Yesterday was my second grader’s spring music concert. As usual, it was sweet and sour for me. Sweet because the music teacher was enthusiastic, the parents were proud and the kids (for the most part) were excited. Sour because, apart from being scheduled during a very busy time of the year for most of us, it was a bit long … five songs per grade with slow transitions between sets. I did doze off once, but only momentarily. I swear.
With kids spaced three years apart, I’ve been to my fair share of elementary school concerts and shows over the past five years. Spring concerts, winter concerts, K-3 concerts, 4-5 concerts, band concerts, talent shows, lip synching competitions, etc. I’ve been to them all. The school auditorium is a familiar place, in deed. As a five-year veteran of these events, I’ve come to realize that all school concerts share three common traits, notably …
- the school parking lot fills up early, as in 30+ minutes before showtime early (the early bird catches the worm and the anxious parent gets the front row)
- aisle seats are at a premium (that’s why the parking lot fills up early)
- parent paparazzi is in da’ house! (cameras are flashing and videos are recording, but most will feature the back of someone’s head … that’s why I always make sure to brush my hair and touch up my roots before a show because that head could be mine)
But these three traits aren’t the only tenets of an elementary school concert. From my years of experience, I’ve found that there are seven student behaviors highlighted on stage regardless of age or grade (this, by the way, is not based on any real scientific study or data — just my keen observation when actually awake). At any elementary school concert or show, there’s always one kid who is …
- louder than all the others, screaming the lyrics instead of singing them
- off-key or off-tempo, singing faster than the melody
- not singing at all, either looking bored or scared
- over-animated, exaggerating whatever “dance moves” accompany the lyrics
- totally off-beat, or moving in the opposite direction as everyone else
- fidgeting, turning around or poking a neighboring kid
- dressed to the nines, in full-on formal wear (sparkly shoes or headband included)
Frankly, I have the most fun watching the over-animated or off-beat kids. They liven up the show (not the ones who are purposely misbehaving and acting rudely, but the ones who are really trying despite having no rhythm). And let’s be honest … most elementary school concerts are not Carnegie Hall material (harsh, but true).
Don’t get me wrong. Despite nodding off on occasion, I enjoy watching my own children perform in these events. Not because they are talented singers (they’re not) and not because the musical arrangements are my favorite (far from it). But because I’m proud of seeing my boys embrace the stage, smile and sing along with their friends and classmates. I’m proud of their confidence, their comfort level and their self-awareness. I’m proud of their behavior and their attitude on stage. Off stage … well, that’s a different story some days, but I love them all the same.
-LJDT
