All-City 2009

Today was the All-City concerts. Payton did a great job and also had fun. We were unable to use flash photography, so this is as good as I could do considering. The photos will open up larger if you click on them. Also, there is a video a the bottom of the post for your auditory pleasure.

Before leaving the house, she looks thrilled doesn't she? She was required to be there at 9AM, but the performances didn't start until 2PM. Over all the kids spent more than 8 hours practicing over the past 2 days for their 15 minute concert.

Here's the kids finding their seats. Payton is walking on her tip-toes, in the black dress with the white cardigan. I never noticed how thin she is until just now, she's so much smaller than the other kids.

Payton is in the center of this photo with the purple headband. The kids played 4 songs and really did a great job. I couldn't get many photos of her, the chunky conductor was standing right in front of her most of the time.

This was just Payton's group of fifth graders. There were two groups performing, one after the other. Later the sixth graders played and were followed by the seventh and eighth grade kids.

They were so good they got a standing ovation, I was so proud.

Here's Payton and I after everything was said and done.

This video is worthless, the audio though will give you a better feel for the performance.

Rehearsal Night

Tonight is rehearsals for the All-City Orchestra. I had to leave Payton at Landstown High School (picture on the left), which is easily 5 or 6 times larger than the High School Gregg & I attended. I had to leave her there without anyone she knows among thousands of students from all over the Hampton Roads area (her violin teacher was there). She is quite excited about the whole thing, and really looks forward to getting dressed up. She has put a lot of work into this performance and has really gotten good at the pieces they plan on playing for the audience. I snapped a few photos with my cell phone prior to leaving, but only this one turned out.

She is in the blue hoodie, in the center of the photo, getting out her music stand. We get to go pick her up later tonight and she has another rehearsal tomorrow morning and a concert tomorrow afternoon. We are all very excited to attend the concert and I will be sure to get some better photos then and a video or two to share.

Just seeing this photo again makes me sad. I cannot wait until she home again later tonight safe and sound.