Katowice, we’re told, is a hidden gem of Poland, a riverside city that has utterly transformed from a crushingly gray, oppressive place under Communism to a bustling business center with a vibrant cultural life.
Unfortunately, we have to take their word for it. With a 2 PM arrival in the city, and warm-ups starting between 4:30 and 6 PM, there was no time for sightseeing. The orchestra traveled from Warsaw to perform for a sold-out crowd in Katowice’s incredible 1800-seat NOSPR (Narodowa Orkiestra Symfoniczna Polskiego Radia, or in English, the National Radio Symphony Orchestra of Poland) Hall. The hall is less than four years old and was built as part of a “cultural axis” in the city that includes museums and historic sites. The hall is the home of the renowned National Radio Symphony Orchestra of Poland. We were pleased to have the opportunity to perform here. We didn’t get much of a chance to get acquainted with Katowice, but we are glad that the classical music lovers of Katowice got to meet us.
 This is Katowice! As seen from the hotel. |
 The exterior of the NOSPR Hall, clad in red stone columns of varying widths in nods to both the traditional architecture of the region and the changing rhythms of music. |
 Dinner! The pre-show backstage spread. |
 The stunning interior of NOSPR Hall. Those risers are hydraulic. |
 Setting up, warming up for the people of Katowice. |
 Hornist Sheryl Hadeka’s pre-concert view. |
 Sheryl Hadeka on the bus from Warsaw to Katowice. |
 The couple that plays together: Sheryl’s fiance Ryder Shelley is a substitute percussionist on the tour. |
 Sheryl and JoAnn pre-concert. |
 Katowice, we hardly knew ye: on to Lublin! |