It feels like Ry's playing in the big leagues now. Not baseball, but singing. His San Francisco Boys Chorus winter concert was yesterday at a gorgeous church in Pacific Heights. At times there were upwards of 200 boys singing. Quite beautiful. And some playful songs and choreography too....which was unexpected and quite fun.

I must give credit to Jutka, Ry's former music teacher, for how well-prepared he was to go into this program. In fact, at 8, he entered at the level just below the touring level....and I have no doubt he'll advance sooner than we're actually ready for him to.

Ry's in the front row, 4th from left or right-hair pulled back

It's funny because we just received the DVD for the June (!) 2007 TRS performance, so we came home from the SFBC performance and watched my SFBC videotape, then the TRS DVD. For those who are in the TRS program from whence Ry came.....let me just confirm for you what amazing training they are truly receiving. Getting children to sing who want to sing is one thing, but getting them to all sing together so beautifully when there are several who really DON'T want to sing (as shared with us by Ry & Si), well, Jutka's simply a miracle-worker. The only downside is that you never get to see more than around 60 kids singing together....if the elementary children sing with the primary chorus. But they are so well-trained that if they were 200-strong, they would sound every bit as amazing. Oh, and by the way, Jutka has taught for most years around 120 students by herself. At SFBC, there are 5 chorus directors (plus theory and bell ringing teachers) to teach 200ish. Next up, Si at Davies Symphony Hall. Stay tuned.