ISSMA Round One

Today was Kaylee's first ISSMA trip of the year.  She doesn't have a saxophone quartet this year, because there's not enough good people left to do it with.  So she did a solo.  I think I told you, she didn't get one of her 3 movements until Tuesday.  She got to practice it with her accompanist Thursday and Friday only.  She got to work with her band director ONCE.  The rest she did on her own, at home, with occasionally some pointers from Steve.  So we were all really kind of nervous about this.

Kaylee worked at Blondie's Cookies this morning until 12:45 pm, then came home and the three of us went together to Kokomo Highschool, where the District ISSMA was being held.  Her time slot was 2:06 pm.  We got there to check in at 1:30 as required, and she went up to the practice room to, well, practice.  Everyone else in there was quiet, or playing quiet instruments.  She looked around, went up to the front, and just started playing the sax, good and loud and confident.  Steve loved that.  We walked down and found where she'd be playing, and then we all went down together a little early.  Her accompanist was there, and her band director, and us, and we were ready before the person/persons ahead of us, so they called her in within seconds of us getting there. 

When she started playing, she was nervous, but she'd practiced enough that she got through it very well.  Six minutes long, three separate movements.  I was so nervous for her, but she stayed on tempo and did great.  Her band director was smiling, and the judge said afterwords "Nicely done".   Mr. Buck (the accompanist) told her he'd been hearing what all was going on in that room and that she should have nothing to worry about.  Band Director asked Mr. Buck who had just helped another girl, "Who do you think I worked with more?  Kaylee or this girl?"  Mr. B said "Kaylee".  Band Director says "Nope. I worked with other girl a lot, she just couldn't pull it together.  I only met with Kaylee once."  They were impressed.

The judge came out with a "Gold" in just a few seconds.  The best score you can get and get gold is 9.5.  The worst score you can get and still get gold is like 13.5.  Kaylee got a 10.5.  Anything from 9.5-10.5 is considered "Gold with Distinction", or a gold star on top of your gold medallion.  :)

So from here, Kaylee moves on to State for her Sax solo.  She has almost a month to get it polished up and a little faster tempo.  Next week is her next ISSMA thing, this time for vocal.  She has both a solo, and a trio.  No Barbershop Quartet this year.  Mrs. E was still mad about how the judges handled everyone's BBShop Quartet last year, and didn't want anyone to do it this year.  And I presume the choir will have a competition soon too.  Assuming she does well at District, then she'll go to State for vocal, too.  So she has a lot going on, coming up!

Cats seem to be doing well, Ann is doing better.  Kaylee is feeling a little better as she's accomplishing these things.  She has straight A's for grades right now too.  I'm cranky because of the winter weather, but otherwise doing all right.  So, as the temps drop sub zero again, we're all hanging on during this no fly zone, and doing our best.  This time of year is always fun when money still goes out but none comes in, especially when the none coming in starts earlier than normal.  :p  Hey, life in aviation...

Kaylee and Mr. Buck, getting ready to perform.

Kaylee didn't want me to take her photo right afterwards, so I took a picture of Steve instead.  ;)

Here's a pic of her medal.  She informed me I turned it backwards, the pin isn't supposed to show.  Oops.  But the medal is still the important part, right?