Middle School Musician

Wow... what to write about now.  I made a list of possible topics and it keeps on growing.  I am truly blessed to have such fascinating kids.  I hope and pray that you feel the same way about yours.

I've mentioned previously that Sam, my 11-year old, is a very accomplished musician and composer.  I'm fortunate to get a front row seat when he is creating (although now he completes the song with headphones on).  I am usually one of the first to hear his new creations.

I've always encouraged him to "tell a story" and "create emotion" with his music and there is no doubt in my mind that he does that.  His music (right now) is instrumental only - except he did collaborate with big bro Jeff who wrote a poem that Sam composed around - which encourages the listener to come up with their own images as they listen.

One of my favorite things is when Sam comes to me with a completed project and then asks me to listen and ask, "What do you see?".  It's awesome!  Usually, he and I will listen a few times and visualize together and then that will lead to the name of the song.  I'm honored he asks for my opinion.

Recently, Sam was interviewed by a local TV news channel and they did a great job with it.  It is the current feature video on his YouTube channel.  Here's the interview video.  Sam created his own name - SoundWave Studios - and is also primarily responsible for the graphics to his videos.  He scours the internet looking for the right picture, etc. and works hard to time them just right to "tell the story" as best he can with the resources he has.  He does a great job.  I've seen other blogs that have songs playing when you read them.  Maybe I'll get that figured out soon.

YouTube has been an interesting experience as Sam's music has been viewed in 38 of the 50 states and 58 different countries if you include "unknown region".  I wonder where that is?  I didn't think the internet had an "unknown region".

One thing I find unique is that Sam has the ability to start with a solo and then arrange/enhance it with other instruments OR he can start with an arrangement and "sift it down" to just a beautiful solo.  He has a total of 28 videos as of today but more are always in the works.

Our hope is that one day he'll create a CD and we'll sell it to raise funds for charity of some sort.  Sam knows he's been given a gift and he wants to use that gift to give back.

What gifts do your kids have that can be used to give back?