Heady Oom-pah

The European Wind Ensemble held its annual New Year's Concert at VCU's Vlahcevic Concert Hall today, the first day of China's Year of the Dog. Its music was Viennese and Italian, full of spirit and good feeling, and the group played as if they liked each other and were glad to be there. Our friend Dale on french horn had several solo passages and took a separate bow. A pleasant afternoon, except that my ribs still hurt because of an elbow my wife threw after this brief whispered exchange during "Schöner Galathee":

D: The conductor doesn't have a wife.
J: Probably not.
D: Know how I know?
J: Sure, he seems cheerful.