Sometimes a Dad Has to Brag.

Last night was Christmas concert night at the HS. The choir performed at 7 in the auditorium, the band at 8 in the gym and then a reception with snacks and some small groups performing in the commons. Powerkitten (Kid1) played a lot last night. (In case you don't know, she is an awesome clarinet player.)

She started with the choir. 6 kids were picked to play for the choir along with some of the string players from our big local symphony. Also playing with them was their old band director that retired last year. Needless to say, the kids were more excited about playing alongside their old director than they were any of the rest of it. Last week some kids in the band learned that the "pros" were going to be playing and they tried to tell Powerkitten and some of the other kids they weren't going to be good enough to play alongside these people. PK was pissed. "Have you not heard me play?" was her response. Well she certainly showed them. At rehearsal Friday the HS kids that were picked all proved how capable they are. Last night the performance was AWESOME!!! the choir was beautiful but PK and the kids played amazing. Her solo was outstanding. I was awed and I hear her every day, so that takes a lot.

Oh, and when the choir was getting ready to warm-up, the choir director took PK aside and told her that she was incharge of the musicians and to gather them together and lead the warm-up. PK was floored. And nervous. She wants to be a HS band director someday. To be asked to be incharge of the pros, and her old director (think "mentor") caught her off gaurd. But she did it and was complimented by the pros for how incontrol she was. WOW!

So she got a few minutes to catch her breath as the crowd moved to the gym. The band played very well. A fun Christmas concert. PK had two solos and nailed them.

So we moved to the commons and the brass ensemble went first. They kind of stunk. then the clarinet choir played next. PK had picked the girls in this. She picked the music and was incharge of all of it. Friday she even cut several girls for not coming to practice. They did a really good job.

The jazz band was next. They were awesome. We haven't had a jazz band in yrs at the HS and the kids really wanted to "wow" everyone. They did. PK plays 2nd tenor sax in jazz band. It's an instrument she is just learning. She struggled a few times last night, but she did good.

I took a program and I wrote her a little note and put it in her purse. She found it right before she went to bed. I think she really liked it. All I wrote was "You never stop amazing me! I Love You." and signed it "Dad".