Concert Season

It would be oh so easy to not take pictures of concert nights. And it would be oh so easy to 'skip them' on this blog of mine. In some ways they always look the same (the blog posts with a concert): same black outfit, same picture of the orchestra.... 

But if I didn't, then I wouldn't have a big part of their lives - their growing up years. So I'm truly grateful that over the years I've always posted their concerts. 

May is a very full month for our family. Both of us in education trying to wrap up the school year - both our daughters in education (obviously), trying to wrap up their school year... it's a L O T  but it's all really good.

Anna was in a spring concert at her college (post back HERE) 

Abigail was in three just this month (so far!) and here they are: 

One: High School Orchestra Concert - it's a huge orchestra and sounds great because of the pieces that were chosen and wow - the sound with such a big orchestra! So grateful she'll let me take a quick picture before she walks in! 

Two: Camerata Orchestra Concert - Camerata is an auditioned orchestra but still part of our schools. It's the best of her high school and the other high school in town. 

This is just a teeny, tiny clip so I have 'something' to hold on to... 

Abigail's private viola teacher was in attendance and took this video with a text that read, "Yesterday's Camerat/Solisti concert was just stunning. I literally was moved to tears by the Vaughan Williams. Just absolutely transcendent." 

Three: Vivace Orchestra Concert - Vivace is an auditioned orchestra. It is not through our schools, private orchestra. 

Vivace begins at the time: 35:18 (before 35:18 are the younger groups)  

More concert posts to come! 

There Was One Last Spring Concert

Well, based on the last post, I can tell you that I've been finding half posts, still in "draft" on my blog and it just bugs to to no end to have those there. I think for a moment, 'oh that was so long ago, just let it go,' but then that concert -- will be gone! I will never remember it -- there are honestly so so many concerts that if they are not here, they will be a blur, poof, gone! 

And that just can't happen! 

So here is a last concert for the spring. There are only a few pictures from after at home -- I do remember I tried to get her to take a picture of her with a friend -- her friend was willing, but Abigail was not, ha! So I only have these. 

Abigail is such a happy little girl who has amazed us all with her strength and persistence. Her playing the viola in this orchestra is a light! 

She really loved this private, not school related, Saturday morning orchestra this year. She met some good friends and I think that being a part of something outside of school really took the pressure off. I think she felt like she could just be 'Abigail', and that felt good. Her smile says it all. 

 

Gaovani Solisti

This a rough recording that was emailed to me way back in October. This is Solisti playing Barber Adagio. Anna helped me get it from an email to youtube so I could keep it forever here on this blog. 

The story of Anna playing in this particular orchestra is a special one. Click on the tab at the bottom if you want to read more about the years it took to get into this. 

A Christmas Concert

Right before we were off from school for Christmas, they played in a Christmas virtual (live) concert. They decided to record their pieces ahead of time. 

It made it wonderful to relax and just watch the concert. We all loved it. 

Here is a quick snapshot of our family room that day - such a fun set up! 

Here are the recordings. Just click to watch! 

Playing Something Lovely on This Day

Well what a week it has been. Lovely in my classroom. Lovely in my home. Not so lovely in the news. We are hoping for this to all be over soon {yes, all of his craziness to be over soon} and for Joe Biden to begin to make plans toward the White House in January. But goodness, it's not over until he put his hand on that Bible... I can't wait! 

I thought it would be lovely to put something so different on the blog of mine. Something musical. There is magic in music. 

Let me 'set the stage' for you {so to speak} 

In Anna's applications to colleges she is including some of her extraordinary viola playing. We decided to record her on the stage in Scott's school. Lights on, concert attire, empty audience. 

And so to take you minds off of the world right now, place yourself in a seat right here {turn up your volume} and listen to a seventeen year old and her viola. There is no background piano. No conductor. Just Anna and her strings. {and about 13 years of Suzuki training in her heart} 

If you'd like to leave a comment I'll be sure to pass it along to Anna. Just scroll down and click comment. It will say 'needs to be approved by the author' and I'll see it first in my email. Don't worry, I'll click yes and add it to the blog. 

In these videos the quality is so much better but the color was so off - I have to have them here to hear years from now...

Chocolate Cafe

Sometimes when I'm so involved in an event and juggling it all I don't get any pictures. But I will next year because next year it's the "last year" - yes, we've started to say that around here. So before I'm sad that next year is the last Chocolate Cafe for Anna I want to remember this one {even with only 1 pre concert picture}



She played in the Camartta orchestra at the Town Hall and it was magnificent.

Such a beautiful night with the most extraordinary music. I wish I could bottle up that sound and get it all on this post. But there is just no way.

But I'll remember, I will.



And this beautiful note to Scott and I thanking her for the support.

A Million Dreams

I love to her kids sing and the talent was awesome! I loved that my girl was singing up there with the high school groups!

With a sparkle in her eyes



and a spring in her step

Midfest Concert

You would think by now I could take wonderful concert photos - I've certainly been to a few orchestra concerts! I've come to the conclusion that it's really about being there, hearing the music swell up in that room and in my mama's heart.

I am grateful for the music that Anna fills our days with.

Last night she played with Camarata and a combination of that and the whole high school orchestra.

I do love this smile on the stage...



and this one as she's just getting into position...

I Love Her Confidence

Abigail is not the most confident - she's a perfectionist about things. And when you add in the medical things she has to deal with on a hourly basis, it's a lot for this twelve year old.

So that's why this concert was so great for Scott and I.

There was 'something' about it.

I wish wish wish that I had my camera out and got the shot of her as she was coming down the hallway *after* the concert was over. She was all smiles. And we loved it.

I have that picture in my heart... but I do have these to share...

It was her Select Ensembles concert (auditioned orchestra and auditioned choir)

Something Good

The only pictures from the weekend are these two taken on our way {late} to the Suzuki group class concert. Anna didn't make it to the concert because she's having some issues with her left eye - and ya kinda need your eyes to play the viola. So she stayed home to rest her eye {study for midterms} and I took Abigail to the concert.





Pachelbel Canon in D with a million kids up there are the group class finale... cellos, violas (Abigail), violins...



So much to catch up on - on this blog!

Have a great week everyone!

Schools Out For Christmas!

We are so excited to be 'Home for the Holidays'!!!!

The fireplaces are going all day long and we have nowhere to be... finally! I am breathing deep and feeling so grateful for all that surrounds me right now.

On Saturday Anna played in another orchestra concert. I usually don't record these but something told me to turn on my phone and get this one. I'm so glad that I did. Because it was quite possibly the best song Anna has played in.

Turn up your sound and wait for it -- you'll be glad you did.

I had a clear picture of Anna right in front of me. And as I stared at her and let this song fill my heart, I was grateful.



This is a private {not school} orchestra and they are amazing. This peaceful song had me almost in tears as I listened.



Such a gift to be able to play her viola and be a part of a sound so rich. Sitting in these concerts are the 'fruits of my labor' so to speak. What started as a mama taking her just five year old to her first lesson {that we could not really afford} has turned into such a wonderful gift as I get to go to such beautiful concerts.

On a Wednesday Night

It's just an average Wednesday - mama, teacher, mama

Well, maybe not average because it's December, and right actually in the last few days of school. So there's total exhaustion thrown in too.

And it's a full week on the Calendar and this - a concert - right in the middle of the week. Anna's December orchestra concert.

When life can sure be 'busy' and it doesn't seem possible to fit 'one more thing'. And to be honest, it's almost the last thing I can possibly go to in the freezing cold. But then this sound...



And then this  --  I get goosebumps {and yes, this is a public high school} and my daughter played in it!



There is truth for sure that music lifts your soul.

Spring Concert

This post was written some time in the end of May - but I never hit Publish on it. I think I will now, even though it's July, because I don't want it gone forever.

Last week was Abigail's 6th grade spring concert.



She had to stand up in front with this shaker and keep the beat the whole song. I know she looks sad but she was just concentrating.



I always try to capture a little bit of happiness...



...and I love that little look between friends I captured!



It was choir and orchestra too.

High School Spring Concert

Guess where I was last night? Another orchestra concert. There are so so many smashed together but each one is a gem and I don't want to forget this precious life I lead.

So thanks Anna, for another evening of beautiful music.

Select Ensemble Middle School Concert

And then the very next night Abigail had her auditioned choir and auditioned orchestra concert.

Beautiful songs...



And amazing songs...






And she had a really cool solo!



Here's a little clip from her solo that Scott took:



Look at that smile!



And then she ran right on stage and played in the orchestra.





Such an awesome night!

Camarata Concert

Anna is in a select high school orchestra called Camarata. On Sunday afternoon there was an amazing concert.

I don't have any photos of Anna - she's a violist and the viola section is behind the cellos. Anna is meant to be a violist and I don't go to her orchestra concerts to see her but to hear her. 

But I want to document here and not forget. 

I gave her a huge hug when we saw her after and again later that night. I'm in awe of her - and it still amazes me that she's in such a talent orchestra.

Here is just a poor quality phone clip of a one of the songs:



Oh lucky am I that I get to sit and listen to such beautiful music?

On So Many Concerts

This was another concert - because I was so behind they are all mixed up in my mind. This one was in the middle of January and it was Abigail's select orchestra at her middle school and the select chorus - somewhere there must be a recording - but I just can't find it!









Take a look at little Abigail's stand partner.



Red head like her, but just a bit taller.



His name is Jacob - and I'm pretty sure he wasn't thrilled to be paired with a tiny 6th grader!





It was fun to have Grandma and Grandpa there





There really are so so many concerts in our evenings. We love to be all in a row, lined up listening to what our girls can do!

Luv Concert

Abigail performed at a choral concert at her middle school. It was really cool to see her 6th grade perform:







and then the entire high school join together with the 6th grade. Each choral group was taught different parts of the song and then they only put it together this night. Really awesome!

(she's in the front row right in front of the piano music stand)






Make these concert days last forever!