"And for our final song, I am going to ask all of our seniors to stand," the band director, Mrs. Matzke, said as she stood in front of the high school's band. There was a flurry of movement and scraping of chairs as the group of graduating seniors stood. As was tradition for this particular concert, all of them wore Santa hats of varying styles and patterns.
Cameras flashed as parents found their kiddo and tried to capture the moment.
Rick and Kate quickly found both of their kids and shared misty-eyed smiles as they took in the final moments of the last Christmas concert Finn and Liam would ever play in high school band.
"Now," Matzke continued, "When I announced the lineup for this concert, I had no idea just how protective and offended this class of seniors was over one song in particular." she pauses to let the audience laugh. "I got more arguments and complaints over this song not being included than I ever have! They wanted to know why it wasn't there and why their graduating class didn't get to play it.
And honestly? I didn't have an answer. Maybe it was because this would be my final time too?" The sudden rush of emotion in her voice was hard to hide, and the seniors behind her tried to not cry too. "Maybe it was just a memory lapse during the stress of marching season. Either way, I was scolded by these kids and hounded multiple times a day to bring it back. So, for our final time, we invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy: 'Sleigh Ride'."
As the audience claps and cheers, the seniors sit and get ready for their song.
When Matzke turns to face the band, she whispers something that makes all the kids laugh and the already emotional seniors sniffle back tears.
She raises her hands, waiting for the band to be ready.
And from the first downbeat, the song felt different. There was a certain energy about it that felt both triumphant and sad. Sure, they were having the time of their lives, it was a favorite song, but there was something underneath it all.
The percussion was extra enthusiastic, even Calum, who got the honor of playing the slapsticks. Finn, on the vibraphone, played out loud and proud, taking the energy the band gave her and putting it all back onto her instrument, The clarinets, who held the melody, added extra holiday spirit as they played. And the saxophones put in jazzy flourishes they normally never got to do. Liam bounced with the beat, smiling around his mouthpiece. He even played perfectly a section he never got right. Of course, it had to be during the last time.
Unplanned, during the final reprise of the melody, the seniors stood and looked out into the audience. Having semi-memorized the music, they didn't need to look at it. They just took it all in: playing their favorite song on a stage they'd called home for four years, in front of their friends and family, in front of their beloved band director. More than one tear fell from more than one eye.
The song ends, and the director holds the band there, letting the echo of the last note fade out. Dropping her arms only when the audience starts to loudly cheer. Every kid before her is smiling and some are crying. She turns and bows, waving an arm to present her band, watching them take a bow as well.
The concert ends and the audience files out into the school's lobby at the same time as the band heads off stage towards the band room where their cases are. In the small room, there are hugs between friends and more tears as the teens talk and clean up their instruments.
Reunited with their family out front, Finn and Liam accept the hugs their grandparents give them and the excited exclamations from their nieces and nephew. Jim hands a bouquet of flowers to Finn and congratulates her on a job well done for both the concert and her solo during one song. And they all laugh when Liam scoops Chyler high into the air and onto his shoulders; the little girl giggling loudly at the movement.
"I am so proud of you, bubby!" Kate says, hugging her son. She knew that band was one of the few things keeping him motivated in school.
"Thanks, momma," Liam smiles at her. "Is it weird to say I'm kind of sad?"
"Not at all," Kate says with a shake of her head. "You have every right to be."
"And, Nemo, when you guys played the sleigh song, I was singing! Did you hear me?" Wyatt asks, hanging off his aunt's arm.
"You were the one singing? I thought I heard someone!" Finn teases, pinching Wyatt on the back of his neck where he's extra ticklish. "Come on, we're leaving." they follow the rest of their family out into the cold December night. Finn and Liam receive calls of congratulations from fellow band parents as they walk and soon they are all back in the car and on the way home.
"I'm kind of sad for you!" Miyana says, hugging her sister; all three girls are in a row in the back seat. "This is another one of those 'last moments' we're gonna have all year. It's crazy and so sad!"
"Stop! I don't wanna cry tonight," Finn rebuts but hugs her sister back.
The car falls quiet, save for Michael Buble on the radio singing about Santa coming to town, as all five kids contemplate yet another final moment of their senior year.
And Rick and Kate, in the front seat, think about how fleeting this final Christmas season with their kids all home really is.