Sophia's Band Concert
Mar. 7th, 2018 09:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
thisnewdayJust got back from the district-wide band concert, followed by a late dinner at my daughter's, and both were fantastic! I had offered to pick up the granddaughter, whose performance we'd be attending, and take her to the high school ahead of the rest of the family, because I know how difficult it is to get everyone out the door on time.
There's homework to be done, dinner to be prepped and put in the oven for later, the hair and clothing to be gotten just right, and the youngest to be roused up up and readied after her late nap. All of that in the two-hour window before delivering Sophia and the armloads of equipment that come with being a keyboard percussionist.
And usually my daughter just goes ahead and handles all of this, but tonight she said, OK, that she'd appreciate the help. As it was, the kiddo and I got to the high school 30 minutes ahead of when the program was to start and the parking lot was already full and it was standing room only in the gym.
After getting Sophia and her equipment to the right area, I walked underneath the bleachers to where there was a sort of alcove at about mid-court. And, as it turned out, it was right across from where she and her 5th grade ensemble were set up.
A few minutes later, my daughter arrived and somehow made it through the crowd to the same general area and sat down on the floor just ahead of me with the two younger girls. When I realized she was there, I worked my way towards the front to let her know that I was there.
Shortly after that, it was show time and, as I had surmised, the ensembles performed in order from youngest to oldest. And, as I had also anticipated, it was an amazing journey, musically and educationally.
There were six ensembles including 5th, 6th, and combined 7th and 8th grade bands, followed by 9th grade concert band, and then symphonic band and wind ensemble drawn from the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.
The latter two ensembles will be competing, later this spring, in Annapolis, Baltimore, and Washington DC and, needless to say, they were amazing. Overall, the concert demonstrated what a dynamic and effective music education program they've been providing for Westhill kids over a period of years. For me personally, it fulfilled every expectation I had of it since first hearing about this concert just after the new year.
So, even though I understand that she's a busy kid, from a busy family, I'm going to do whatever I can to encourage Sophia's continuing engagement with her musical development over the coming summer.
Much is made, and rightfully so, of how much is lost academically if kids are not kept engaged, at some level, over the weeks and months of summer vacation. And based on my own experience, as a participant in school music programs from grade 4 through my freshman year as a music major in college, I know that this is true of children's musical development as well.
For Sophia, I'm not sure what form that continued engagement might take. If a kid shows sufficient interest and ability, private lessons are the logical next step. Also, at least two of the teachers who were involved in tonight's performance are also organizers of the annual county-wide band camp which is put on by the same school district.
Obviously, there are judgements to be made and decisions to be rendered by those who are closer to the situation than I am and I'm confident that Sophia's mom and dad will avail themselves of every opportunity and resource for their kids.
That said, I'll be letting them know that I'm available to help with the logistics, as necessary, to accomplish this for the kids. Because, you know, that's what grandparents do...
LPK
Dreamwidth
3.7.2018
There's homework to be done, dinner to be prepped and put in the oven for later, the hair and clothing to be gotten just right, and the youngest to be roused up up and readied after her late nap. All of that in the two-hour window before delivering Sophia and the armloads of equipment that come with being a keyboard percussionist.
And usually my daughter just goes ahead and handles all of this, but tonight she said, OK, that she'd appreciate the help. As it was, the kiddo and I got to the high school 30 minutes ahead of when the program was to start and the parking lot was already full and it was standing room only in the gym.
After getting Sophia and her equipment to the right area, I walked underneath the bleachers to where there was a sort of alcove at about mid-court. And, as it turned out, it was right across from where she and her 5th grade ensemble were set up.
A few minutes later, my daughter arrived and somehow made it through the crowd to the same general area and sat down on the floor just ahead of me with the two younger girls. When I realized she was there, I worked my way towards the front to let her know that I was there.
Shortly after that, it was show time and, as I had surmised, the ensembles performed in order from youngest to oldest. And, as I had also anticipated, it was an amazing journey, musically and educationally.
There were six ensembles including 5th, 6th, and combined 7th and 8th grade bands, followed by 9th grade concert band, and then symphonic band and wind ensemble drawn from the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.
The latter two ensembles will be competing, later this spring, in Annapolis, Baltimore, and Washington DC and, needless to say, they were amazing. Overall, the concert demonstrated what a dynamic and effective music education program they've been providing for Westhill kids over a period of years. For me personally, it fulfilled every expectation I had of it since first hearing about this concert just after the new year.
So, even though I understand that she's a busy kid, from a busy family, I'm going to do whatever I can to encourage Sophia's continuing engagement with her musical development over the coming summer.
Much is made, and rightfully so, of how much is lost academically if kids are not kept engaged, at some level, over the weeks and months of summer vacation. And based on my own experience, as a participant in school music programs from grade 4 through my freshman year as a music major in college, I know that this is true of children's musical development as well.
For Sophia, I'm not sure what form that continued engagement might take. If a kid shows sufficient interest and ability, private lessons are the logical next step. Also, at least two of the teachers who were involved in tonight's performance are also organizers of the annual county-wide band camp which is put on by the same school district.
Obviously, there are judgements to be made and decisions to be rendered by those who are closer to the situation than I am and I'm confident that Sophia's mom and dad will avail themselves of every opportunity and resource for their kids.
That said, I'll be letting them know that I'm available to help with the logistics, as necessary, to accomplish this for the kids. Because, you know, that's what grandparents do...
LPK
Dreamwidth
3.7.2018
