Blustery Outing

 

Today's forecast was for temps around 38 and winds gusting up to 30 mph. We did not change all of our clocks last night. We got up around 7 standard time. To everybody else, that was 8 a.m. So we had a leisurely breakfast and watched the church service streamed at 10:30 instead of 9 a.m. We planned on a late lunch because we wanted to attend a concert at Manchester University (Indiana) at 3 p.m. 

We ate lunch at El Mezquite in North Manchester where we have eaten many times.

Often, we order fajitas for 2. Because we were trying to avoid leftovers to take home, we ordered a burrito (my husband) and enchildadas supremas above (for me). We still had to ask for take-home boxes. With the cooler temperatures in the car, we think the food will be OK to eat for lunch tomorrow. 

The promotional material for the concert had said Piano Concerto Number 1 by Brahms would be featured. The pianist who was to come from Denmark had visa trouble; he didn't make it to the U.S. Instead Jerry Westenkuehler played an organ concerto by Handel and then after intermission a concerto by Francis Poulenc (who was totally unfamiliar to me). Dr. Westenkuehler is organ professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. I do not see how a person can move both feet fast and furious on the pedals while playing the keyboards. Like patting one's head and rubbing one's stomach at the same time in my opinion.

The concert was held at Cordier Auditorium at Manchester University. According to the program, 7 of the Manchester Symphony Orchestra members are students at the college. 

This was our first time to attend an event on this campus. 

I must confess I liked the first half of the program better with the classical pieces. The Chen Yi music was based on a Chinese folksong. It was interesting, especially watching the percussionist play many instruments (xylophone, drum, cymbal, some little round bells) to give the "tunes" exotic sounds. 

It was a pleasant afternoon. I did feel my eyes slip closed a few times, but I did manage not to fall asleep unlike a woman seated towards the front. We were after all adjusting to the time change. It is nice that this orchestra presents its concerts on Sunday afternoons. The next one will be at Honeywell Center in Wabash, not at Manchester University.