Before this is all just a memory, thank you, Lord, for letting me share this

College Majors Music Major
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<p>Yesterday I took "D S" (whoever coined the "D" terms, I love 'em here) to what appears to be the last of his community/state (non-university-sponsored) scholarship auditions in our state's capital about 275 miles away.</p>

<p>I can't remember when I've last had a free weekend, as I've been ferrying him to and from either community or college auditions nearly as far back as I remember this year, that is, those weekends that either we and/or our audition destination weren't hammered by record snowfalls. Could have used a little, nah, a LOT, of "global warming" in January and February, especially when DS and his schoolmates had to miss nearly two weeks of school right in the middle of his intense senior year courseload and all-state choir rehearsals. My yard is a wreck and we're having to have help getting it taken care of (my wife is disabled and my daughter has been out of state on art shows these past few weekends as well).</p>

<p>And I wouldn't have traded a second of it. God gave my son, for whatever reasons He saw fit, with some special talents just as it's evident He's done for many children whose parents (and sometimes the kids) frequent this and other forums here. I may have been dog-tired at times this month and my auto-immune system has taken some hits as well from the frequent driving, but I will never complain about all that's gone on.</p>

<p>Because (I know this isn't the proper way to begin a sentence) "D S" will graduate in about two months from the high school he's had a blast at and has been privileged to learn a lot in. Neither he nor I think he'd have accomplished what he has without the tutelage of his grand choir director/private vocal instructor/church choir director there. And since he's our "baby", I doubt I ever again get to experience what I've gotten to with him in this fascinating ride. When he "walks", all this will pretty much instantaneously become a cherished memory for as long as I'm sentient here on earth.</p>

<p>I wish every parent could do this. I know that most don't get to (although I hope most love their kids regardless). But seeing as how I, my wife and he have been blessed with this, I just pray for him to never take what he's been given for granted, and to use same in the right and good ways. Don't get me wrong...I look forward to the FUTURE, not back on the past. There's much more ahead than there has been behind. Nonetheless, my appreciation for being able to share this (which we'll be engaged in the next month until the last "'ship" offer comes in and D S's decision is made) with our beloved child will stand.</p>

<p>If I may publicly state what I'm guessing many parents here feel as well, thank you, Lord, for this opportunity, for my child, and for me as a parent!</p>

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<p>Ditto! Congratulations, safe driving and God Bless.</p>

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<p>OTamandua,</p>

<p>Thanks for the wonderful post. I’m sure many parents will agree and love your sentiment. It is a special time to spend with our kids, even it if is a lot of work and effort transporting them eveywhere many weekends, and stressful for them with all of the practicing and auditions. But, agreed, it is a wonderful experience to share with them. Best of luck and many good wishes for your S.</p>

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<p>I agree. I actually loved and will cherish the memory of the audition trips I took with my daughter this year. I felt like I was able to get a preview of the adult person she is becoming after viewing and hearing her through the eyes of others. </p>

<p>During our longest trip via air to Nashville and NYC, we got to stay with one of my college roommates and also my sister and a dear high school friend, and she got a view from them as well what I was like when I was her age. We are similar in many ways, but she has her own uniqueness and is part of a very different generation. I was glad I was able to support her - something I did not get from my own parents, and that I really wanted back then. I was very proud of her professionalism and the way she conducted herself during the audition process. At MSM in particular, the atmosphere was a little tense and practice rooms were hard to find. She stayed calm, finally found a room with 1/2 hour to go and did really well in front of the panel. </p>

<p>All in all, we had a blast. I think the highlight was finding a little neighborhood pizza place a couple blocks from MSM. We live in Texas now after having moved from NYC 4 years ago, and having a real slice of NYC pizza is a total luxury! :)</p>

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<p>I actually read this post on my Blackberry as my husband was driving us back from dropping my D off at the bus station to go back to school after her Spring break. I completely understand OTamandua’s sentiments, but my words could never have expressed it so eloquently. My D is now at the music school of her dreams and every time we see her we are amazed that she continues to grow and thrive in the music world that she lives. Enjoy the ride … it is joyous. Please post again to let all of us know where your son ended up.</p>

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<p>I think music parents are some of the luckiest on earth! I believe I know my S at least 10 times better than my friends know their sons. Hours spent in the car driving to lessons, visiting colleges, driving and flying again to auditions - those have been the times he really opened up to me and his Dad about his hopes and dreams, his fears and frustrations, even his philosophy of God and man. He only started driving last December, so we have spent many, many hours in the car together and I would not trade a minute of it. He knows without a doubt his parents love him unconditionally because he has seen how much of our lives we have spent to help him achieve his dream. </p>

<p>We also had an amazing experience during audition weekend at Belmont. We had visited the school last summer and loved it, and on the way visited a dear friend in Kentucky who has a horse farm. That was wonderful for my daughter who rides and was feeling a bit neglected with all the college stuff. After we came home form that trip I posted about it on Facebook, and then found out that I had an old high school friend who works at Belmont! We were able to stay with him and his wonderful wife when we returned for the audition, and he gave us a VIP behind-the-scenes tour of the campus. He lives in a beautiful area and my S was able to see how nice living in Nashville can be. My friend and his wife are both musical and even had a keyboard and amp so my S was able to practice for his audition the night before. As a result, he was well rested, well fed, and well prepared, had a fantastic audition, and I got to catch up with an old friend. </p>

<p>On another drive to see James Madison U, I let S drive for quite a while. He had just gotten his license and needed the experience driving on the highway. Sometimes it is hard with busy lives to schedule things like a day of highway driving with your child. In music families, it is easy!</p>

<p>I’ve also been looking for a fulltime job since last June and having all of this to deal with has helped me a lot. It’s given me something to do and a way to keep my focus on my kids.</p>

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<p>I tell my daughters that each day I learn something from them. I have learned the true meaning of discipline from them. Discipline to their art, discipline to their school work and discipline in every thing they did/do.
Now that sample lessons, auditions, college visits are over, I look back at every crazy day and would not like to exchange it for anything else. Because of economics, my daughters had to handle the audition travel by themselves doing multiple cities and even Canada. They managed to pull off all the auditions…snow storms, plane cancellations, being stranded in the airport almost missing their next audition and many other situations with such poise and confidence that I truly rejoice in the young women they have become.
Music has bonded them with so many other wonderful people. It was truly heartening to see this in person. We went for interviews to a college that they have been accepted into and I was amazed to see the number of people they knew. Music has given them an opportunity to travel and it has been the best education we could ever hope for them.
My husband and I are agonizing on the void they will leave in our lives when they leave for college. Our whole lives revolved around them. We will have to move on and find new music in our lives. A prospect I’m both looking froward to as well as dreading!</p>

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<p>Great post O’Tamandua</p>

<p>Very beautifully said rammnam…whole heartedly agree!</p>

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<p>Thanks, all. I knew there would be a lot of Moms and Dads out there who felt the same way.</p>

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<p>Thank you for this thread. It’s been quite a year but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. We have had a concert or audition every weekend since October, except over the Christmas break. My husband and I were thinking how different next year will be. Although we’ll miss the youth orchestra, all state and county orchestra concerts, we’ll have time to go to the professional orchestra concerts in town or what ever strikes our fancy. I’m a bit melancholy thinking about all the “lasts” we’re starting to experience. </p>

<p>Some audition trip memories;<br>
Listening to “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother” in the car on the way home from an audition and the wonderful discussion we had afterwards. </p>

<p>Flying to Indianapolis and getting to meet an old friend who lives there at the airport for lunch. </p>

<p>Losing my cell phone on the plane. Relief it had been found but living without it for a weekend was frustrating. </p>

<p>Attending the senior recital of a student from my daughter’s current studio and being amazed at his playing. Running into the student’s parents at the hotel where we were staying. Fun! </p>

<p>Being able to see our son play in his college tennis match at Oberlin College because it was on the way to an audition. We even walked through the conservatory just to see it even though she hadn’t applied there. </p>

<p>Attending a Area All State concert where my daughter was concertmaster on the very stage where I graduated from high school. </p>

<p>It’s not over yet so I’m sure there will be more memories to be created.<br>
Being a music parent is a grand life!</p>

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<p>I will miss being a high school music parent, but I think that being a college music parent will be even more fun - just a little different. I have really enjoyed her school music career so far - ever since 4th grade and the days of hearing “Go Tell Aunt Rhody” being bleated out in the beginning band concert. Now I get to hear her playing beautiful trombone that sounds truly musical. I am looking forward to more of these moments over the next 4 years. But to tell the truth, my proudest moment was looking up at all 5’1" of her leading the marching band in the stands during football season, and having a non-musical parent lean over to me and say, “She really inspires the band!”</p>

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<p>Yes, thanks for this word this morning OTamandua. I have been anxious these last couple of weeks waiting. And we’re still waiting! So it’s good to stop and reflect about what a wonderful, though intense, year it has been. God has been gracious to us. I need to write down all the many blessings . . . but here are a few of the highlights for us:
*Helping him organize his thoughts for an essay when he realized how studying voice and opera would encompass all the intellectual and artistic pursuits that he really loved!
*Senior Musical “Les Miz” – DS played Jean Val Jean with an amazing cast. It was an incredible capstone to his HS experience.<br>
*Our midwestern music school tour, listening to “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.” We couldn’t wait to get back in the car each time!
*DS’s growth in his own faith right before an audition that was particularly anxiety ridden. Afterwards he said, “I really learned to depend on God this weekend.” :slight_smile:
*Visit to 72 deg. Houston and Rice Univ. when it was in the 20’s and wet in DC. :slight_smile: Visit to IU and enjoying the natural beauty of that campus, and the buzz of all the talented musicians. Imagining his place at one of these schools next year.
*Writing the “brag sheet” for the guidance dept at HS – my DS was pleased to see what I thought about him. :slight_smile:
*Seeing the transformation of our DS from a shy 13 yr. old to a young man who is very comfortable with who he is, and how God has gifted him, and seeing that translate into his auditions and interviews as confidence.
It’s a lot! God is good.</p>