Well, the Big Weekend is past, with mixed results. Dancergirl gave a great performance, but unfortunately needed 3 out of 3 judges to watch her in order to place well. One of them didn’t wake up to her presence until Round 3, when it was too late. She was 7th overall, and pretty disappointed, but it happens to everyone. She’ll get over it, but it was a setback for a kid who’s been on a roll.

The drumline placed 8th of 31 — a respectable finish, but not the top three they were hoping for. Their enthusiasm was infectious, but it was a tough, tough competition and the schools that won did a great job too. Still, it was a lot of fun to watch those kids in action and well worth the time spent.

The college jazz band was the success story of the weekend, breaking into the top 5 with a 4th place finish and a fine performance. I’m extracting the audio from T’s videotape and will upload it later in the week as a podcast for anyone who might be a jazz fan. It’s worth the listen, they were really good! Sticks came back flying high and itching for the next challenge. We’re encouraging him to start submitting audition tapes to these different festivals in the hopes of being chosen as a featured artist. I have absolutely no idea how he compares to the big, big world out there, but his teacher at the college and his drum teacher seem to think he’s got a shot, so we’ll see. Can’t hurt those college applications to try!

The hardest part about weekends like this as a parent are standing apart from your kid’s disappointment and letting them work through it. It’s so easy to feel it with them, but I’ve learned it does no good and really robs them of an opportunity for growth. Stifling the mommy bear instinct when Dancergirl was disappointed with her championship result and Sticks with his championship result was hard, but I think they’re past the sting and ready to move on.

And Sticks brought me a Reno Jazz Festival T-Shirt, so it’s all good.