St. Louis Cardinals – Stories from Backstage

Postcard Thursday

Violist Chris Tantillo has been on Colorado hiking trails and golf courses, on a Missouri lake and at Busch Stadium, among other places, this summer. Here’s his summer-vacation report:

“So far, I’ve had a very fun and relaxing summer. I mainly stuck around St. Louis, teaching my students, but was able to get out of town a few times as well. My wife Rebecca and I took a trip to Denver, where we hiked some trails in Rocky Mountain National Park, explored the area and went to some fantastic restaurants.

“I went back to Denver a second time with some friends and colleagues for our annual Mancation golfing extravaganza.

“We also spent many weekends swimming and kayaking in Innsbrook, MO, where my in-laws have a lake house.

“And of course, Rebecca and I went to a few Cardinals games, which are always a blast!”

Chris and Rebecca @ Busch Stadium. Go Cards!

Next Postcard Thursday: Second violinist Andrea Jarrett

Sad Sight

A sad sight in St. Louis: the stage hands take down the “Go Cards” sign from Powell Hall.

The St. Louis Symphony performs music by Bernstein, Copland and Gershwin this weekend. Come to the show. It will help take your mind off of losing to the Cubs. At least for a little while.

Practice Throws

The new St. Louis Symphony president, Marie-Hélène Bernard, throws out the first pitch before the Cardinals game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium on August 31.

It is not lost on the Montreal native that the Nationals were formerly the Expos, or Les Expos, as they were known by the French-speaking populace. It is also not lost on the former viola da gamba player that practice may not make perfect, but it allows oneself the best opportunity for a strong performance.

This was her first practice session, playing catch near midday in the parking lot behind Powell Hall. As you can see, Bernard possesses a pretty good throwing arm, at least when she is not laughing at the catching signals of Adam Crane, Vice President for External Affairs, who is her coach up until the big pitch.

Notice that Crane calls the last pitch a strike.

Playing Music Talking Trash

Look what the brass players of the St. Louis Symphony and Boston Symphony did on the eve of the Cardinals-Red Sox World Series. Sure, they got Seiji, but we got Gerry Pagano’s beard. Go St. Louis (Symphony and Cards)! Click.