At the end of last school year, all of the incoming kids were asked to come up to the middle school to try out all of the possible band instruments. Bennett scored well with a handful of them, but ultimately decided on the French horn. The school usually holds a week long band camp during the summer where everyone gets acclimated with their new instrument and starts learning some notes. However, all of the Homewood schools are undergoing a variety of updates, and the middle school just didn't have the space to hold all of the students over the summer. Therefore Bennett didn't get to start playing her instrument until mid August when school was back in session.
Bennett, like the majority of the 6th graders, had never played their chosen instrument before. Most didn't know how to read music, and they had to learn how to play together.
The week after we returned from our Thanksgiving break, HMS put on a band concert per grade. Uncle Dan played the trumpet all through college, and was excited to see Bennett play. Of course, Mimi and Papa wanted to come too. We were all packed in the cafeteria like sardines (as they are still redoing one of their gyms), but it truly was amazing to listen to these kids. They did a great job with the five songs they played, and I am so proud of Bennett for her tenacity to figure it out.
