Is it okay to brag a little on my kid??????

Just a proud dad I guess.

A couple of weeks ago I posted how fortunate I felt my son was because of all the exotic cars he had ridden in and been in by the age of 13. Also, some of the really neat car people had had the opportunity to meet. I still believe so. But on to something different.

At the age of 4 he told us he wanted to play violin. Of course we said, "sure son, whatever you want". When he was 8 he reminded us that he still wanted to learn the violin. My wife checked around and found a home school violin program in our area. She got him set up and going in private lessons. He seemed to progress well. This year we started him back in public school and they offer no string orchestra program but only band. So, he decided he wanted to do that along with the violin. So, he picks up, now get this, TUBA!! And kept on playing violin. In November he tried out for the Lone Star Youth Orchestra in Irving Texas and landed the lead 2nd violin.

Last night we attended his first ever concert (recital) in which the audience has paid to attend. He was second up on the program and played a solo of J.S. Bachs, Bouree. He is the youngest member of the orchestra which is comprised of mostly 15-18 year old students who have been playing their instruments for roughly 7 to 10 years on the average. He played the piece totally by memory, as I believe any soloist should. None of the other individuals and ensembles in the orchestra did this. His private teacher showed up at the last minute, delaying practicing with his own Baroque string quartet in Dallas just to hear his recital. He said that he felt the performance was excellent with very good feeling. Our son just needs to work a little on his stage presence he says (I agree with that).

Needless to say, we are proud that he is pursuing a dream that he has had from such a young age. If he can remain that focused, just maybe some of you will hear of him some day. BTW, they did cut a CD of the performance last night so I am going to get my copy autographed. You just never know...............................:>)

Jordan.
I am sure you can appreciate his enthusiasm for music. I am sure you have felt and continue to feel the same feelings yourself.

 

Jordan,

I know what you mean. When I played French Horn I played in a Horn choir and when my solo part would come up the pit of my stomach felt like I had a brick in it and I would hyperventilate. Not my kid. He walked out on the stage expressionless, waited for his accompanist to be seated and ready, nodded to her that he was ready and away they went. About four minutes later they finished, he achknowledged the applause, bowed to the audience, waited for his accomanist to stand and together they exited the stage. I asked him later if he was nervous and he said not until they got off stage and then he began to shake. He never showed it on stage. And, he was the only soloist all evening who played the piece by memory.

I guess time will tell what his real maturity level is. In his spare time, when not playing violin and tuba, he can be found at the Gamecube console defeating all the different levels of the games he plays. I guess that is the normal kid part.................................