Obligations Complete!

Finally, all the concerts are over. It definitely feels like an old time Christmas for me, meaning something more in tune with my childhood and youth, with all these concerts. It's nice to do something musical during the season, and to help young people have the experiences I had when I was younger, like sharing music with others and feeling a sense of accomplishment at having worked hard and produced something to show parents, friends, and loved ones!
I must say, though, that I was a little disappointed by the end of it, only because there is a sincere lack of performance etiquette on the part of the singers I accompanied! It is common to give your accompanist a gesture of thanks, something that directs the audience's attention toward the accompanist, because it is not just a soloist and a pianist, but a partnership who work together to make the soloist shine and do well. I do not do this for the money, for the prestige - I accompany to help others out and give them more opportunities. But I must say, it would have been nice if it weren't so completely thankless. Out of all the girls I accompanied tonight and over the last few days, not one, NOT ONE, has bothered to thank me physically (gesture), verbally (Thanks!), or monetarily (some even neglected to pay my coaching fees for extra sessions, for which I drove to the conservatory especially). This makes me sad...but I know that I did a good job, and I know that I had a great time playing piano and being able to have the opportunity to collaborate with some young musicians and listen to their beautiful music. That's all that matters.
My one wish - Parents: teach your children manners.