Hell in a nutshell

[yendi]

Hell is listening to a group of fourth graders playing "The Dreidel Song" on trombones.

Today was the Holiday Coffee at Elayna's school. Having had the coffee they serve there before, I stopped at Starbucks en route, and, upon leaving, received a ride offer from a fellow parent. Which meant that I only walked about 3/4 of a mile in the cold, instead of 1.5 miles, but that also meant that I not only missed out on valuable exercise, but I had to sit through more of the coffee than I'd planned.

As always, they didn't release a schedule ahead of time, so only upon arriving (at around 8:30), did I discover that Elayna was not on stage until 9:30, which was earlier than I'd actually expected.

So, I munched on the treats (mmm, donuts), dodged through the crowd of other parents, found a seat, and reached for my book.

Which I'd left at home. Shit!

Fortunately, rummaging through my backpack, I found an issue of Comics Buyer's Guide that I'd not gotten around to reading, and surreptitiously enjoyed month-old opinions by Peter David and Heidi McDonald while suffering through horrendous string and brass music. And yes, it would have been just as hideous if Elayna had been in the band. And yes, I applauded and smiled, just like everyone else.

After a few more skits, the singing began, and after the pre-schoolers went, Elayna's class finally got their turn. For once, they managed to put her in the front row (since she's the shortest kid in her class, you'd think that would be ensured). However, thanks to the massive crowds of parents, teachers, kids who shouldn't have been in there, and chairs, getting close enough to get a good picture wasn't possible. I managed to snap one or two before she went on stage, though.

Amazingly, her class finished right when they were supposed to. I gave her a congratulatory hug and kiss (and thank goodness she's still at an age where such things don't embarrass her), and, like every other parent whose kid was finished performing, booked out of there before the next performance. I suspect that by the time the PTA president spoke at 10:45, there were about six parents left.

Anyway, I'm now at work, which will be interrupted by a party and one of those horrible gift-giving events where people pick a number, and the later numbers get to foist the crap they get on the earlier people. Then more work, as I get everything in order by the time I leave.

Comments

[silme.livejournal.com]

At least they weren't fledgling violinists! :)

[eudaimonia.livejournal.com]

They're sneakier at our elementary. They always schedule PTA meetings right before concerts so you have to sit through the meeting before you can hear your kids. Of course your kids have to be there before then so you can't cheat and show up later...

And having to sit through a 6th grade orchestra's first concert of the year I'm sure is comparable to 4th grade trombonists. They always play before the 8th grade orchestra (which Duncan is in) so I can't avoid that, either. But you always smile and clap nicely. Everyone has to start somewhere.

[cissa.livejournal.com]

I get to go to one of those horrible gift-giving events later today! Since I've never done one before, I'm rather looking forward to it. I know I'll get something crappy, but am hoping J will luck out- he's got all the luck in the family. :)

[la-belledame.livejournal.com]

Aw, it may sound horrible to you, but what do you expect from beginning trombonists and violinists? They have to start somewhere -- give them credit for standing up and playing something!

Such is the lot of the parent, by the way.

[mycroftca.livejournal.com]

I was laughing so hard after the first sentence above, that I almost couldn't read the rest.....

[luis-mw.livejournal.com]

Back when I had time to do hospital radio, we used to take our outside broadcast van out and do PA for various events, including school fetes and such like. One regular gig was at a local school fete (back when I lived in Camberley), which always included a "concert" by the school orchestra. Fortunately we didn't have to mike them up, beyond sometimes pointing a general purpose mike at the centre of the stage. Then, my crew and I would retreat to the safety of the van and play "I'll name that tune in[1]... heck, I'll just try to name it." This was not always easy. It was more of a case of 1 minute into the song suddenly realising "hey, isn't that the theme from Eastenders?"

I'm fully in favour of school orchestras, just so long as I don't have to listen.

[shadesong.livejournal.com]

See, on the one hand, I'm sad that I don't get to go because today is one of the two most important days of the year at work and her concert occurs right at the peak of three universitywide deadlines, all of which had professors cutting it SO close, down to the very minute.

But on the other hand, I don't have to sit through the trombones.

I'd still rather've been there, though. :(

[yendi]

Oh, I do! I just wish I had earplugs! :-)

[yendi]

Like so many things, it's much easier to look back and laugh afterwards.

[yendi]

I'm fully in favour of school orchestras, just so long as I don't have to listen.

That's a wonderful line!

[maida-mac.livejournal.com]

Don't remind me. :p *points to the 3/4 violin in her living room*

[maida-mac.livejournal.com]

Think of it this way - at least she wasn't playing in the beginning strings with a violin AND singing.

This year's winter concert at my sons' school featured the choir, beginning and intermediate strings, jazz ensemble, guitar and beginning and intermediate band. The kids had to stay throughout the WHOLE thing and were alternated back and forth, so the parents had to stay, too.

The Elder plays beginning violin and sings in the choir.

The only actual good music was jazz ensemble and intermediate strings, though beginning strings did better than beginning band.

I have years of this to live through, as the Elder is a budding music geek.

Help.