(wine and song)^2

[jay]

After getting phones and computers purchased and handed-off to sarahh for her trip to Madrid, and a last-minute frantic submission of an drilling automation abstract to ESA (before a 6pm cutoff), I headed over Friday to Wine and Song. patgreene had gone ahead of me with the kids, but I arrived first (she stayed on 238 and wound up on I-580 headed to Stockton...). James was excited to see M. Butterfly after a couple of weeks' gap... I was happy to just circulate, even if the (brave!) hostess was in pain and tenacious_snail and I wound up quarreling in the hot tub. Still, brownies... mmm. And coyote3502 gave me some latex exam gloves for use... at home, painting. (grin)

Which I did, Saturday before the rain started. More cabinet work.

Last night, Pat and I went to a $50/head benefit and wine-tasting at the University Club in Palo Alto, held for David's Ragazzi boy's choir. The various choirs did 15-minute sets, interspersed among the food, wine, and auction items. We now have birthday presents for geekchick secured, after a couple of successful bids ;-).

More importantly, this was David's very first performance, ever. And he did very well... his voice was discernably on pitch and clear and he fidgeted minimally. And the boys looked handsome in their dress clothes and dark red bowties. They exited to a pizza party, while the grownups tasted more wine and munched on prime rib and chocolate-covered strawberries and the like.

There is a noticeable socioeconomic stratification effect... I saw only white and Asian boys in the choirs, along with one African-American kid. No Hispanic kids, out of about 150 boys. And the benefit audiences were full of CEOs and venture capitalists and random professionals, folks happy to bid up a $160 pair of decent Giants dugout-level seats to $440 during the live auction. I bid a couple of times on a handmade quilt, but quickly dropped out as the bids ascended. Given the costs of tuition and summer camp and uniforms and (for the upper-level choirs) touring, little wonder that only the relatively well-off can afford for their sons to participate. Not to mention all of the volunteer and fund-raising efforts on the side, which practically presumes one stay-at-home or part-time-working parent...

Still, it's a bit of a sacrifice, but seems thus far to be boosting David's native talents and his self-esteem, which is in turn beginning to pay off in classroom situations and at home.

Comments

[deedeebythebay.livejournal.com]

Brave? How so? The good thing about Wine & Song is that I can just let it happen (at least after making sure the house is clean) and for that I give much credit this week to Abbie and M. Butterfly and gentleman_c.

Still, it's a bit of a sacrifice, but seems thus far to be boosting David's native talents and his self-esteem, which is in turn beginning to pay off in classroom situations and at home.

I'm so glad that this is working out for David! Sometimes a highly structured musical group like this can make all the difference for a child like him!

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

Brave for wandering back and forth, obviously in pain, hostessing rather than spending the whole time in bed... (hug). Hope that it is better today.

My fingers are crossed... I hope that David has found a niche where he can grow both his talents and social connections with other kids.

[hobbitbabe.livejournal.com]

It's good that his first performance was a relatively short and low-key one. I'm glad it went well, and I hope he enjoyed it. Do they have bursary students?

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

There were references made to the need for fundraising for student aid for touring costs, as well as tuition. Details for *applying* for such are not publicized and I gather that it is a rarity, not often discussed aloud (wry grin).

[p3aches.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a pleasnt weekend

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

Hope that yours was too... even at +1 week!