Wave after wave of the talented, tone deaf, or merely deaf bounce on stage, with more bravery and sheer chutzpah than I would ever have, and do their bit to entertain a group of parents, friends and siblings with whatever instrument it is that they are currently mastering. Parents sit patiently (mostly) and more less good naturedly while the less talented children introduce us to new ways of generating sounds as far removed from any recognisable scale, with the possible exception of Schoenberg's dodecaphonic, as its possible to get.
The audience, sweating as a result of the irresistible mixture of an overheated and overcrowded room, and resisting gnawing one's own fist off through suppressed hysteria, has what can be described only as an experience. Any other word will only colour and bias what transpires unfairly toward abject disappointment or statospheric relief. The former for those poor children whose vocal performance, rising imperceptibly above the ambient room noise, is further drowned out by a well-meaning but incompetent music teacher's piano work. The latter when a child with real talent performs a song or piece so accomplished that it is almost impossible to prevent a tear coming to the eye.
Children really are the most amazing things on the planet. God bless 'em all.
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