Orchestra in China

There are moments in every life that are bound to remain special memories forever, and for about 40 members of the Southeast Missouri Symphony Orchestra one of those highlights will be performing last month on the Great Wall of China near Beijing.

The orchestra -- Southeast Missouri State University students, faculty and community members -- gave four concerts over eight days during the China trip. The visit to the Great Wall was the only outdoor concert.

The trip took about four years of planning, according to Dr. Sara Edgerton, the orchestra's artistic director. This is a daunting undertaking, and Edgerton is to be commended for her organizing efforts.

Each member of the orchestra will, of course, have his or her own trip stories to tell. But after seeing the front-page photograph of the windblown orchestra performing on the Great Wall, it's easy to imagine that this is one great moment that will be at the top of everyone's memory list.

Congratulations to the orchestra for its fine musical accomplishments and for being good ambassadors for the U.S. in general and for Southeast Missouri in particular.