Bags, Boutiques, and Bach (and an emergency shopping trip!)

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Bags

Upon arriving in Chattanooga’s airport over the weekend, I found out my luggage didn’t make it. The possibility of getting the luggage on a later flight was slim but I held out hope. Worst case scenario would be I would just have to pick up a new shirt and a few small items to hold me over.

But Murphy’s Law was being observed, and the flight my luggage that was redirected on was canceled. All of my clothes and concert attire was not going to arrive to me until 48 hours after landing in Chattanooga! Time to go shopping and time to meet some of the local retailers I walk by to every day on my way to rehearsals and concerts.

Boutiques

Yacoubian Tailors
Yacoubian Tailors

First stop was to Yacoubian Tailors for concert clothes and something to wear to rehearsal. I’d walked by this shop many times and always was struck by what the mannequins in the window were wearing.

The clothes are superb, nothing short of what I would expect when I shop on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. But beyond the fine clothes is the helpful and knowledgeable family that runs the store. I got honest assessments as to whether something looked good or not. This is extremely important and shows professionalism that many retailers lack.

Yacoubian Tailors
After helping me with my shopping, Ani introduces me to her sweet dog Anush. The dress I purchased is on of the middle mannequin.

Brother and sister Ani and Hovig Yacoubian helped me navigate through many clothing options as I tried to get concert clothes and clothes for the rehearsal I had later in the day. Between some seasonal clearance items and a dress off one of the mannequins, I was going to be okay for clothes for another 24 hours. But I needed shoes, too.

I remember thumbing through the concert program during my first week with the orchestra. One advertisement stuck out, Embellish Shoes. I’d walked by this place a couple times as well, and now I needed to walk into it.

Embellish Shoes
Embellish Shoes

The sales lady immediately understood what style I needed: something that could go from rehearsal wear into concert wear. I’m guessing American Airlines would probably not authorize me to get two pairs of shoes so I needed something stylish and comfortable for rehearsal, any meetings with donors, patrons, or board, and elegant enough for the concert.

After trying on several pairs, the very knowledgeable sales person helped me pick a pair that achieved everything I needed.

With the shopping trip successfully completed, I was ready for the day’s rehearsals, dinners, and concerts.

I’m so grateful that the city of Chattanooga has fine retailers like Embellish and Yacoubian. People that know me know I enjoy clothes shopping and jabbed me when I first accepted the job with the symphony, “where are you going to shop!?” Well, I did rather fine and I encourage anyone that travels to Chattanooga to have a look at these and other local retailers. The surprise is well worth the trip.

Bach

The last two concerts I played with the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera were filled with Bach. Classic, elegant, and tailored to fit the ears of any century. During the “Bach to Bach” concert, we played the Cantata #35; a marvelous work that really allows for an audience and the orchestra to lose themselves in counterpoints and Baroque intrigue.

Also on that program I played two movements from J.S. Bach’s d minor Partita and we went directly into the third movement of the Mendelssohn d minor violin concerto. It was a subtle thank you to Mendelssohn who was instrumental in resurrecting J.S. Bach from oblivion.  Programming a partial work and connecting to another partial work was risky, but it was very well received and we had a blast playing it.

The concert at the Volkswagen Plant was full of audience favorites that they voted to hear. On that list was everything from Rossini’s William Tell Overture to Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Also in that concert program was Bach’s Air, which was met with an audible acknowledgment of approval from the audience when they heard the opening pulse generated from the cello and bass sections. Nothing makes orchestra musicians happier than to know an audience is truly enjoying a piece. It was such a pleasurable concert!

Intermission of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera audience favorites concert.
Intermission of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera audience favorites concert.

While my travel plans were disrupted by the delayed luggage, I made some new friends in the local clothing stores as I pieced together a few “emergency” outfits. While it was aggravating to deal with the hassle of not having my luggage and trying to find suitable replacements, playing music for a happy and receptive audience punctuated why I do what I do.

About Holly Mulcahy

After hearing Scheherazade at an early age, Holly Mulcahy fell in love with the violin and knew it would be her future. She currently serves as concertmaster of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. She spends her summers at the celebrated Grand Teton Music Festival. Believing in music as a healing and coping source, Holly founded Arts Capacity, a charitable 501(c)3 which focuses on bringing live chamber music, art, artists, and composers to prisons. Arts Capacity addresses many emotional and character-building issues people face as they prepare for release into society. Holly performs on a 1917 Giovanni Cavani violin, previously owned by the late renowned soloist Eugene Fodor, and a bespoke bow made by award winning master bow maker, Douglas Raguse.

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