Band Concert: A Joyful Audience Member

Last week Mr. TOF had a band concert. I brought Peanut Maximus to sit in the audience with me. This was a big deal. I started talking about going to the band concert a few days before the actual band concert, and it was a highly anticipated event. He counted down the days, and on the day of the concert he announced that he would be wearing a fancy shirt and his jeans. We went over the itinerary for the day many times, and as each thing happened that day he told me all the things that would be happening next before we would be leaving for the band concert.

After I finished teaching lessons for the day, he did indeed put on his fancy shirt and jeans. We quickly ate a little supper and then we were off to the concert! Peanut Maximus is always along in the car when I’m picking up and dropping of Mr. TOF (and previously The Banana, of course) at the high school, but he had never actually been inside the building, so that alone was a big deal. He was highly impressed with the fancy auditorium seats that fold down and are cushy!

It was a long concert, and we were far off to the side of the stage because I wanted to sit on the end of the row in case we needed to leave in an emergency behavioral situation, but there was really no reason to fret, because this little guy sat on the edge of his seat transfixed and riveted about everything that was happening all night. He helped the percussionists and conductor with his arms, but he was as good as gold and loved every second. In fact, I would say he was the most joyful person in the audience. He was so happy to be there! He got a little wiggly at the very end, but that was really just because he was trying not to fall asleep. It was two and a half hours past his bedtime.

For days after the concert Peanut Maximus played band concert here at home, setting up the dining room chairs in the shape of a wind ensemble in the foyer, complete with instruments strewn into the setting, music stands, and even a podium for the conductor.