A little reminder

I found this the other day in the back room.  As a matter of fact, he wrote it out on paper and posted it in the living room for his dad.  I know I could use this reminder too.

"But I wasn't doing anything wrong!"

That answer unfortunately did not line up with what the teacher said and the pink detention slip we got last week.  I have to tell you, he was pretty sweet about it after it was all over with.  He was bawling about it when he came in the library.  Apparently, he was not following directions.  I expect there was a little class monopolizing going on.  Mr. Hernandez was ready to play and Zachary was "tuning up", or so he said.  This led to his name on the board, and then the commotion started.  Needless to say, the detention slip says "being disruptive," "talking without permission," and "being disobedient and disrespectful".

When I asked him what happened, he said, I was tuning up, like the players at the Houston Symphony do.  I told him that is a good idea for Houston Symphony players, not CLCS band students. 

Later that evening was the football game and so the band played.  I asked Mr. H when his detention was and noted he had not put a date on the slip.  I said, he must not have meant to give it to Zachary.  He smiled and said he would let is slid this time.  When I told Zachary, he said, "so it is like a warning detention."  He was very pleased about Mr. H's change of heart.  I'll be pleased with a change of attitude in Zachary, and then we will all be good.

We met a rock star!

The other day we received an email from a contact at the Houston Symphony.  She had free tickets to offer us for an upcoming performance (8th row, $116 each - wow!).  That in itself was pretty cool, but then she worked out meeting a rock star.  OK, so Adam is not a rock star, but he is a symphony star, or an oboe star or even an English horn star in Zachary's eyes. 


I was just about as nervous as a cat.  You never know what Zachary is going to say, and men do not tend to be as patient with kids that are different.  Zachary on the other hand was very excited!  He was talking a mile a minute and the Mr. Dinitz was very patient and calm with him.  He made Zachary an oboe reed, played a few songs Zack requested, and then they played some music back and forth.  Zachary asked a few questions he had thought of before our meeting, and they visited about the English horn.  Adam gave him a few pointers on holding his oboe & how long to practice each day.  I was busy taking pictures and video, and just beaming at my little man.

The meeting

 

Photo opp - he wore his hair like Adam's too

You may be wondering why I did not put my video on here.  Sadly, my phone crashed and these are the only two pictures I have.  Mr. Dinitz was nice enough to tell Zachary he would be glad to see him at any performance.  Maybe I can get some video next time.  I did asked about Zachary's abilities.  He said 9/10 is ear, and Zachary has that.  He just needs some discipline.