Handel's Messiah

I have been listening to The Messiah this evening. The memories it brings to me are poignant -- countless hours spent practicing the cello for the annual production, calloused fingertips, the smell of rosin, the sliding of the end pin on an overly slick floor, the sound of turning pages, black high heels and a satin dress, the subtle dance of the conductor's baton, the feeling of peace after playing a finely tuned string... Man! I sometimes really miss the days of playing in an orchestra.