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I was concerned about this: for Dennis Prager, for the First Amendment, for the integrity of professional musicianship.

I can believe that other LAP players came through:

I once performed in Star Wars in Concert, twice each at two large arenas. The players were culled from the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Pops, and the Royal Philharmonic.

A fellow local veteran said, “These are the best players you will ever perform with in your life.”

She was right. They were spectacular. We local yokels were required to sign a three-page contract saying we would not fraternize with said players.

Ironically, they fraternized with us aplenty. They were relaxed (except when performing, when they were intense), professional, gracious, and appreciative. We even got a special thank-you email from the international conductor two weeks later. (To be honest, we were quite good.)

I don’t know their politics, and I don’t care. They only cared about the music. And their music was extraordinary.

This was one of two great highlights in my career. (The other: The Lord of the Rings in Concert.)