra and the Harlem Quartet are a constant reminder that I am amongst a very, very special group of people.
So, though this entry is admittedly a little light on the musical/tour-related content, I would just like to express, once again, how grateful I am to be a part of all of this. When I step back and think about how Sphinx and all of its many components is helping the world, I am left speechless at the fact that I am allowed to contribute to it in some small way. So thank you, everyone, and to the orchestra/HQ: so many thanks and hugs for all the music, support, and love!
Elena