Dipping a toe in the TAFTO

Drew McManus has invited me to contribute to the annual Take A Friend To the Orchestra, (shouldn't that make it TAFTTO?) so it is a good thing that I've been attending the ISO recently. I have some time before I have to think about my perspective on this. I've taken my children to countless concerts, I've taken students, I've taken grown-up family, I've taken romantic interests, and yes I have taken friends. I have also encouraged nonmusician friends to go to concerts, even though I didn't escort them there. I love hearing works that I know well, reflected through a new pair of ears sitting next to me. I also love the challenge of thinking about a new piece as I hear it, knowing that a musician friend sitting next to me will want to talk about it. So many possibilities!