After thousands of lessons, years of practice and weeks of extra rehearsals, Concerto Night came in all it’s glory. Classical musicians aren’t like football players– their opportunities to perform are few and far between and are in front of a half-filled auditorium rather that a stadium of screaming fans. But last night was luminous, exultant, beautiful.
My hands shook with nerves as Ben’s took the stage. He’d worked so hard, for so long…
As he reached the last twenty seconds of the song after all the high passages, the long runs, the difficult trills– he knew he’d made it. He’d done it. And his face broke into a wide smile. His conductor knew it too.
Oh how I love this photo– the JOY! the reactions of everyone in the orchestra and the audience; the gorgeous blond violinist on the left.
After the concert (nearly 3 1/2 hours of music) the performers, orchestra, friends and family gathered in the halls. Everyone was absolutely giddy– they’d pulled it off! Over and over I heard the teenagers saying to each other, “I can’t believe we did it!” They had learned 17 concertos and played them with perfection– indistinguishable from a college symphony. And it wasn’t easy stuff– 12 minute pieces like Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” Tchaikovsky’s “Violin concerto in D Major” and Lalo’s “Symphonie Espagnole.”

Ben was everywhere, flitting from one group of friends to the next. But every time I looked his way he was smiling.
Linn
Happy, happy, happy, happy, happy.
That last picture is tremendous!
ashli
what a great young man!
what a great payoff for his mom!
i would have loved to have been there…truly. i love listening to music, especially played by someone i really like!
p.s. i see both big boys could use a haircut. call me. i am home all through the break.
Sue
This is really exciting stuff! My mom is a violinist, so I have a special feeling for that instrument. And I love getting to share these moments vicariously through your great photos and storytelling.
Thanks!
=)
Tasha
This brought tears of happiness to MY eyes. Your boys are radiant. You must be so proud. Thank you for sharing.
Selwyn
Gorgeous, inside and out.
The last shot is a stunner.
Rachelle
Your kids are ALL so darn cute. I love your photography. Happy to hear their concert went well. What a proud moment that Ben did a solo. You captured it wonderfully. Thanks so much for sharing with us.
Tracy
So much joy!!! That is purely amazing!
xoxo,t
Kerri
Oh, Michelle, this just makes my heart happy. I know just what it takes to get to this place. It’s an ENORMOUS, HUGE, MARVELOUS thing. Ben’s smile is gorgeous, and I bet yours was just as big.
Congrats to both of you, and to Ben’s teacher.
SO EXCITING!!!!!
Erica
this post totally put a lump in my throat. my little guy is only 1 1/2 but i already feel like time is going so fast – i hope that one day he can grow up and be as wonderful as your kids. serious, major lump in my throat!
ps. i totally went to skyline with the darling Watts & White girls older sisters. (from your previous post of all the concert night finalists. such a small world!)
Mathmom and family
Ben isn’t even my son and I had tears of joy seeing the pride on his sweet face. Congrats to all the kids for working hard to put together such a big performance.
martha corinna
I’m always in serious awe of your boys. Can you please coach me?
Claudia
I had to come Monday and Tuesday to catch it all. Both times I was overwhelmed at the feeling of camaraderie among these kids. What a sight to behold!
Ben was fantastic! And you captured the night so perfectly! Well done!!
Jan Russell
I cry everytime I come to your blog.
Like, EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
Ken
Ben and Stefan,
That memorable and magical evening will always be one of my fondest memories of you! Thank you for sharing your talents, diligence and determination. I shed tears of joy!
Michelle, your photos are fantastic and captured the moments! Now I look forward to playing the CD over and over, to remind me of that glorious evening of beautiful music and wonderful young women and young men who performed with excellence. With love and appreciation,
Grandpa Ken