SPRING Saturday

We finally had a real live Saturday that actually looked and felt like SPRING! I know our friends and family in Utah have also felt like Spring has not yet decided to grace us with her presence. We had a busy day planned; it was great to be able to spend some of it outside!

Abbie had Solo and Ensemble that morning. I think there are many of these in our future. It was not required to participate, but this is Abbie, and boy, does she love to perform. It was very nostalgic for me. The 'flutes' room was quite near the 'strings' room and it was incredible to sit outside the door and listen to the talented music coming from the middle schoolers participating. Orchestra is not available at this level in the schools, so the string musicians have to be quite dedicated.

I loved the judge Abbie had. From my experience with SnE, the judge nods, critiques, and sends you on your way. I never felt like I learned anything from having to participate, and always felt worse when I was done. It was frequently a miserable experience. Abbie's judge took time with each group to compliment, and then not only critique, but teach how to improve on the things she was suggesting needed strengthening. The judge complimented her on how well prepared she was, as well as the feeling Abbie put into the song as she performed it. She helped her learn how to better get 'on top of' some difficult notes, and then asked if she could see Abbie's flute, as she thought something might be wrong with it.

Since Abbie began playing the flute, occasionally when she plays, I would notice some funny sounds. . .not quite complete notes. Not knowing anything myself about the flute, I asked her how to correct what was happening, and she has never been able to give me an answer. As she is not in private lessons, I didn't think I could really nag her to figure this thing out that obviously annoyed me :)

So the SnE judge picks up Abbie's flute, and points out some keys that are not fully closing and mentions that it needs repaired. She asks Abbie if she would mind if she (the judge) plays it, and then proceeds to try to play Abbie's flute. And she can't do it. I realize this is a bit of a long and boring story, but I had this 'Ahah' moment when I realized that for eight months, I've been waiting for Abbie to figure out how to stop doing something and play the flute correctly, and it's not her at all. It's the flute. One of these days, when she doesn't have to play a school instrument anymore, this will all be resolved. I'm just glad I didn't nag her incessantly, just occasionally. . .

A little bball before performing

and then, soccer, soccer, soccer