<p>Just returned from a really rainy day in Connecticut.</p>
<p>DS received his masters in music performance from the Hartt School.
It rained ALL day and main ceremony was OUTSIDE.
Parents all hung in there and did not let it get them down, seemingly. We didn't let it bother
us either.</p>
<p>The Hartt ceremony afterword was inside.
Small venue and opportunity to really see your kid go up onstage for their diploma.
Our last commencement. I will savor it.</p>
<p>How was your day?</p>
<p>Congrats. And don’t feel bad, it’s going to rain all week.</p>
<p>We had a beautiful weekend in Ohio (last week) for D’s commencement. Ceremonies were fine - First one was huge; typical speech - follow your dreams, do what you like, expect the unexpected. Those of you who were around way back when, when D was discarding colleges from her list if they didn’t serve Coke products will be amused to know the speaker was the CEO for Pepsi. Forecast was for rain and thunderstorms. Students were issued ponchos. We had about 30 seconds worth of rain just prior to the ceremony. Was over about the time everyone got their umbrellas up. Students tossed the ponchos in the air at the end.</p>
<p>Second ceremony for fine arts was next morning. Smaller group, names called individually. They still managed to mispronounce D’s rather common first name, but the last name that usually stumps people, they did okay. Best part was hearing “Summa Cum Laude” after her name! Speaker was Steven Reineke, Music Director of The New York Pops, new Principal Pops conductor of National Symphony, etc., who is a Miami U alumnus.</p>
<p>Now heading out for S1’s grad school commencement in DC.</p>
<p>We had a spectacular weekend in Houston. DD sang in the President’s concert the night before graduation. President’s champagne reception and fireworks were afterwards. The weather was NOT Texas. Saturday morning was actually chilly, in the 60’s. The outside graduation was held under a clear cool bright blue sky. Speaker was David Brooks who was humorous and just the right length. All graduates walked and they got her name right. Lovely lunch reception afterwards. It was such a special weekend. As we drove away we were sad to say goodbye to Rice.</p>
<p>Congrats, Binx and Singersmom08, and to musicmom. Summa Cum Laude is also nice to have on a diploma … double congrats to her. You all have been so generous with your music advice over that last year or so, so many of us thank you for that. My D just finished her 1st music semester as a transfer and she’s still tickled pink about music and singing and all the theory and arranging and ear training that is part of her new life. You not only helped your own kids get through, but you helped many of ours, too … enjoy the celebrations!</p>