Yeah Chloe

Nothing really exciting had been happening around here. Yesterday, Chloe went to Band Tryouts. She wanted to play clarinet or the flute. Things changed, however, when the OBOE selected her. In case you don't understand it, the OBOE is one of the most difficult instruments to play. They have one OBOE master that goes to all school tryouts, and he asesses students for then entire area on their ability to master the oboe. The regular music teachers for the schools does all other instruments. Here is a "blow by blow" tale of how it happened. (Pardon the pun)

She went in and tested her ability to play the flute and clarinet. She did well on the flute, with no help, in getting it to make a musical note. Most kids screeched it when they tried. She did well on the clarinet also, but Angie figured the flute would fit in her back-pack, so she steered her in that direction. Then, the music teacher asked her to go to Rick (I think that was his name, but I'm probably wrong). She was the first person of the day that was asked to try it. There was a chair on his side of of the room with an oboe on it. She had to walk over in front of everyone and try to play it. She sat down, nervous, picked it up, and played the scale perfectly on it. He was soooo impressed. He only tried out 2 people all day yesterday. Most people can't get a flute to make the correct note on their first try, so Chloe was special on that part.

See, there is a reed, but nothing else on an oboe's mouth piece. Most people can't get it to make a musical note, and there is no way to tell anyone how to do it. You either can do it, or cannot do it. That is why they say "The oboe selects you". Rick explained that if she can master playing the oboe, she will be able to write her own ticket to almost any college on a full scholarship. That is what he did. He also usually has the top 2 or 3 players in the nation each year. Now, it gets even better.

Chloe is on the smart side, and in PACE, which is the escalated honors learning program. Anyway, the oboe is so select, that the school places them in their own semi-private music lessons. They also provide private lessons that are subsidized by the music department. Instead of Chloe renting an oboe (they cost a few thousand dollars to purchase), the music department provides them rent free. All of this because they are so difficult to play. The music class will also count as an Honors class. Talk about excited..... we're all excited about that.

She spent the night, and we're both addicted to WORDS, which is a scrabble game you play on your iPhones and iPods. We played most of the evening, and late into the night. She spent the night, but Morgan (streph throat) was too sick to stay. We already got started again this morning. Today is Palm Sunday, so she's getting ready to go to church.

I have a golf tournament this afternoon at 1pm. Gawd.... I need to get out more. Later