Ponderosa Music Concert

Stephanie (back right) is my dear friend and wife to Mike, the best music teacher on the planet (bias view), invited me to go to the Ponderosa concert. All the kids (Barrett, April, Brandon, Spencer, and Greg) came along and we sat high up on the bleachers with Steph and her mom, Dorothy. The concert was amazing! I don't have a picture of Mike conducting because my batteries ran out. I have it recorded in my phone until that battery ran out so I will see if I can get it loaded. The band did several nice numbers, but the one that shot it out of the park was An American Elegy, which is a tribute to those who died at Columbine High School. It was so powerful. I cried. I cried because of the piece but I also cried as I thought of the impact Mike has had on my kids' lives. It is Mr. Holland's Opus. I think Mike was surprised we were there but I want to go every year. It is amazing to see his influence on kids year after year. (Note: Greg wants to invite Mike to go down the river with the gang next time they go. Mike is a river rat and took Greg and I down the river before Greg left for ERA). I trust Mike.) This is the first chance I had to hear their choir program at Pondo....also amazing. From Michelle (pianist for the groups) that it was awesome but I had no idea. Even their beginning choir out paces EDH.

After the concert, we went down on the floor and talked with Mike a bit. He was busy of course, but he did give Barrett permission to play Pondo's brand new digital piano (it looks like a mini grand). That was quite fun for him. He played it in harpsicord mode as to not draw attention to himself. He makes me laugh.