January Jingle Bells

As a 5th grader, Sam is a first-time band member, playing the barritone. He has really enjoyed band this year, and has learned a lot! He got to bring home one of the school's
O-L-D barritones that is, seriously, probably from the 1940's or something to use as his practice instrument. It doesn't look or sound great, but it's hopefully helping him learn his notes, fingering, etc. And he gets to keep that huge thing at home (the bus driver won't let him take it to school, it takes up a seat!) He actually enjoys practicing!

He was so excited for his first concert, a Christmas concert. They had to do "best dress," and he had the PERFECT TIE -- it had Christmas bulbs on it. But guess what, the concert was cancelled due to the first time we had snow days. Then they re-scheduled, and it was cancelled AGAIN the second time we had snow days. So, tonight, finally, January 25th, they had their Christmas Concert!


Just prior to the concert -- still sporting just a
slight bruise on his cheek (see "Bragging Rights"
post from earlier this month)



And...they played their normal scales and beginner lines of music, a couple of familiar tunes, and they STILL ended with "Jingle Bells."



Pictured here with friend and  fellow band member,
Jaxon Kartchner, a saxophone player.

And he still wore his Christmas tie...