Mending fences...

Last week my oldest daughter, Ashleigh invited me to her concert...a huge step as we've not been on speaking terms for quite some time. That's a story for another day...

The concert was fabulous – I was on pins and needles waiting to hear her sing. I know she has a lovely voice, but hadn't heard her in awhile and really wanted to!

The new choir director/guitar instructor did a fabulous job putting this together. He combined the two classes several times and did just such a wonderful job!!! I was very impressed.

It started with the Mixed Chorus, moved on to the guitar classes; beginning, intermediate and then advanced. There was a “fun” piece “I love you, you love me – Barney” and it was put in as a joke and to call a student's bluff – fortunately, I didn't hear the “I love you”, I heard “This old man” LOL I hate Barney...bleh. Anyway, it was a guitar duet and just got a lot of fun right in the middle of the program.

I got to hear”Simple Man” - Leonard Skynard, No One Wants to Cry – Taylor Phelps (an original piece by the student and sung with another student) and Transylvania – Iron Maiden. Wish Tom could have been there to hear those pieces because he could've told me if they were actually good or not – but I was impressed with the fingering – it can't be easy! Such coordination!

Then it moved on to the Woodland Beginning Choir – the Sound of Silence and Scarborough Fair – both of which was combined with the guitar class...I think there were close to 20 guitars up there and 6 or 7 of the choir – it was really good. Sang right along with them, yup, I did, but quietly, to myself as I know I sing off key. Then the choir did Dust in the Wind with Mr. LiaBraaten accompany on the electric guitar – well done, but should have been practiced more, I think, either that or the kids were just getting tired.

Finally the Show Choir – Ashleigh's group. There were 8 or 9 girls up there and they all looked so pretty. They sang “Steppin Out with my Baby”, “And So It Goes – Billy Joel” - this is the one that I absolutely gave up and started crying. They sang it accapella* and seriously sounded like angels...every one of them. On to “He Ain't Heavy, He's my Brother”, “route 66”, “Stormy Weather” and “jump Jive and Wail” - the last one was a lot of fun..that's part of the blurriness in the photos.

Had two wonderful conversations with Ash, she told me about her upcoming graduation – she'll be speaking at it, too! I asked her if she was Valedictorian, and she said they don't really do that anymore because every time they had a Valedictorian, they refused to speak! What the hell!?!? That was supposed to be a huge honor! She said that if someone wanted to speak, they had to apply – and there would be 3 student speakers. Wow...very interesting.

Oh – the pictures of Bo...he's the drummer...and has been THE drummer since, what, 6th grade? The girls absolutely screamed for him – he's a funny character and a good kid...got a kick out of the “shades” he put on halfway through the set. He's only one other student that I actually recognized from previous concerts (and church).

Pictures can be seen on my facebook...