Big Fans of the "Gann Band"

Last week J&Js band semester finished up with a concert. We have really loved band here. It's led by a homeschool mom who used to be a band director and is married to a saxophonist in the Air Force Band. She teaches band out of her home...for FREE! just because she loves it. Their family goes to our church, which is how we found out about it. It's been a great semester. Even though the band is beginner, Becky Gann (the director) has issued challenges to J&J to keep them engaged and moving forward. J&J have enjoyed the challenge, but also the experience of being an encourager to the beginner students.
J&J each had solos in the concert. AND I got to play on the songs as well. She utilitzed "parent pros" (that's what she called it), but the four moms who played hadn't played in 15-20 years. I think her husband was the only one qualified to be called "pro"! But we had a fun time....it's like riding a bike! Well, sort of...my mouth got very tired after only a few mintues of playing.
Jeffrey was my official photographer. Since the video camera didn't make it from the kitchen counter to the car, we were just going to video the solos on the digital camera. Except for the fact that a certain 7 year old, who shall remain nameless, made a bunch of goofy videos on the camera that we didn't know about....and you guessed it, there wasn't enough room on the camera to video the solos. So all you get is some still shots, and not many at that. (And some are a little blurry)

Here's the program....Song #2 = "Crown Him with Many Crowns" Jonathan Dagerath, trumpet solo. He did GREAT! I wish we had it recorded :-(

Here's the program...Can you read that???? "Potter's Hand" played by Jeremy Dagerath, saxophone solo.

Here we all are warming up and getting ready for the concert.

My dad (who came to town for the concert and following Patriot scrimmage) joked that he was going to "have a talk with that band director for not letting his girl get a solo!" Hey, thanks dad for not following through with that!!!

Jeremy getting ready.

Jonathan's ready for action.

And here's the band. With the moms and dad I think there were 16 people. Not a bad size. We were so thankful to be a part of such a great experience.

Jeffrey is chompin' at the bit, 'cuz next fall, he gets to start an instrument. Becky helped him choose an instrument. She let him try several different ones that she had and the choice came between clarinet and trombone. She asked him a couple of questions to help him determine which would be the best fit.....

Are you more of a rule follower, black and white kind of person (which clarinet players tend to be) or fun-loving, clown type of person (which trombone players tend to be)? Which do you think he chose???? :-)