Somewhere In the Sound…..

Yesterday, at 5:00 pm I had a "proud grandmother moment". I was sitting in the West Bend High School auditorium as my grandson filed by with his viola in hand. Black slacks, white shirt, black tie - he looked every inch the accomplished musician.

Keep in mind that this is the SIXTH grade orchestra at his school. JUST the sixth grade. I have to applaud the school system's commitment to their music program and I hope it continues. Music and art are often the first part of the curriculum to suffer when a school board faces budget cuts. But for now at least, West Bend seems to have a healthy and BIG music program. The sixth grade also has a band! And the students don't have to carry instruments back and forth from home - they have one instrument at home and one at school. (This is especially nice for the bass players in the orchestra and the tuba players in the band.)

Of course there is a parental part of the equation, but I still applaud the school system for giving students the chance to participate in such a strong and varied music program.

Anyway - the music started - the sound filled the big auditorium and the lump formed in my throat. Somewhere in the mostly lovely noise was my grandson. I'm not saying there weren't a few flat notes because, after all, this is a SIXTH grade orchestra with students who have only been studying music since September! Watching the string players' bows moving up and down, seeing the serious concentration on the bass and cello players' faces - it was great.

And somewhere in the center, left of the conductor, was our grandson. A very nice grandparental moment!