Progress.

I wonder how many jobs have the satisfaction of an Elementary band teacher? Teaching children to read is probably up there, but not many things to do you see (hear!) such huge growth and change, such an obvious improvement in such a short time. I find it amazing. No wonder I went into education. Learning is fascinating.

In September, Michael could barely hold the trombone. I wish I had made video of that first night, but you can imagine, the sound of pathetic fog horn mixed with howls of laughter... and sobs from Henry. It took months before he got "unafraid" of that trombone! Now he loves it...

Last night was the Band and Chorus concert at the school. Wow! It was so fun! My mind flooded with memories of "Monday Night Jazz" at Meridian High School and concerts at Lowell Scott.


My apologies to all the faces. I try for that whole anonymity thing, but it doesn't work so well in this setting! Two things of note, before I zoom in, check out the black legs just a swinging for all the world on the back row, trombone section! Cute! The other... the 12 year old boy inching in front of me. I kindly said, "Could you please sit down the people behind you can't see?" (We were all on the floor, he was standing in front of an elderly woman and others sitting on hard earned-early arriver chairs and the rest of us...) He said "No. I can't." I'm sure my look said it all. Befuddled, confused, amazed at his audacity, "You can't?" I sputtered, "as in your legs don't bend?" (I just thought that part, I was honestly wondering if "can't" was a physical impairment!). He plopped quickly down.