January 29, 2019 - Playing the saxophone

Riley has been practicing for her solo and ensemble solo since probably October.  Her ensemble has been practicing since December.  Once a week, she goes to a saxophone lesson.  Most nights she plays with her dad whether he's playing his horn or the piano.  Once a week, she plays with the clown band but that's a different kind of music which she needs.  But I think she's getting burnt out.

Anyway, tonight, at school, she played her solo and ensemble music on stage.  The ensemble did well and her assistant director gave them both positive and critical feedback. The last couple of years, this concert has been the night before solo and ensemble but this year gives them a little time to clean up anything they need to fix.  She did her solo just two pieces later.  It was gorgeous.  Her dad played piano along with her and he played beautifully as well.  I think somewhere in his heart, he had dreamed of that day.

Afterwards, her director stepped up on stage and said "good job".  When she left the auditorium, he stepped up to the microphone and said, "well, that was pretty."  And somewhere in the auditorium, someone just randomly started clapping again.  It was impressive.  Hilariously, when it ended, she made this horrible face because the last note was somehow wrong?  Anyway, I was proud of her.