spring concert

tonight was big sister's final concert of her middle school career.  i am positive that the band director's sole intention of the show was to make all of us parents cry.

the show started out light and festive, with the band playing a tune from the incredibles.

next, they introduced us to a senior from the high school (also the current marching band drum major) - who had composed a song during his 8th grade year, and since he was in their shoes 4 years ago when he wrote it, it was only fitting that they now play it as they leave 8th grade.  (cue the lump in my throat...)  this one is titled clash.

next the band director gave a small intro to the song the kids were about to play, titled heaven's light.  here is the basic story about the writing of this song:

  In the early morning hours of Friday, October 4, 2002, a house fire took the life of Holly Spivey, her mother and her father. It was Homecoming at Evans High School in Evans, Georgia and the student body, especially the band students, were in a state of shock. One of Holly's closest friends wrote this about her. "Holly was this bright shining star who lit up everyone's life by being in it. She always made it comfortable for people, especially freshman just starting out. She had many interests but nothing quite impacted her like the band. Her big infatuation was with the stars. Now she is a star watching over us." That was all the inspiration I needed for Heaven's Light.-Steven Reineke

then came the announcement that one of the band teachers was retiring (the man big sister had in 6th grade when she first started learning the clarinet).  he was retiring after 11 years in the district, and a whopping 42 years total teaching!  WOW!  and, he was going to direct them playing heaven's light. (blink...blink....blink back the tears...)

the last song was uneventful, by comparison, and it's kinda a blur to me if i'm being honest....  it's called scramble.

with all the playing now complete, it was time for the slide show of all the kids with their baby photos.  we were asked to submit a photo and i happily obliged.  it was funny to hear all of the oohs and aahhhs and awes as people first saw the baby pic, then saw the student photo from today.  it was pretty cute!  some kids were quite embarrassed, i'm sure.