Runner-up

The Civic Orchestra percussion auditions were Monday. Kevin was a runner-up at last year's auditions but became a full-time orchestra member when another percussionist got a "real" job and left. It has been an absolutely marvelous experience for him! He has a place to practice at Symphony Center, he has worked with world class conductors, he has learned a great deal through his work with "Musicorps" presenting percussion programs in schools, and he has gotten other "gigs" through his affiliation with Civic. Not the least of the benefits has been the opportunity to live in the same city as Jennifer! He REALLY hoped to be in Civic another year - but had to re-audition.

Kevin was first runner up. Again.

Kevin had a similar experience with graduate school. He had a terrible May 1, 2006 - during senior year at NU. He didn't get into any of the three grad programs he wanted. Julliard didn't take any new students and New England and Manhattan wait listed him. About a month later both schools contacted him on the same day and offered him a position. He chose NEC and had a wonderful experience working with the perfect teacher. It worked out perfectly!

So, given three experiences with being first runner up, the first two of which worked out in the best possible way, we have to be confident that this experience will also work out for the best. I have to leave that in God's hands - which is hard - but He has certainly surprised our entire family over and over again with incredible opportunities, and I have no reason to doubt that He will stop.

What makes me very proud is how Kevin deals with these set-backs. Sure, he is very disappointed but, when I talked with him last night, he was on his way to a rehearsal for a "gig" in Evanston this weekend, was excited about another "gig" he will have playing with the New World Symphony in Miami next month, and talked of preparing for up-coming auditions for "real" orchestras.

Kevin spends a tremendous amount of time alone in a practice room, going over and over musical phrases. EVERY DAY he spends a couple of HOURS just "warming up" before beginning work on new music. It takes unbelievable discipline and passion. Ken and I are extremely proud of him - not just when we see him onstage, but especially when he deals with a set-back by practicing yet more.

Obviously Kevin is the musician that we love and are proud of.....but all musicians out there are doing the same thing in order to share their musical gifts with the rest of us. 46 percussionists tried out for the Civic percussion openings, 44 didn't make it, but 46 sets of parents must be plenty proud of their children for their determination and hard, hard, work.