Growing up, I was this odd combination of a fine arts geek in a jock’s body. I played football for two years, basketball for two years, ran track for a year, and generally kept myself in fairly good shape.
The problem with all that, I wasn’t a jock. I was (still am) painfully quiet and never fit the jock stereotype of weightlifting, partying muscle head. While I loved to compete, all the other stuff that went along with it never felt good to me at all.
What I enjoyed all throughout high school was fine arts. I was a tuba player in our concert band and a value trombone player in our jazz band. My last small group solo was a dud because senioritis had started to set in, but otherwise, I loved playing a big bass instrument. I sang in every high school chorus I could, and frequently performed solos and small group pieces during our variety show. In speech, I consistently got Division I ratings in any individual/small/large group speech piece I performed. My one regret in all this: never participated in drama. I don’t know if it I wasn’t pushed or asked or was just stubborn. For whatever reason, I never did this.
I bring this up because last night, both of my daughters played in the “Parade of Bands”, a concert highlighting the 5th through 12th graders in the elementary, middle school, and high school programs. It was said that 237 students participated, in all those grades, an awesome number of kids. Two weekends ago, we went to Ames so my oldest daughter could receive the award for their all-state speech group. She participated in large group speech three years, with this year her group earning all-state considerations, something she is extremely proud of. Our youngest will be performing at the state small group competition in Dubuque this weekend, doing a musical theater piece from the musical, Les Miserables. The two of them also performed solos at the last music performance at the high school as well.
All of this while the oldest participated in track and basketball for a couple years, and swam all four year of her high school career. Our youngest, two years of cross country so far, a year of basketball, and a year of dance. They have the athletic things down, but I love the fact that thrive in the fine arts. Both have beautiful voices, can act, and can play well with their respective instruments.
Fine arts geeks. I was certainly one, my wife was one (basketball, track, volleyball, singing, drama, speech, band) and it’s nice both of my children joining their parents in the geek category.
Who says geeks can’t be cool anyway? 🙂
March 9, 2016 at 12:26 pm
Geeks are cool! It’s great to see your children pursuing interests you enjoyed.
March 9, 2016 at 2:25 pm
For the briefest of times, I worried about that perception. However, I watch how my daughters act with their friends and know, being a goofball, having fun, and being a kid, that never goes out of style! 🙂
It’s just too bad we live in a society where having a bit of fun is looked down upon and the idea of “cool” is so celebrated!
March 9, 2016 at 1:28 pm
Nurture or nature? I say your kids got the start from the parents, but the parents were smart enough to nurture their interests. What a talented family you have!
March 9, 2016 at 2:24 pm
They get much of their talent from their mother! 🙂 Seriously though, we’ve always been a family of “actors”: silly voices, dorky songs, all of it live and in real color. I’m just glad we can still embarrass them in public from time to time! 🙂
March 9, 2016 at 2:20 pm
I am like you in some ways … regret never doing drama. I did some sports but mostly band/music, and wish I had stretched into something a little more unknown instead of staying in a comfort zone.
Kevin
March 9, 2016 at 2:22 pm
The only thing that makes me feel a little better, my daughters doing drama. I feel that was something I totally missed out on, so I’m glad they are at least giving it a shot! 🙂
March 9, 2016 at 4:48 pm
Geeks are the best! And it sounds like your girls have great role models to do whatever they want…whether that’s a sport or an art. Lucky them!
March 9, 2016 at 7:18 pm
We’ve always worked to be supportive, no matter what they’ve wanted to do. I guess that’s why they are willing to give things a shot, willing to fail every once and a while.
March 9, 2016 at 5:59 pm
You know we fine arts geeks are the coolest of the cool! maybe I will see you in Dubuque this weekend–although, because of the way early leave time, I could be sleep walking through the day!
March 9, 2016 at 7:13 pm
My daughter performs in the afternoon, so she’s loading up early, then spending the morning freaking herself out! I look forward to seeing her perform (and running into you as well!). 🙂
March 9, 2016 at 6:48 pm
Be a geek, or work for a geek. And if you’re lucky, you can have both.
March 9, 2016 at 7:52 pm
Sooo true!! 🙂
March 9, 2016 at 7:37 pm
I didn’t know you were slicing! Geeks unite! I was a CC runner and major geek myself. (Orchestra, band, piano, a little debate in there too) As my oldest ventures into activities (Lord have mercy with the schedules!!!!) I’m hopeful he too will stay geeky. Thanks for stopping by and letting me know you were slicing! I’ll be back!