Final Stretch
Friday, May 25, 2012 at 10:16AM With only a few weeks left of my son's high school career a lot has been going on.
Last weekend before I left for Indianapolis (more on that soon) was his senior prom. He went with a group of friends and his date is also just a friend.
The prom was held in Hollywood at the Plaza Hotel and he said he had a great time. I took a boat load of pictures like dads do.
The crazy thing is he got the tux rental for free. Well, not entirely for free but the guys at the tux shop asked him if he would spend a couple of hours helping check in tuxedos on Sunday afternoon in exchange for any style of tux he wanted to rent. He did this last year and they remembered him being a good worker.
The manager asked him to turn in an application so George may have scored a job too. w00t!
George has been in band since 6th grade when he played his first solo ever. Check it out.
His last band concert was last week and this is a solo he played during his Jazz Band performance.
He has come a long way. Now he plays drums, ukulele, bass guitar, lead guitar, piano, and anything else he can get his hands on. He has served as Drum Major of the marching band for the last two years and has truly shown his ability to lead by being his band directors right hand man.
Well, last night was his very last band banquet. It was awesome to see so many kids I remember from back at that 6th grade concert still part of the music program. I know I would have never made it through high school or my diabetes diagnosis without my band family. They really were my first community.
At the very end of the banquet the band director gives out 3 very prestigious awards for music. The highest honor is the John Philip Sousa Award.
The John Philip Sousa Band Award is the pinnacle of achievement for high school band students. Created in 1955, the award honors the top student in a high-school band and recognizes superior musicianship and outstanding dedication. It was developed with the cooperation of Helen Sousa Albert and Priscilla Sousa, daughters of the famous composer and bandmaster.
I have always been proud of my son. Who he is, how he treats others, his compassion, his heart, his mind, his respect for others, his self esteem, and his integrity. All of who he is makes me proud.
But the level of pride I had last night as his band director called his name as the winner of this award increased beyond anything I thought I would feel.
Looking back at his love of music and his dedication to it was all awarded in that plaque. The Organ, Djembe, Guitar, Bass, Record Player, CD's, Cassettes, LP's, Amplifiers, Saxophone, music stand, harmonica, ukulele, drum set, baritone, flute, clarinet, iTunes, musicals, keyboard, DJ equipment, and accordion all helped.
Music has shaped my life since I was a kid. I am so thankful that tradition of music will continue with my kids.
This makes me want to sing!
Reader Comments (5)
Look at your adorable family!!! Congratulations to your son on such a wonderful accomplishment! You have every right to be a proud papa!
Love your family!
I am not sure how you are handling how fast they are growing up!
What a great story of your son's achievements - especially in music. That takes me back to HS myself (sax player, Sousa marches, jazz band...). But I also have a graduating senior this year - it is so exciting and stressful right now! Congratulations! You have a beautiful family!
Always great to see kids turn out as great as their parents! While he's still pretty young in the grand scheme of things, as you note, how he treats others, his compassion, his heart, his mind, his respect for others, his self esteem, and his integrity are definitely a good sign of how he's likely to be as an adult. Thanks for sharing.
Such a lovely family picture. Anybody who grows up with music in their heart will have a huge coping skill for any of life's challenges. Been there still doing it. (I ordered a plastic violin from Amazon and am trying to teach myself - not going so well.)
So you have any pics of G Jr in his drum major uniform? In my high school, the drum major held a position over even the top athletes. He was hot!