The Beautiful Arts!

So, I have been privileged the past two days to attend Paul's concerts for both Band and Choir. I really feel blessed to have him involved at school in both and that he is able to continue to develop his musical abilities.
All growing up I viewed band concerts as a torture that you only went for the sole purpose of supporting the person who was in the band. However, I have really come to love going to the college band concerts and look forward to the next one. The Concerts have found a place in me I guess. It will be a sad day when Paul is all done with them, hopefully he can find a local one to play in to keep up his skills.

(Soap Box/Aryn's Epifany...feel free to tune out)
I have decided however, that too many people let that part of them die when they move on from school. I have come to realize what a privilege it is to have Art museums, Band & Choir Concerts, Plays, Dance recitals, etc. in our communities. Having the arts around us really illuminates the beauty of the world that we live in! I've always been passionate about the arts but recently the resources around me have made my passion for them catch fire! So, I hope that everyone can realize that there is always an opportunity for us to attend something locally that will uplift us and awaken our inner artists!

Okay back to Paul's Concerts, His band concert was amazing! They performed eight songs and if you have the time, Click on this link to www.songza.com to listen to them yourself, I would recommend it! My favorites were Raging Machines composed by Brian Balmages ( this song intreged me), Four of a Kind composed by Jack Bullock, I couldn't find a recording of this that did it justice (this made me want to break out some swing dancing!), All those Endearing Young Charms composed by Simone Mantia (A classic! and the Trumpet Soloist got her decree from Burklee School of Music in Boston, MA, she was absolutely amazing! it was really beautiful!), Rhapsody in Blue (I'm sure you have all heard this one, but hearing it at a concert was just amazing! The Pianist that soloed was really talented! Totally perfect! How do they remember 10 minute or longer songs! I have a hard time remembering the top hand of hymns! :) They also premiered for the first time in the United States, (or so they told us) a new composition called Concerto for Timpani and Band This one wasn't my favorite but the drummer was super talented and the song was enjoyable. Now the dreaded conclusion, I have spent my whole life avoiding becoming a Band geek by never taking a band class, and now look at me I'm blogging about movements and composers! :)

Anyways, I guess I should save the rest of my thoughts for some future paper on honoring the Arts that only a teacher would take the time to read :), but I just wanted to share my excitement for my newly burning passion, and hope everyone finds something beautiful around them so they enjoy life a little more fully!