Our Featured Orchestra of the Week, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, has a full, year-round schedule that involves playing downtown, summers at Tanglewood, and international tours! Amongst the busyness, Principal Clarinetist Christopher Elchico made time to answer three little questions from us. Check out what he said! •What's your favorite thing about your job? I am grateful I get to play music everyday with people I care for and respect. •What's something about your job you think most people don't realize/know? I think the ambiguous nature of a musical "workload" is often glanced over. The work takes as long as the work takes. To play at a high level means you practiced before you were ever given the job. You did the work before you started "work." The preparation is assumed and expected so the hours "on paper" are not a true reflection of the tremendous work required. •What is a challenge you have overcome on your journey to your current job? There are many challenges in getting to the BSO. Many are unique, and many similar to the ones my colleagues faced in getting to the BSO. I am from Los Angeles and my family still lives there. To be away from them is my daily challenge. It's very true that a lot of performance work happens behind the scenes and well in advance. Bravo to him and all he has achieved! 📸: Robert Torres (all photos) #orchestra #clarinet #classicalmusic #arts #concert #music #laborunion #musiciansunion #icsom #insolidarity #featuredorchestraoftheweek #bostonsymphonyorchestra #bso #massachusetts #boston #hardwork #practice #preparation (fb)

The hometown of famous actors Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg and historic places like Fenway Park is also the home to our Featured Orchestra of the Week, the Boston Symphony! Symphony Hall is located on Massachusetts Avenue, with the 1 bus route and E branch of the Green Line (Symphony stop) on "The T" subway transit line getting you there conveniently. Musicians use these public transit methods frequently, as Boston's tricky road system is known for having been developed around the paths herds of cows created back in the day. Feeling a bit low-energy after sight-seeing? Musicians recommend getting a quick caffeine fix at Dunkin. Having been founded in Boston, locations are everywhere and it is part of the tourist experience if visiting this historic city. If you're looking for more than just coffee, there are plenty of restaurants in the area where you can get a bite to eat before or after one of their concerts. This orchestra is one of the absolute best and the city is perfect if you're a history and art buff, so we urge you to get out there to see them as soon as possible! 📸: Robert Torres (photos 1 and 3), Julia Wesely/Courtesy of Musikverein Vien (photo 2) #orchestra #violin #viola #cello #bass #flute #oboe #clarinet #bassoon #horn  #trumpet #trombone #tuba #timpani #percussion #harp #piano #classicalmusic #arts #concert #music #laborunion #musiciansunion #icsom #insolidarity #featuredorchestraoftheweek #bostonsymphonyorchestra #bso #massachusetts #boston (fb)