an oboe for Autumn
Autumn had continued playing her school-owned rental oboe through 7th grade, and practiced regularly, and wanted to continue playing. She did everything I said she would have to do, so I held up my end by taking her to Amro Music today to buy her an oboe of her very own.
It was really important to me that she learn an instrument. Not just because of music scholarships, either...because even if you don't go on to be a musician or music teacher, you have learned something. It's not innate, you can be talented, but it's not something you're born knowing, it's a learned skill. And by mastering it, you also open the door on a whole world that's hidden to people who don't play an instrument. The value it adds to your life is enormous.
I had gone in there last week to price the things, and was pretty much over the sticker shock (which was pretty severe at first, I have to admit). Like I realize I just spent that much money but I'm not really dwelling on it, because the whole experience was so awesome I would have paid double for it.
I had always pictured buying her her first instrument. Sort of made the assumption that it was going to happen, and I would be there, and it would be great. But talking with her about music on the way there, talking about her instrument as she tried different oboes, seeing the look on her face when she realized there was a huge difference between her rented instrument and this one, and how the salesman talked to her like she was a musician, not just a middle school student...it was really amazing and wonderful and I am so happy about it still.
It was really important to me that she learn an instrument. Not just because of music scholarships, either...because even if you don't go on to be a musician or music teacher, you have learned something. It's not innate, you can be talented, but it's not something you're born knowing, it's a learned skill. And by mastering it, you also open the door on a whole world that's hidden to people who don't play an instrument. The value it adds to your life is enormous.
I had gone in there last week to price the things, and was pretty much over the sticker shock (which was pretty severe at first, I have to admit). Like I realize I just spent that much money but I'm not really dwelling on it, because the whole experience was so awesome I would have paid double for it.
I had always pictured buying her her first instrument. Sort of made the assumption that it was going to happen, and I would be there, and it would be great. But talking with her about music on the way there, talking about her instrument as she tried different oboes, seeing the look on her face when she realized there was a huge difference between her rented instrument and this one, and how the salesman talked to her like she was a musician, not just a middle school student...it was really amazing and wonderful and I am so happy about it still.