Federation #1 of 2 Days

On Saturday, John (13) participated for the first time in Scholarship-level Federation Festival, which requires reaching a certain level of accomplishment to join. He performed Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata 1st movement and Toccata in a minor by Timothy Brown. Our boy earned FIRST PLACE in his division and will be going to States in April! Congratulations, John, on all your months of hard work!

Dad, spying through the glass at John

The girls performed for Non-Scholarship Federation in violin that day (piano being in a few weeks).

Mary was hired as Margaret's accompanist for the first time (instead of our hiring a professional), so she participated in Margaret (8) earning a Superior score in Violin Solo for performing Musette by Bach and Chorus from 'Judas Machabeus' by Handel.

The girls' violin teacher listening outside the performance door

Mary (11) earned Superiors in both Violin Solo and in Violin Concerto. Congratulations, girls!

Forward, march--often with our noses in a book as we walk down the road--we continue through music competition season!

Next Gen on the Road Residency

Our fifth and seventh graders had a wonderful opportunity this past weekend, having been accepted for a residency with the Next Gen on the Road.

John played the Sonatina No. 38 by Beethoven in a piano Master Class with Kwan Yi. Mary played the Gigue from the Sonata in d minor by Veracini in violin Master Class with Victoria Pan, and the Concerto in g minor, 3rd mvt., BWV 1058, by J.S. Bach in piano Master Class with K Sekino. Also, Mary, being a strings player, was invited to join in the side-by-side rehearsal and later the public concert for the Holberg Suite, Op. 40, by Grieg. (Orchestras have only one pianist at most, so piano students were not invited to join.)

Rehearsal for Holberg Suite

John's Master Class

Chris and I split Saturday in half, each of us staying with the children at the Next Gen event for half the day. It is important to us as parents to protect moral virtue by chaperoning as much as we can. I got to attend the luncheon, which was so very useful. The many professional musicians who are professors at East Carolina University sat amongst us all, as did the music major college students, and they all led discussions with these young folk and offered professional career advice. Sitting at our table was the cellist Emmanuel Gruber, who I saw perform live some years ago, and he was eminently delightful to speak with. I was impressed with how they spoke so honestly and respectfully to my 10- and 12-year-olds, treating them not as equals per se but truly as peers in the musical performing world.

After Mass on Sunday, while Chris was attending a church meeting, I hustled all the children to get Mary a quick meal and then get her settled for her sound check and final rehearsal. Then Chris joined us--our having taken two cars--and we got dinner for the rest of us, and settled in for the two-hour, free concert. This was quite a treat for the public as normally the tickets to see Next Gen on the Road or its parent group, the Four Seasons Chamber Music Festival, are pricey.

The concert was held at the exquisitely beautiful and historic Myers Park Baptist Church which, although it has strayed quite far from its theological roots and I'm sure many Baptists are rolling over in their graves, has maintained its architectural beauty. The campus landscaping also was exceptional and showed tremendous professionalism by its landscape architects over many decades: what a treat for me!

During most of the concert, Chris stayed out in the narthex with the three little boys so I could sit far up front with John and Mary. The little boys were happy as clams coloring!

Three boys who have captured my heart

Joseph (almost 7) then got to sit inside the sanctuary in the very back pew so his dad could keep an eye on him through a window. Joseph was engrossed and often conducting with his hands.

The final piece was the Holberg Suite, Op. 40, by Grieg, as performed by the professors of music at ECU, the music major students, and local youth, such as Mary. Most of the 33 local students participating were notably older--upper middle school and high-school--and I only saw two other children particularly young, like Mary. I was so impressed that she had learned to play this 18-minute piece of music having received the sheet music only one week prior. In fact, there was even a mix-up and she did not receive the final movement of the piece so she ended up sight reading it for the first time live during the rehearsal on Saturday!

Next Gen requested we not post publicly on social media any video clips, so I will honor that and not post the Holberg Suite here. However, we were granted permission to share privately with individual family and friends, so any of our loved ones is welcome to email me for the link to the unlisted video.

The only time David (2) was loud was right in between movements of the Holberg Suite when he began screaming back in the narthex during the silent, pregnant pause. The first violinist (who founded Next Gen 20 years ago) set the tone by starting to giggle and the entire orchestra followed laughing for just a few moments--which I'm sure they never would have done during a professional event, but this was just a bit more family-oriented and casual! I just chuckled along with the crowd, but my cover was blown as the Mama of the Screaming Toddler when Chris let David loose within seconds of the concert ending and he ran up the Very Long Aisle from the back of the church to me with the biggest smile on his face, arms flung outward, crying triumphantly, "Mama! Mama! Mama!" Mommy and baby were reunited after two long hours . . . and everyone knew whose baby was making noise!

Joyous girl after the concert

We really had no idea what to expect when our music teachers asked us to apply for this event and we got in, but the experience was inspiring and instructive and we sure look forward to participating again, if we are so honored.

Federation 2018: Violin

On Saturday the 17th (a month ago!), Mary performed on violin at the National Federation of Music Clubs' festival and we congratulate her on Superior scores on her two solo songs and her one concerto! (Videos are at the end of this blog post.)

We really didn't know if she could pull it off: Like breaking her wrist two weeks before her Guild performance of ten songs last year--it's really a story worth reading here--she caught influenza two weeks before Federation this year and lost an entire week of practice. This flu makes a person so weak, there is no stamina hardly to walk slowly around the house, let alone to stand erect and practice violin for 45 minutes.

When Mary was finally no longer contagious and could get to a violin lesson with her teacher, the teacher doubted that Mary could pull it together in time. But Mary is nothing if not a spitfire, and she rose to the occasion!

She had a lesson on Thursday, and then her teacher sent her home to practice for an additional hour. On Friday morning, Mary woke with instructions to practice for another hour before showing up for yet another lesson . . . and then Friday night, Mary voluntarily practiced for yet another hour that day. Saturday dawned, and Mary got up early to show up at Federation two hours early to get in more practice with her teacher-accompanist! It's that kind of grit that develops excellence, and we're far more proud of Mary's developing character than any score on a certificate.

Mary performed three pieces:

Boccherini's Minuet

Paganini's Witches' Dance

Violin Concerto No. 5, 1st Movement, in D Major by Seitz

Christmas Recital 2017

The children participated in a festive and successful Christmas recital on Saturday evening! The recital was held at the local Steinway gallery, so the children got the extra fun of playing on a $170,000, nine-foot concert grand.

This was Joseph's very first recital and I was a bit nervous about his being only four years old and in lessons for only a couple of months. He whispered to me ahead of time, "I'm going to do great in the part where I say my name and my song." I was so proud of him for announcing himself and making it through his song (even though he forgot to bow)!

Joseph (4) playing 'Jolly Old St. Nicholas'

Margaret (6) playing "Good King Wenceslas"

Mary playing "Here We Come A-Caroling"

Mary playing 'O Sanctissima"

John playing 'O Come, All Ye Faithful'

After our children had performed, there remained half the recital, so I slipped out with the youngest two performers, took over with the youngest tots in the van, and sent Daddy in to sit with the oldest two who watched till the end of the event. It's a juggling act in this circus!

Hanging out in the van

Music Mornings and Joseph's First Lesson

Over the years, while studying with our wonderful music studio, we have shifted what days and how we organize our music lessons. This week, we've made another change: Music Morning Wednesdays at our home!

Both teachers will come to our home and, in a carefully orchestrated schedule, teach four children piano, three children music theory, and one child violin. (This is only possible because we have so many students and live extremely close to their home studio, plus we have two pianos, which they need for the lessons.)

I made a Music Learning corner in the dining room, where we have the upright piano, the violin, and a bookshelf of theory materials and composer studies.

The children are currently writing essays on composers of the Baroque period for a playing-and-writing competition upcoming next month.

10:00-10:15 Joseph in Piano, Margaret in Theory

10:15-10:45 Margaret in Piano, Mary in Theory, John babysitting little boys

10:45-11:30 Mary in Piano, John in Theory, Margaret babysitting little boys

11:30-12:15 John in Piano, Mary in Violin, three youngest watching TV

Meanwhile, I was racing about rapidly, sitting briefly with each student during each lesson, taking notes on that week's lesson and homework, breaking up little boy fights, nursing the baby, changing diapers, and preparing snacks/lunch. It was a busy but very productive schedule!

Margaret learning Theory

And in extra exciting news: Joseph (4-1/2) began piano lessons today! He has been asking to take piano with Mr. J--- since Joseph was a toddler in arms. By 12 months old or so, each week, Joseph would indicate he wanted to plink the keys on the piano when Mr. J---- would come to our home to teach lessons.  Mr. J---- would let him plink and Joseph would copy his rhythm or keys for a minute or two before we took him away. Now it's really his turn!

Joseph learning piano

Grampa Neil was such a big part of his grandchildren's music education: I wish he were alive to see the latest developments.

Federation 2017: Violin

On Saturday, we participated in our third National Federation of Music Clubs festival, with Mary performing (non-competitively) on violin. (Next Saturday is for non-competition piano.)

Since this year will be Margaret's first time participating, I took her along with Mary so she could see the building, the process, and feel the buzz in the air--getting some of her nerves reduced in advance!

Walking onto Queens University

Mary performed Minuet No. 1 by J.S. Bach and Gavotte by Gossec. Because parents aren't allowed in the performance room, I filmed her during warm-up.

Congratulations to Mary for receiving a wonderful score!

Afterward, we continued our tradition of stopping by Dunkin Donuts for a treat.

Quietly watching out the window at DD

Next Saturday, piano and theory exams!

Peter Perret Youth Talent Search 2017

John and Mary participated in what was a new music competition for them: the Peter Perret Youth Talent Search hosted by the Winston-Salem Symphony (see here).

The children have been working so hard to prepare for this, and at the expense of being able to do two other competitions normally in the line-up because there simply aren't enough hours in the day. Not only have they been learning these concertos for about nine months, but, for the last few weeks, John has been playing his concerto one hour daily, and Mary has been playing daily her violin concerto for one hour and her piano concerto for one hour, plus they've had once weekly rehearsals with their accompanist. (And our kids were practicing the least of all the students sent by our studio to this event.)

I've come to appreciate that actual professional musicians work incredibly hard. They are playing the songs in practice and rehearsal so many times, they can do it with their eyes shut, while conversing with someone else, while watching a TV show, with siblings swirling around them, or while half-asleep.

John and Mary waiting their turn to rehearse in the beautiful practice hall

This competition was of note in that it was the first time our children were performing on a stage (in a mostly empty 595-seat theater), which is a very different experience than in a tiny, enclosed room with only a judge and an accompanist, plus it was open to the public, so parents could sit, watch, and film.



Mary playing Concerto in d minor by Noona 



John playing "Concerto in Classical Style" by Martha Mier




Mary playing Concerto No. 2, 3rd Movement by F. Seitz



When Chris and the children returned from Winston-Salem (90 minutes away), we all met for a celebratory dinner. (Although nighttime brought on just how much Josey and Thomas still have bad coughs, so I felt regretful about that aspect.)

We went into this competition (which was for ages 8-12) knowing that our children would not place, but the experience was important and valuable for the future. We won't receive judges' comments for more than a week, and we just hope for some positive and useful feedback.

Participating in this event helped them experience and be calm under an increased level of pressure, taught them to focus on perfecting one song for many months (which requires patience that is hard to achieve), and let them experience performing on a large stage (which can cause stage fright and make the otherwise competitive player be unable to continue). We participated in this competition for the children's benefit a couple of years from now.

And now, I think we all very much look forward to letting these three concertos slip away into the children's repertoire (played once daily instead of an hour daily!) while we move onto entirely fresh songs for an event in February.

Christmas Music Recital 2016

On Saturday evening, we participated in the annual Christmas recital for Allegro Studio. As always, a delightful time was had by all: the music was phenomenal, the potluck dishes delicious, and the personalized gifts given by the studio to each participating child were heart-warming.

(If my readers want to hear some samples but, understandably, don't want to watch through eight songs, I recommend listening to Margaret's "Distant Chimes," Mary's "Seitz Concerto," and John's "Chaplin's Cane.")

 Margaret playing "Silent Night"

 

 Margaret playing "Distant Chimes"

 

 Mary playing "Un Flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle" (a 16th Cen. French carol) 

on both piano and violin

 Mary playing The Sietz Concerto No. 2 in G Major, 3rd movement, on violin

 

 Mary playing "Bird's Eye" by Matt Schinske on piano

 

 Mary playing "We Three Kings" on piano

 

 John playing "Chaplin's Cane" by Phil Hamm on piano

 

 John playing "Deck the Halls" on piano

End-of-Summer Recital

On Saturday night, the children played in an end-of-summer recital.

Margaret (5), Mary (7), John (9)

The real John

I was so pleased last night to be able to attend this recital! You see, when I'm pregnant, I'm too sick and tired to stay up for a seven o'clock recital, and that whole first year I have a baby, the baby is too loud to come into a recital, yet I won't be separated from him, so I miss a lot of recitals and send Chris in my stead. You know how sweet my husband is? Even at 13 months, I still will barely separate from my baby, so we took separate cars, allowing Chris to sit outside in the van with the baby and three-year-old while I sat inside with the older kids. Then, when our children were done playing, I slipped out, drove away in my van with the littles, and Chris stayed with the olders for the remainder of the recital (many of which concertos were 20 minutes long) and for the socializing potluck afterward. This is a common method we do (it's how I ever go to a dentist or doctor's appointment in my first year postpartum) and I'm very grateful for my service-oriented husband.

Mama at the recital

This was Margaret's second-ever recital and I was tickled pink to see her more relaxed in anticipation of it than she was the first one.


Margaret playing "Chimichanga Cha Cha" by Jennifer Linn

(You can't know this from the above video, but when Margaret forgot the name "Linn," every parent in the audience, not just me, whispered "LINN.")



 
Margaret playing "Village Dance" by Randy Jones


This was our studio's "Concerto Recital," meaning that any students who want to enter the November concerto competition must have been able to successfully perform their concertos by September 1, thus there were a whole lot of students performing concertos last night.

I was amazed sitting there at how the children begin playing a 30-second song, and two years later are playing a four-minute concerto: how did that happen? Well, blood, sweat, and tears is how it happened, but still the metamorphosis amazes me and makes me smile.

The children have now learned the notes of their concertos, but now begins intense practice for the next two months to improve the technique (how each note and rest is played--faster, slower, louder, softer, with what emotion) and to improve timing with the accompanist. For the writers amongst us, the below is like a rough draft concerto, and the final draft is yet to be written.


 
John playing "Concerto in Classical Style" by Martha Mier


 
Mary playing "Concerto in d Minor" by Walter and Carol Noona


Mary playing Minuet No. 2 by J.S. Bach


I had promised Joseph (3) that I would be taking him out to ice cream after the recital, which was basically a bold bribe to get him to sit in the van with Daddy and miss out on going inside to hear the music or stay for the potluck. It ended up being an unusual and very dear time for me to take just my wee boys out to ice cream (and really go into a restaurant instead of the drive-through).

Good ice cream, Mama!

How blessed is this Mama, I ask you?!

Postscript: The night of the recital was also the 11-year anniversary of my entrance into the Catholic Church (conditional Baptism, first Confession, first Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation) and that of our marital engagement (which happened later that same day). Who can ever imagine where eleven years will bring us?

Federation 2016: Violin

Congratulations to Mary on performing so well on violin at the Federation festival (a local festival for a national organization)! Glory be to God!

I wish I could have captured her real smile when she
came out of the performance room instead of this staged smile.

Since no one but the competitor and accompanist are allowed in the judging room, I filmed Mary's final rehearsal to capture the songs she performed.


"Allegro" by Suzuki from Suzuki Book 1


"Perpetual Motion" by Suzuki from Suzuki Book 1

Still just 7 years old: playing in front of the fun house mirror backstage

(Ah, memories, my wee girl at Federation last year . . . )

Mary's Violin After a Year and a Half

Forewarning: This is a "grandparents' post," meaning that I think only close family members will really want to listen to this many video clips of my daughter playing violin. But, of course, anyone is welcome!

Her favorite practice spot by the window

I haven't filmed Mary playing violin in months, so I took advantage of a baby sleeping on my back during today's thorough lesson in which Mary's teacher ran her through her Suzuki Book 1 repertoire. That day they weren't working through the variety of non-Suzuki songs she plays as well (e.g., Over the Rainbow, Brahm's Lullaby, Ode to Joy, America, Greensleeves, Battle Hymn of the Republic, El Condor Pasa).

Mary is 7 years old and has been playing violin for 18 months.

Joseph is mesmerized by Mary's violin

Given that I grew up watching my mother play the fiddle, it is emotionally meaningful to me to see this daughter of mine take to the violin. In fact, I asked her tonight whether violin or piano was her favorite, and was surprised to hear her say (at least in that moment!) that violin is her love.

"Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"

 

 "May Song"

   \

"O Come Little Children"

 

 "Song of the Wind"

 

 "Long Long Ago"

 

 "Allegro"

 

 "Perpetual Motion"