Graduation 2011!

On Thursday, the 26th of May, I had the opportunity to play at my high school's graduation. As I was getting ready to go to the spectrum that night, I realized something rather important. I had left my violin at the school. We'd had a morning practice at the spectrum, and had then been bused back to the school. I had put my violin in my locker, and then forgotten it with yearbook signing. Luckily one of my Young Women leaders works for the school (she's a librarian). She got me into the school, and the orchestra room was miraculously unlocked.

I was supposed to be at the spectrum at 7:00. We pulled into the parking lot at 7:17. I ran into the entrance and had to run around groups of graduates. I almost got lost a few times, but I finally got my instrument out, and in my seat just after the orchestra was half way through our first song. But we played it again when the graduates actually came in, so I didn't miss much.

Our first song was the hardest. Mostly because I'd only played it like 3 times previously, but whatever. Then... blah, blah, blah, graduation-ness. Then, we played our song with the choir, "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." There was a part where the guys sang an a cappella verse, and it was gorgeous. I actually heard that arrangement performed somewhere else, more professional, but I don't remember where now. :) Our last song was the graduation march, and I'll admit, it was really fun to play. It seems boring, and everyone knows it, but it feels special, and so celebratory, that it was great to play. I don't know if I'll actually want to play my senior year though. I kind of want the normal graduation experience. I guess I'll decide then. :)

After the graduation, I ended up gathering up all the music. Wheeler volunteered me for the job. Yay. So after that, we had to look for Kelton's folder, because he couldn't find his speech he'd given, and that was a mess, but we did find it somewhere. :) He was basically like our varsity bassist. He is really good, and he conducted us on one of our songs! It was pretty cool. I could see him doing that for a career for sure!

It was a really cool feeling to be involved in graduation, even though I was only a freshman. I felt that special coolness you feel whenever you do your thing, whatever it is. And running through the graduates was a little less embarrassing with my violin and concert attire. :) It was a great experience, and I look forward to the day when I will graduate. A full grown GRIZZLY!!!!!