Bush Faces The Music – As Conductor
Pointing out stories you may have missed. JoAnn Falletta was doing what a conductor should - concentrating on the orchestra in front of her in Jamestown, Virginia. No wonder it took her a few seconds on Sunday to realize someone behind her was motioning for a try. It was none other than US President George W. Bush, "smiling at me kind of devilishly," Falletta said. She gave him her baton and stepped aside. Gesturing exuberantly, the President led the orchestra during part of its performance of "Stars and Stripes Forever."
"We didn't expect him to know the score so well," Falletta said afterward. "He was not shy about conducting at all. He conducted with a great deal of panache." Bill Fearnside, a violinist with the Virginia Symphony, put down his instrument and picked up a camera to record the moment. "It was a little shocking, but it was fun," Fearnside said.
News source: Pierceland Herald, Canada.