Places to think about while the heat wave continues: Aspen Music Festival and School, where David Halen, Marks Sparks and Tom Stubbs are teaching and performing; Sun Valley Summer Symphony, where Kristin Ahlstrom, Peter Henderson, Asako Kuboki, Erin Schreiber, Tod and Cynthia Bowermaster, Shawn Weil, Morris Jacob, Ann Fagerburg, Bjorn Ranheim, Andrea Kaplan, and Andrew Cuneo are part of the orchestra; Colorado Music Festival where I know Bjorn and Shannon Farrell Williams are playing and Ward Stare is conducting.

I lean toward the West, but Roger Kaza and Eva Stern are playing in the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, with a lake to swim and trees to breathe in western New York.

There are many places where you can avoid talking about the heat and get your classical fix. Pick a cool spot with a hot summer orchestra, chances are you'll find a St. Louis Symphony musician involved.