Kerry's Recital

Kerry's Senior Recital! How is it possible that so much time has gone by? I remember the first time we went to Gainesville to meet the UF clarinet professor, Mitchell Estrin. Kerry was a junior in high school and had been playing clarinet since 7th grade. She had become a complete band geek from the first moment that she entered the musical world. She knew who Professor Estrin was and she also knew she wanted to study under him.

It turned out that Mitchell Estrin was THE person in the clarinet world. He played in the New York Philharmonic under Leonard Berstein as a very young player. He was a child phenom, really. He was taught by another very famous clarinet player named Stanley Drucker. He got married and had a son that he didn't want brought up in New York City so he accepted a professorship at the University of Florida. Kerry got very lucky to study under such a talented clarinet player and all around wonderful and caring man. It made me feel better to know that Professor Estrin was there with Kerry just in case she ran into trouble and needed a parental figure. It made her feel better too.

Now, five years after that meeting it was time for Kerry's college senior clarinet recital. I was so proud of her I almost busted out of my seat. The recital hall was pretty full and Kerry came out in the BCBGMaxazria teal colored dress that we had bought a long time ago just for this occasion. She had straightened her hair and she just looked gorgeous.

She played beautifully for an hour with only a couple of breaks. Speaking of breaks, I had my camera out to take pictures of the occasion and it jammed(piece of crap). I only got a few pictures taken on my camera. I am waiting for Kerry to email me the pictures that I took on her camera. I will post them as soon as I get them.

The only picture of the recital that I got on my camera

When it was all over Pat and I took Kerry and Zac to a restaurant that had fabulous vegetarian food . I ate way too much rich and gooey food. Richard would be horrified. (See more about this on F*ing Agreement blog) I know I was. The four of us laughed during dinner and then went back to our room and took pictures with Kerry's camera. It was a very proud and happy moment but also a bittersweet moment too. Kerry's clarinet career is now over and it just seems like life is happening a little to fast for my liking. First soccer, now clarinet. Gone with the time.

Pat and I woke up early and took Kerry out for breakfast of eggs and hash browns, her favorite. When breakfast was over we said our goodbyes and then we hit the road. We got back home at about 6:00 whipped but happy to be home. Rigby was glad to see us too. He ran around like a maniac. I guess he missed us.

Now it really is back to my old life......or maybe something new. Hmmmmm....

Kerry's Junior Recital

I have been back from Kerry's recital for almost two weeks and this is the first time I've gotten a chance to write about it and post some of the pictures.

It was a fantastic weekend and we were thrilled to see our girl. She looked great but was definitely nervous when we got there on Thursday night. It turned out that her clarinet choir had a concert that night. It was nice to sit in a big concert hall and listen to the kid play her clarinet with all the other underclassmen and graduate students. There were 32 of them and they really played well.

The UF Music Building

The UF Institue of Food LOL

During the concert Kerry's professor, Mitchell Estrin, came out and performed Motzart's clarinet concerto. Professor Estrin has played with the NY Philharmonic for many years and still plays with them today. He has many performances on DVD and CD and I guess he is like a rock star in the clarinet world. Pat and I recognized the music because Kerry had played it in ninth grade and we joked about how much better ninth grade Kerry was than Professor Estrin. LOL It was a real unexpected treat to hear him play.

Kerry and her very proud dad

Kerry's recital was the next day and although she had been pretty nervous earlier in the day when the time actually came she was suprisingly calm. She wore a long black dress that was very silvery so it sparkled every time she moved. She also wore her black high heels that we bought just for this event.

Kerry's favorite shoes

Kerry dressed and ready to go

She had a pretty full house and she was very happy with the turnout. She walked out on stage and played for a full hour(no pictures allowed). She was absolutely fantastic and got a standing ovation. Everyone came over to her to congratulate her and she also got quite a few flowers at the end of the performance. Professor Estrin came over and told her how proud he was of her. She was very happy with her performance which is highly unusual. It turned out that she didn't have to do this recital. She chose to do it. Professor Estrin said that it was going to answer some life questions for her. I think he was right.

We also got the pleasure of spending time with Kerry's boyfriend. His name is Sean and he is studying at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He is a very talented French Horn player. We hope to see him perform one day as the first chair in the New York Philharmonic or maybe the London Symphony Orchestra which would work for me. LOL He is a very sweet guy and they seemed very happy.

Kerry and Sean

Pat and I were very proud of our only daughter. I still am amazed at how well she did, how beautiful she looked and how far she has come in just a few years. She never fails to amaze me with her determination, talent and drive. There is no doubt in my mind that she can do anything that she sets her mind to. Isn't that right, Dr Peewee? We love our girl.

Up to Gainesville to see the kid

I am here in Gainesville waiting to see Kerry. Her junior clarinet recital is tomorrow evening at the University of Florida and we are here to see her performance. She is very nervous but that is to be expected. She will be performing 4 pieces that will take one hour to perform. Three of the pieces will be played with a piano accompanist. One of the pieces will be played alone. Just Kerry!! I am very excited. It has been a few years since I have seen one of Kerry's concerts. Before she went to Gainesville I went to ALL of them so it will be great to see how much she has improved. I haven't even laid eyes on her in over a month so when I finally see her I will be a very happy mom.

I will take some pictures and I will post them here.

Stay tuned......