'Tis the Season...

For band concerts!

Jillian had her first concert Monday. It was just her band class of about 20 kids: trombones, trumpets, bass clarinets and a saxophone. Later in the year they have a concert with the whole 5th grade band, but for the first one the teacher likes them to have time to play solos or in small groups if they want to. I was very impressed with the progress Jillian has made in just 3 1/2 months. All that practicing pays off, I guess! Kylie thought she video-taped Jillian's small group performance, but for some reason, it didn't work. She played "Baa Baa Black Sheep" with the four other girls in the class. Most of the large group pieces were Christmas songs. It's definitely a cool experience to hear "Up on the Housetop", "Jingle Bells" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" played by a bunch of brass instruments!

Kylie's concert was Thursday night. It's really difficult to take good pictures at the concerts. The lighting isn't good, and Kylie sits in the middle-back of the band. My little camera's video capability isn't that great either, so you'll just have to believe me that they sounded wonderful. The band director admitted that he didn't choose many Christmas songs this year because he's planning a big "Chrismas-Kwanza-Hanukkah" concert next year. I was a little disappointed, especially since we won't have a child at Woodward next year, but they played their selections well, and "Nutcracker Suite" was one of them, so I guess that's kind of a Christmas song.

Then on Friday night, we went to the ultimate "band concert", the Seattle Symphony to see/hear Handel's Messiah. I'd never seen the whole thing before and it was amazing! I love the chorus, especially "For unto us a Child is Born", "Every Valley Shall be Exalted", and the "Hallelujah Chorus". I got chills during all of them. Benyroya Hall is a beautiful building. During the intermission, Brad and I walked up to the very top balcony and peered over the railing, quite a dizzy-ing experience.

I love Christmas music!