NCC Daycamp & National Anthem at the Sounds

The kids had their choir daycamp this week, and as usual it was a really great experience. The musical instruction along with the quality of music that the girls learn is rivaled only by the great kids and directors that they get to know.  Dr. Bridges has this amazing ability to create a special space where all kids belong--despite the kind of things like appearance or idiosyncrasies that tend to get kids alienated from a larger social group--it's a beautiful thing.

This is in the main choir room before breaking up into sectionals.  The choristers are broken up into 1st and 2nd soprano and 1st and 2nd alto.  Both girls are 1st sopranos this year.  Daycamp gives the opportunity for a total of 15 hours of work on their music before the start of the official choir year.  

Lunch break.

This year's graduate assistants.

Star Spangled Banner run-through before tonight's performance.

Belle is in her social element.

At the Sounds game, preparing to get on the field:

Right before performing

 And here is the video:

Tommy Lasorda! Shook his hand, got autographs and this picture. :)

Dad and Belle went up to the top bleachers to try and catch a foul ball...stay tuned...

The Lankford guys.  Family favorites of ours.

Running the bases at the end of the game.

awww

Because Belle lives a kind of charmed life on these sorts of things, she of course got her game ball...signed by #17, outfielder Josh Prince, of the Sounds. (Who, coincidentally, was the guy standing next to me spitting tobacco on the ground while I was waiting to take the choristers off the field after their performance.  He was close enough that I got to teasingly say "That's GROSS!  And very bad for you!"  He just laughed.) 

I had such a good time talking with the parents of this group of kids.  It's no wonder the kids are so great--they come from some remarkable parents!  I am really looking forward to this year along with my girls.  The NCC choral season starts August 12!