The Incredible Lightness
...Of childrens' holiday programs.
Last week sucked in a general sort of way, nothing in particular was wrong, but it felt like nothing was going right and that everyone was grouchy. Cold weather, then rain, then ice, and all gray skies for the short late-autumn days already seemed to grind on people's sense of seasonal cheer. After a while it began wearing even on me. Luckily, there were two things planned for the week that brought some much-needed levity to my spirit, The Boy's holiday program at school, which was held in the newly-renovated high school theater, and the Christmas concert at J.'s work.
There were the usual songs about red-nosed reindeer and possessed snowmen, but there were some others including the first graders' attempt at a Christmas rap, that were quite innovative. The pall that hangs over the music programs - due to pending budget cuts - of all of our public schools did not drag the event down, so much as give the teachers and staff a chance to shine one last time. The high school student band, chorus, and jazz bands were all quite entertaining. The reception afterward was fun - the band boosters put together a Toyland-themed exhibit with all the classics from sock monkeys to bucket soldiers, toy trains to Barbie dolls - all that to go along with the home-baked cookies and other goodies.
My mood was definitely lifted by the gales of laughter, proud smiles, and enthusiastic applause the audiences of both events had for the performers. The events did much to dispel my bad mood and make me look forward to the coming holidays.
Last week sucked in a general sort of way, nothing in particular was wrong, but it felt like nothing was going right and that everyone was grouchy. Cold weather, then rain, then ice, and all gray skies for the short late-autumn days already seemed to grind on people's sense of seasonal cheer. After a while it began wearing even on me. Luckily, there were two things planned for the week that brought some much-needed levity to my spirit, The Boy's holiday program at school, which was held in the newly-renovated high school theater, and the Christmas concert at J.'s work.
There were the usual songs about red-nosed reindeer and possessed snowmen, but there were some others including the first graders' attempt at a Christmas rap, that were quite innovative. The pall that hangs over the music programs - due to pending budget cuts - of all of our public schools did not drag the event down, so much as give the teachers and staff a chance to shine one last time. The high school student band, chorus, and jazz bands were all quite entertaining. The reception afterward was fun - the band boosters put together a Toyland-themed exhibit with all the classics from sock monkeys to bucket soldiers, toy trains to Barbie dolls - all that to go along with the home-baked cookies and other goodies.
My mood was definitely lifted by the gales of laughter, proud smiles, and enthusiastic applause the audiences of both events had for the performers. The events did much to dispel my bad mood and make me look forward to the coming holidays.