Sing, Sing a Song

Several weeks ago, Sophie's school chorus teacher invited all the kids to audition for the Pennsylvania Music Educators District Ten Elementary Songfest. Sophie was one of twelves kids picked from her school. They've had extra practices to learn the music and prepare for their concert, which happened last Friday evening.

On Thursday night Sophie told us that, after another audition, she'd been picked to represent her school and audition for one of two solos available at the concert. She, her eleven classmates, and their chorus teacher took a school bus to the host school on Friday morning and spent the whole day practicing with the entire group, two-hundred fourth, fifth, and sixth graders, and their guest director. Because she doesn't have a cell phone, we didn't know how the day was going, including how the audition for the solo had gone.

Bryan took a picture of me taking a picture of our family at the concert. His picture was better.

We arrived a little after 6:30 for the 7:00 concert. The first time we saw Sophie was when she walked in to take her place with the rest of the group. The concert was relatively short, only six songs. They did a great job. There was one song that had arm movements and many of the kids looked like they were just marking the choreography, kind of bored and trying to get through it. Sophie performed each move with intention and energy. It made such a difference.

As we neared the final song, my heart started to pound. I couldn't figure out if I was nervous that she didn't get the solo, or nervous that she did. When they finished the penultimate number the director went to the microphone and announced that their last song, This Is Me from The Greatest Showman, would feature two soloist. And then she announced their names.

Sophie was the first soloist! She started the whole song and sang it beautifully. I was so proud of her that I felt happy tears running down my face.

Afterward the parents from each school gathered at a designated spot in the theatre. I got to meet some of the moms of Sophie's friends. One of them told me that her daughter had been rooting for Sophie, that she knew Sophie would get the solo. I was concerned there might be some hurt feelings that Sophie got the solo, but everyone was kind and complimentary. She has a sweet group of friends that are in the musical and chorus together. I love that they were so supportive.

On the way home, Sophie told us that she'd gone through a few more rounds of auditions during that long rehearsal day. She hadn't known she had the solo until around 5:30, not too long before the concert started.

I love that she's getting these musical opportunities!