I signed myself up for violin lessons in fifth grade when they offered me the opportunity to escape class for an hour or two a week to meet Mr. Randal, the string teacher, in the school library. It’s not that I didn’t love Mrs. Barber, my fifth grade teacher. I was attracted to the privilege of being one of the chosen to leave class every week.

Those early music lessons stayed with me, in spite of the horrible scraping and squeaking noises that made the family dog howl when I practiced at home.

I stayed with orchestra class through both junior high and high school and those other kids became my homies. This, of course, placed me in the dreaded category of Nerd (capital N intentional). Turned out that I was comfortable with that role, and I celebrate it now.

In spite of all predictions that I would quit playing, I’m still at it. There have been stoppages for various life events, but I always managed to find a way to get back to the music. Our move to Santa Fe four years ago allowed me to find the local community orchestra and a place to play with other adults who also never quit playing. We come from a variety of professional backgrounds that often didn’t involve music–teachers, lawyers, doctors, engineers, scientists, social workers and more. The first rehearsals feel a bit bumpy, but by the time we get to concert date, the magic happens. We are making music together.

Next week, we begin rehearsing for our October concert. Mendelssohn Symphony #5, Reformation. Grieg Holberg Suites. Beethoven Piano Concerto #1. On Thursday nights, my violin, the music stand, and the black folder of music get stowed in the back of the car. I’ll be in the best seat in the house, in the middle of the music in the second violin section. It is a privilege for me to still be playing this music with other people who love it as much as I do.