Eclipsehornplayer

Wow yesterday was such a banner day for me I really have to share it. My work day went good but the real surprise came when I visited my dad in the hospital. I walked into his room and sat down next to him as I have done many times during the last week or so. He was sleeping so I did not want to disturb him. I figured I’d have my dinner sitting next to him and then go see my oldest son’s band concert just down the street from the hospital with my wife. I sat down started to eat my subway and was startled when my father who had been in a coma like state since last Wednesday the last day we spoke when he did not know who I was; looked at me and said. “John I’m glad you here now give me a damn bite of that sub.”

I was stunned to the 9th degree so much so that I darn near fell out of my chair. My wife who was seated next to me was also just as pleasantly surprised. My dad and I talked for about 1 hour which was all the time I had. We talked about so many good things. When I was a kid we used to go see Detroit Tiger baseball games at Tiger Stadium. He remembered this vividly when I told him that my office overlooks the “old ballpark.” We talked about the sports teams in Detroit and how they are doing; he was surprised to learn he was in the hospital for a week! I gave him a couple bites of my turkey sub from subway and then I told him I had to run to Daniel’s concert. It was such a good feeling to walk out of that hospital having had a very uplifting visit with my father who only days earlier had no idea who I was and appeared as though he may be leaving us!

My son’s concert; wow! Because I had to move out of state this was the first concert I’ve seen him in since 2004 and the first High School Concert that I saw him in. He plays the Trombone and is very talented at it. He earned a spot in the Symphony Band and High School Orchestra and next year plans to audition for Jazz ensemble! I guess I’m just a little proud of him! 

Until last night I was always just a little bummed out with Daniels band director because he is harder to talk to then President Bush; of this I’m sure. I’d leave him messages and if he responded at all it was usually a week or two later. Now I know why. Holy cow has this guy got his hands full! The High School has a Marching Band, Concert Band, Symphony Band, Full Orchestra with Strings, and finally a Jazz Ensemble. This guy must never sleep! So I feel that I owe Mr. D’Angelo a bit of an apology for some comments that I made about him on this board in frustration some time ago. I now see clearly why he is so difficult to get an audience with. Band directors you have my utmost respect.

Here’s the line up from last night:

Roosevelt High School Concert Band
Alleluia “Lyra Davidica” - Elliott Del Borgo
Creed - William Himes
Eine Kliene Rockmuisc - Wolfbane Armadillo Mozart/Jennings

Roosevelt High School Jazz Ensemble
Doxy - Sonny Rollings/Porter

Roosevelt High School Symphony Band
Adagio for Strings - Samuel Barber
Incantations - Robert W. Smith
Nilesdance - David R. Holsinger

Roosevelt High School Jazz Ensemble
Mambo Hot - Victor Lopez
Vehicle - Jim Peterik
Journey to the Shadowlands - Kris Berg
Night Flight - Sammy Nestico

Roosevelt High School Orchestras
I Dreamed a Dream(From Les Mis) - Claude Shonberg/Jennings
Summertime - George Gershwin/Ligon
The Magnificent Seven - Elmer Bernstein/Phillippe

Concert Finale – All Groups combined
Children of Sanchez -- Chuck Mangione/Phillips and Dennison

Wow what a concert!

I was absolutely amazed at the level of talent some of these kids possessed. The soloists in the Jazz ensemble where outstanding! My son played in the Orchestra’s and I’ve never been prouder. Some of the music that the low brass was playing was not easy! They seemed to have a good mastery of it.

Afterwards I had my son introduce me to Mr. D’Angelo. For three years we’ve been trading emails and finally we got to meet. I told him he should be extremely proud of his students because they were all very good! He told me that Daniel was going to audition for the Jazz Ensemble and that he felt Daniel was a good fit so I’m excited for my son. Then Mr. D’Angelo surprised me! He said you’re a trumpet player right, and asked if he could bring me in the band room every now and then. Wow what an incredible honor I thought to myself I’m really going to have to brush up because some of the players that I saw on that stage were Killers in training and had skills bigtime!

Of course I told him I’d be honored but inside I must admit I was a bit nervous. Anyway I just had to share this. It seems lately that all I’ve been doing is placing bad news out on the board and I’m so pleased to finally have some incredible news to share with you all.

Thanks for all of your thoughts/prayers. This is proof positive that they work!

I'll add pictures to this thread as soon as I can; I have to touch them up a bit the stage was poorly lit and I had trouble getting good pictures.

My son was honored with a 2nd year tenure award and will receive his varsity letter; again I guess I'm just a little proud.

The only thing that saddend me was that the high school auditorium seating looked to be about 700 or so. Less then half of the seats we're filled which is a shame!

All the best,
John

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