一年一度的Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) St. Louis Suburban District Solo and Ensemble Music Festival 昨天在Parkway Central高中舉行。高中音樂老師Kinworthy電子郵電是這樣介紹的：

St. Louis Suburban Solo and Ensemble Festival.  This is a voluntary opportunity for students to perform with a smaller group of people or even as a soloist for a standard based on rating and the opportunity to perform at the State Festival. The students have a specific time for the performance, room number, the name of the performance, students involved, and the accompanist if needed. Dress should be dress-up clothing--no t-shirts, sweatpants, leggings, or tennis shoes. Tuck in your shirt, wear a belt. Some ensembles even try to coordinate their clothes.

大概意思：聖路易斯郊區獨奏與合奏音樂節。學生自願，包括獨奏和小組合奏，也是州音樂節的選拔賽。學生有表演的時間、房間號、表演名稱、參與的學生以及需要的伴奏者。著裝正式，不得穿 T 恤、運動褲、打底褲或網球鞋。襯衫塞進褲腰，係上皮帶。團體也可統一服裝。

老二參加了兩個項目：鋼琴獨奏得了最高的“Exemplary”，有資格參加四月27號的州音樂節。 四人銅管合奏得了“Outstanding”，比他們去年的四重奏得分“Satisfactory”提高了一級。 

下午三點我們到學校時，停車場車多，繞了一圈才找到車位。進了大廳，不少練習的學生。人聲，各種樂器的演奏聲，覺得快炸鍋了。在劇院門口碰到老熟人Michelle。得知她二公子今年結婚，小兒子去年也上大學了。還碰到好幾個朋友的孩子。他們皆長成了彬彬有禮的如玉君子。孩子們長大了。