May-cember is a real thing, people <3
Young parents have introduced us to the name “May-cember” and it is so perfect.
Just like December, May is filled with all manner of concerts, tournaments, recitals and graduation celebrations that equal the party mood and gift investment of Christmas giving.
Up to this point, the band of brothers only kept us busy with sports and Miss Caroline offered us the only exposure to the arts with her seasonal recitals. But now all four are enrolled in school as of fall this year.
(God bless their parents for manning the home school through Covid lockdown until all were ready to be back in a full school program)
And with elementary and middle school comes music classes so we have been treated to four concerts in the past two weeks.
In chronological order for the grands, we started off with Graham’s middle school choir, band and orchestra concert.
I have to say he was less than enthusiastic, but we loved it.
We loved seeing various other kids we have met playing in both the orchestra and band. There is something pretty incredible as the parents of former music students to hear the accomplishments of a group of students who have learned to play an instrument or sing their part in the selections.
We know the practice that is involved, the patience of the teachers as they work with a variety of personalities and instruments and it was an absolute delight to see the 6th, 7th and 8th graders present a quality program.
The next in line was our Emmett, grade 4.
He was in Beginning Band and would tote home various pre-instrument instruments throughout the past few months.
Small plastic, scaled down versions of a flute, reed and brass came at various times. Also there was a Menards’ bucket and drumsticks and a set of bell chimes.
The bell chimes were extremely popular when whipped out and practiced in the van for the five minute 42 second ride home from school. If you drive really fast. Kidding. It was met every time with cries from siblings begging him to stop.
As all the beginning band students learned multiple short songs on all these instruments, the concert involved variations and repetitions of songs as they used all the same kind, or chose a kind and then played through again on a different instrument.
It was impressive.
We were also treated to the 4th and 5th grade choirs, orchestras and the 5th grade band, who play real instruments.
Again, it was amazing to see the progression of learning and to appreciate the work that both instructors and students had put into their performance.
I do have to say of all the concerts, this one was the longest and we chose to sit on bleachers with no back so there are a lot of memories from this to work through…sigh…note to self, bring the sports chairs we bought for basketball games to next year’s concert.
Last night we got to see the K-3rd musical with Mutt and Jeff…
Sis was all in…100%. Hand motions, facials, rounding those o’s and projecting were state of the art.
Joel gave it his all, which was a toned down version. He definitely sang and participated in all the hand motions but you could tell he would have gladly missed the whole thing for a baseball practice. No doubt.
They were all adorable and sang out so loud and with such energy.
The majority of the choir and speakers were obviously very happy about being up there and it occurred to me that as children get older, sadly many lose that joy of being a part of music and it is too bad.
Music is such a release and stress breaker. There is a reason that music was played in elevators and is used in stores. Customers may not notice it, but when it is not on, there is a definite difference in the atmosphere of the store.
Musical scores in movies create a mood and music in church is an important form of worship.
Mathematics websites promote music education as a way to develop the parts of the brain needed for those studies. There is a huge connection between students who do well academically and being involved in music and the arts.
I always encourage everyone to speak up in support of our school funding for music and art because I firmly believe these subjects are an integral part of a good education for our young people.
There are students who may never be exposed to the opportunity to learn music or to discover art without the elementary, middle and high school experience.
Which brings me to our fourth concert.
This one was very special to us as we were not only interested in hearing the students, but our eyes were fixed firmly on their teacher/conducter.
After Emmett’s concert on Monday, we hopped in the car and traveled to St. Louis to see our Sarah’s spring middle school orchestra perform.
We have watched her concerts since she was six years old in Suzuki student. What a treat to see her lead a group of young people who she has poured into all year. They did such a great job and we were honored to be in the audience.
Afterwards we helped her load the car with all the basses and one cello that a forgetful student left behind…sigh…middle school.
Once again I had to laugh at the words I have eaten back when I told the Suzuki instructor that I thought a six year old taking up the violin was a passing phase, but okay we would give it a try.
What did I know?