Just Add Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust: orchestra

Showing posts with label orchestra. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Anna's Final College Orchestra Concert

*This was written back in April and now it's of course July. I couldn't post back then because there was an announcement at the end -- Anna's plans for a masters and sixth year at Fairfield. If you missed what that's all about, check this out*

It was Anna's final college orchestra concert and boy, it was an amazing one. Probably the best one in all four years.

I was so excited, beaming, and in tears throughout, especially the end when the seniors were recognized. I'll get to that part in just a bit.

First, I want to start by expressing my gratitude to the College of the Holy Cross Orchestra. That space, that place, those Tuesday and Thursday evenings held my daughter in a beautiful way.

It helped her to grow musically. It allowed her to continue playing her viola. It was safe and comfortable when she was adjusting. Yet it helped her to grow musically and socially beyond high school level.

So so grateful.

Here are some orchestra college posts that I love.

This one was her first picture of her very first rehearsal. I remember being so happy to see this pop up on my phone ~ September 2021

This post is when she showed us her rehearsal space when we visited her for Family Weekend. She looks so so happy! ~ October 2021

This post is her first college orchestra concert (back when masks were required) ~ November 2021

This post is her spring concert freshman year ~ March 2022

This post is her freshman year End of Year concert ~ April 2022

This post is her sophomore fall concert ~ November 2022

This post is her sophomore year Lessons and Carols ~ December 2022

This post is her sophomore year spring concert ~ March 2023

This post is her sophomore year End of Year concert ~ April 2023

This post is her junior year fall concert ~ November 2023

This post is her junior year Lessons and Carols concert ~ December 2023

Then Anna left for study abroad in China from December 27, 2023 - June 2024

This post is her senior year fall concert ~ November 2024

This post is her senior year Lessons and Carols concert ~ December 2024

This post is her senior year spring concert ~ March 2025 (the only one I missed) 😢

And that brings us to her very last College of the Holy Cross orchestra concert ~ April 2025

~ driving in

~ spotting her dorm and her window

~ the beautiful Performing Arts Center

~ sunset over the hill

~ arriving and sending a few moments before the concert began

~ a last concert present

At this point before our favorite song of Holy Cross the seniors were honored. I know that I can express my emotions on this blog but this moment truly took me by surprise. I saw that 'little' girl up there about to be recognized and honored as a college senior and I felt an overwhelming feeling of gratitude to God for what could have been, what she has walked through, and what her life is now. It was something, I tell you!

Here is a video of the concert.

And if you scroll to 1:24:18 you can see her senior night moment.

Saturday, May 10, 2025

Suzuki Orchestra Concert

We started our girls in Suzuki lessons when they were just 4 years old. The orchestras came when they were in elementary school. That is a lot of Suzuki orchestras. I've loved every single concert. I was sad today, Abigail's final concert. A chapter in our life ended today - I am so grateful for all of the memories and the fact that they will always have their music and gift of being able to play the viola.

Here is the livestream link ~ Opus (the orchestra Abigail plays in) starts at 1:06

Saturday, March 8, 2025

Where I Left Off ~ And A College Orchestra Concert

Well goodness! I had such a plan to blog more and keep our memories alive since it feels like life if changing so fast! The last post I did was a look back at college orchestra concerts. And, yes, they are still wonderful. But gosh I missed that one! Scott actually drove up and listened, just him.

(and he took all of the pictures I asked him to!)

Gosh... I love these next two pictures so much! I love their smiles. I love how Scott got up there after such a long day at his school. I love that she's holding her viola. And I love how happy it made her that here daddy was there.

I was so so sick. Although the doctor confirmed it wasn't flu or anything else by name, it sure knocked me out for a week... fever, chills, cough, awful I tell you. And the worst of it was I kept going to school. I wasn't trying to be a work hero or something. I just kept thinking, "there is no way I'll still have a fever today..." so off to my classroom I went. And when I got there day after day the chills just wouldn't go away. I dread writing sub plans so I just kept at it, probably not the best idea. I rested and rested the weekend in between being sick and this week I hosted 21 parent teacher conferences. Wipe out, I tell you! I am so glad it's the weekend.

We've had so much emotion and things going on in our little family. I have two seniors this year and both have B I G decisions to make. It's not easy, I tell you! Not easy at all. Meanwhile Scott and I are keeping things moving day to day while he runs his school and I run my classroom. I know my girls being home is just a little bit left, so even though it's kinda crazy, we are soaking it in.

So that's where we are right now. The list is too long but the days are getting longer with sunshine! Of course my plan is to blog more... we shall see!

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

A Look Back at College Concerts

Oh my - more lasts

It's hard to believe that we are walking one senior through her lasts and another one at the same time.

Lots of emotions.

Lots of big decisions.

Lots of change.

I am so grateful for the rhythm of my 'regular days' that are so much work (teaching) but so wonderful to begin to forget all about big things, ha!

I am typing as we are headed up to Anna's college for one of her last concerts. It's not the - last - , but close to it. It will be her last playing in this venue. I was there for the opening in 2022. It's a wonderful auditorium and I will miss it.

I really am so blessed and grateful that Anna chose to play in her college orchestra. For us as parents it allowed us to visit often and be a part of something beautiful. Music makes things more beautiful in the world, I am convinced.

I thought I'd try to get all of Anna's concerts on one post. So here they are:

Freshman Year

November 2021 (masks were still a thing)