Dumb brag about my son

[Sue B]

So, I don't really like to "brag" on my son but I'm just so dang happy for him and his accomplishments so far that I gotta share it with SOMEONE! (not a big social media sharer)

As some of you may remember, ds plays the french horn for his own enjoyment and for his high school band. He first picked it up in 7th grade and he is a junior now. We live in a very rural area, btw and our band only has about 20 players. They are a great group of kids who really support not only each other's efforts, but cheer on competing bands as well. They simply all share a love of making great music.

Anyhow, this year so far he has...made BSU Honor Marching Band in which he will play the mellophone with the Blue Thunder marching Band next week for BSU vs Wyoming game, was asked to play in the community philharmonic (concert is tonight) AND, after 3 years of auditioning...finally made it into the All State Band. To top it off, one of his best band friends (an excellent trumpet player) will be marching with him as well as going to All State, and another good friend who is a truly amazing bass player (as in the oversized cello bass) will be going to All Sate as well. The only hurdle left is to make it into the State Solo/Ensemble competition next spring.

You may go back to your regularly scheduled events now. Thank you for reading.

[Linden]

awesome! band is great - I was a (quite accomplished) Trumpet player in my teens and was a first chair member of the BC Honor band.

I was also in a Bagpipe band for 6 years as a snare drummer (I was in Army Cadets).

Don't be ashamed of bragging! Your son deserves the kudos!

[scruffy the cat]

Congrats!

[Canyon]

Sue B - All your son's accomplishments are brag worthy! Yay for him and all the support you have given him!

[StraightForward]

That's awesome!

[Moutaineer]

That is pretty awesome! French Horn is not an easy instrument to play.

My DH is a singer--musicians are special people.

[exvet]

Who wouldn't brag about such? Congrats to you both.

[Sue B]

Funny, although my side of the family is filled with musicians of various types, neither I nor my dad had any musical talent. No one does music on dh's side of the family, although his dad had a beautiful Irish lilt when he sang. The music gene must've skipped a generation and went to ds instead of us. Both ds and I do love to listen to all variety of music--from classical to jazz to pop to oldtime country--and we took him to a number of great concerts starting when he was just a toddler, so that may have awoken his desire to play. We just love having the privilege to hear him play.

Linden, I always wanted to play the drums and I love listening to good bagpipe music. As you continue on your journey of recovery, bring music along with you.

[piedmontfields]

That is a really cool achievement! I hope your son has a great experience.

[KathyK]

Brag on! I don't blame you one bit for being proud of his accomplishments.

[Sue B]

So.......I am very pleased to announce that DS and his friend BOTH got Superior at their solo competition, each winning his instrument class, and so FINALLY our district is sending one french horn and one trumpet to the Idaho State Solo competition in May. I am so proud of both of them, can't hardly stand it!

(The only down side is it will requiring driving approximately 600 miles one way)

[KathyK]

Fantastic! Big congratulations to both of them!

[Moutaineer]

Good for them! Congratulations, proud mom

[Kelo]

That is so awesome! Congrats!!!

Time to stock up on a few audiobooks for the drive!

[PaulaO]

That is terrific! Any sites worth seeing in the 600 mile drive?

[texsuze]

Congratulations to the kids! BTW, I thought Texas was the only place you could drive 600 miles one way and still be in the same state

[Chisamba]

Fabulous !

[Sue B]

So in our state, going from south to north takes you from high desert (sage brush country) through steep hills, along multiple rivers (Snake, Payette, Little Salmon, Salmon, Clearwater), into pine forest mountains, rolling hills left over from the last ice age (the Palouse) and on up into the dense forests of the north country (Coeur D'Alene, Sandpoint.) My home is at 4500' above sea level, Lewiston (confluence of the Columbia, Salmon and Clearwater) is at 750' and the furthest inland seaport in the United States. It's, of course, named for the Lewis and Clark expedition and has a very large pulp factory. It lies at the foot of the great Palouse region where the Nez Pierce made their last stand and where the Appalous Horse Society was established. Yup, there's lots of coool stuff to enjoy on my journey.

[StraightForward]

Very cool! And yes, we have a big, beautiful state. I wish people would stop finding out about it.