Oh, how I miss the cartoons of yore. I remember when I was in elementary school, I would get ready for school while watching the animated characters come to life in my living room. I do not have siblings so it took my parents about 15 minutes to prepare me for school. With all the time remaining, I enjoyed my mornings with cereal and a side of giggles from the silliness by Tom and Jerry. When these characters would play instruments, I would glue my eyes onto the television because I just had to watch every move. It was more than mere entertainment; I was checking for fingering accuracy and judging who possessed superior technical mastery. Tom won this one.
Despite all of Jerry’s disturbances, Tom gives a superb performance of Franz Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2. One of the final preparations I always go over with my students before a concert performance is helping them stay focused and not succumbing to distractions by audience members. Inevitably, we hear coughing, cell phones ringing, and a fidgety child whining. While performers ought to engage with the audience, they also must be able to disregard any possible interference that can hinder a solid performance. It’s a difficult act to balance but well worth the effort. I have not yet taught the kids how to play with their feet (as Tom does!), but until I do, the kids will just have to learn that the show must go on, as modeled by this cool cat.