April’s gone to work, Violet is practicing her soccer dribbling in the backyard, and I am being serenaded by a trombone solo by the Boy. He’s trying to memorize a new piece for the district competition in 2 weeks.
What happened to the old piece you ask? The one he played at NEO and the Joplin Music Festival receiving highest marks at both? The very difficult piece he’s been working on for over 2 months? The one his band director had high hopes would take the Boy to the State competition this year? That piece has been disqualified.
Annie Laurie (a traditional Scottish tune) has been an ‘A’ piece on the State’s graded music list (the only approved music pieces that can be played in District and State competitions) for years. It is an awesome piece of music recommended for advanced high school or college players. The Boy’s music director found out that Annie Laurie was accidentally left off the approved list when he submitted the competition entries. Oh, sorry. It will be back on the list for next year - but no one can perform it this year.
Now, the Boy has to race to learn another piece of ‘A’ music. It must be played from memory or there is no chance to score a 1 and be selected to go on to the State competition. His new piece is Concerto in B flat by Mozart. Districts are on the 30th - not much practice time between now and then.
The MSHSAA and their rules suck raw eggs.
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