rock star

AP classes require a lot of homework, especially when you maintain a stellar grade point average, but after it’s done, most evenings you’ll find him in his room practicing the euphonium. I’m pretty sure I’d never seen a euphonium, much less heard of it, until his Mom told me he was playing.

He started his music lessons with the piano but soon graduated to the more sophisticated element. He’s been at it for only a few months but has already made first chair. Besides, he says, you just don’t see that many pianos on the field at halftime, so the decision was a no-brainer.

When he’s not dazzling listeners with the euphonium, he’s having fun with Guitar Hero. Several of his friends join in. And then the guys across the street start and first thing you know it’s weekend-rock-star-wars in Arlington.

But whatever he plays, any field he studies, he approaches it all with the same elegant determination – simply to be the best. He succeeds way beyond my wildest dreams. Mark my words, you’ll hear his name again someday. Either as the inventor of something marvelous for mankind, the winner of some internationally prestigious prize, or wowing a crowd with his musical brilliance. Slater Matthew, my star.