Attended my granddaughter Abi's last band concert of her High School career last night. Her High School is very large and I have been especially impressed with the sports and music programs at Skyridge HS in Lehi, Utah. Some of my other grandkids go to schools in very small communities, so going to this very large school for events seems rather out of all proportion in comparison. However, for the most part, I have been very pleased with the opportunities these kids have been getting through school, no matter their locations and populations.
When I entered High School (you know, back in the dark ages), my first school was very large, very new, and very high tech. For example, the music that the performing groups could do there seemed amazingly high calibre to me. There was a lot of talent to draw upon. And they had so many groups --- several bands, an orchestra, and three choirs. It seemed so big --- more like a college campus than a high school.
My dad changed jobs after I had only attended Sam Rayburn HS in Pasadena TX for six seeks. Then we moved to Beavercreek, Ohio. After being in such a beautiful, new, high tech, well funded high school school in Texas, going back to junior high school for 9th grade in Ohio was such a let down. (Wasn't I lucky. I got to spend a fourth year in junior high.) Oh, well, they say that in a smaller school, individuals have more opportunities --- less competition, you know.
When I entered High School (you know, back in the dark ages), my first school was very large, very new, and very high tech. For example, the music that the performing groups could do there seemed amazingly high calibre to me. There was a lot of talent to draw upon. And they had so many groups --- several bands, an orchestra, and three choirs. It seemed so big --- more like a college campus than a high school.
My dad changed jobs after I had only attended Sam Rayburn HS in Pasadena TX for six seeks. Then we moved to Beavercreek, Ohio. After being in such a beautiful, new, high tech, well funded high school school in Texas, going back to junior high school for 9th grade in Ohio was such a let down. (Wasn't I lucky. I got to spend a fourth year in junior high.) Oh, well, they say that in a smaller school, individuals have more opportunities --- less competition, you know.
My mom and dad, bless their hearts, made sure that we kids had plenty of opportunities to grow and gave us all the support we needed. As usual, it didn't take long for my mom to ingratiate herself into the musical communities of the schools. She was called on very often to accompany for the choirs and help out for rehearsals for any school musicals or events, etc. Still, I couldn't help comparing going to that glamorous brand new school in Texas to the very old smaller schools in Ohio. (Sigh)
By the way, they finally got the funding to upgrade the Beavercreek High School to a glamorous new building --- but not until after I had graduated and gone on. It really isn't fair to compare school experiences with a school's outward appearance, anyhow. It's what happens within those walls that really matters. I'm sure the teachers work just as hard to provide good experiences for the students in all situations.
It has been fun, though, here in Utah to cross paths with other musicians I have actually worked with in different musical organizations. For instance, the director of my younger grandchildren's elementary school chorus is a member of the Tabernacle Choir, and the band director at Skyridge HS plays trumpet in the Orchestra at Temple Square. (Small world isn't it?)
I have many grandchildren nearby, so I get lots of opportunities to attend concerts and school events. Unfortunately, I can't go to nearly all of them. I have 27 grandchildren, and five of my seven families live near enough that I could attend events. Sometimes, I just have to respond according to triage --- last night I had to choose between Abi's last High School band concert and Ethan's first Middle School band concert. (Abi's seemed more expedient.) And there are others I also have to miss because of prior commitments. Being a grandmother is definitely a full-time occupation!
By the way, they finally got the funding to upgrade the Beavercreek High School to a glamorous new building --- but not until after I had graduated and gone on. It really isn't fair to compare school experiences with a school's outward appearance, anyhow. It's what happens within those walls that really matters. I'm sure the teachers work just as hard to provide good experiences for the students in all situations.
It has been fun, though, here in Utah to cross paths with other musicians I have actually worked with in different musical organizations. For instance, the director of my younger grandchildren's elementary school chorus is a member of the Tabernacle Choir, and the band director at Skyridge HS plays trumpet in the Orchestra at Temple Square. (Small world isn't it?)
I have many grandchildren nearby, so I get lots of opportunities to attend concerts and school events. Unfortunately, I can't go to nearly all of them. I have 27 grandchildren, and five of my seven families live near enough that I could attend events. Sometimes, I just have to respond according to triage --- last night I had to choose between Abi's last High School band concert and Ethan's first Middle School band concert. (Abi's seemed more expedient.) And there are others I also have to miss because of prior commitments. Being a grandmother is definitely a full-time occupation!
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