We have Ian placed in a school that is heavy into the arts. Children are encouraged to take an instrument, but not required. Amber took violin starting in first grade and followed thru with it all the way to her senior year. We are hoping Ian will do the same. Amber took some piano lessons along the way as well, but I get the feeling that Ian will want guitar lessons. He's already asked for an electric guitar for Christmas 2009. Great.


So, in our busy week that already had the talent show on Thursday, we had Ian's first orchestra concert on Friday night at the high school. We were sitting pretty far back, so I knew I was going to need the 200mm lens to get a decent shot of him. I snapped quite a few as he walked out on stage. As I followed him to his seat, it looked like he was positioned right behind the podium for the conductor, so I put the still camera away and got out the video camera. I figured we could at least have a wide angle view and the sound this way.


As it turned out, the conductor sat at the piano the whole night, so I had a clear view of his face during the whole show. By then it was too late to switch back to the still camera, as Margaret was walking around with Eli, who was not quite as patient as he was at the talent show. Oh well. We've got the video.


Of the shots I took, this was my favorite. Ian never looked out toward the audience on his way to his seat, it was like nobody was out there. Most of the other kids were mesmerized by the large gathering of onlookers in the seats down below. It just struck me as funny.


The first concert is plucking only, no bows, and the kids did great. We just wrapped up 12 years of concerts with Amber, and we're now embarking on another 12 (hopefully) with Ian.