If at first you don't succeed...

My daughters are self described band nerds. They take their music seriously.

Oldest Daughter tried out for the County Honor Band but she didn't make it. Diva Daughter made County Honor Band on trombone and while we were SO proud of her, our hearts ached for Oldest Daughter. She was happy for her sister though, and I was proud of her for being supportive.

Oldest Daughter buckled down and practiced harder. She still had Alabama All State Band tryouts to consider. Her band director contacted me and said that there were almost fifty alto saxophone players trying out for the two available spots for our district. However, there were about twenty tenor saxophones trying out for one spot. Oldest Daughter has played the alto saxophone for four years but if she wanted to try to play her music on the tenor saxophone, her odds would be slightly better.

Oldest Daughter began taking lessons with saxophone teacher Susan Harrison, owner of Jubilee Music. Though the fingerings on the tenor sax are the same as the alto, it was a big change for Oldest Daughter to undertake in a month. Thinking of how hard that kid worked to make the switch to tenor... well, I am just so proud of her.

Susan was a Godsend and she helped Oldest Daughter, not only with playing the horn, but with confidence in her abilities. My parents believed in Oldest Daughter enough to buy her a used tenor sax. Her band instructor made the trip to Andalusia, Alabama to be there for her students who tried out for All State. Oldest Daughter ultimately had to do the work but she had amazing support.

Oldest Daughter tried out for Alabama All State Band on Saturday and MADE IT!




I could go into the details of our day... how there was a mix up and initially she thought that she hadn't made it. I could tell you about watching her face as she read the posting and her telling me " I didn't make it but it's OK. I didn't think I would." I could tell you that she went back to check the list for a friend, and spotted her own name listed as the bass clarinet; it was an ordeal to make the correction and to find out that not only had she made All State, but that her score was the third highest posted on the list. Or I could tell you that I cried in front of strangers when they confirmed that she did indeed earn the one tenor sax spot for our district in the Alabama All State Band.

As she said on the way home, "This has been a 'Praise the Lord' day!"

I have praised those who helped her make it and I have praised Oldest Daughter for her hard work. But most of all, I give God the glory for everything that has happened. I see His hand clearly and I believe that He has shaped Oldest Daughter's character and molded her through these experiences. He used her disappointment to make success sweeter. I praise God that He has my children in His care.

Thanks for being here and be blessed Y'all!