Today, people can look up the spelling of a word on dictionary.com. That option didn't exist in 1988, however. Thus, after an orchestra rehearsal one afternoon, a violinist's source for a spelling was me. In the hallway, she asked if anyone knew the spelling of repertoire. Another violinist pointed me out and told her, "Ask him. If anyone would know, he would."
I appreciated the compliment. Since then, the person who said it has had a long career with our local symphony orchestra. Although I know she has the musical talent for the ensemble, I'd like to think that her judgment of character also made those who auditioned her all the more glad to have her in the orchestra.
