Seven years
after Amanda began piano lessons, she started sixth grade, middle school. And
she could pick an instrument to play for band class. Bodie had already decided
years earlier that she wanted to learn the flute.
On the first
day of school, Amanda came home quite distressed. Apparently ¼ of the sixth
grade band class wanted to play the flute, and the band instructor told them
all to go home and pick another instrument! The teacher said there were already
too many flute players; and the flute players getting private lessons at home
were the only ones that would be taken seriously by the instructor. So if a
student was not getting private lessons, that student was supposed to pick
another instrument.
There was a shortage of people
to play the oboe, French horn, and bassoon – kids were encouraged to pick one
of those instruments instead.
Amanda was in
a quandary. It seemed that before the teacher could even meet her, Amanda was
already on the instructor’s bad side – Bodie wanted to play flute and because
of that and her lack of private flute lessons, she was being looked down upon
and being badgered into playing a different instrument.
Of course,
Bodes tried to look at this as an opportunity. She could choose to play
something else – the oboe and bassoon were attractive possibilities. And she
knew she would be good at them. And she would be on the teacher’s good side
because she would play well even if her mother did not spring for private
lessons. Perhaps the oboe or bassoon would become a passion. Really, Amanda thought
maybe she should give this opportunity an honest shot.
But deep down,
Bodie was not sure she wanted to give the teacher what the teacher wanted.
And, deep down, Bodes knew she
really wanted to play the flute.
She looked at
me for help.
Then Amanda
looked at her sister.
Sarah said, “Bodie,
follow your heart.”
Gosh I wish I
had said that.
And I should
end this here because following one’s heart really is everything.
But I can’t
help it, I have to add this – a quote from her high school band instructor five
years later when we all knew Amanda would be majoring in piano at UGA, “I
hope Amanda will continue with her flute in college, because she is also a darn
fine flute player.”
That she is.
336 20151202 The Flutist
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