The Addams Family

I do not like musicals.  I've never understood why people feel the need to sing when they can speak and all that dancing about generally annoys me.  At the end of Term 1 Tess was asked to play in the orchestra for the school production of the Addams Family.  She was uncertain about whether to accept the invitation but we talked about how important it is to take all opportunities that come your way particularly given how lucky she is to be at such an incredible school.  She came home from the first rehearsal in tears because she was overwhelmed by how hard the music was: "Mum, it's music that professional musicians play".  

We were already on shaky ground with the clarinet as she was refusing to do anymore exams and at the start of the year had asked whether she could stay in band but give up on lessons.  Fortunately I had already paid for the lessons for the entire year so there was no way she could give them up.  I spoke to her clarinet teacher and we agreed that he'd teach her soprano saxophone as something a little different.  

The Addams family rehearsals started and slowly she got more and more drawn in.  She started thinking about whether she might do music as a subject elective next year and when I suggested that she ought to do her Grade 5 clarinet exam as it's not too much of a push for her she reluctantly agreed - on the condition that we buy her a new clarinet - she drives a hard bargain!  

 Tess' name on the program

Last Thursday was the opening night of the Addams Family and I was there helping at Front of House before watching the show.  I sat down and was transfixed for the whole of the two and a half hours.  The quality of the show was truly exceptional and there was a lovely amount of humour that had the audience chuckling away for most of the performance.  The music was almost unnoticeable in that it was completely seamless.  There were none of those slightly awkward bits where one section of the band might hit a few wrong notes or the timing goes out a little bit - it was absolutely spot on and these were primarily high school girls playing with a few tutors to help round it out.  It made me think of how proud my mother would have been.  She always loved music and took so much pleasure out of my piano playing - she would have been beside herself hearing Tess and she would have loved the show.  

Tess in the pit

Jules and Tom came to see the show on Saturday night.  Tom was worried about how long it was and whether he'd get bored but he loved every single minute of it too.  The best bit of the whole experience was the enjoyment that Tess got out of being part of the production and how much her confidence has grown in her musical ability - it really was a win for everyone.  

On Saturday late morning Jules and I found ourselves down at Manly watching the huge surf.  We decided to have lunch at The Pantry which overlooks Manly Beach.  We tried to persuade the kids to join us but they were happier at home *insert eye roll* so we had a lovely lunch with a couple of cheeky Aperol Spritz to wash it down. I love where we live.