<p>Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think he's graduating from Eastman this weekend. Enjoy this wonderful occasion to be proud, and tell us about his future plans.</p>
<p>mommab - Thank you so much for thinking of me and my son! Yes, he is graduating this weekend. Unfortunately, I will not be attending. My hubby is going, however, and promises to take lots of pictures. My youngest son is a high school senior this year. His final youth orchestra concert is the same day as graduation. He will be principal violist at that concert and there is a senior recognition reception as well. (He also has his piano studio recital the day before.) So we are doing divide and conquer. Hubby is doing graduation and I am staying here. </p>
<p>However, all is not lost. Son won a national competion sponsored by VSA Arts, a nation group promoting the arts for people with disabilities. He is one of their young artist winners this year and is performing at a recital at the Kennedy Center on Tuesday evening. We are all very excited. I am flying to DC on Tuesday AM. I then have to fly home on Wednesday in time to attend younger son's final high school strings concert Wednesday evening. (Dad will miss that as well as he will be in DC with the car and all of older one's stuff.) So a hectic week in the Shennie house, but full of exciting things.</p>
<p>Wow, what excitement! Hearty congratulations to all of you!</p>
<p>Shennie, congratulations to you, your sons and the rest of the family! Sounds like you'll have a week or two of excitement, all of it well-deserved. Where is your HS grad going next year, and what will your Eastman grad be doing? Gosh, doesn't it seem like just yesterday that your older son was starting at Eastman? Time flies when you're paying for it, doesn't it?</p>
<p>Oops, forgot to tell you #1's plans. He wants to go to grad school but didn't feel that he had the time or opportunity to really investigate grad programs and teachers, so he is taking a year off. He will live at home, study as a special student at UW (he doesn't want to get his master's there) audition for the local symphony, audition to sub in Milwaukee, teach some kids, and help out with youth symphony. He wants to start a masters program in Sept. 2007.</p>
<p>Son #3 is heading to Oberlin. He is not going to major in music, but will likely continue to play his viola and compose. Right now he is planning to major in Bio. He also might double major in French.</p>
<p>Congratulations to your family on their many accomplishments, and thank you for the experiences you've shared on the board. I know how much your posts have helped with my son's search. I am sure that there are many who have benefited from your thoughtful answers and suggestions. It sounds as though you will have a week of a lifetime. Enjoy!</p>
<p>Shennie, what a great time for you and your family! It is so wonderful that you and your husband will be part of each sons' experiences. Congratulations! Thank you also for the help you've given.</p>
<p>Congratulations to your DS,a nd whole family, Shennie! Some of us are just beginning this journey, and appreciate so much all the help you "veterans" provide.</p>
<p>Best of luck to him!</p>
<p>Oh gosh, Shennie, good news after more good news. Congratulations to your whole family. You must be about to burst with pride - I would be. The Kennedy Center concert and associated award are awesome. I suspect he'll have a great year next year, just subbing and taking auditions and such. Maybe he'll find a spot and can skip grad school all together.</p>
<p>I understand the divide and conquer bit. Last year I went to S1's graduation while H stayed here with D. Felt really guilty about it, though. The year before, we missed most of S2's high school graduation activities, because there was no way we could get back for them. (He was living with my sister to finish up.) We missed various award ceremonies, dinners, etc. He took his band director to the dinner for a competition he won. He took a couple from church to his senior dinner. And he went to a lot of things alone. (I love my sister, but she's not into the parenting stuff.) We did make it to his graduation and senior recital. I can see some uses for cloning. :)</p>
<p>Thanks for all your kind comments. I know how difficult it is to negotiate the music school thing and glad I can be of some assistance. I plan to stick around for awhile!</p>