My Son Plays the Trombone...a mom's perspective.

As I write this piece I am sitting in a beautifully decorated Frank Lloyd Wright style studio apartment in Pittsburgh.  I just got back from taking a lovely walk to explore the neighborhood and now am enjoying a cup of coffee and some goodies that crossed my path at a local bakery.  There are rare moments like this in life when you can spend time in a beautiful place and have a few moments to write down your thoughts.  So here are mine for now.

I came to Pittsburgh on Thursday to spend a long week-end visiting with my younger son, John, and to get to see him perform his first concert as the new Principal of the River City Brass Band. To make it even sweeter, John was featured in a solo called Trombonology by Tommy Dorsey. As far as I was concerned, there was no one on that stage but John.  He was playing with passion, technique, and made connections with everyone in that beautiful music hall.  When he finished, the clapping roared from the audience and continued long after he returned to his chair.

 As those of you who know me and understand completely how I feel about my two sons, you can only imagine the emotions that were flying through my heart.  It has been awhile since I have been able to see John as he plays because when he performs with the Opera, he is in the pit and all I can see is part of his arm as he manipulates his slide.  But, you can believe, I have stared at that arm for many performances and still experienced joy.

As I watched John perform the other night, my mind raced back in time to when I remember taking him to the middle school to look at mouthpieces to decide which instrument he would play. This was a simple step...it's what you do as a mom when your child wants to try something.  I thought band would be great, but never in my wildest dreams at that moment would have thought that this was his first step to what he would be doing as his career and his passion, and taking an incredible journey; a journey filled sometimes with success, sometimes frustration and disappointment. Yet, then there were the unforgettable moments with artists, orchestras, composers and valuable friendships.

I was thinking about it, and except for his performances in Europe, up until the time he left for graduate school, I could probably count on maybe one hand when I was not there.  This goes back to middle school band, marching at football games, UIL competitions, school concerts, All-State performances and concerts at SMU.  After he left to live in New York I was there for performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and his Senior  Graduate Recital shared with family.  I was there for his first professional performance as Principal for the Pittsburgh Opera and several operas following up to now. So, I guess you can say that I have indirectly traveled this journey with John, and the coolest part is that it just keeps going; thus, here I am in Pittsburgh.

Music plays a major role in our family and the seed was planted by my mother many years ago as a little girl when she would get to take a piano lesson for a quarter if she could save one.  I have a picture at home of John at the piano with Mother and I plan to post it on this blog.  My mother would have been 100 years old this past May.  I wish she could know how her music influenced my children and me. Well, who knows, maybe she does...

I can only hope that I can support the legacy that she put in place.

Anyway....those are my thoughts.  I am one proud Mom today and my soul bursts with joy for what I know is ahead for both of my sons.  I am truly blessed.