December music

On the 5th Rachel and Nathan had their winter concert. We are not allowed to record their concerts, per their instructors. Their pieces are really long and very well done. Nathan was in Concert Band this fall but has auditioned for, and moved up to, Symphonic Band for the spring. He had a very bad audition experience last spring which is why he ended up in Concert band, but he has worked hard and is reaping the fruits of that labor. We're very happy for him. Rae is second chair Wind Ensemble and auditioned for Regional band this month and was placed in the Symphonic Band for the region. Not as high as the Wind Ensemble but she placed 25th out of 90 so we're very pleased for her also!

On the 7th Rachel and Nathan had a Christmas Parade they marched in in League City. It was very cold that night and we did not attend the community event but they both had fun and got new sweaters/sweatshirts out of the deal.

On the 11th Darik and Caleb had their piano recital. Darik is under the supervision of a pediatric ophthalmologist and even with his attentive care we have a difficult time keeping Darik in lenses that bring his vision to 20/20. He really has persevered in learning the piano because he cannot sit at the proper distance to play correctly and still be able to see the music. So while it is painful to watch him play, please recognize that we are truly doing our best to address his vision issues while also helping him develop his talents. He and Caleb both enjoy learning to play piano and are progressing in their studies.

On the 19th Anna and Jaron had their winter concert. It was Jaron's first concert ever. Their concert is held in the middle school cafeteria and the set up is horrible! There are three bands set up at once and rows of chairs for parents all on the same floor. It is impossible to see your kid play unless you and she are in the front rows. Anna is always in the very back of the band as she is a percussionist so we just took pictures after the concert to commemorate the event. Trumpets are never in the front row and we couldn't get there early enough for us to get to the front row. Their concert was the same night that Jason got home from a trip to Kansas City so I had to pick him up from his flight at 5:30 and make it back in time for the concert at 7:30. Jaron and Anna had to walk to the school to be there in time for warm ups at 6:30 while Nathan took care of Darik, Caleb and Sarah because Rachel was at work.  But we got to hear the wonderful music they both played. Then it was out for shakes afertward  as tradition dictates.
It was a great month for music!