Today's the big day. I never sleep well on 'Recital Eve'. Where'd the stands go, who took the pedal? We forgot to get the programs done? (Promise, they are done, and they are bigger than ever!)
Recital to me is so many different things. I always have flashbacks to four years ago when I was so afraid it was my last recital with my 'kids'. Or the triumph of three years ago (I'm still here!).
I remember Jay M's first recital, with his crouch like bow and huge smile. Jillian's realization that she did a GREAT job and then how it was even better for me when she invited me to her Christmas Pagent and she played the organ just a few short months later. Or the time Rachel stopped half way through....the entire time I was thinking that has the phrasing but doesn't sound exactly right............and she FLIPPED THE PAPER from top to bottom. Oh how we all laughed on that one. In my mind, there are 130 different stories just like this one.
I have been blessed to be a part of these girls and boys lives. I have seen them grow. I have learned their likes and dislikes, their plans for the future. who wants to be a mechanic when they grow up, who wants to be an occupational therapist. This knowledge is just as exciting and important to me as the few who tell me I want to go into music for a career. They are all important choices, and I am proud that they feel I am important enough to share this knowledge with.
I have been shown school projects, awards and pictures of prom dresses. I have felt honored each time.
It's been a long year with highs and lows. Ms. Joanna had the girls. I challenged Baroque this year, and it shows, and they are fantastic! We had a family whose girls and Mom I am very close with lose Mom to a long illness. As her daughter plays today, I know she will be there with us. I hope that we all feel her, and that I don't think of her and cry.
Oh, the crying. All the kids were warned during masterclass. I cry. I give them a pep talk before recitals (there are two this year, so many musicians!) I remind them what to expect, to wait for their name, to know I am watching them as they play but might not be when they are done as I'm looking for the next name to call out. That I love them, am proud of them and know they will do a bang up job. And I cry. And they laugh. Every year it's the same......and yet it's different.
Recital to me is mainly about all of these children. I love each and every one of them for different reasons. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
So with all the pre recital drama (I lost my tickets, seats are assigned? We have to be switched to another recital because of this this and that) and the set up (how many seats? where do you want the piano, you need HOW MANY baroque stools....14 this year......) it will all fly by like an instant, and we will then resume our regular lessons tomorrow.
And I'll love remembering every minute of it. Sing with you Soon! Miss Sandie
Recital to me is so many different things. I always have flashbacks to four years ago when I was so afraid it was my last recital with my 'kids'. Or the triumph of three years ago (I'm still here!).
I remember Jay M's first recital, with his crouch like bow and huge smile. Jillian's realization that she did a GREAT job and then how it was even better for me when she invited me to her Christmas Pagent and she played the organ just a few short months later. Or the time Rachel stopped half way through....the entire time I was thinking that has the phrasing but doesn't sound exactly right............and she FLIPPED THE PAPER from top to bottom. Oh how we all laughed on that one. In my mind, there are 130 different stories just like this one.
I have been blessed to be a part of these girls and boys lives. I have seen them grow. I have learned their likes and dislikes, their plans for the future. who wants to be a mechanic when they grow up, who wants to be an occupational therapist. This knowledge is just as exciting and important to me as the few who tell me I want to go into music for a career. They are all important choices, and I am proud that they feel I am important enough to share this knowledge with.
I have been shown school projects, awards and pictures of prom dresses. I have felt honored each time.
It's been a long year with highs and lows. Ms. Joanna had the girls. I challenged Baroque this year, and it shows, and they are fantastic! We had a family whose girls and Mom I am very close with lose Mom to a long illness. As her daughter plays today, I know she will be there with us. I hope that we all feel her, and that I don't think of her and cry.
Oh, the crying. All the kids were warned during masterclass. I cry. I give them a pep talk before recitals (there are two this year, so many musicians!) I remind them what to expect, to wait for their name, to know I am watching them as they play but might not be when they are done as I'm looking for the next name to call out. That I love them, am proud of them and know they will do a bang up job. And I cry. And they laugh. Every year it's the same......and yet it's different.
Recital to me is mainly about all of these children. I love each and every one of them for different reasons. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
So with all the pre recital drama (I lost my tickets, seats are assigned? We have to be switched to another recital because of this this and that) and the set up (how many seats? where do you want the piano, you need HOW MANY baroque stools....14 this year......) it will all fly by like an instant, and we will then resume our regular lessons tomorrow.
And I'll love remembering every minute of it. Sing with you Soon! Miss Sandie
Best of luck today - I sure wish 'somebody we know' were there playing.... :( Congrats on another successful year!
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