I can't believe that our oldest child is about to WRAP UP his first year at Middle School?!?! WOW! Time is just going so quickly. There were moments when I thought that these four young sons would never stop spitting up, or make it through another ear infection, or never stop spitting up, or never get tired of playing Thomas The Train, or never stop playing Legos, or or or...
Ben wanted to join the Band his first year of Middle School. Great! He chose the trombone and I kinda' winced at this decision (quietly). I envisioned loud, awful screeching, more loud brassy noise throughout the entire house for a mere 30 minutes EACH DAY! This was going to be interesting... (Would I have to "ban" him to the garage?)
Well, I'm still waiting for the above-mentioned! Ben plays remarkably! He plays by ear on his trombone (just like Glenn on the piano). It is amazing! You name it, he can play it on the trombone! Incredible. I LOVE IT! He plays so nice. It is wonderful to listen to - a trombone!
So, there are about 7 trombone players in the 6th grade. The boy we carpool with, Deanthony, is also a fellow trombone player. There is a girl, Jada, who is a trombone player too. These 3 compete for 1st chair each and every week. Who comes up first usually? Take a guess?! :)
The boys are excited that Jada will be switching Middle Schools next year. There has been a school boundary split. But I remind them that she will once again re-appear when they all get to High School! AUGH!
For competition this year the 6th grade band performed "The Tempest" and "Labyrinth." Ben has the links posted on his blog if you want to hear the band play. They received a I rating (first division), which is Superior, as in the best rating available! They also were named best in their class (out of all the other schools that participated). Good Deal!
And at the beginning of the year, he also signed up for an end-of-the-year solo contest. Basically, you go into a room and perform a piece of your choice in front of a judge. Ben did awesome and received a I rating. Good Job Ben! He also received the "Top Trombone Player" award for the Trombone Section in his grade. Nice Job!
4 comments:
Oh, I wish he and EThan were in band together!!! I miss those competitions, etc. from Mesa........ not quite the same out here.
I loved hearing Ben play when we came to visit!
Keep up the good work Ben!
I love you!
That's awesome!
oh boy, I have a huge respect for band geeks. Having been one myself, I know there is nothing geeky about and there is lots of fun to be had!!! The skills learned are so valuable ... sounds like he's doing a great job!!
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