Run With The Fishes

Thanks to his grandparents, yesterday we dropped Nathan off at a nearby college for band camp.  One whole week away from home with no parental supervision. Just Nathan and one of his best friends in the smallest dorm room I have ever seen. There are pictures of dropping him off, and the tiny room, but they will have to wait a week. We couldn’t find the charger to his camera in time, so he is using mine.

After we got the boys checked in, it was time to warm up and tryout chair assignments in one of the three bands. Honors, Pine Log, and Tejas. After Nathan auditioned, he came out saying, “Man, I’m going to get the last chair in the lowest band. They had me play the one scale that has the hardest note to hit.” It didn’t make him any happier when he heard there were only a few other Baritone (Euphonium) players at the camp, “Now I know I’ll be stuck at the bottom”.

Both of the boys were instructed to call when they found out what band and chair they had made. Of course the ideal situation would be for them both to be in the Honors band. They could do everything together. Nathan told me he was in the Honorable Tejas band. “Yeah right”, I told him, figuring that he was just joking about the Tejas part.

Could you imagine? kid, “I promise I’m in that band.” parent, “No you aren’t! You are better than that!”. Way to make a kid feel bad about themselves. That’s just about as bad as telling them, after they struck out, they did their best. Clearly they know that if they had done their best, they would have made it on base. Leaves them with the impression that you must think their best sucks.

Anyway, back on track. I lucked out and he was just joking. First chair in the Honors band. Not too shabby! His friend is also in there, thanks to some mad trumpeting skills. I hope they don’t get sick of each other.

The boys’ days will be packed. It looks like from 8 until 5 they will be spent either in rehearsal or just learning about music. When they are done with practices/classes for the day, there is some sort of 3 hour activity planned each night. I hope he remembers to call home or by Friday he’s going to be really embarrassed when I crush him with a hug in front of everyone.