1. Blog Post No. 1
Any drive into mountainous terrain is an ascent marked by pastoral mystery. My journey north
was marked by an even greater dramatic contrast, as the landscape changed from the snowless
expanse of Massachusetts into the fresh coat of dense snow that covered the Green Mountains.
Spiritual to say the least, the drive suggested my experience to come with the liberating music
and community that thrives in Vermont.
After arriving in Burlington, my goal was to explore the city and get a feel of the culture. The
so-called “neo-Bohemian” lifestyle of the city lives and breathes in the numerous coffee shops,
vegan friendly cafes, small stores and pubs that line its streets. It appears that life moves on here
in the dark, frigid days of the winter season.
_______________________________________________________
Blog Post No. 2
On Thursday, I went to my first of two rehearsals with Me2 Burlington in preparation for the
group’s concert in the annual New Year’s arts festival known as First Night. Arriving early, to
help set up in the band room of South Burlington High School, the 25-odd members of the
orchestra began to show up. As the numerous personalities filled the room, I introduced myself
to a few members and finally took my seat ready to begin the rehearsal. I had already gotten a
good impression of the friendly, open and accepting attitude in Burlington, though Me2 made an
even greater impression on me.
As Ronald ran us through the Strauss Waltzes and Polkas that made up the program of our own
little Viennese New Year’s Day Concert, the room was electric. Moving forward in the
rehearsal, a horn player’s stand fell as the top-half disconnected from the base landing with a
thump. The orchestra stopped for a moment, light-hearted laughter between everyone.
Continuing on with the boisterous polkas, Ronald reached down to adjust the height of his own
music stand, which launched into the air. Again, a thud and a group chuckle! “I don’t need the
music!” he said picking up then tossing the broken half of the stand on the floor. After this
second interruption, we collected our attention again awaiting Ronald’s piercing gaze and
mischievous smirk which told us it was time to start to play.
I have never played in a musical environment that was so socially liberated and free. The filter
was off and the cat was out-of-the-bag. We all could just be ourselves, existing with each other
and the music, as we were. In that first rehearsal, I forgot about mental health and the stories of
personal struggle that seem to mark everyone’s life. In that moment, I realized that the exuberant
spirit, community and authentic love of life exhibited by this orchestra proved them to be
amongst the healthiest people on earth. I suppose it’s moments like these that define and
redefine what it means to be and to pursue happiness.

2. Blog Post No. 3
Following a stint of spring-like weather, the air quickly resumed its frigid squall as New
Year’s Eve approached. Me2/ met for one last rehearsal before the annual First Night
celebration that brings musicians of all genres, performing troupes and festive merriment to
Burlington for one last hurrah.
As Me2/ ran through the program of Strauss dances and other Viennese New Year’s fare
a final time, the orchestra was restless. Coming in late myself, the environment seemed to show
the true colors of the musicians’ personalities. We all seemed to resonate with each other, and
most of all with the anticipation that we had a program to play the following evening. Mixed as
the mood was, the rehearsal went brilliantly as Ronald reminded us that he would conduct
spontaneously the following night. In any other group, Ronald’s vow of spontaneity would
usually cause greater anxiety among the musicians, but the members of Me2 seemed excited and
unphased by a potential ‘curve ball.’
The following evening, the musicians started to arrive for the 5 o’clock call. As the small
green room inside of the Baptist Church became alive with friendly chatter, laughter and the
tones of tuning instruments, there was no anxiety in sight. Whatever anticipatory mood that was
prevalent the previous evening had disappeared and was replaced not with overt confidence, but
rather a content joy. It was one of those unique moments that seem to arise when a group of
people gather for an in-the-moment experience, together.
Calmly content, the group filtered into the sanctuary where we began with the rolls of a
snare drum that harkened in the Radetzsky March and our conductor to the podium. As the
concert proceeded, time seemed to stand still as Ronald led us through the program with the
spontaneity he had promised us, leaving us to play without him during one instance as he walked
through the aisles greeting the audience with an outstretched hand, only to come back to us to
conclude the piece.
After we ran through the bulk of the program, Caroline Whiddon stood up from her seat
amongst the horn section where she spoke about Me2/ and its message of inclusion in a stigma-
free environment. Answering questions and comments from the audience, the string section
played Jingle Bells with the audience ringing the strategically placed bells intended for this
moment along to the beat of the music.
Fun as the break was, Ronald quizzically emerged from the back of the orchestra without
applause as he lifted his arms for the opening sparkles of the Blue Danube Waltz. As we
traveled through the suave melodies of the lush dance, we took the time he wanted us to take as
the group pushed and pulled the rubato together, creating the classic Viennese schwung.
In the final crescendo that marked the end of the dance, the audience rose immediately to
their feet greeting us with their smiles and applause. As the concert came and went, the
musicians were again in the green room, packing up their instruments and entangling themselves
in their mass of warm coats. It seemed as if it was all in a day’s work for the members of Me2/,
to play as they did with great feeling and playfulness, only to leave the church with a job well
done.

3. Playing with Me2/ is a pleasure. This group of musicians comes together to play with music, not
to make music. They come to each other as they are, with a vivaciousness that comes from a
love of life, and left their performance humbly content. On New Year’s Eve, Me2/ played with
music as if they had been the Vienna Philharmonic enclosed within the Musikverein. They dared
to ask the music for a chance to dance, and that they did.