annalise: her journey to 2nd chair

I'm not bragging when I say my daughter, Annalise, is an amazing kid. It's honestly just the truth. I lucked out. I got a really intense, intelligent, talented kid. I've always said that it's much harder to raise a smart kid, add intense and talented to the mix, and it's really hard. It's worth it though, it's just, a big job.
She set a goal to make state choir this year. At District, she made 2nd chair. At Region, she made 6th chair. Last night, was Pre-Area. Out of the 16 kids from each vocal range, only 6 would go on to the next level.
For the past four weeks she'd been learning new music. Latin/German pieces with complex and interesting chord changes. These pieces required concentration as well as vocal ability. They were tough, designed to weed out the kids who don't work from those who do. A mental and vocal test in every bar. She also worked on her sight reading, her weakest link in the chain of musical skills. By yesterday she was on week 12 of the book, Ninety Days to Successful Sight Reading. She knew her music. She knew her sight reading. She was ready.
I picked up the three kids from her school, McCallum High, who had qualified for Pre-Area auditions, Danny the bass, Kathryn the Soprano2 and Annalise the Alto2. I brought them tasty Ginger/Lemon tea with honey from Quacks. We listened to soothing classical music as we drove South.
We got there early so we stopped at Galaxy Cafe for an early dinner and more tea and lots of water. I love interesting kids who care about interesting things. Over dinner we talked a lot about the artistic sensibility, why they love music, what else they love, artists they admire. Danny mentioned going to writing camp at the Univ. of Iowa home of the famed Writer's workshop (I was jealous for a bit, having been raised by nice people who were terrified by the arts, I've always wondered 'what if' a bit.) Kathryn talked about why she loves choral music, how she wants to be a conductor. Annalise chimed in too. It was nice, really really nice.
They practiced some sight reading drills with the car CD player, then we headed for Bowie High (named after the famous James Bowie, of the Bowie knife who one of my ancestors used to hang out with in the old days but I digress.)
Inside the school, the kids hung out in school affiliated clumps. Some were being given snack spirit packs by a booster club parent, others were holding hands in prayer, others were just standing around nervously in their matching t-shirts. One kid in a wheelchair kept doing wheelies and once he jumped his chair down some stairs, which was really cool. Interesting thing about my three kids, they all wore black, they all looked serious. I was a booster club of one, and we were there to kick some musical ass, in a nice way, of course.
The best thing about attending these events is the warm up time. I was writing away in my birthday journal, when the kids were called to attention. Then in a matter of seconds, all these awkward, less athletic kids stood taller, looked prouder, chins high and eyes bright and they sang. I was surrounded by some of the best singers in the state. I was in the middle of the music.
One by one the musical groups were called away to await their auditions. Kathryn, Soprano 2, left first with hugs from all of us. Then it was Annalise's turn to go and I gave her a big hug. Danny was next and I just patted him on the back and told him to do his best and I think I actually told him to kick ass, too. Oh well. I left for a bit, ran some errands.
When I came back Kathryn was back in the waiting room reading Vonnegut. She said she blew it, but her spirits were good. Annalise came in shortly after. She burst into tears and said she blew it, too. Danny came in later saying he felt really good about it all.
We rode home in silence. Annalise was bereft. We talked a lot about how she's still a good singer no matter what happens. To remember that, to think positive, etc.
It was a dark night, still. A dark night for parenting. The next morning her eyes were puffy from crying. She was resigned, still sad, but resigned.
I got a call at 11:30, the results were in. Danny made first chair, Kathryn made 13th chair. Annalise made 2nd chair. They all did really well and they earned it, every little bit of it.
State competition is in January, I'll keep you posted.