Sketching quietly during the Messiah

Dave’s mom sings the Messiah every year with the Oratorio Society so we get to go and see her every year. She has recruited her sons and granddaughters and daughter in laws. I bring my sketch book because it is the best time to sketch with the music swirling all around me.
We walked in and found our seats.

Before I sat down, I reached into my back pocket and turned off my cell phone. There was a man in his 80’s sitting to my right. The announcer welcomed us and told us all to turn off our cell phones. The man sitting next to me said, “Turn off your cell phone. I see that you have a cell phone.” I told him that I had turned it off, not on. I thought I would have a bit of trouble sitting next to this gentleman. He might have a hard time if I was sketching during the concert.

During the intermission he turned to me and said, “l see that you are a pretty good sketcher. Do you see the blond lady on the front row of the choir. Do you think that you could see her well enough to sketch her?” I thought he was talking about my young niece, but he was talking about his wife who was sitting three seats over in the soprano section. “I’m 84 and it is our anniversary today.”
I told him that she was a bit far away to see but I could sketch him for her. He was a bit hesitant but posed for me. I don’t often rip out pages from my sketch book but this seemed a special occasion. During the next half of the concert, I sketched his wife and the group of singers around her. Before the first bow string over violin sounded to the Hallelujah chorus, the gentleman shot to his feet and stood.

 

After the concert, I handed him both sketches. He wanted to have my address so he could send me a copy of the book he had written on the Pony Express. I said he didn’t have to but I would be thrilled to receive it.
Merry Christmas and happy holiday season to you all.