Tonight was the 8th Grade Orchestra’s Winter Concert. Cheyenne has been in orchestra since 6th grade. There are only two concerts a year – one in the winter and one in the spring. The winter concerts are very short events – typically about a half hour or so. The performance this evening featured six relatively short pieces. I wish it was a longer show, but I know that it takes a tremendous amount of time, energy, and practice to get six pieces to that quality level.
From one concert to the next I am impressed with the growth that is evident in the students’ abilities. Since Cheyenne started orchestra, I am amazed each and every time I attend one of her concerts – there is such a noticeable improvement from concert to concert and from year to year. Every time we go to a concert my prayer is this:
“Please God, let her play the viola her entire life, so I can listen to my child create this beautiful music for all my days.” I know it is improbable that Cheyenne will continue with her viola the whole of her life, but I figure if I get that prayer in enough God may get tired of hearing it and just give it to me to shut me up (albeit, this technique never worked with my prayers about winning the lottery…at least not yet).
Cheyenne with her brother Cory
I have my fingers crossed that she will agree to carry her viola playing at least through high school. I really want her to have that experience and I selfishly want that as well. To see her be a part of such a beautiful effort makes me happy and serene. And as the mother of a teen (for the fourth time), I know that happy and serene is a state that is almost non-existent in the teen years.
For tonight, I will settle in with the melodies in my mind and enjoy the serenity they deliver. There really are nothing like the strings to soothe the soul. As always, thank you Mrs. Larson and Ms. Schwartz for the great work you do with the kids! 
Day one thousand two hundred and forty-one of the new forty – obla di obla da
Ms. C
