October Update

October is the craziest month.  Always has been.  A senior in the mix makes it more so.  Here is a quick update since the last post.

1) We had our last Panther Marching Band Review on October 11th.  This is always the best event on the marching band schedule.  The stadium is filled with band fans, the crowd is quiet and attentive when the bands are playing, and no one stands up in front of your video camera.  Our band always sounds their best, and this night did not disappoint.  I will say the music selection could be better.  How much (2nd tier) classic rock could these kids really want to play?  Journey?  Billy Joel?  Blood, Sweat, and Tears.  And then, Nirvana?  That one was a train wreck folks.  No way that is marching music.  Kurt Cobain is rolling in his grave.

2) First Choice College has a top notch music program and their orchestra went on tour in the middle of the month.  Their one stop around these parts was on a Sunday afternoon about 45 minutes away, so we were able to get free tickets to their performance.  We also went to a lunch and information session for perspective students.  Definitely could have skipped that, the other students & parents were mostly legacies, and we heard nothing we didn't hear during the summer visit.  You have to show interest though, and this is how you do it.  The concert, however, was wonderful.  I found a new piece for my iPod (Danzon No. 2 by Marquez) and I think the senior enjoyed it.  Most of their performers are not music majors (or music and something else) so this is, we hope, a very reachable school.

3) The last regular football game and marching show ever was two weekends ago.  Very emotional.  We finally were able to stay to hear what we call "The Tree".  At the end of each football game, the band marches back to the band room side of the school.  As they approach, there is total silence except for the drum captain tapping the beat.  They form a circle around a tree and then play a very moving rendition of Amazing Grace.  No one tells you about this; you learn about it as a freshman parent when you are sitting in the parking lot waiting to pick your kid up.  We had not stayed for it yet this year, and I was worried rain and cold were going to make us miss it again.  It all worked out though.  And now this is done.

4) The oldest came home for a quick fall break.  We learned more about the harrowing trip to meet the band at the amusement park (one of those things as a parent you are glad that you didn't know while it was happening).

5) Applications are going slowly and the 4 AP classes plus double band practices plus Early Bird Gym are taking their toll.  I am trying to ignore the parents already posting acceptances on Facebook.

6)  The football team won conference, so the first playoff game was at home Friday night.  This meant a pep band so he had one more night of fun.  Pep band at football games has never been something I felt I needed to see, so parents enjoyed an evening at home.

7) Had to say no to the trumpet campout Saturday night.  Between the schoolwork and the application work, and an interview with Reach College today, something had to give.  He was angry at first, but perhaps his close friends couldn't go either, because in the end, he opted to stay home completely, even though we said he go for the evening and not sleep out.  Has worked on AP History all weekend.

8) Interview at Reach College did not go as well as he would have liked.  He said it was awkward, the questions were "strange" and it was not like the other interview he had this summer with a different school.  Being as we are a family of introverts and not always comfortably on our verbal feet, we are taking the position that even awkward interviews are a learning experience and to let it roll off and move on.  Not really sure what the purpose of the interview is anyway.  Perhaps he shouldn't do them unless they are absolutely required.