Its Saturday morning in December. I got up at 6 am to make breakfast and pack a lunch for my son who takes a 7 am train into New York City to Juilliard Pre-College.  He’s a bassoonist and simply loves it.   My youngest daughter plays the piano, but not too seriously. My role as Dad can be a challenging one when there are other family members who play music.  When someone is practicing I try (but mostly fail) to resist the urge to pounce on them and sit there. Sometimes a helping hand is needed but mostly positive encouragement is whats most helpful.  We all have such busy schedules that my most common “aside” to them if I hear them practicing inefficiently or repeatedly too fast will be to simply “slow down.”  We all know how practicing slowly is the quickest way to really learning a piece and having it stick.

   Speaking of stick, just as soon as I finish teaching a student at the house this morning, I will be drive my youngest son to his lacrosse game. His lacrosse sticks are on the floor in the kitchen...almost tripped over them as I drive to the train station. My oldest daughter comes downstairs and tells me I need to make an appetizer dish for the high school dance tonight.  We are going to think of something fun to make that is not too hard. My youngest daughter, the pianist, has a swim meet this afternoon which I hope to make. I think its possible as long as I get back from the lacrosse game in time. Of course she also hopes we can get the Christmas tree today...no comment. 

   As soon as the swim meet is over I should get home just in time to teach another student. He is a senior in high school and is auditioning for Juilliard, among other schools. Helping my older students prepare for their next chapter in music and life is such an important and daunting task I find.  Writing letters of recommendation, getting them ready for their auditions, advising them on the schools I think are best for them are such crucial roles we play as teachers and mentors. When his lesson finishes it will be 5 pm.  Ill then make that appetizer I promised Id make for the party and make dinner for everyone while Im at it. 

   My son, the bassoonist, was offered two tickets to the NY Phil tonight; Dvorak 7 is one of my favorites. so muscular and exciting! I think I will give my ticket to my wife who works so hard during the week as an English teacher. She deserves a break and I think going into town and spending some time with him will be nice. Tonight, while I wait for my oldest daughter to get home from her high school dance I should have time to practice a bit...but for now, more coffee and dreaming of Monday when I can really practice and prepare for my upcoming concerts. But for now, I'm Dad and I would not change it for the world.