A few days ago, we received a letter in the mail addressed to the Parents of Peter Just.  Usually those end up being from church, but this one had as a return address a local Middle School.  To be honest, I didn’t even know the name of the closest Middle School, so I stood puzzling over the envelope for a few minutes.  Then I opened it and lo and behold – it was a letter from the BAND DIRECTOR at the Middle School where Peter will be a 6th grader next year.

Can I just pause for a moment and take a few deep breaths?

And maybe a few more…

Okay.  I think I’m okay now.

So my sweet little, beautiful firstborn baby boy will be in Middle School next year.  And according to the letter we received, has already been given a test to determine his musical ability – the Selmer Music Test.  I have to admit to having a proud moment when I saw that he scored in the 90th percentile (or higher!) category.  Then again, with two band nerds for parents, whether he had skillz or not, he has always known he would be in band.

The letter encouraged us to make an appointment this month to bring him by and let the band director evaluate him for which instrument he should start with.  Since currently Peter only plays the recorder (in 5th grade music class), he has his sights set on the flute.

Yes, my 10 year old son wants to play the flute.

His daddy is slightly less than thrilled.  And that might be an understatement.

I had to laugh today when I actually went to the band website and read a letter to prospective parents that basically told us not to try to make up our child’s mind for him regarding which instrument he will play, and also not to skimp on how much we spend on said instrument.  Of course.

So we’ve been merciless in our attempts to convince him to play trombone!  No, French Horn!  No, trombone!  Have you ever seen the TUBA???  Poor kid doesn’t have a chance.

One thing’s for sure though.  He WILL be in band.  And he will be good.  We hope.  Our reputation as band nerds is at stake.