Daughter No. 2 plays trumpet in the high school band, which is why we went to Florida. Last night, the symphonic band performed their spring concert in an auditorium that felt like 75 degrees Fahrenheit going in but 175 degrees Fahrenheit going out. If only a benefactor would step in and air-condition the place. We'll be lucky to even pass the levy next week that will fund basic educational needs and sports, though, so a comfortable auditorium for the arts isn't likely (I digress).
It was one of the best concerts I have heard them perform. They opened with Valdres--a nice little country march, followed by a couple of pieces by Richard Saucedo who is a band director/composer who seems to specialize in pretty band music instead of loud obnoxious band music. As the director said last night, there just isn't enough pretty music being played these days. They also performed a piece based on Pearl Harbor (the event, not the movie), and they finished with a medley of movie tunes from the last twenty or so years. That's where Daughter No. 2 comes in.
After the usual Raiders March bit, Jaws, Jurassic Park, the piece finishes with Apollo 13. The theme to Apollo 13 is haunting and also great fun to play. Daughter No. 2 recognized that right away and set out to earn the solo. She played it beautifully--bright and clear and not a hint of nervousness.
What's up with kids, though? She didn't even tell us she had a solo, only that she was going to ask for it. If No. 1 hadn't called before the concert and spilled the beans, we wouldn't have known, and since the trumpet section is hidden in the back of the stage, we would have heard a phantom trumpet and applauded without the benefit of extreme pride.
So, yea for No. 2 and her solo and her determination to get it because it was beautiful, and there just isn't enough pretty music being played these days.
It was one of the best concerts I have heard them perform. They opened with Valdres--a nice little country march, followed by a couple of pieces by Richard Saucedo who is a band director/composer who seems to specialize in pretty band music instead of loud obnoxious band music. As the director said last night, there just isn't enough pretty music being played these days. They also performed a piece based on Pearl Harbor (the event, not the movie), and they finished with a medley of movie tunes from the last twenty or so years. That's where Daughter No. 2 comes in.
After the usual Raiders March bit, Jaws, Jurassic Park, the piece finishes with Apollo 13. The theme to Apollo 13 is haunting and also great fun to play. Daughter No. 2 recognized that right away and set out to earn the solo. She played it beautifully--bright and clear and not a hint of nervousness.
What's up with kids, though? She didn't even tell us she had a solo, only that she was going to ask for it. If No. 1 hadn't called before the concert and spilled the beans, we wouldn't have known, and since the trumpet section is hidden in the back of the stage, we would have heard a phantom trumpet and applauded without the benefit of extreme pride.
So, yea for No. 2 and her solo and her determination to get it because it was beautiful, and there just isn't enough pretty music being played these days.
Comments
Sounds like a wonderful time. It is a shame that at the public level of school support and funding, the arts always seem to be last and don't rank as high as sports etc.
congrats to D#2
Congrats Daughter 2!
I'm so glad she got to solo and that you knew it was her.
A splendid evening.
I never told my parents when I had stuff like that (say, at dance recitals and such), either. If they fussed, I got nervous.
Her teacher says that she would be great in a little mariachi band that she has. They wear little sombreros. I will need my camera for that.
Hey, thanks for visiting and great blog. Enjoying yours.....
I never was good at math.
Anyway, tell No. 2 (or #1, or 007, or whoever she is) I said, "Congratulations!"
As someone who can't play a single instrument, I'm mighty impressed.
#1 used to say that she's the First One, and #2 is the Other One.