We attended our first middle school band, orchestra, and choir concert last night. They even had a guitarchestra do a couple of numbers. For those of you who have not yet had your 12 cups of coffee this morning, a guitarchestra is the coined word for a guitar orchestra.
Some things have changed since the days of the elementary concert and some things have not changed since last year.
First those things that changed: There were a few students from the seventh an eight grades who were really good musicians. Not just really good musicians for a middle school student but really good musicians. One particular kid played a mean clarinet. One played the guitar and bass (Greg has tears in his eyes right now). One played the upright bass with passion and determination. Another was having the time of his life on the timpani.
Now those things that didn’t change: Wrong notes, squeaks, out of tune, beaming parents and friends watching their aspiring musicians. Clapping in the wrong places - clapping after the different ensembles finished tuning. In one case they did a better job at tuning than the actual piece they were playing.
Madison is playing the tenor sax. She was the only tenor sax last year in elementary school and is the only tenor sax in the concert band this year. We couldn’t actually see her because of the chair arrangements and the amazon girls in front of her but we could hear her. All those pieces she’s been practicing at home blended together with the rest of the band and made such sweet music.
I had the same reaction to this concert that I had for the elementary spring concert which I told you about. I’m still struck with how much God loves when we offer to him our gifts complete with wrong notes and squeaks.
Beaming, smiling, and nudging the closest angel, God says “that’s my kid!”
