Where You Want Me To Go

When I started playing the flute 2 years ago, I came across a choir arrangement of the hymn I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go that had a flute obbligato that played throughout the whole song. I knew it was way above my skill level at the time, but I printed it out and began practicing it now and then. What I love about playing the flute is that each song is a challenge to conquer. I know I will never play "perfectly" without the formal training most flutists receive, but I am happy if I can get to the point where I can play a song without any fingering mistakes, obvious pitch problems, or squeaks. I challenged myself to learn this flute part well enough to play it for the ward choir at church, so I buckled down over the last 6 months or so and gradually mastered the sections of sheet music that I couldn't previously play.

Being the ward music chairman, I suggested the song to our ward choir director and scheduled to have them perform on May 26th. In the weeks leading up to that date, I practiced the dickens out of that song. I probably practiced an hour a day almost every day. I was determined to get it right. I even practiced with the pianist twice. By the time performance day came, I probably could have played the whole song without even glancing at my sheet music. I may have gotten a little obsessed. :)

Sunday morning, the choir gathered in the chapel before sacrament meeting to practice and warm up and I joined them to warm up on my flute part. Keira sat on the step between me and the piano throughout most of the practice so when she asked me if she could go back up there when we perform, I agreed based on the fact that she was well-behaved during our warm up. Boy, was that a big mistake... The moment I started playing (which is immediately when the song begins) she got up and started meandering around the stage knowing there was nothing I could do about it. Stay focused. I did my best to ignore her and just keep playing.

I came to a couple measure rest, lowered my flute, and commanded her through angrily clenched teeth to sit her butt down and don't move. Her buns hit the floor with amazing speed and a look of fear came over her face so I was pretty sure I wouldn't have a problem from that point forward. Wrong again. The moment I resumed playing, up she popped and the meandering intensified. She was walking through the choir members, she was creeping behind the piano, she was grabbing my music stand. Please don't knock it over! I silently pleaded as I continued to play. The song ended and, all considered, I did quite well.

As it turns out, Keira will NOT "go where you want her to go." She knows exactly where you want her to go and behaves in a contrary manner. Perhaps some day, she will take this song to heart and learn to be a little more submissive and heed directions. Until then, I reckon she will continue to provide me with humorous stories like these.