I remember the day I opened my oboe case when I was in 5th grade. My sister’s band director (Mrs. Dempsey) heard I made good grades and she wanted me to play the oboe. I had no idea how that would change my life. I took my first private lesson and I was hooked!
My first career was as a middle school band director and I played freelance around the Houston area from college until 8 years ago before I moved to New Mexico. Playing the oboe is part of who I am.
I always dreamed that my kids would be “band geeks” and I would wear a “Band Mom” t-shirt to the Friday night football games. But my oldest son, “Lance”, did not go down the instrumental path. He is a vocalist like his dad and is absolutely amazing. Musical theatre is his love and tonight my heart was filled with happiness for my son.
I was early to pick up Lance from dress rehearsal (he is playing Shrek in the musical at school that opens this week) and I went into the stage door. The first thing I saw was my son dressed in his green Shrek costume singing his heart out. He had a sparkle in his eye and was at his happiest.
I’ve not been as “present” as I have wanted to be in his theatre journey simply because “Christian” has needed me so much over the past few years with his medical issues. And I need to take a moment to thank his teachers here in Rio Rancho. They have stepped in and nurtured his love for music.
Mrs. Talbot and Mrs. Natal, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for loving my son and offering him the opportunities that have made him so happy. He has a love for music that you have both fostered and helped develop and for that I am eternally grateful. You have been there when I have been caring for my little boy and you both helped keep life as normal as possible for my Lance. That is something that I can never repay.
And to all of my former music education colleagues, I have a new appreciation for you all.
Remember that as educators you often fill in the gaps for families when they are in crisis and you don’t even know it. You offer a safe place, a family away from home for young people who may only feel comfortable at school.
You may not be performing on Broadway or playing with the symphony but you are making a difference in the lives of children and that, my friends is work worth being proud of.
