Rhapsody

Hey guys,

Alayna and the violins, rehearsing for the evening earlier in the afternoon.

So this evening we attended Midland High School's big, annual, musical showcase at the Midland Center for the Arts, Rhapsody Rendezvous. I've discussed this before, but in case you forgot what this shindig's all about, it's like a 2-3 hour long variety show that features multiple bands, orchestras, soloists, singers, choirs, and ensemble groups. The school's various choirs, orchestras, and the marching band all perform a few songs, there are kids who sing (solos and duets), little theater skits, groups of instrumentalists doing numbers, and even a staff skit (usually just a bunch of them dancing along to some popular song.) And, of course, there are excruciating 'skits' by the evening's five MC's between songs which serve as a time buffer for the stage crews to tear down and set up the stage for the next act behind the curtain.

Abby and the cellos, also rehearsing earlier in the afternoon. . .

This year Alayna and Abby would be performing in a couple different orchestral numbers (for Symphonic and Honors Orchestras), and Abby would be doing their High Kick routine with the Varsity Pom Team. Fortunately, this year the event fell on a Saturday, which was awesome for us 'cause last year they held this on a frickin' school night and we didn't end up getting out of there until well past 10:30pm (not ideal when you have to wake up the next morning at 5:30am. 

Kris took some video of the Symphonic Orchestra's performance, but the song - a medley of all the big themes from The Phantom of the Opera - clocked in around ten minutes, so it was obviously too long to upload here. Fortunately she accidentally stopped the video at about the two-minute mark so I was able to upload a small snippet of the first part of the suite. The Honors performance video, which was from Tim Burton's Corpse Bride, was also too long to upload here, but I was able to get the pom routine for you. . . so you won't be totally empty-handed here.

Anyway, we got some pics of the show and of afterwards while attempting to collect our kids following the close of the evening's performances. Enjoy. . .

Abby and the Varsity Pom Team, getting ready backstage.

Some of the orchestra kids getting ready backstage.

Rehearsing with the orchestra before folks start to arrive (I screenshot some of the pics a professional photographer got this evening - you're welcome.)

We had decent seats this evening, but Kris opted to take video of this first orchestra performance and some asshole's head was front and center. . . I should have just taken the video myself.

The first two minutes of the Symphonic Orchestra's performance.

About an hour later, the Honor's Orchestra (which is noticeably smaller) performing their suite.

Standing up for applause following their number (Alayna is off to the left, and Abby is kinda towards the middle in the back.)

The MHS Varsity Pom Team routine performed third from last (preceding the teacher skit and the marching band, which is always the closing act), doing their hair routine from High Kick. Abby will be off to the right in most of these pictures.

A little dark, but at least it's a better vantage point.

(I can't kick that high.)

The kick line.

Closing the evening's showcase with the MHS Marching Band.

Abby and Kyle, following the end of the performances.

Kiersten, Ella, Abby and Harper pose for a group pic as they exit the backstage area.

Meeting up with our kids after this showcase is always a royal pain - there are hundreds of kids and maybe a thousand parents all trying to find their kids, so we always stand around for like a half an hour trying to track down the girls. My folks drove up from Clare and, as usual, brought the girls some flowers to congratulate them on their performances (Alayna isn't shy at all about demanding that they do so.)

Sebastian brought Alayna (and Abby) flowers as well.

Abby eventually showed up and we were able to get some pictures quick of her as well.

Both kids.

Of course the Johnson kid was there, too - she's basically our third daughter.

Abby and one of her old teammates from the JV Pom Team.

Some weird flower pic the girls insisted on taking.

It wouldn't be a true orchestra concert evening if the girls didn't track down their teacher, Ms. Mammassian, for a photo with her.

So there you go, folks - yet another orchestra concert with the Hough girls. Pretty sure we have another one next month, so stay tuned for that one.

- Brian