I also hated to go to school functions. They were so boring... I went anyway. My son graduates from college on Sat. and I would love to be able to go. Unfortunately, its in Madrid, Spain. We just dont have the funds to to travel to Europe. He knows how proud I am of him. Of all the functions throughout his life, this is one I really didnt want to miss.

You are going to hate this but I absolutely hate going to the junior high and senior high bands holiday concerts. They don't play holiday music. I know, its a public school and they are trying not to offend anyone but its the holidays. If the elementary band and elementary choir can perform holiday songs, and that includes the Jewish religion, why can't the older grades. I went to the elementary band concert the year I had no children in that band because those directors make it fun for everyone. It has us spoiled because no matter what season, the high school levels are boring. The directors don't say much about the songs giving you background or anything like that and they are usually songs you have never heard of. I go because my children are involved. The only concerts I enjoy are the elementary bands two concerts and the marching band's stadium review. I suffer through this year 4 concert band concerts, a jazz concert and we still have Mardi Gras. I have only attended one choir concert so far in life and that was enjoyable. Somehow last night the senior high bands were allowed to perform Christmas Sing-Along. That was nice.

Sorry, I'm a band mom, but....

another thing that irritates me is the parents that bring flowers for their kids just because they perform. I have no problem rewarding those in special groups that are standing out there with a few other kids but just because your child is one of 140 they dont need flowers.

And yes, both of my girls have been in small group performances but they didn't get flowers, they got something small that could be consealed from everyone else

I did Christmas Sing along with my band a few years ago. It's a lot of fun for everyone.

Oh, believe me, if I was a parent of a beginning band student, I would HATE going to those concerts.

By the way, don't let anyone tell you that the high school doesn't do holiday music because of the equality crap. Legally, vocal and instrumental music ensembles are allowed to perform music that references or is inspired by God or a religion.

I agree with you....if you want to do a piece that's not holiday oriented fine, but the majority of the HOLIDAY concert should be holiday music.

The worste for me were the swimming events in middle school all summer in high school and in college. My kids were swimmers (obviously) and it was endless. I would have to sit there all day for 3 days sometimes (in summer) to wait for her to do a 50 1 length of the pool backstroke that took 30 seconds. THREE DAYS for for 30 seconds. I would go out of my mind!!!Then the other mothers and fathers would know each others names and be screaming and yelling and wearing team t-shirts and I would ignore them and pretend to read program booklets. THREE DAYS and I paid for this my Visa card was maxed out. I hated it.

Ok, the beginning band music doesn't sound as nice as the high school bands but at least the directors make it fun to be there. Our junior and senior high band directors need to put a little life into the concerts.

And I have been sitting through elementary band rehersals for the last I don't know how many years and that is pure torture. We have seven, now 6 and going to be 4 elementary schools in our district and the band students get together for 2 to 3 rehersals before the concert so they all sound good together. those rehersals make jr/sr high band concerts seem fun.

and dont get me started on sitting through football games just to see my son perform. and away games suck because you see the back of the band at most venues.