THE INSTRUMNENT

OK, OK, I know you have all been patiently waiting to find out what happened next. I had to take a little break yesterday so that I could do an on-line Continuing Ed course for my license requirements, but I am back; and here goes.

(By the way, if you are just tuning in, you may want to read my last post before you continue reading. This post will make more sense to you, if you read the previous post first.)

And the instrument chosen was......

No, no, no. You really didn't think I would just spill the beans that quickly did you? I have to tell you how the rest of the story played out.

So, by now it is day 4 of the school year. Travis came home excited and brought me papers to look at before I could even ask (usually, I have to ask at least twice before papers are remembered.) He gives me a memo style note w/a bold heading that reads "Getting an Instrument", it is from Mr. M., the Band Director.

The note explains that "your child has chosen to be in the band and now you are wondering about obtaining an instrument." It further explains that to assist us in instrument selection, they have tested our child on every beginning band instrument and we will find the recommendations below. It also had some other explanations as to why or why not they may be good at certain instruments - coordination skills, lip & teeth structure, etc...

Now, before I go further, I feel I should give a little more background on how he even got band on his schedule. Each year in 5th grade, the 6th grade band teacher comes to the elementary school and talks to the kids about band, and instruments, etc... The 5th graders are given some type of evaluation at that time that supposedly lets us know if they might be a candidate for band. Travis, was listed as good candidate, and that was all it took for him to want to be in the band. After all, this was the best way for him and his friends to get a head start on the band they want to form together (obviously not the same kind of band though.) So, anyway before the end of 5th grade when we had to fill out schedules for 6th grade he wanted to band to be on it, and we agreed because we do want to support him and give him a chance to try it out.

Now back to choosing an instrument. I just assumed the instrument of choice would be drums. Drums is all he had talked about for so long, so it seemed the logical answer. Everyone had been telling him that "everyone" wants to play drums in the band and it might be hard to get to do that. At first, this logic did not sway him, and we encouraged him to go for what he wanted (thinking we would just get ear plugs.)

So, to the evaluation. The note breaks down the evaluations into 4 categories - highly recommended (1), recommended (2), okay (3), and not recommended (4). The instruments listed are: flute, clarinet, alto sax, trumpet, trombone, bell, and kit (drums). Travis' evaluation looked like this:

Flute = 3; Clarinet = 1; Alto Sax = 1; Trumpet = 1; Trombone = 1; Bell = 2; kit (drums) = 4

I was shocked. I asked why he thought he had a 4 on the drums. He explained it was because he didn't try for it. He said everyone wanted to do drums and he thought it was best if he just let that go for now & try something else. (I was thinking - O.KAY.) And as you can see we had 4 highly recommended instruments.

So, what do you think he chose?

Nope, not the Sax.

TROMBONE.

The TROMBONE was his choice! It's not that I have anything against trombones, but really? I like to think I'm a relatively intelligent person, but I just couldn't even picture what a trombone looked like - I had to have him explain it to me (and even then I googled to see a picture.) I asked why the trombone. His answer, "Because it's cool."

So, the trombone, it is!

Next installment - the actual obtaining of the trombone.

Stay tuned (if you're not bored yet)... I promise the next installment is good too.

THE BAND

And so it began. . .

Scene: End of 2nd day of school.

Who: Travis, the new middle schooler, in 6th grade, (basically, still "wide-eyed" and soaking in everything, even if he doesn't understand it all yet).

What: Band/instrument

The rest of the story: So, it's the end of the 2nd day of school. I ask the kids if they have any news to share, papers to show, need more supplies etc.... Travis announces we need to buy him an instrument for band. I ask what instrument, he replies that he doesn't know yet, the teacher hasn't done the evaluations yet. I try to explain that we would rather not buy one right away, but should wait to make sure it is something he will like and continue to pursue over the next few years.

Travis: "But, I promise I will."

Me: "Ok, we'll talk about it when we know what instrument you need." (ie...no way, no how, not now - there must be a way w/out buying a new instrument!)

The discussion ends peacefully. Several hours pass and the topic of school and their classes come up again. Here is the next exchange:

Travis: "You, know mom, Mr. M..... says if we play an instrument and they find out when we go to college, they will give you money to help pay for it. So you will be getting your money back."

Me: hysterical laughter (It was just the way he said "and they find out" that was sooo funny, if you're not laughing it may be one of those you had to be there moments)

Lynn: reading a book and oblivious to it all

Travis: "Why are you laughing."

Me: "Just because you can play doesn't mean you get a scholarship. I'm not laughing at you, just at your interpretation of what your teacher said."

Lynn: looks up to see what is so funny so I explain... "that's called a scholarship, Travis, and you have to practice and get good at an instrument to earn one." (he is the logical one, right?)

Travis: "But, I do want to be in the band, and I will stay in it and practice to get good."

Me: "Ok...I know you want to, and we will talk about it when we know an instrument." (still chuckling to myself about the getting money for college automatically when "they find out" you can play something and I will be getting my money back for the instrument at that time.)

Lynn: already back to his book and his own world

So, it was left at that. We will definitely consider renting or buying an instrument when we find out what he wants to play and the Band teacher thinks he is ready. And hopefully he will understand if we don't go buy the instrument as soon as one is assigned to him. But, I will also hope for that scholarship - we will need it!

Stay tuned.... Part 2 and the instrument reveal will come soon!