Feb 10 2009
All-District Band
Frankie and Lulu did not have school Friday. Well, school was in session and they did go there, but then they took a road trip to attend two days of all-district band. Friday was spent learning music and learning to play with other teens from area schools who were honored with making the cut for this grand opportunity.
Let’s take this back a step. In December the girls attended try-outs for the all-district band in our area. Neither of the girls have made all-districts since middle school. This was Frankie’s last year and she was ready. This year the kids had to leave their cell phones on the bus or they would be automatically disqualified. And, the group left before the results were in. That was okay, the band director stayed. He called Frankie later that day with the good news. There are two levels of band playing, concert and symphonic. Symphonic is the best, but concert is okay by us. Frankie had made 3rd chair flute in concert band and Lulu made 12th chair clarinet in concert band. They would be playing together this time around.
Frankie made 7th chair symphonic on flute in 8th grade. Lulu made 1st chair symphonic on bass clarinet in 7th grade and 3rd chair symphonic on clarinet in 8th grade. Lulu was not going to try out in 7th grade and on Frankie’s suggestion she tried out on the bass clarinet, less competition. This is what gave Lulu the confidence to join the high school marching band in 8th grade. Yes, in our county 8th graders can join high school extracurricular activities if there is a need.
This past Saturday was the concert. The girls rehearsed Friday and a good part of Saturday before the concert. It was wonderful! I swear if you closed your eyes and listened you would have thought it was a professional orchestra. I bought the cd and will post a snippet as long as I can without copyright or other infringement. I do not think this will be an issue. They played five pieces and it was the most enjoyable concert of theirs I have attended to date.
