Last spring, Chloe had a notion to start playing flute and join the middle school band. A kid wanting to take up a musical instrument? Great! And one that we already own (even if it is an old school flute from the 80’s)? Doubly great!
The problem? Band at the middle school is a full year class. Signing up means you are committed for a full year, good or bad. No turning back, at least not until the next school year.
She promised she understood what the commitment would be. She asked her school band teacher to sign her up. I asked around and found a reputable instrument repair place blocks from home to give the old flute a tune-up. We asked friends for an introduction to the local Suzuki flute teacher – again, blocks from home.
And by July, she had a working flute and weekly lessons. When school started in August, she was still a flute newbie, but she jumped right into band alongside kids who had been playing much longer.
And she hasn’t looked back. Less than a year has gone by, and she’s earned a chair. And “superior” placing in this past weekend’s solo ensemble competition.
On Sunday, she had her Suzuki Flute Book 1 Recital here in our building. We invited her fellow Suzuki flute students, her friends and our neighbors.
She gave a beautiful performance in front of a large audience. Her poise, talent and preparation shone through.
I took a video of one of the first, and easier, pieces. She wishes I had recorded a later, and more complex, piece.
