Junior High Honor Orchestra Member

 

 

(Haley in the center during warm-ups)

 

 

Haley was selected by her Orchestra Conductor at school to participate and represent the School for Creative and Performing Arts in the Ohio Music Education Association District 14 Junior High Honor Orchestra. Friday after school Haley arrived at Loveland Middle School to begin rehearsals and audition for a seat, having practiced Violin II parts for this event over the past month or so. Saturday morning started early for her with 8:30 sectional rehearsals and finding out that she was placed in 4th chair in the second violin section out of 11 seats. After working hard all weekend, the group performed three pieces conducted by Ed Zunic, from Columbus. The pieces played were Bacchanale (from ‘Samson and Delilah’) by Saint-Saens/Isaac, Hoe Down (from ‘Rodeo’) by Copeland/Bulla and Berceuse and Finale (from ‘The Firebird Suite’) by Stravinsky/Isaac. It was a VERY good concert combining the finest 7th and 8th grade musicians in District 14 which is basically all of Hamilton County as well as Clermont County. Haley learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity. At the recital the Conductor quoted her telling everyone that it was “hard…but fun”. He remarked how most kids this age do not choose to spend their weekend time in this manner and I contemplated that truth and the fact that I have a really great daughter who works hard. I am very proud of her for that.

Haley wore a red ribbon to this performance in honor/remembrance of her friend, Esme, who was in Children’s Choir with Haley and also played the Cello. About a mile and a half from our home and right around the corner from her own, Esme was beaten, raped, strangled, murdered and burned in the middle of the afternoon exactly one year ago today (March 7th) by a convicted sex offender/serial killer who is currently on trial this week for the death of Esme and 3 other women. He has spent 16 years in prison for killing before. He faces the death penalty for these most recent crimes. That has been a top news story all this past week. Last week, the top news story all week involved a Cincinnati Police Officer who is a Security Officer at SCPA. He is in the hospital recovering from a gun shot wound he received off duty right around the corner and down the street from our house. Rick says the kids at school are all a little on edge. The district’s Crisis Team will be on hand at school tomorrow to help the kids deal and sort through things as needed. If I ever seem a little over protective about my children being out and about alone, I feel I have reason. Rick is more protective. I sometimes let them out in pairs, but never alone.

Below are some video clips from the performance. Our batteries were giving out and the distance makes for a blurry picture but the sound is there and you get the idea. Rick was a very talented videographer as he manned the camera with one hand and manned the baby with the other arm. So enjoy the clips (combined with baby squawking, of course). I must say that it was nice to attend a concert of my child WITH my husband and to have his help with the other children.

The following are NOT lengthy clips; just snippets from the recital. Haley is seen in the center behind the red shirt or blue shirt…