Ben has been playing violin with a local youth orchestra. This week they played at three elementary schools and a hospital. This afternoon they played at a church, after they had their winter recital. He and a few other youngsters are not actually members of this orchestra yet but they were invited to play anyway. This younger group only played three or four songs with the orchestra and then they had to sit quietly for the remaining part of the concert. He is the youngest one of the group and it was challenging for him in many ways but he came through with flying colors.
At each of the elementary schools, they passed around a microphone and each of the kids who were playing in the orchestra stood up, one by one, and introduced themselves. Without hesitation, Ben stood up and introduced himself each time, telling his name, age, grade and how long he has been playing the violin. He was excited to get to talk into a real microphone, as he had had lots of practice with the play one that he has at home.
He was the first one of the violinists to play for his recital this afternoon. The piano recitals went first so he was able to see what it was all about before it was his turn. Ben played Jingle Bells and brother Nick accompanied him by shaking some jingle bells. They were so cute together.
All of the boys playing in the orchestra had to wear black pants and shoes, a white shirt and a red bow tie. Ben absolutely loved his red bow tie. They had a practice session yesterday afternoon and snacks were provided after. After snack, he wanted to go to the restroom to wash his hands, but I wet a napkin to wipe them instead because I knew if he went to the restroom to wash them he would get his sleeves wet. As we were walking out to the car, on our way to the hospital where the orchestra was to play, Ben said "I wish I would have had more time to admire my tie". This was the real reason he wanted to go to the restroom...to admire his tie:). He is so cute.
Since Nick was to accompany Ben at the recital, he thought he should wear a white shirt and bow tie too. So, even though he was not in the orchestra, he was dressed like the orchestra boys. They both looked adorable.
They sat next to each other on the front row for the longest time, waiting for their turn. There were a lot of piano students before it was time for the violins. Ben and Nick definitely set a record for sitting quietly...and not only were they sitting quietly, they were sitting next to each other...quietly....for a long time. It really was a sight to behold. They normally can't sit next to each other for 2 minutes without starting to pick at each other and either get real silly, start wrestling or get upset with each other and start fighting over something.
Ben took $5 of his own money with him to the recital. He wanted to buy one extra red bow tie so he could play with it at home but his violin teacher would not sell him an extra. She said they were for the orchestra only. I will definitely have to find another one for him to play with. Both boys also got their first belt - and it matched their black shoes - so they were very excited about that too.
Overall it all went very well. I am so proud of Ben. He did such a great job. I think it also helped Nick to desire to start playing the piano soon. I need to get busy tracking down a piano teacher for him.
I know this post should have had lots of pictures with it but I have not downloaded them from the camera yet. I will try to do it and post them asap.
Night!
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