It takes very little to crack me up and Em playing the bass drum in the local middle school band competition did just that. Given notice the day before the event that the regular bass drum player had another, more pressing, engagement, Em was asked to step in to replace him. Okay, so she plays the flute and the piccolo--it's something like the bass drum. You've got to have rhythm and be able to read music and all, but I think even this was a stretch for Em.Em's always up for a challenge and she usually delivers. She's willing to try new things for the sheer fun of it, making comments, and cracking up the whole time. Unlike her peers, Em is willing to put herself out there, trying to help out the band wherever needed, and possibly make a fool of herself. Last year, even though she has first chair in flutes, she filled in last minute on the cymbals. AND won a special recognition from the judges for the effort.
I love that kid's spunk, her willingness to jump in wherever needed, and to try something new. I admire her spirit and her sense of humor through it all--I wish I was so put together in middle school. I'm anxious to see her in high school and beyond, to see what she can accomplish.
So, we sat in the stands, Joe and I doing the "wave" with just the two of us, cracking up at Em standing in front of the bass drum. She killed it--the band scored a "Superior"--whatever that means. I couldn't have been more proud of my goof-ball.
On another note: For all of you Illinois bloggers--if you get the opportunity, watch for the 144th Illinois Army National Guard Showband to visit your area, probably at a local high school. We saw them tonight and they are incredible!!! A fun evening of rockin' jazz tunes and a fabulous show that will make you clap, sing, laugh, and want to dance. I would highly recommend you watching for them (I think they were heading for Sullivan, IL tonight and Addison, IL soon), as it was completely free and FABULOUS!!! It is a "do not miss"!!! Not the uniformed concert you'd expect it to be. Let me know if you go.
19 comments:
What an amazing kid. She's sure got some talent to fill in on an instrument that's not hers. I also was in band in middle school and understand how difficult that can be. Great job!
Good for Em, you make even me proud of her.
She sounds like a great kid and I'm sure it's because she has great, supportive parents. And the wave? Ha!
Aw! What a little sweetie. She looks like she's concentrating hard on her music. Not many kids would be able to fill in like that on a moment's notice. Go, BASS DRUM!
Way to go Em!
Look, she's got it beat.
Way to go Em! I love how our kids are so much more together than we were at that age.
THAT IS AWESOME.
In High School, I too played the flute and piccolo, but I had a THING for the drummers. So senior year I decided to march the bass drum, it was great fun!
Look at her turning' that mother out. Just thinking about playing a drum with no practice makes me sweat.
Poise in middle school- what planet did you snatch her from? (horray!)
Oh, good for her! My youngest DD plays the flute, too. And you are so cool to do the wave!! (I always want to do stuff like that)
I love her spirit!
I especially loved this line:
Okay, so she plays the flute and the piccolo--it's something like the bass drum.
Oh, and I wish I still lived in Illinois because I would absolutely love to see that Showband perform! Jealous!!!!
Go Em! I would have been terrified to step in during a competition.
Yes, our Pudgy Princess is a corgi just like the queen has :)
Michelle--And she was mad because this bass drum was puny in comparison to their school's!! I never had that confidence in middle school!
Jude--She's a hoot, that Em. Yeah, I was proud, I'll admit.
Casey--Oh, Em and Caroline crack up when we do that in the stands. I do it at Marching Band competitions too, and they die of embarrassment. Joe isn't really too willing, but I make him do it anyway.
JD--She played the bass drum so you don't have to!! I was yelling that too..."BASS DRUM! WOOOHOOO!" She's used to me being wacky, but it was pretty weird to the other parents watching. :)
Chuck--Don't you love this kid stuff? ARe you going to do the wave at the polo matches?! Hmmm? Are ya?
Merry--NO KIDDING. I was such a dork back in middle school. Well, kinda still am. Dorks rock!
Stacie--Oh yes, Drum Line's are HOT! They are sort of the stud's of Marching Band, aren't they?I'm impressed that you marched that bad boy!
Cardigan--She rocked the beast!! I wonder if there is money and/or a future in playing the bass drum? Hmmmm...
Sharky--No kidding! And she's cute too. She seemed to sail through middle school while my anchor was sorta stuck in the mud flats of Dorkville.
Lidian--Oh, I've had YEARS of them embarrassing me--it's my big get even! Joe doesn't really put his heart and soul in it, but I do.
Violet--I have to admit, the cymbals last year were sort of funnier. She could hardly lift them and when she would CRASH them together, she would nearly fall over! Anything for a chuckle...
Storm--Oh, do post your dogs photo! Are they as nice a dog as the Queen says? She LOVES those Corgis!
I never had that kind of confidence in middle school! I'm extremely impressed and I imagine she's going to take this world by the horns and go for whatever she wants in life!
Go Em!!!!
Doe she get her talent from her mom!!? Even Aunty Veronica is proud of her.
Way to go, Em!
Tail--No kidding! I was so uncool (still am) back then and really struggled with my self-image. Didn't help that my mother made me wear polyester pantsuits to school. I'm scarred for life.
Stephanie--Yeah!! Go Bass Drum! Go Bass Drum!
Veronica--She loves all the support that she's received--especially from her favorite aunt....Auntie Veronica!! Too funny! You crack me up!
I'm in the National Guard Show Band! Thanks for the compliments!
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