Gift of music

Luli and I went to a taping of From the Top, the NPR program that features kids playing classical music. The kids were pretty incredible - from piano, to violin to even marimbas! The finale was an orchestra of 18 from 8-17 years old who part of a Gifted Music School here in Salt Lake.

There was one piece you might be interested in looking up, played by Christopher O'Neil (he said for the first time ever). It was called "Falling Man," apparently composed after 9-11.

As interesting and surprising as the music was, I couldn't help but jolt at the frequent references to "Mormons" and then an interview with two teens who pretty much bore their little testimonies about how their huge families and good morals made them realize that their faith was "right." What a show-stopper! They even made one kid eat green Jell-O. How special!

We went in to the reception afterwards - co-sponsored by KBYU - and the unfortunate impression I was left with was that of a stage mom who kept telling people that her daughter was the one with the voice that warbled.

I am glad that you are my very talented son, a fine pianist who found that your gift of music was one that had to be earned.