ISSMA

Today was the state competition for ISSMA, down in Indianapolis.  The high school down there is so huge they had a two-page map/diagram of the school to try to help people find where they need to go, and we were still lost.  My biggest dismay was that of all the vending machines we saw, there weren't any that sold anything but water, juice, flavored water, uncaffeinated beverages.  The snack machines had fruit bars, granola bars, and baked chips.  The lunch we had there was disgusting.  Poor high school children these days, given no access to real junk food or caffeinated beverages, means the rest of us can't get our hands on it either!  Phoo.

I'd never be able to have attended a school that big though.  Huge.  I was lost from the moment I walked in.

Kaylee went off to the practice room, and again I have to give her props, because she's a lot like me in this regard, and I'd Never be able to handle that room.  It's hot. It's packed full of people.  They're all playing their instruments at the same time.  Different songs, different instruments, it's a cacophony of clashing noise.  It's horrible.  They were supposed to have an hour to practice, but one of their people was watching someone else perform, so they didn't get to do a full run-through ahead of time.  The last person showed up at the last minute, and off they went to perform.  They haven't been able to practice for the last week because Kaylee has been sick.  Prior to this, they have practiced three times together since their recital.  Total.  The others all had separate soloes, would play different instruments, everyone's schedule was nuts, the whole ball of wax.  And this is the top competition in the state, where the only people who are there are the ones who got a gold medal in their districts.  So we were a little nervous on how it would go.

Well, long version short, not only did they do well and get a Gold at State, they were given a perfect score.  Kaylee and Steve both noted that it wasn't perfect, there were a couple of small flaws, but apparently either the judges didn't catch it or they didn't think it was significant enough to mark down, because they gave the quartet a perfect "9".  Since it's likely Kaylee's last sax event, it's a great way to go out on top.  It also goes to show that she's very good, that she never practices and can pull that off.  That she knows exactly what if anything goes wrong on such a picky level that even when she gets a perfect score she knows what she could improve on.  I know I've said it a few times, but it seems wrong that she could be so very good at something and it's just not something she's interested in pursuing.  Ah well. She went out on a high note, for sure.  :)

Kaylee's band director is going to be really disappointed to find out she's leaving. He doesn't know yet.  One of the quartet is graduating next year, and they said they may have to disband the traditional quartet because there is no one else to bring in.  They don't even know Kaylee's leaving too yet.  It's a real shame.  But you can't make someone have a massive time commitment doing something they don't enjoy just because you feel sorry for the director.  We still feel sorry for him though.

Steve and I hit Outback for dinner while Kaylee went to an Oreo party tonight.  Each girl bought and brought a specific package of weird oreos.  Kaylee brought "Red Velvet" oreos, for example.  They had pizza, pop, oreos, and hung out for four hours, talked, had fun.  It was a good way to end the day for her.  And for us.  :)

I did get a video of them playing.  You've already heard the song from the recital, but if you want to hear this version, I'd be happy to upload it too.  Just let me know.  In the meantime, here are a few photos from today.

Zach (soprano sax), Kaylee (alto sax), Emily (tenor sax), Allison (baritone sax)

The traditional attack Emily photo

Their judge's score sheet.  One girl said "What do these letters stand for?  N?  F?  What?"  She didn't realize that it spelled "FANTASTIC" down the center.  I'm going to laugh at that for awhile.

In the parking lot with her gold medal, all done.  :)