After Random's Fall Concert he was promoted to advanced strings. We were so proud! His rehearsal schedule was switched from Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:15 to Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:15. You can see how that would be quite an adjustment to our lives. :-P
He has been practicing regularly and seems to enjoy his 'jam sessions'. One of these days we might get him to practice his assignments but for now watching him having so much fun and explore the joy of musical expression is good enough for me.
His Spring Concert was last night at 7:30. All of the elementary students and beginning strings from the middle schools for the entire district played together. It was an army of string players and was given even more bulk with the teachers playing piano, drum set and guitar. It really was a phenomenal sight and an even more phenomenal sound. You haven't lived until you've heard 100 beginning string players wail out Twinkle Variations with drum set accompaniment.
They also performed a version of Beethoven's Ode To Joy. I've heard this tune plenty of times voiced in many different ways. This is the one that makes me smile the biggest. Not only is Random sawing away in the front row with great feeling and gusto, it's got a rockin' drum beat! Beethoven and high-hat...does it get any better?
We had to get home and get our kids to bed so we were unable to see the rest of the groups play but next time we'll try to plan better so Random can stay and hear the older kids. There was a huge improvement between Fall and Spring and I'm sure the High Schools would have been inspirational for him.
In lieu of hearing the high schools perform, Troy loaded up our computer with buckets of Yo-Yo Ma and we've been rocking out to his tangos all day. The cello is really a gorgeous instrument...too bad it doesn't have a double reed. hehe
