Annah's last Velocity

We came back home today just in time for the kids to go to youth group--Annah's last one!  

Annah's last lesson with Ruthie

This afternoon we said a bittersweet goodbye to violin lessons with Ruthie.  She is soon expecting her fourth child and has decided it's time to take a break from teaching.  We completely understand and are very happy for her.  We will really miss her.

Ruthie has been Annah's teacher for 9 years, from the very first moment Annah picked up a violin.  Sylvia took lessons from her for 5 years too, until she switched to cello.  

The impact Ruthie has had on the girls' lives is immense.  I could never properly thank her.  

She is gentle and patient and sweet.  She is kind and creative and supportive.  She has taught the girls so much about music and their instruments, and she has been a consistent example of loveliness in every way of life.  She has been a friend and colleague to me--in music, motherhood, and Christian walk. 

Yes, I believe change is good.  It is good to learn from multiple people and perspectives.  We will find someone to continue teaching Annah violin.  I just don't think there is any way I could ever convey to Ruthie how incredibly grateful I am for all she has been in our lives.  Anytime you spend [even half an hour a week] 9 years with someone--in any form--they're going to have an influence of some kind in your life.  Ruthie has just shown and taught us such grace.  Her influence has been so much more than notes on a page, finger positions, theory, and techniques--and even much more than music.  

We love her.  We are ever-so-grateful that God brought our lives together!

I put this collage together and had one printed for Ruthie.  The girls wrote the poem in the top left corner. (Click on the picture to make it big enough to read.)  These are just a few pictures of precious  musical times with Ruthie. 

Peeking through the window during today's lesson...

Thank you, Ruthie.  

We love you, and we pray the best for your family!  

String Project Spring Concert

The String Project Spring Concert was wonderful today!  

Jeremy dropped Sylvia off at 8:45 for rehearsal, and went to pick up Mom and Dad at their hotel.  I brought Annah over to the CPA after her band performance, and she was able to be there for most of the Sinfonia rehearsal in Kemp Hall.  

We were able to get into the hall early and caught a little bit of all 4 groups rehearsing their final number.  Well over 100 string players...

The 7th and 8th graders from all groups played a fun little piece together today.

And the 8th graders who are "graduating" from the String Project program were recognized as well.  It was a little bittersweet to know Annah is finished with this awesome experience, but neat to see her 4 years or participation recognized.

I really like this piece.  It's very cool the way the jig and Greensleeves are juxtaposed and traded between the sections many times over the course of the performance.  Also, I like that this is not a simplified arrangement, but the original composition.  The kids listened to several other performances of it, and studied it quite a bit while learning and rehearsing it.

One of the current ISU students who is working with Sinfonia is also a teacher in one of the local high schools.  His concentration is jazz, so he had the ensemble work on jazz.  It was quite interesting to hear an all-string ensemble play jazz.  Sylvia found it very challenging.

The Grand Finale of the concert was all 4 of the String Project groups (Dolce, Allegro, Vivace, and Sinfonia) performing Beethoven's Ode to Joy together.  It was great!

Taking a bow...

We are so grateful Annah and Sylvia have had the opportunity to be part of the String Project!