young music in the air
Today I went to hear Gus's niece play the oboe. She was participating in a music festival that brought middle school and high school students from all over the region to perform and be judged. Soloists and ensembles, instrumentalists and singers - there were scores of them, dressed up, nervous, and very talented.
Gus's niece did a very impressive job (although she would vehemently disagree). So did the 10-voice young women's ensemble and the bassist (whom I've known since he was in fourth grade). So did everyone, really, when you come to think about the hard work that's involved with preparing for something like this. I would have liked to hear all the kids perform, so that I could be wowed over and over again by the dedication and the joy of music that I witnessed.
It made me very encouraged for the state of the arts on the planet. All the judges that I saw gave good constructive criticism, but also heaping doses of praise and support. These, after all, are the kids who'll be cycling into our orchestras and concert halls, and the gods know we need music in this life.
It also made me a little sad for myself, because I didn't have the opportunity to do something like this when I was in high school. Who knows what turns my music "career" might have taken if I had had the competition experience, the judging experience?
Ah well. Today wasn't really about me. Young musicians, I salute you all.
Gus's niece did a very impressive job (although she would vehemently disagree). So did the 10-voice young women's ensemble and the bassist (whom I've known since he was in fourth grade). So did everyone, really, when you come to think about the hard work that's involved with preparing for something like this. I would have liked to hear all the kids perform, so that I could be wowed over and over again by the dedication and the joy of music that I witnessed.
It made me very encouraged for the state of the arts on the planet. All the judges that I saw gave good constructive criticism, but also heaping doses of praise and support. These, after all, are the kids who'll be cycling into our orchestras and concert halls, and the gods know we need music in this life.
It also made me a little sad for myself, because I didn't have the opportunity to do something like this when I was in high school. Who knows what turns my music "career" might have taken if I had had the competition experience, the judging experience?
Ah well. Today wasn't really about me. Young musicians, I salute you all.