K's Great Adventure - part 2 - The Statehouse

Four days into their rehearsals and preparations, the choir made a trip to the Ohio Statehouse. We hadn't seen K since we dropped her off, we hadn't talked to her in 2 days, so I was anxious to go downtown on my lunch hour and try to see their performance. I took D to work with me so she could tag along too.

We parked in the garage under the Statehouse and made our way to the west lawn where they were scheduled to perform. The buses were lined up across from the Ohio Theater and the risers, flags, keyboard, and other equipment was set up awaiting the choir. D and I talked to one of the AOSFYC staff that was there and were told that the kids were touring the Statehouse and would be singing an impromptu concert inside before coming out on the risers. So we headed inside.

There were the kids, looking very impressive in their uniforms for the first time, all lined up on one side of the rotunda. I scanned the section on the left that I knew were the altos, looked through everyone there, and didn't see any sign of K. Since we hadn't talked to her in a couple of days, the thought crossed my mind that maybe she was sick and didn't get to come. I finally asked one of the AOSFYC staff and was informed that they were waiting on one last group - the director's group actually. A couple minutes later, the stragglers joined the others (K included - she looked so grown up all of a sudden!) The director stood in the center of the beautiful marble floor with the choir forming a double ring around the rotunda. "The acoustics in the rotunda are amazing and the room has a 5-7 second reverberation!" They performed the Star Spangled Banner:



Then they made their way outside to the risers for their scheduled concert. All of the rehearsing was evident - it was a great concert. I can't wait to see them at the fair.


We did get to talk to K. We found out that she was having cellphone issues - it wouldn't turn on or charge so she had no way to call us. Before we left the concert, I gave my cellphone to the alto section leader to give K when they returned to the dorms so we are back in contact with her.


Opening ceremonies of the fair are tomorrow morning and the choir is performing. My husband is heading to the fairgrounds before going in to work so he can see her (and video so I can see it!).

K's Great Adventure - part 1

In my last post (oh, so long ago), I told of K making the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir (AOSFYC). Well her adventure has begun.

First, if you want to write to her, click on this link and you can send an online message that will get printed out and given to her within 24-48 hours.

Or if you want to send an actual letter, they really like getting mail. Address it to her at:



All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir
Ohio ExpoCenter
717 East 17th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43211-2698





And if you want to keep up with their daily blog with new pictures each day: All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir blog.

The fair runs from July 29 through August 9. If you're planning on going, here is their concert schedule.

Okay, business out of the way.

This has been a month of preparation. Uniforms and music ordered and paid for; took K to the doctor for a physical (and tetanus booster was overdue) which then had to be notarized. Bought a footlocker, hanging organizer, laundry bag, accordian folder to organize sheet music, new toiletries, etc.

About a week before she was scheduled to report, her music packet arrived: 70-some pieces of music for her to go over and try to learn (with about 20 more to be received when she checks in), a CD recording of maybe 30 of the songs. K had performed a couple of them in different choirs, but has since changed from Soprano to Alto so she even had to relearn those. She spent a couple of afternoons with pianist friends who helped pick out the alto parts for her. A mentor was assigned to all of the rookies - K's mentor A called to see if she had any questions and introduce herself.

Drop off day came, K was all ready to go, packed and so excited. We drove to the fairgrounds and were directed to a parking spot. Before we were even out of the van, 4 of the boys in choir uniforms from last year were standing next to our back hatch waiting to unload and carry all of K's luggage and things. Everything was so organized - the whole check-in process for 200 high school kids and their parents and all the luggage and supplies needed for their over 2 week stay. And impressive - everyone greeted K (and us) with smiles and introductions, making her feel instantly welcome and included.





After getting checked in and photo id pictures taken, we were led up to the alto dorm. It is a barracks style dorm that sleeps 50 girls along with the alto staff member and a CIT (counselor in training). Two long rows of bunks, footlockers, girls, parents, siblings - all trying to get beds made and stuff stored and organized. K's mentor A found us at K's bunk and introduced herself and showed us the lay of the land - bathroom (with communal showers), water fountain (to fill their water bottles each day), cafeteria (for their 3 meals each day), and rehearsal areas. The whole time A was introducing K to other choir members.


At 7pm the entire choir was organized by voice part on the risers and the parents got their first look at the 2009 AOSFYC. They got out a piece of music, the director introduced himself and then they started singing. It was beautiful - 200 of the best high school singers in Ohio! I can't wait to hear them after they've been rehearsing together for a week!


It was hard to say goodbye to her after the concert knowing she won't be home till the last day of the fair, but she was anxious to get to her dorm meeting and the ice-breaker activities.




They are working hard, learning their songs and harmonizing, learning where things are around the fairgrounds before it opens to the public, learning to march, etc. And if you know K, the hardest part is that she can't have her cellphone except during free time! They are having a lot of fun too - they had a pizza party and a dance the other night, they learned how to salsa dance too. The friendships they are forming and the memories they are making - this is such a great opportunity for K!

They have an extra performance scheduled for Monday, July 27th. They are taking the kids to the Ohio Statehouse for a tour, then they are singing on the West lawn of the statehouse at 11:30 - if you are downtown that day, you should check it out!

Brag Blog - Part B

So I thought my last post would sum up the end of the school year - Ha!

Since I wrote that last post...

K passed all sections (scoring Advanced or Accelerated) of the OGT, meaning she is eligible to graduate from high school now. She won't have to retake any sections of the test, she just has to put in the time and earn credit hours for the next 2 years. That's a good feeling!

D was selected for a P.R.I.D.E. Award. (People, Respect, Involvement, Dedication, Education). The teachers nominate students for this award. Her nomination said she was selected for this award because she is hard-working, has insightful ideas, is an outstanding writer, is a nice person and a good friend. It ended with, "You are sweet and scholarly...what more can I ask!" We are proud of our PRIDE student!

Still not done though...

One of D's artwork pieces that was part of the Celebration of the Arts last month was selected to be framed and displayed permanently at the school! Only 4 pieces were chosen this year!

And finally...

The letter arrived last week saying K was accepted into the All Ohio State Fair Youth Choir! Over 600 high school kids from all around the state applied and they selected 200 for the choir. K will spend 18 days living in a dorm at the fairgrounds and singing 4-6 concerts each day of the fair. If you're planning on going later this summer, you'll have to try to catch one of their concerts. They are an awesome choir, she's going to make lots of new friends, and most importantly it looks great on college applications!

Okay, I think I have come to the end...for now anyway!

Brag Blog

It's hard to believe that this school year is ending in just a few days. Almost seems like we are on fast-forward sometimes.

Time to pause and take a minute or two (and a deep breath or two) and brag about my girls. End of the school year brings concerts, banquets and ceremonies for the various activities the girls are involved in. Honors and awards came our way once again - but it never gets old, it only makes us prouder.

The various concerts the past two weeks were great - you could tell they had worked hard all year to put on these performances. D's band (she plays the trumpet) played at their Celebration of the Arts and she had 3 art pieces on display as well. K's choirs had a Kaleidoscope concert, a Spring Sing, and finally the Show Choir had a Cabaret with the group dancing and singing show tunes. She even sang a duet from Guys and Dolls (Sue Me) and a solo from Cinderella (In My Own Little Corner).

K was invited to the academic awards ceremony at her school and earned a letter for her school coat for her outstanding GPA. Her drama awards banquet yielded another certificate (their musical "Bye Bye Birdie" this Spring was fantastic!). Then at the VMAs (that's Vocal Music Awards - they even dressed for the "red carpet!") K was presented with a letter for her school coat for her involvement in the vocal music department. So two letters for her coat now, guess we better get it ordered! She is most proud of the letter she earned for music, though her daddy and I are pretty darn happy about the academic one.

Miss D has us busting with pride - she was inducted into National Junior Honor Society! She got the letter saying she was nominated, she wrote her required essay and waited to hear. She is not a patient wait-er either. The school called and told us she had made it, but asked us to keep it a secret from her until the ceremony. It was so hard to keep telling her "Maybe next year" everytime she'd ask if we heard anything yet. The day of the ceremony they kept us parents hiding in the hallway as the students' names were called. And to keep them guessing, they didn't announce them in alphabetical order - then put D as the very last one named! It was quite a moment - she was thrilled (and a bit worried that her signature was so shaky from her nerves when she signed the induction book)! They gave them a medal which she immediately hung prominently in her room when she got home that day.

Looking back at the year, I wish I could rewind and do it all again - it's been a great year!

Inci-dental Advances

The last visit to our dentist was in a small office in the basement of a medical building. We've been going to Dr. D for years, so when he had his own office built and it was still close by, I scheduled our appointments for our regular checkups at the new office. My girls and I were very surprised by the spa-like atmosphere when we walked into the new waiting area. Even more surprising was the big flat-screen tv on the wall - at the old office you were lucky to find a magazine from the current calendar year.

Beyond the waiting room, the exam rooms were equally surprising. The x-rays were all done on the computer - no more developing films. The hygienist even used a small pen-like camera to take a close-up picture of K's tooth that had a cavity so that Dr. D could get a good look at it blown up on the computer - very cool! A computer in each exam room had our dental records, x-rays, even the appointment calendar so the hygienist can schedule follow-up appointments right then and there.

Ah, but the best part was the tv on the ceiling above each exam chair, complete with remote control and headphones. I have heard about dental offices with these high-tech improvements, but never really thought my dentist would have them. I ended up having a root canal the following week - and I have to say that while it wasn't a fun experience, I really didn't mind it that much. Was it because I was distracted watching Law & Order: SVU? Was it that I couldn't hear the sounds of what they were doing because of the headphones? Did all the new technology make it hurt any less?

All I know is, the OB/GYN could definitely take a lesson from this!