Little Conductor

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know that Luke LOVES music.  It was the only thing to calm him when he was little and the songs that ALWAYS worked were written by Randy Travis.  Everyone laughs at that…but it is so true.  We've had vacations where we forgot the Randy Travis CD and had to go to the nearest Wal-mart and hunt the music section for Randy Travis. 

This past Friday there was a concert at Illinois State University for kids with Special Needs.  It was wonderful.  It was well thought out, from assigning each child a “concert buddy” to providing special shakers that attach to the fingers. 

Before the concert started they had various students with their instruments for the kids to come to and “explore”.  Luke really liked the trumpet and helped make a note or two.  He wasn't really sure about the guitar, but sister sure liked it.  She got to strum it with a pick.

Then the concert started, at first Luke just sat and stared at the band and lifted his eyebrows at each high note or when the band got especially loud.  When we tried the shaker with him that attaches to the fingers, he found a way to take it off and throw it….of course.  It was wonderful though seeing the music through his eyes that night.By the last few songs Luke was refusing to sit and standing while holding on to the chair in front he would point and move a hand towards the band.  Then I grabbed his hips and he started swinging around both hands, like he was conducting the band. If you'd like to see him "conduct" check out the video below the pics.