Christelle's Pride and Joy

School started for Christelle about the time of my last entry. She has now started her last year in high school and seems to be having fun. Yes. I did say fun. The child has always loved school and has never found it difficult, which, by the way, is an indictments of the schools. She is one of too many kids who learn more out of school than in school. But that is a discussion for another day. I don't think she sees the matter quite as I do, since easier schoolwork leaves her with time and energy to pursue her music.

When she started high school, she played her grandfather's trumpet in the band. She has since switch to playing the oboe, and oboes don't march, so she plays 'pit percussion,' which for her translates this year to the xylophone. No, she doesn't march with a xylophone either. She is positioned next to the field.

In the Fall semester, they do marching band. they have about 100 students in the band and auxiliary 9the dancing girls). In the Spring semester, they focus on Wind Ensemble, when they play classical music. The Hillcrest High School Wind Ensemble has built a solid reputation for quality music. People move to our neighborhood for their children to be in the band program. This last Thursday the football season started and the marching band played their first performance during the half time break.

For your delectation, I include a videoclip of that performance. Christelle is the tiny figure on the sideline to the right of the bandmaster. Once you view this video on youtube, you'll see there are many other videos of their performances from last year also.

if you wish to see a much better quality videoclip of the wind ensemble performance at a prestigious event in Chicago last December, please go here.

I hope you will enjoy this brief insight into Christelle's life.