As we left the Stephens Performing Arts Center tonight on our way home from the Christmas Pops concert, Nina remarked, “It’s just amazing the difference that one man can make.” She was referring to Chung Park, the new Music Director of the Idaho State Civic Symphony. The difference from last year to this year is phenomenal … and one man made the difference.

The hall was packed tonight and people were standing around the edges to watch and participate in the program. This is their third concert of the season and each one has been significantly better than the previous performance. While I was watching, listening, and singing (in the middle of the program the audience joined in singing four Christmas carols) I was reminded of a video I had seen a bit ago from a PopTech conference. The presenter was Benjamin Zander, the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra. In the presentation, he brings up a fifteen-year-old cellist and works with him. The youngster has an wonderful talent and after playing a Bach tune he receives a well-deserved standing ovation from the crowd of about 400 people in the room. Then Maestro Zander goes to work with the young man and pulls out of him a virtuoso performance that brings tears to peoples eyes (mine included). What a difference one person can make! The video of Mr. Zander and the cellist is here. It’s thirty minutes long and well worth the time whether one likes Bach or not. It’ll pull you to the edge of your seat and teach a whole new way of looking at possibilities and mistakes.

Tonight was the first in a string of concerts and events and the Idaho State Civic Symphony started it off with a bang! Tomorrow night we’ll be at a performance of The Nutcracker. Sunday evening is the annual Messiah Sing. Next Wednesday night is Kurt Bestor’s Christmas Program. Thursday night is a performance of The Christmas Carol. I’m loving the Christmas season!