Back in Orchestra!

 Austin took a year off from orchestra so he could stay in the STEM academy and get his one required year of language. It's usually 2 years of language, but since he's in the STEM academy, they waived 1 year of language for him. I would like him to take another year of language, but he literally has no room. He has been learning Norwegian on Duolingo. I find it amusing that the one who has been approached at least 2 different times in Spanish-speaking countries by people speaking to him in Spanish because they assumed he knows it is the one who has the least Spanish under his belt. I'm not worried, though. He might have the opportunity on his mission. 

Anyway, back to the orchestra. He's back to participating in it. Since Kade just graduated in June and was still in orchestra, it seems seamless to me. We've been going to orchestra concerts since Victoria was 12, so almost 10 years. 

Austin plays the cello still and didn't lose too much from his year off. He dabbled in it a bit last year. He tried out for the symphony and didn't make it, but he's the first chair in the concert orchestra, and I think he's where he needs to be. There are only 3 cellists this year!!

It's so much easier to get good shots of the cellists! The violas are the hardest to photograph because they're in the middle and set further back. The violins are also kind of hard because there are usually so many of them. Lucky Austin!

Here are his songs, if you are inclined to listen. The third one is with the symphony. They played a piece that's in its world premiere. Only a few select orchestras have played it, and the composer was a guest conductor for the piece that evening. Pretty cool!

I love the holiday concert!