The difference in quality between elementary school and middle school is stunning. The difference between the orchestra levels at middle school is stunning. (There are five!). Rose is in level two--cadet. And her improvement shouldn't be such a shock since she didn't practice at all last year and class only met once a week (that's where she learned the word cacophony). Now she meets every day and practices two hours a week. But it was still lovely to see the results of all that hard work.

She had to dress very professionally, black pants and a long sleeved black shirt, which she freaked out about at the last minute and chose to borrow one of mine, which she proceeded to fiddle with on stage. But, I only saw her do it once.

I don't appreciate orchestral music. The other parents, who know something about music, said it was good. It didn't grate. I got a head-ache, my ears were ringing, and the bad seats made my back ache, so I can't say I enjoyed the experience, but I was very happy to support Rose. She had a very good time.