Yvonne Caruthers is a cellist in the NSO

The Young People's Concert program we played for the children was the same one we had performed in Washington, and it featured Glenn Donnellan playing an electric violin. Before we left for Arkansas, Glenn had hinted that he might try to make his own electric violin to show kids that they could make their own instrument. At today's concert we were all surprised to get to that point in the program and Glenn showed up with a baseball bat which he had converted to an electric "violin".

The hall in Helena was not as large as we're used to, so it was pretty crowded backstage. Paul DeNola (bassist), with his back to the camera, is getting his bass out of his trunk. Laura Hearn, our assistant personnel manager approaches, while Erin Ozment (Artistic Administrator) confers with Jeff Weisner (bassist). Associate Conductor Emil de Cou is in the doorway.

Usually there is a room backstage for our staff. At Helena they squeezed into whatever space they could find. Kate Preston (Assistant Production Manager) seated, Carole Wysocki (Director of Education)in the blue jacket, and Cynthia Steele (Orchestra Manager), standing.

The dressing rooms were especially crowded since 50 of us were packed into each room, with our wardrobe trunks as well. Ah, the glamour of touring!