Loud!

I didn't realize it at the time, but yes, those musicians in the foreground are covering their ears while the percussion section sounds off behind them.

It was part of a wonderful program for second-graders by the National Philharmonic Orchestra I photographed yesterday. That's Piotr Gajewski, the NPO's music director, conducting at left. Needless to say, the school kids loved the sound. But this is probably not a photo that's going to show up in the NPO's promotional materials anytime soon!