Here Comes Treble: A Chairman's Lot
Isabel Bradley acknowledges that the buck always stops with thye chairman - but "sometimes only stops by butting me hard.''
After days of preparation and months of worry, the morning of the Orchestra’s Annual General Meeting was about to dawn. It came hot on the heels of two lovely Youth Concerts presented by the Orchestra, both of which had given me, as Chairman, a few additional grey hairs. As the Orchestra’s Chairman, inevitably I am the one everyone turns to when ‘challenges’ arise. The buck, which stops with me, sometimes only stops by butting me hard.
A Chairman’s Lot
It’s four-twenty-five in the morning.
The clock across the room glows red and fierce.
I lie awake, mind turning,
Stomach churning:
What about the music –
It’s not back from printing,
I’ve got to return the originals,
They’re shouting for them!
I roll over, punch the pillow.
How will I cope with the financial report?
The Treasurer’s apologised,
Can’t attend the meeting,
I suppose I’ll ‘just do it’ –
Like Nike!
I’ve a cramp in my arm,
Must wriggle my fingers…
No volunteers for the committee,
But two have resigned -
What will I do?
How will I cope?
My hip’s aching,
Maybe if lie on my other side…
And the matter of the Leader –
What to do,
Where to find the money?
Lie on my back,
Stare at the glaring clock –
Five a.m. and I need to sleep!
And players are grumpy –
The concert on Friday
Went badly overtime.
And now it’s six o’clock,
Not a wink have I slept,
It’s time to get up and face the day.
Woe is me,
A Chairman’s lot is not a happy one!
While running an amateur orchestra calls for a lot of hard work, it is very rewarding. The Orchestra, in its striving for ever-improving musical standards, keeps the love of music alive.
Until next time… ‘here comes Treble!’
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By Isabel Bradley
