The President's Own

The big kids got a special treat today.  The United States Marine Band, nicknamed by Thomas Jefferson as "The President's Own," gave a free kids' concert at a nearby amphitheater.  If you haven't heard of this band before, its primary mission is to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps.  It usually performs at inaugurations, State Dinners, or presidential receptions.  But, for today, they performed for a bunch of eager kids.  Miraculously, my kids turned into perfect, little angels for the entire performance.  Perhaps they learned a thing or two about melody, harmony, or rhythm, but they definitely snapped to attention with the playing of familiar tunes such as Superman, Jaws, and Take Me Out to the Ball Game.

The entire production was really cool for the kids.  The conductor did a fantastic job trying to teach everybody the lingo of the land, and they even invited some kids up to the stage to help out with musical experiments.  (For example, they had some kids draw on large art easels what they were "feeling" as the orchestra played a powerful piece.)  But, the best part for Katie and Michael was the instrument "petting zoo" after the concert, where they got to meet the musicians and touch some of the instruments.  They experimented with things ranging from the bass (above) to the harp (below) to various percussion instruments.  Their favorite?  Both said, "The triangle!"  Perhaps that will change as they grow older.  Anyway, what a great event by one of the greatest orchestras in the world!