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AW: My students at solo/ensemble contest
Several people on this board were band nerds like me, so this will definitely make sense to you!
In the past, I have had no more than 3 people go to solo/ensemble contest. Yesterday, I took 8 solos and a sax quartet!
They recently adjusted the rules so that you can receive a Superior rating (I) if you play with your music. You are just no longer state eligible. Here's my score breakdown:
5 Superiors, all solos (1 state eligible--my freshman tenor sax player, holy cow!)
3 Excellents ( 2 solos and the quartet)
1 Good solo (she was not prepared enough, and didn't work enough with me, but I always appreciate the effort)
I'm excited, but I still feel kind of numb...like it didn't happen. Like I don't have a purse full of medals 
I always go in with an attitude of "hope for the best, prepare for the worst," so I'm always prepared to be a shoulder if necessary, but hope to be hugging and fist-bumping with the kids. It was all fist-bumping yesterday 
AND, the judges gave useful, constructive comments that the kids and I can use to improve their performance overall in the future, which was really nice. Sometimes they can be grumpy!
Okay, AW over. I have to focus on large group district on Tuesday. That didn't go as well last year as I had hoped. Hoping for an improvement this year. The kids don't know it, but they are part of an on-going graduate project for me that I would like to see be successful. They have made great strides, but the judging panel is tough this year. We'll see!
Re: AW: My students at solo/ensemble contest
Thanks!
One of the kids is always kind of a sullen, dark kind of kid and he was jumping around and smiling (braces off!) and laughing. He and his brother (the state qualifier) got a temporary gift from me: Donkey Kong Country Returns for the Wii. I had promised to let them borrow it once I had my fill and got frustrated. I wouldn't let them have it until I saw their scores lol. I was kind of mean. The two of them are playing in Ain't Misbehavin' with the Poteet right now, and were just exhausted until they got to sleep in yesterday. I was getting worried about them!
I miss solo and ensemble. Sniff sniff.
Congrats to your kiddos - and you! How awesome!
Ditto all of this!
And I miss CODA/All-State auditions. The chaotic, loud practice areas and the hours of card playing waiting for results to be posted. I sure do miss band
Kaylee & Cole 06.14.08
8/6/11 First 5k! OG&E Expo Run 34:47
9/3/11 Brookhaven Run 5k 34:18
9/17/11 Healthy Sooners Fun Run 5k 33:38
10/15/11 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 33:31
10/29/11 Monster Dash 5k 32:06 PR!
11/11/11 Veteran's Day Run 11k in Dallas 1:13:15 Instant PR!
1/28/12 Texas Half Marathon 2:38:03 Instant PR!
3/25/12 Earlywine Dash