A couple nights ago Zoe and I had the awesome priviledge to attend D's second violin concert. Not that she plays two violins, but that's she's played two concerts. The first one took place in the gym of her school. I went to that same school and I really remember the gym being much bigger. Parents had to crain around people at the enterances to see the kids. As far as concerts go, it was like being in a mosh pit. Women were waving and silently mouthing "I love you!"
Actually it was just like several concerts I've been to, except it was an orchestra and a band. I don't really see groupies doing that at the symphony. Maybe they have gotten a little wilder over the years.
We were excited about this concert because it took place at the Arena. Which is big enough to house 20,000 people. I had a pretty good idea that Zoe and I wouldn't be in the mosh pit of this concert. If we yelled "we love you D" it would be okay.
What I learned a mere 24 hours before the concert was that it was the entire district playing at the Arena. That's 34 elementary schools or 68 music classes. Now, in our district, learning an instrument is mandatory. Granted choir counts in that too and this concert was just band and strings. As I tried to do the mental math of this type of concert, my mind actually went blank.
As I mentioned it to some other people they were like, "oh yeah, the Band & Strings Spectacular. That's a big deal." I was all, "what is the Band & Strings Spectacular?" That's when I got the low-down. Fortunately for me, while I did play the flute in elementary school, this spectaclar didn't start until I was out of elementary school by like 1 year. Apparently for the last 20 years I've been completely unaware that this event has happened.
When we talked to D's mom, she said we would need to go to "G Section Yellow, 107-108." While that was like speaking a foreign language, Zoe and I decided to figure it out. My mind, although blank, starting to comprehend what we would encounter when traffic was backed up for three blocks just to get into the parking lot. And we were 25 minutes early. All the while Zoe was in the backseat naming off songs she was sure D would play. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Hot Cross Buns, Row Row Row Your Boat...
As we found the G section with D's school name underneath it, I was not prepared for what I was about to see.
2,800 students filled the floor of the Arena. To give you some type of perspective, this floor is the size of a regulation hockey rink or an arena football field. We're talking HUGE. The National Figure Skating Association choose this location for the nationals this year before the Olympics. Now, it's filled with 5th and 6th grade students who play an instrument. It was beyond impressive.
Even though we were 20 minutes early, our section of G Section Yellow was totally filled. I've circled it so you can see. I think we got the shaft. Our section was one of the smallest, so we had no chance of even seeing E or anyone we might know. D might not have even been down there, but we did see her name in the program so I'm quite certain she was there.
We had to go to the top level, walk the steep stairs of death to find a seat in a rival school. N sent me a text message that said, "tell her I'm so proud of her." I sent him this picture and said:
"Happy to. If you can tell me where she's at." To which he replied, "holy crap, that's a big band." He's so perseptive. Me, being up for any challenge, really tried to find her without binoculars or knowing what she was wearing. Apparently I am delusional.
D, while I have no idea which head you were in the middle of the Arena floor, we truly enjoyed your concert. Zoe clapped and asked for more. We are so proud of you for learning the violin. You are excellent at it. I really hope next year to remember to buy you a fluorescent orange dress so we can easily spot you. Love you sweet girl.
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