http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ChrisCobler/7811 As the beautiful music thundered over me Friday night, I wished all of Victoria could have shared in the moment. I'm not much of a classical music lover, but the power of Verdi's "Requiem" floored me. The choir and the musicians covered every square inch of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church's stage and caressed and cajoled everyone in the sanctuary with their sound. How could I be hearing this in little ol' Victoria, I thought. Aprill Brandon wrote a story daily about the Victoria Bach Festival, but the event didn't attract much online comment. Even at the sold-out concert Friday night, just about everyone I talked to before and after had something to say about the scandal involving the district attorney and the indicted city officials. Many said it all was embarrassing for Victoria. I understand that sentiment, but I hope everyone remembers there's a lot more to the Crossroads region than scandal. I heartily salute everyone involved in the Victoria Bach Festival. (Disclaimer: My wife is a board member, but she'll be the first to tell you others before her did all of the heavy-lifting to make the annual event happen.) How in the world did we end up with Kallen Esperian, winner of the Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competition, singing in Victoria? As the beautiful music thundered over me Friday night, I wished all of Victoria could have shared in the moment. I'm not much of a classical music lover, but the power of Verdi's "Requiem" floored me. The choir and the musicians covered every square inch of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church's stage and caressed and cajoled everyone in the sanctuary with their sound. How could I be hearing this in little ol' Victoria, I thought. Aprill Brandon wrote a story daily about the Victoria Bach Festival, but the event didn't attract much online comment. Even at the sold-out concert Friday night, just about everyone I talked to before and after had something to say about the scandal involving the district attorney and the indicted city officials. Many said it all was embarrassing for Victoria. I understand that sentiment, but I hope everyone remembers there's a lot more to the Crossroads region than scandal. I heartily salute everyone involved in the Victoria Bach Festival. (Disclaimer: My wife is a board member, but she'll be the first to tell you others before her did all of the heavy-lifting to make the annual event happen.) How in the world did we end up with Kallen Esperian, winner of the Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competition, singing in Victoria? en-us Well said!  Victoria can do things FIRST CLASS, and the thousands of people who enjoyed events at Taqueria to the Welder Center to the Opera House prove that.  In a world where there is plenty to complain about, we have something to brag about.  Where else in the world do citizens open tjheir homes to hudnreds of musicians and provide the opportunity to make music from Clapton to Bach!  Victoria;   pat your self on the back.  JG http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ChrisCobler/7811/#c_54723 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ChrisCobler/7811/#c_54723 Well said!  Victoria can do things FIRST CLASS, and the thousands of people who enjoyed events at Taqueria to the Welder Center to the Opera House prove that.  In a world where there is plenty to complain about, we have something to brag about.  Where else in the world do citizens open tjheir homes to hudnreds of musicians and provide the opportunity to make music from Clapton to Bach!  Victoria;   pat your self on the back.  JG i heard the bach event  at the welder center on public radio this past week.  very nice on the radio but I am sure we gave the performers a great hand!   Chris- on a differ note.  Is it true the $9 million sports complex is all graffti up!!!!   If so you guys should cover this.  This complex will be a huge public draw if its pristine not punked!    http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ChrisCobler/7811/#c_54729 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ChrisCobler/7811/#c_54729 i heard the bach event  at the welder center on public radio this past week.  very nice on the radio but I am sure we gave the performers a great hand!   Chris- on a differ note.  Is it true the $9 million sports complex is all graffti up!!!!   If so you guys should cover this.  This complex will be a huge public draw if its pristine not punked!    JG, Thanks for adding the comment about the musicians staying in people's homes. We were fortunate enough to have Gayle Garcia, a viola player from Sugarland, stay with us. She was so delightful. Her presence on stage Friday night enriched my enjoyment of the performance. We were treated to a spectacular show and made a new friend. A double gift. Fatboy, We'll check into the report of the vandalism at the youth sports complex.. I received an e-mail Saturday about how this affected the H-E-B courts from the Victoria Tennis Association, so there apparently is something to this. What a pity. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ChrisCobler/7811/#c_54799 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ChrisCobler/7811/#c_54799 JG, Thanks for adding the comment about the musicians staying in people's homes. We were fortunate enough to have Gayle Garcia, a viola player from Sugarland, stay with us. She was so delightful. Her presence on stage Friday night enriched my enjoyment of the performance. We were treated to a spectacular show and made a new friend. A double gift. Fatboy, We'll check into the report of the vandalism at the youth sports complex.. I received an e-mail Saturday about how this affected the H-E-B courts from the Victoria Tennis Association, so there apparently is something to this. What a pity.