Despite requests, I wasn’t going to post the concerto night photos. I’m full of excuses– the photos are studio shots, black and white and cropped to 8×10 (all a wound to my artist heart); you don’t want to read a lengthy explanation of concerto night and well, it’s a LOT of photos.
But as I finished them up and emailed them back and forth to the musicians for 1st and 2nd choices, I was struck by the collective strength of these ‘kids.’ It seems that everyone has something awful to say about the texting/sexting, video game addicted, disrespectful teenagers of today. Yet, I see strength of character, an incredible work ethic, good manners
and,
yes, I know this is a cliche,
hope.
Concerto Night is an annual tradition where a musician plays a full concerto accompanied by the school orchestra. Some years, the school struggles to find 5 or 6 kids who can play a concerto on any instrument (a feat I can hardly imagine), but Skyline had 30 qualified applicants this year which they narrowed down to a record 17 finalists.
The catch? The orchestra (which Ben and Stefan are part of) gets to learn 17 concertos. Ouch.
I told Michael that I would never encourage my boys to get a tattoo, but his is awesome and it had to be part of the photo.
They’re all fabulous aren’t they? Don’t you feel like the future is in good hands?
You might find it hard to choose a favorite. But I’m biased, it’s this kid.
Hope.
Sue
That’s a great crop of musical kids! And you’re right, it is reassuring to see them.
=)
Linn
That is such an incredible collection. Thank you for sharing!
Oh, and while I also can’t endorse a tattoo, that one is AWESOME! I’m afraid I like it a little too much.
Mathmom and family
We need more pictures of kids like this. We all need to see the good that kids have to offer. Everyone knows kids in their own lives that are doing the right thing every day, yet the kids that find their way on to our screens are damaged and broken and sad. We forget how much potential is out there. Thanks for sharing these hopeful faces with us.
By the way, is that tattoo real? I’ve often said that I’m not so much against tattoos. It’s just I can’t imagine something so important that you would want to have it on your body forever. That treble clef may be the right thing!
ashli
these are awesome michelle…..it definitly gives me hope!
jennie w.
That’s Utah for you. A surfeit of talented children.
Kerri
As a piano teacher for 18 years, I know just how hard a kid works to get to the level of playing a concerto well, and I have to say: 17 in one high school just blows my mind. Your pictures are lovely. I wish I’d had something like that when I was that age.
And yes, Ben’s picture is the best. 🙂
Selwyn
With hope like that, I don’t have faith the future’s in fantastic hands, I KNOW it is.
Beautiful. Again. Like always.
sarah
just lovely . . . simply lovely. thanks for sharing.
loves.
Heather
This post left me hoping that the highschool my kids are going to go to here in PA will have as many quality kids as Skyline does, (well they actually would have gone to Olympus, but same diff right?)
Claudia
Analisa is dying in orchestra. While some pieces are harder than others, 17 concerto’s is no joke.
I absolutely love these pictures. You really captured their beauty along with their own unique personalities. So cool!
And I agree with you. We live in a time and place with amazing spirits. I am in constant awe.
Thanks for sharing.
Tracy
Amazing pictures and kids.
Awesome tatt!
xoxo,t
Rachelle
Gorgeous photos! Love your positive spin on the youth of today. I agree!