More Music

Today was another day filled with more music, compliments of Alex. He had his annual solo/ensemble festival. He played a bassoon solo, in a woodwind quintet, and a saxophone duet before an adjudicator that specialized in that instrument. Thanks to Mr. H. (more on him later) Alex had a great schedule that allowed him to play in the quintet and follow that immediately with his solo. He was excited about that, because it allowed him to be warmed up and have some of the jitters worked out before his solo. Well, due to a technical difficulty with the clarinet in the ensemble, they switched him around at the last minute and had Alex step in and do his solo. He definitely had some quivery notes (that were not vibrato) in the beginning, but settled in to do a masterful job.

Alex does not like playing solos at all. He does not like all eyes on him, and I think most of us can relate to that. But he did a great job, and will probably have more opportunities to do this in the near future. "Wow! Incredible technique!", was one comment from the very impressed adjudicator. I don't know much about bassoon technique, but the "wow" and "incredible" I totally get. He is wow-ingly incredible to me, too.

After both bassoon performances, we had a 2 hour break before coming back for saxophone. We went out to lunch, and Alex hit El Jackpot-O. The Mexican restaurant we went to has a lunch buffet! Like I said, El Jackpot-O!! He ate and ate. Let me tell you, that place did not make a dime off him today. We left ridiculously full.



Saxophone duet went smashingly well. Alex and Quinn played "Take 5", a jazz piece. They had fun doing it, and it showed. Impressively done by those two.

Back to Mr. H...in case you happen upon this, or your wife does, a big pat on the back from us! I know this a major event for you to put on, and we have so appreciated the opportunity to participate in it the last 3 years. So much scheduling, coordinating, putting out fires, etc. Your easy-going manner and enthusiasm for the musicians sets a great atmosphere for this day to be a success. I don't know if you get enough kudos for what you do, so here's one from us. You did a great job and we thank you for it! Hope you get a much-deserved quiet day tomorrow.

And we miss the main man around here a lot. He has been working crazy hours doing some system upgrades at work. (Do I sound like I know what I'm talking about with that line?? Can we all just take a moment of awe for that one?) Anyway, it was good to see him for lunch today, the only meal we've had with him since Wednesday. We just heard from him that things aren't going too well, and he will be working long into the night to get it done. Cookies are in the oven and on their way to fuel everyone. Hoping it will add some zing to their brains and fingers so they can wrap everything up with lightning speed!

Now I have a cookie delivery to make.