I saw this meme posted somewhere this week and thought how accurate it is! The kids agreed...These are the things they've been surrounded with this year: -Dabbing -Water bottle flipping -Slime -Fidget Spinners
I think fidget spinners might be ok, if kids were actually using them discreetly and not as a toy and a distraction. Caeden made one out of Legos today, and it's pretty cool. (He will not be taking it to school.)
Sylvia played a solo in the ISU Community School for the Arts Spring Semester Student Recital today, and did a fabulous job.
While Annah and Caeden stayed at church for Beacon Youth Band lunch and rehearsal, Sylvia requested lunch at Moe's. Jeremy met us there and bought. Then Sylvia and I went to Kemp Hall to get ready and warm up in the performance space. We found seats on the front row, while [you can almost see] Jeremy and G'ma Sandi sat in the top row way behind us.
Sylvia asked me to accompany her. I am definitely not as good as the graduate assistant who would have accompanied her otherwise, but she really wanted to have practice time with me on her piece. I'm so glad she asked me to play for her. I didn't play perfectly, but she played so very well, and we had a good time rehearsing and performing together.
Most importantly, Sylvia was happy with her performance.
I am incredibly proud of Sylvia for her hard work and love of playing her cello!
After we talked with Jeremy and G'ma Sandi following the recital, the hall had cleared, so I asked Sylvia for a quick picture on stage with her cello. She looked really beautiful today.
As I looked back at this photo, it made me think of the song I sang for Sylvia at her baby dedication, Beautiful Little Girl, by Cheri Keaggy.
Beautiful little girl, discovering all the world. I wonder what she'll be, will she take after her Daddy or me? Careful to hold her hand, and help her to understand how much we love her so and how much we'd like to help her to grow...
Into a woman who loves her Maker and who knows what she's living for, so that nothing can harm or take her from You. For a woman who loves her Maker has a quality you can see that will certainly mold and shape her into the woman she's meant to be.
Beautiful little child adorning a lovely smile, eager to learn to fly. There's almost nothing she wouldn't try. Lord help us do our part to give her a Godly start. Teach her what she must learn and guide her until she's ready to turn...
Into a woman who loves her Maker and who knows what she's living for so that nothing can harm or take her from You. For a woman who loves her Maker has a quality you can see, that will certainly mold and shape her into the woman she's meant to be.
Beautiful little girl discovering all the world. I wonder what she'll be, serving her Maker faithfully.
After the recital, Dr. Ransom complimented and encouraged Sylvia about how beautifully she played. She also said it is really fun to watch the two of us play together, and that we look like twins. When I watch the video back, I can see that we do move with the music in a similar way. It is such a blessing to make music with my girl!
And, I am so thankful for Dr. Ransom's wonderful instruction and care for Sylvia!
Sylvia played in her final String Project concert today, and it was a good one.
To begin the concert, the Dolce, Allegro, and Vivace classes played. Then before the Sinfonia class played, Dr. Ransom, who is the director of the String Project recognized the graduating 8th graders who are finishing String Project and moving onto other things. Sylvia has been part of String project for 5 years--2.5 on violin and 2.5 on cello.
VIDEO:
I finally learned a little while ago that I get the best view of Sylvia while she is playing if I sit in the balcony on the opposite side of the stage where she sits in the orchestra.
(She is to the conductor's right, with her hair in braids.)
Although, G'ma Sandi (who we didn't see in the crowd until after the concert had started) had a pretty good view from where she sat too.
We really liked this pretty piece.
VIDEO: Lullaby
Sylvia really hated working on this piece this semester, though she loved getting to work with Ms. Klopfenstein, who conducted it.
VIDEO: Drawings
This was a fun one for a final Sinfonia performance.
VIDEO: Orange Jam
During the time the stage was being reset for the grand finale, I caught these yahoos behind me acting goofy.
They are pretty cute when they try.
But it doesn't last long.
Ugh.
The Grand Finale of the concert was all of the String Project students playing together for one piece! I didn't hear how many, but I'm sure it's over 100 kids. Pretty awesome to see!
VIDEO: Orpheus in the Underworld
The ISU String Project is part of a national consortium, and is such a wonderful program! It not only benefits the children in grades 2-8, but it gives the undergraduate and graduate students who conduct the classes and give private lessons the opportunity to get hands-on teaching experience all through their college years. It's been a great experience for our girls for 6 years, and we are really grateful!
G'ma Sandi went up to the stage after the concert to congratulate Sylvia.
I sent Caeden down to catch her and invite her to lunch before she got away. We all met Sylvia in the crowded lobby.
Sylvia and her cello friend, Hannah.
We found a less-crowded end of the foyer, and asked another family to take our picture. It will seem weird not to battle to get in and out of the parking lot at Cook Hall every Monday night next fall, but we move on to new adventures! Thank you, String Project!
We enjoyed our traditional lunch at Carl's Ice Cream after the concert. Oh yeah!!!
I snapped a picture of Jennifer during her piano lesson this morning. I really love all my unique, wonderful students, and the time I get to spend with them!
Jeremy and Caeden walked in a parade in Lexington this morning, to help increase awareness of the Ridgeview Youth Wrestling Club. Several kids in the club live in Lexington, and we also hope for a JH/HS wrestling co-op with the school in the future, as many of our sports are already in a co-op situation. It was a beautiful morning for a parade!
Ridgeview Music Department put on the annual Family Fun Night last night. Just as for the past several years, the kids and I ran the cupcake walk. This fundraiser is for the kids to raise money towards the HS band/choir trip to Disney World that happens every 4 years. Since Annah has already gone on her trip, she was not working to earn money but because she was "drafted" to the student leadership team. Her job was to oversee the activities in the south gym--facepainting, bouncehouse, Guitar Hero, balloon animals, etc. Sylvia and Caeden were working to earn money for their trip in 2020! Sylvia helped me run the cupcake walk all 3 hours. She even participated with Morgan when there was no one else walking the circle with her.
I didn't get a picture of Caeden, but he did a lot of jobs tonight, actually. Though he was scheduled to help run the cupcake walk, he filled in for someone who didn't show up and helped Sophia run the Gatorade bottle ring toss for a while. For about 2 hours though, he carried 4 paper bags around and approached people about buying raffle tickets for a chance to throw a pie in the face of Addie, Allison, or one of the directors. This was one of those times where his complete lack of shyness came in very handy!
As things were winding down, Annah had Shelby draw a caricature of her as a unicorn-fairy-mermaid-magical-musical-princess! Shelby is an incredibly talented artist, and Annah feels very lucky to have such a special piece of her work!
Ridgeview's 4th-8th grades Spring Concert was great this evening! Grandma Sandi came out to Colfax again to cheer on Sylvia and Caeden!
Annah took pictures and video of the choirs.
Caeden is on the top row, 4th head from the right.
This song is so cute! (Though I should have started practicing it at the beginning of the semester like the kids did, rather than the day before the concert!) It is a well known J.S. Bach fugue, with very cute words about kids during cold and flu season!
VIDEO: Cold and Fugue Season
VIDEO: 3 Little Birds
Caeden sang in a trio at the end of this piece!
VIDEO: Changamano
In 6th grade band's pieces, Caeden played bells, tambourine, snare drum, castanets, and other percussion instruments. I think percussion is perfect for keeping him focused and on his toes!
6th grade band played several pieces from their beginning band book that I did not record. However, they are advanced for a typical Ridgeview 6th grade band and also played 2 difficult pieces that were great! This one is the theme from the Indiana Jones movies. (Caeden found it a little disappointing that it was May 4th [think Star Wars and "May the 4th/force be with you] and two non-Star Wars John Williams pieces were played on the concert.)
This piece is really cool!
The JH choir presented several songs.
VIDEO: "Don't Stop"
VIDEO: "Three Contemporary Latin Settings"
Sylvia sang a very difficult improv/scat solo in this song, and I was super proud of how she did! She had a really rough day with her voice actually...Last night she had a bit of laryngitis and was drinking hot tea all day today to try to help that. Then she had 2 huge asthma attacks during the school day today, and had to use her rescue inhaler 5 times in a row with each one. Then she had another asthma attack during intermission of the concert--right before the JH choir's performance!
VIDEO: "Blue Skies"
VIDEO: I'm a Believer
We finally thought to sit where we could see Sylvia play her horn in the band!
VIDEO: "Hedwig's Theme"
VIDEO: "Benediction"
All of the kids did a great job performing this evening, and it was fun to be part of making music together!!!
