Elle and the NIJO concert

For the past semester, Elle has been attending 2-hour NIJO rehearsals every Friday evening. (Boy, does that hamper what we can do on a weekend!) They recently had a 1-day tour (and got out of school to do it, yippee!), and a final concert.

What, you might ask, is "NIJO"? It is the Northern Iowa Junior Orchestra, with 6th-8th graders (and some extra-talented 5th graders), representing 14 different schools, with entrance by audition. Typically, the students are in Suzuki Book 4 or above, so they are pretty proficient. And they have a GREAT conductor. Mr. Schilke has a wonderful sense of humor, works well with these kids, and loves music. You would think they would HATE giving up their Friday evenings for four months, but they actually look forward to it! That's the difference a good leader can make.
Elle is the first chair violist. Who knows where her music will take her? She does have some yearnings to go to BYU and play the fiddle in a folk group--I wonder where she ever got that idea?!?