Orchestras usually feel like very serious affairs, but there’s room for levity in just about any situation. In a video that has gone viral repeatedly since 2019, conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin gets the surprise of his life while standing before the Philadelphia Orchestra, and his reaction is too pure for this world. It was Yannick’s 44th birthday, and since he had to spend it at work, his student musicians decided to prank him with a very sweet birthday surprise.
In the clip, we see Yannick leading the orchestra at the 2019 All-City High School Music Festival. Suddenly, the musicians stop listening to him, and he lowers his baton in confusion. When he hears the familiar strains of “Happy Birthday To You” he realizes he’s been had, and he slumps over the podium, laughing.
Is there any better way to surprise a conductor? We think not! Check out Yannick’s reaction in the video below.
You can find the source of this story’s featured image here.
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