Spring Band Concert

I remember as a kid being a part of several large group performances and wondering if my parents sitting in the audience really cared about the seemingly insignificant part I played in such a large production.  I wondered if it was even possible in that type of setting to do something that would impress them and make them glad they were there. After Reed's Spring Band concert last week I don't need to wonder about that any more.

 Because of where I was sitting in the auditorium, I could literately only see the tops of Reed's shoes during most of the concert. The stage was filled with talented musicians from four different schools, but what I loved most were those two black shoes I could see tapping to the beat (three in on the back row). I didn't need to see his focused furrowed brow or his ready-to-burst cheeks as he played his trumpet to feel proud of the effort he has (almost completely on his own) put into practicing. I couldn't see his excited and nervous smile either, but I knowing how much he loves music and being apart of a production I knew it was there. I can't say I could even begin to pick out which trumpet sounds belonged to him (there were a surprising many!), but I do know that if I could of it would have sounded the most beautiful to me.

My headless boy, third from the end. No---that is not a very mature 5th grader on the end. One of the band teachers plays support on trumpet.

So excited to finally see the top of his head.

I know he looks a little annoyed here, but I'm convinced it's just his look of relief.

I think the band teachers at the school are exceptional. I, for one, am grateful for their patience and dedication in teaching these kids. When Reed told me he wanted to play the trumpet (on top of everything else extra!) I was a little hesitant because it would be an area that I would have zero experience to pull from to help him out. I was really worried the first time I heard him on the trumpet. He could barely get a sound out and when he did it wasn't a good one. I am amazed at how far he has come in one year with almost no pushing on prodding on my part. Now when he plays I can recognize the song and enjoy it too. In fact one of his favorite things to do is to play something by ear and have us guess. The boy has good ear--something my genes definitely did not offer him.

Not everyone was as entranced by Reed's toe tapping feet. At some point during the concert I looked down to see that Harlow had rummaged through my purse, found my phone and was watching a Taylor Swift music video. Really!!? Luckily I was able to snatch it back before she found the volume button. I promise she wasn't such a mess when we arrived. It looks like it wasn't just my purse she was rummaging through. What happened to her hair??

Max looks a little zoned here, but he did enjoy the music. He says he wants to play the trumpet too when he's old enough for band. (No surprise there.)  After a rousing rendition of Pompeii he was also considering the drums.

I don't remember any lullaby songs, but Ruby fell asleep pretty quickly. Nothing gets in the way of that girl and her need for sleep.

After the concert Harlow wanted to hunt Reed down as soon as possible. If this picture came with audio I sure it would be, "Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed! ReeeeeReeeeeee!" I love to hear her call for him. Reed was the first of her siblings name's she could say and right after she turned one she made a nightly ritual of calling him for dinner. She would stand in her high chair, cup her hands over her mouth and shout, "Reeeeeeeeee!" 

Ignore the lack of expression on Reed's face after the concert. When he found out his whole family was going to be there to see him he was thrilled and gave a real smile to prove it.

There's a smile finally.

This is what I got when I tried to get  "just one more" picture.

At least he couldn't stop me from taking this one. I love these two together.

I don't want to forget that we were all there.

I'm so glad I allowed (against what I thought was my better judgement) Reed to add one more thing to our crazy life and join the band. He learned a new skill, got to do something he loves, and I got sit in the audience and be a proud mom. It doesn't get better than that.