Underdogs

I watched my first World Cup game of this year’s tourney: Germany vs Cote d’ivoire. For a period and a half little Cd’I led one nil. Then Germany got their tying goal, and in stoppage time, their go-ahead score. It was a lovely and well-played game despite some German defensive sloppiness.

I looked up the two: Cote d'Ivoire isn't so little after all: 33 million folks. I had no idea. Germany, of course, the largest in Europe at 84 million.

I rooted for Cote d’Ivoire. I have an urge to add ‘of course.’  I suppose there are people who favor the favorite, but I would guess most favor the underdog. Consider that phrase, create an image of an under-dog: chilling isn’t it? A small dog on his back, a larger dog lying on top with a grip on the underdog’s throat. I know many cheer for the expected winner; many for the competitor given less of a chance by the bettors. Americans supposedly support the underdog out of a sense of fairness, of equalizing the match with their enthusiasm and cheers. The bettors usually know better.  Unless ‘you’ve got a dog in that fight,’ the American will cheer for the underdog. Good on us.

Germany got two goals from Deniz Undav, a Stuttgart sub born in Bremen whose family is Kurdish‑Yazidi, father from southeastern Turkey and mother, northern Syria. Thus, those hateful immigrants brought Germany its advantage. My bet is that most of Germany’s soccer fans are MGGA’s, perhaps members of AfD, folks who are intolerant of immigration just as are our MAGAs who stupidly don't connect dots.

(While the boom of my neighbor's practice shots-on-goal echo in my ears.) 

 

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What Do You Know About SYSO?

Seattle is known for Microsoft, for its persistent growth, for Grunge and Kurt Cobain, for its suffocating traffic, for its Seahawks and dearly departed Sonics, for Starbucks coffee, for Dr. Frasier Crane – but not for SYSO. Would that the world’s attention be somewhat more encompassing . . .

. . .  for SYSO is one of Seattle's cultural gems.

The Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra Program is the largest youth orchestra program in the world, renowned for feeding conservatories and music schools with a steady stream of students. Symphonies the world over have SYSO alum as players, principals, concertmasters, conductors and even composers. SYSO also is known for its traditional affinity for and recordings of the music of Gustav Mahler, something no other youth orchestra has tackled. SYSO has five performing orchestras, each with its own conductor, seven if training orchestras are included, more than any other youth symphony program.

I must admit that had it not been for our grandson, Max Janes, being Principal Trumpet in SYSO's senior Youth Orchestra, I might not have known of SYSO either. SYSO is a cultural gem hiding its brilliance under a bushel.

You might naturally assume, as did I, that SYSO is a division within the Seatle Symphony and run by them. Not so: SYSO is an independent not-for-profit organization, with its own board and management, its own staff, and its own fund raising. SYSO’s mission is “Empowering youth through excellence in orchestral education.” And it delivered this past year:

• 1300 students were enrolled
• from 256 Pacific Northwest schools.
• 32 concerts were given
• before 12,500 attendees.
• In addition, 270 more students received over 400 hours of instruction in schools.
• the senior orchestra toured Portugal, playing with orchestras and ensembles in four major cities.
• SYSO's total budget is over $2.6mm.

SYSO and its supporters (which includes our family) believe that participation is transformative. Students and graduates speak of developing leadership skills, confidence, improved school performance, discipline, collaboration, community, and joy.

Recently, Ann and I attended the spring concert at UW’s Meany Hall. It was packed not just with doting parents and grand-parents, but with folks who were there simply to enjoy classical, orchestral music. The sound, even from the “Debut” orchestra, the youngest kids, was incredibly polished and mature.