<p>I miss the music filling our house. It is so-o-o quiet. After years of listening to my daughter (CMU senior) sing while my youngest son (Northwestern freshman) practiced the alto sax, I am trying to adjust to this new silence. I must admit there were times in the past when I just wanted them both to stop just for 30 minutes or so I could have some peace and quiet, but now I would love to hear them sing/play anything. Fortunately, modern-day technology has provided somewhat of an answer. Every December for the past four years, Johanna has cut a CD to give to family and friends as a holiday gift. I know every one of those songs by heart and, of course, sing along in the car where I miraculously sound just like her! :) This past December Jonathan joined her on the CD so I can listen to both of them. It was been a wonderful solution, for when its too quiet I just pop in the CD, turn the volume way up and enjoy!</p>
<p>Just when I think I can hold it together, I break down and read this thread. I just watched my daughter and her best friend perform together for the last time after 13 years of performing at the same community theatre. Yes, it was hard, but you are so right about the small things that sneak up on you and the "presence" that will be missed. </p>
<p>However, it is an exciting (although stressful) time for them and it is nice to see how excited they are about moving on.</p>
<p>cmujohanna's mom-
Yes, the music will be missed. We are also "doubly blessed"! Our younger d, a freshman in HS, is an extremely talented flutist/piccolo. She loves to play and we are very grateful for her daily practice sessions. But, the singing will be missed...the constant singing....singing when she doesn't even realize she is singing!! We are always asked if she sings in the shower...what a silly question!! She sings when she is looking for her keys or putting away her clothes!! If there is no singing, we know the mood is not good!! I thank my lucky stars that our home is filled with music!!
What a beautiful gift the CD would be! I have CD's from performances, but it is never just them. Best wishes for your d's next journey in life!! She sounds like a truly amazing young lady.</p>
<p>Marinne406-that was the hardest part of this weekend...knowing that my d and her friends will not perform together again....they are all going in different directions next year. My d is very ready to move on! In one week we will know what road she is taking! Best to all!</p>
<p>My D is a freshman VP major at UM....I sympathize with those of you who will miss the singing around the house. It does seem really quiet at times. We have a couple of CDs of D singing, but we also have a wonderful DVD from her senior Voice Recital. It helps to "see" her too! Especially on the MT songs that were part of the recital.</p>
<p>My D surprised my husband and I when she came home for Thanksgiving. She brought us each a late birthday gift as our birthdays had passed earlier in the fall. D had made audiotapes of her fall voice lessons at UM so that we could hear them. I cried! What a treat to "sit in" and listen as she continues to learn and grow in her training. And a treat as well to "get to know" her new voice teacher in this way. Every time she comes home we are treated to a new set of tapes to listen to her progress.</p>
<p>be<em>a</em>star-
I know what you mean about marching band. That was hard..probably the hardest "last" for me yet. It has been such a part of all of our lives. Our younger d is in the band, so I wonder how hard it will be this summer at camp. We have enjoyed the years so much! People come to the football games for our field show!! We never have to worry about people leaving if we perform after the game...with 200 + on the field marching, a lot of the spectators are BAND people!! More "last times" to come, sadly. Just enjoy every minute. I was excited to hear from another, hmm, dare I say, band geek!?? Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>Notfromme....while our school doesn't have a marching band, we do have concert band, wind ensemble and jazz band and my kids were in these and have been heavily into instrumental music their entire lives (one kid played two instruments, one played three). I have gone to umpteen band concerts and instrumental recitals from local to school to All State, etc. I did cry at the last ones. When you go to a certain kind of activity that you have gone to since your child was a wee little kid and it is the last (at home or local), it is a tear jerker. My husband still can't deal with it and he is now attending the high school concerts even though our children are no longer there! So, I'm a band mom too.</p>
<p>Go band moms!! I would imagine there are a lot of us on this web! My d's are both heavily involved in music...orchestra, concert and marching band, pits, many choruses. I enjoy all of them so very much! Luckily, I guess, I went through a last a year ago without even knowing it. Our vocal festivals landed on the same day as unified auditions in NY. My d, for the first time since 8th grade, did not go to our state festivals...and her senior year. One of those choices we had to make. Our concert band performs its last performance next week...that will be hard. (Our marching band is also our concert band). So much music, so many blessings!!</p>
<p>Tonight was opening night of my D's last school musical. I really wasn't sad. I've been too busy making corsages (it's Zombie Prom, and all the girls needed them), putting together flowers to sell, and all that sort of thing. The show has been very rough in rehearsal, technically, so tonight it was just nice to sink into my seat and watch my D and her friends that she loves, having a great time doing what they love. I have watched many of these kids since they did their first musical together in 6th grade. Tonight I felt such pride wtaching them. One of my D's friends had her first supporting role in this show, and she was glowing. She's an excellent student, going into the sciences who was singing and dancing her little heart out on stage. What a fun evening.</p>
<p>Oh boy, do I ever need a crying towel now. Last night was my daughter's last performance of the school musical, Honk! I costumed the show, so the past two months have been endless late nights of sewing. I went to Friday's show, and frankly, was so exhausted that I was just pleased that I stayed awake! </p>
<p>I went last night and was stunned and surprised when, after the final bows, the kids called me up on stage to receive flowers and a gift. As I was walking up to the stage, it suddenly hit me that I may never see my daughter act again. She decided yesterday to send in her deposit to Otterbein, where she will pursue a BA in music and probably a double major in broadcasting. Because of Otterbein's incredible MT program, it's highly unlikely that she'll do any shows; maybe as chorus, but the days of anything more have most likely come to an end.</p>
<p>By the time I reached the stage, I had turned into a typical teary, senior mom...I think I may have scared a few of the kids with my loss of composure! I'm trying to remind myself that this is not an end, just a new beginning, but it sure is harder than I thought it would be.</p>
<p>Thank goodness for Otterbein's opera theatre program; it's the lifeline that I'm clinging to at the moment, since I'm really not ready to see my daughter vacate the stage for good.</p>
<p>My D is a freshman MT major at OCU, and I can relate to many of your feelings. But because our school only does a musical every other year, my D's last was her junior year, so it did not occur to me that it was her last. She quit band to pursue choir at the end of her junior year, so I didn't know every game/competition was the last one either. I cry over every sentimental thing, so I surprised myself when I didn't shed a tear at graduation.</p>
<p>Dropping her off at college was difficult because, once we got there, it became very evident that she didn't need me anymore. She wanted to unpack and "fix" her room by herself, she found friends she already knew and they hung out together, etc. We parents were just in the way. One parent was really upset that his son was acting like a little stinker. But I think that was their way of cutting the strings. My D and I get along well and are very good friends. It did not offend me, but had I known she didn't "need" me, I would have unloaded the rented SUV and left! I stayed because I had already checked in my hotel room, it was a long drive home, and there were orientation meetings I was invited to. It reminded me of the first day of kindergarten: At 5-years-old, I walked my first-born up the steps into the classroom. I helped her put her supplies away and find her chair at the little tables, making myself busy so I wouldn't cry. It was hectic and I didn't want to traumatize her by walking out before the teacher was able to take over. She didn't know any of the other children, but she looked up at me and said matter-of-factly, "Mommy, you can leave now." Although she didn't say those words the first day at college, I got the message. And it actually made it easier to leave her there, knowing she was ready to fly the nest.</p>
<p>By the way, I made it almost down the steps that first day of kindergarten before I cried, but I didn't cry at all when I left her at OCU.</p>
<p>I've been very emotional off and on for a week -- ever since I realized that my son would probably be going to NYU. Not because I'm worried about him living in the big city (although I am), and not because he'll be so far away and I'll miss him terribly (I will), but because it suddenly and cruelly dawned on me that if he goes to NYC for college, chances are he will end up staying there. I'm not at all ready for this reality.</p>
<p>He's very close to us, but he's independent and ready to move on and grow up -- except for doing laundry -- he went through a 7-week summer program and only did one load of wash! :-)</p>
<p>I am completely crushed to think that we might have only five months left with him in the same state... ever... To top it off, our budget will be much tighter with NYU tuition, so travel won't be as easy or as often.</p>
<p>He applied to five schools, and NYU is the LAST place I thought he'd end up. I thought he'd be in Ohio, Ann Arbor, or Evanston for school, then naturally return to Chicago when he was done. NYC is a different story -- it's his dream, and I just can't see him coming back here as long as a theatre career is even remotely possible. This is so hard. I know I'll get through this, but I have five more months to dread it. It feels like a big, dark cloud that follows me everywhere.</p>
<p>I have no other children at home to distract me, and the family members who need me the most right now -- my aging parents -- are 800 miles away. This is going to be a tough year. Thank goodness for those of you who are sharing this "transition" (aka "misery") with me, since husbands (at least mine) don't seem to understand the depth of these feelings. He's not just going away to college, he's going away forever.</p>
<p>Aghhh... and it's only April!!</p>
<p>I completely understand! People know not to speak of my d going away!! She is my daughter, but also my friend. Very hard to let go. I cannot even think of the day we pack her to go to school, but I think coming home will be harder. Her presence will be painfully missed here. Now, my emo story.....</p>
<p>Well, I sailed through our musical...no tears from the cast...not a good experience for all this year. Basically, they were glad to be done, which is sad. (long story, possible politics and personal favors...you know the story!) Now, our concert band performance ended up being a different story...
My d has performed under this director since 7th grade. He is incredible...it is his life. He is respected by all in the community. Our school's pride is the marching/concert band. With 200 musicians, it is something to see and hear! Last week was the final performance of the year for concert band-well, except for graduation. While we knew it would be hard since this director has been her mentor since the beginning, my concerns were deferred to my freshman d who is a flutist. You see, out of 35 flutes, she was one of four to be spotlighted in a piece. (she is very talented...brag, brag!) Some of the others did not feel it was fair...so she had received some unfavorable comments. ( and yes, big sis was right there to defend her!!) So, filled with some concern, but mostly pride, we went to see the performance. I watched as my younger d took her spot...she smiled, seemed just fine. I was relieved to say the least. Then, I spotted my senior holding her horn...always ready and smiling. Then I noticed that she had a carnation pinned to her lapel...the sign of a senior in their final performance...that was it...where was the crying towel!!!!!????? In past year I had shed tears for those wonderful kids who were leaving...now one of those kids was my d, not to mention all of her friends who have been such a part of our lives. I calmed down to hear her beautiful horn solo-a piece from Sunset Blvd. that EVERYONE knew she would rather be singing than playing-but she performed it absolutely beautifully! Oh, so much pride, so many blessings!
I will have a crying towel for myself and a dear friend (my d's "bestest" friends mom) for the choral concert!! These two girls have been 'bestest' since elementary school...they will perform "For Good"...it suits their relationship to a T. (her friend loves theater and drama...wanted to follow her dreams, but was discouraged to major in college for it...she was made to do another major...) There will be many tears for that...not sure if THEY will get through it! That concert is next month...so I have time!</p>
<p>By the way, you will all be around the end of August, right??? That will be the Grand Emo time for me. Thanks for posting and making me realize I am not the Queen Blubberhead that I thought I was...most of the people I know are counting the days til their kids leave!! I don't even want to know the count!!</p>
<p>edmondsg:
You and I are going through the same thing--in reverse. We live in NY and my D is also deciding between NYU and NU.<br>
Did you guys fly in for Saturday at the Square? They made a pretty impressive case for choosing Tisch (no surprise there), but we'll know more after we head to Evanston this week.<br>
Maybe you and I can foster-parent each other's kids if they both decide to take the faraway route. :-)</p>
<p>Wow! I keep tearing up reading these post. My turn will start in two weeks with the last musical ( we are lucky, our school has 3 musicals a year!) Then the last choir concert where the seniors, who want to, get to sing a solo of their choice. I can't tell you how much meaning we have been putting into this song selection. I wanted him do do something from one of the shows he's done and he wanted to do a Jason Robert Brown piece, technically good, but no connection. So after talking to lots of people he has decided to sing "Stars" from "Les Miserables" which was the first show he was in as a freshman so it will close the circle ( I WILL have a crying towel). I do have a little perk in that they are getting to perform one of the musicals they did at the International Thespians convention. So while it will be over, I'll get one last little bite and get to see these kids perform together one more time. I ask my husband if he thought it would bother him, and said to bring a crying towel for him too!</p>
<p>Thanks, eliza's mom. Yes, we went to NYU this weekend for Saturday at the Square. You're right -- it was a very alluring program, and my son is just about sold on Tisch. Northwestern, at least from our past experience, doesn't do quite so much to sell themselves, but I'd still like to go this week to Preview NU.</p>
<p>Yes, if our kids end up switching cities, we'll definitely have to become foster parents! :-)</p>
<p>I should have probably skipped reading this thread today...my husband and D are traveling out east visiting BOCO and Ithaca until Wednesday...so I'm home alone. I'd better find a crying towel right now. I took vacation from work this week to sew - I'm also a costumer and getting ready for "Kiss Me Kate." I've been so busy that it's been great to keep me focused on anything other than the fact that this will be her last musical locally. Okay - I'd better get back to my sewing or I'll end up pulling out the photo albums!</p>
<p>I thought it was time to bring this topic back up to the top for this year's graduating class. As most of the class of 2006 has decided on their course for next year, now we can all commiserate together, letting these precious students go. </p>
<p>My daughter's last high school musical performance was last night. They were lucky enough to secure the rights to Chicago which is brave for a high school to do. She was fortunate to be cast as Velma which gave her an opportunity to show off her stuff! Although she is a soprano by the end of the run, she had developed an amazing belt in her chest voice. The entire show was cast so well, every part large and small was captivating. I held it together until her director (and a few parents and teachers) hugged me and told me how much they would miss her. I had no huge breakdown though; I'm waiting for that until next Friday when she has her final choral concert and last show choir performance. She has had an amazing high school experience, and while glad to move on, she'll definitely leave little pieces of herself behind. While it's impossible for me to think about letting her go, the thought of not seeing all her friends (cast party here last night!) as well tears me up. They are such a close group. </p>
<p>Here's to all of you Class of 2006. I wish all the parents lots of love and sympathy in getting through the next few weeks of last concerts, performances and graduation. We are going to need it. </p>
<p>Carole</p>
<p>Thanks, Carole, for bringing this back up. I'm on emotional overload tonight after a big day and big weekend. In the past week, I've made it through the church choir fundraiser show (with song and dance solo - dinner theatre variety show for 3 nights), ending school choir concert with solo, and dance recital twice this weekend (with several class dances plus acting / singing / dance solo and duet at beginning and end of the recital) without really crying. I'm so proud of how well he did plus how many compliments he's gotten, not only on the excellent performances, but more importantly about how everyone thinks he is such a nice guy and will miss him. This alone would put me into emotional overload. </p>
<p>The thing that made me weep was the church senior recognition day today -hearing about and thinking about how important some of these people have been in his life and our lives. Many of them have really shaped him into this incredibly sincere and humble individual. The music director at church who has taught him piano and voice for nearly his whole life is the one that is really special. How can one possibly let these people know how much they have meant?</p>
<p>Well, it's prom tonight, and I am a mess. We have our last choral concert this week, and my D will be singing the Flower Duet from Lakme, with her best singing buddy. These girls have sung a duet together every year since 8th grade. Apparently their choir teacher at school already had them all crying thi week at rehearsal, reminding them they only have three more times together. Two more weeks of school, one more show and this chapter ends. The kids are all excited with The Cappies Gala, Macys awards and senior projects, as well as finals to prepare for, and I have way too much time on my hands. Acck.</p>
<p>well, I needed that towel tonight....big time! She 'had a solo ' (which I thought meant a line or two) in Mozarts Coronation Mass (part of a festival to celebrate his 250th birthday)....well.....a little solo was
the ONLY soprano solo and gee...she sang about 60% of the mass alone.......and what a voice.......I am not used to as much soprano (she is a big mezzo most of the time and focuses there for MT)... I was in tears most of the time...it was incredible. Her voice teacher keeps saying 'opera' and she keeps saying "mt".....makes me wonder!!!</p>
<p>I was so proud! As I always am.......</p>