3/2/14 16:34
On Friday, Joe performed in music idol at his middle school
- which is sponsored by WBLI and the aquarium in Riverhead as well as an
entertainment company which offer DJ’s and that sort of thing. Let me tell you I am not one of the fanatics
who feel my child is God’s gift to the world and he can do no harm. Oh no, I am somewhat more rational when
comparing my children to others. Well,
for the most part. So when Joe took the stage he belted out the
song, and fair enough during one part I heard a slight fumble of the words, his
voice drifted off but he finished strong.
He was not one of the finalists; there were three; all girls and all
great singers who deserved to be chosen.
Some were professionally trained and I sort of believe it will be a good
idea for Joe to get some lessons. But the idea of my twelve-year-old taking
voice lessons conflicts with a few ideals.
He is on the school choir and has been in school musicals, but most of
us seek professional intervention which we hope can make our children perfect
in sports and perfect in a performance or an exhibition. I was struck by how poised some of these
performers were. Sure their parents pay
for coaching, pay to get that extra step which can make their children the
dream player, singer, actor, artist we may believe or want them to become. Are we creating professionals? Are the children losing the joy in the
performance? Do we nurture the love of
the sport or the art or is all of this about the competition? Joe’s voice will eventually change and he
will continue to sing and perform since he loves to, but he was very disappointed
with the results. Not to suggest he didn’t
think the girls deserved to win, but he really was one of the best. I wanted to hold him and tell him there was
nothing to worry about; it was just a crappy competition with an MC who always
dances and kicks to Bon Jovi’s Living on a Prayer, but that’s teaching my son
how to be a sore loser. I wanted him to
know he should feel happy for the winners and congratulate them. I also wanted to tell Joe…we will pay for the
lessons. And maybe we will - as long as
he wants to pursue something he likes to do.
On Friday, I watched a mother, sitting forward in her seat and looking
at her daughter on the stage. Mother had
a bright smile on her face and there was no direction or coaching, she was
proud of her daughter. I am proud of my
son and am amazed how confident he is each time he takes the stage. He loves performing. He is in his element…I will look into
lessons, they can only help. Amazing to
think this is the way of life out here in the suburbs…the kids getting private
lessons, tutors and such; I guess it is all about the competition…I have to
share something, On Saturday I brought Joe and one of the winners to the
mall. She told Joe when she woke up that
morning, she didn’t know if she was dreaming, she reminded herself, it was real…she
actually was one of the winners and we felt happy for her…we really did - since
we could share in her moment of joy.
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