Band Blowout

Last night was Brendon's "big" holiday band and choir concert. And yes, the italics are used for sarcasm.



It was a crazy afternoon/night at our house, so things had already been hectic by the time we arrived. Then, when Brendon got up to play his first solo, the trumpet he was using (his trumpet wasn't working earlier that day, so his teacher had him use hers) wouldn't work. The teacher stops the concert and comes over to help, tries to oil the valves, and she still can't get it to work. I was dying in my seat (and praying too!) that something would work out, cause I could tell Brendon was distraught--though he was doing his best to cover it up and act tough. He is ten, you know. Finally the teacher just grabs Brendon's friend's trumpet and switches out the mouthpieces so Brendon could play his solos. And then he did GREAT! I was so proud of him for being able to hold it together through all of this. Because if you know his music teacher, it was not pleasant. She's a stressful woman.

*I forgot to mention that Brendon's vice principal, Mr. Blake called later that night to tell him what a good job he did performing in that stressful situation. That helped him feel better. I had told him the same thing several times already (he was feeling really embarrassed), but it always means more coming from someone who isn't your mom. I was really impressed that Mr. Blake would take the time to call ( he is a family friend/former ward member--so it really meant a lot to Brendon).

Here's Brendon after the concert with his friend (and trumpet lender) Tanner.






Tyler hardly moved through the band's performance. He would clap and cheer after each song--such a copycat!




He was also thoroughly entertained by the water fountain that he could just barely reach if he stood on his tippy-toes. Wow he's growing up!



Back to the concert...by the time it was over I was just sick of it all--the music teacher yelled at all the kids DURING the concert whenever they weren't in the right place or took to long saying their lines. They were doing a "radio show" from back in the day, and she told us to pretend we were the studio audience. I almost couldn't hold back my sarcastic remarks at one point when she said--to the audience, I think--that we "couldn't hear" her stage yelling to the kids because it was a radio show. No lady. We could hear you. But we sure wish we didn't have to.



I think I'm going to have to volunteer to help with the next concert and subject myself to her presence on a daily basis, because there is no way I want a repeat of last night's concert. The kids (and parents!) deserve better. I may not be able to change the teacher, but at least I could help her out with a few of the details so she maybe could relax a little, and I could definitely make it more of a production, right?