Being a mother and grandmother can be a full-time job at Christmas --- just trying to keep up with attending all of the the school band concerts, Church Choir programs, and even ballet class demonstrations. And that's not counting my own performances. So, I have been to my daughter's school band, chorus and orchestra concert (she was the teacher and I did some accompanying). I took my granddaughter to a semi professional orchestra concert. I went to the BYU Celebration of Christmas (choirs and Philharmonic orchestra), 2 Church choir Christmas presentations, and this week I will go to more school band and choir concerts, plus the Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert. I love to get to attend such varied concerts and to support my favorite people.
But a funny thing happened today when I visited my daughter's Church Choir presentation. I wanted to go see my daughter sing and play horn in a woodwind quintet. The drive up to Salt Lake City was scary through rain, slush and snow. I was needing time to decompress once I arrived. The choir was still in rehearsal, and I got the benefit of hearing their music more than once today. The pianist was having a difficult time negotiating the page turns for the last song. I saw him struggling and blurted out, "Do you need a page turner?" He looked surprised, but gladly accepted my offer.
The performance went very well. How many small congregations can boast that they have accomplished musicians who can play "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" by J.S. Bach as a woodwind quintet? And then sing a 4-part motet in Latin a cappella as well as other varied and interesting choral pieces. The song I turned pages for was an upbeat and challenging rendition of "The Sussex Carol." My daughter also sang a lovely obligato on one of the songs. (Proud mom moment)
Anyway, back to the funny part. The week before in rehearsal, the pianist had mentioned that he needed a page turner for the last number. My daughter said, "My mom will be here. She can do it." The pianist said that he didn't feel right asking a guest to turn pages. "Oh, she'll just volunteer anyway."
Did my daughter peg me or what? It happened just as she predicted. Mom's are like that, I guess. They want to make sure their favorite people get the support they need. Besides, musicians feel best when they are involved in the music. I love this season of concert-going --- especially when I can get in on the fun!
The performance went very well. How many small congregations can boast that they have accomplished musicians who can play "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" by J.S. Bach as a woodwind quintet? And then sing a 4-part motet in Latin a cappella as well as other varied and interesting choral pieces. The song I turned pages for was an upbeat and challenging rendition of "The Sussex Carol." My daughter also sang a lovely obligato on one of the songs. (Proud mom moment)
Anyway, back to the funny part. The week before in rehearsal, the pianist had mentioned that he needed a page turner for the last number. My daughter said, "My mom will be here. She can do it." The pianist said that he didn't feel right asking a guest to turn pages. "Oh, she'll just volunteer anyway."
Did my daughter peg me or what? It happened just as she predicted. Mom's are like that, I guess. They want to make sure their favorite people get the support they need. Besides, musicians feel best when they are involved in the music. I love this season of concert-going --- especially when I can get in on the fun!
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