L12 played both her pieces beautifully this morning. She was obviously less nervous than Monday and put her heart and soul into Adoration, filling the church with music. She was very happy with her performance and her teacher and I agreed it was her personal best for the piece. The adjudicator made some very positive comments and a few pointers for further improvement, which I’m sure she will heed as she is performing it again in a couple of weeks at a fundraising concert. She received a great mark and the silver place certificate.

Also less nervous A10 played the Seitz Concerto better than I’ve ever heard her play it. She has worked very hard to be ready for today as her first rehearsal with the accompanist showed her that she was not yet prepared. She was thrilled to see her hard work result in a great performance, the adjudicator’s praise and the gold place certificate. This means she continues on to compete in a trophy class at the end of the week.

I am a Neil Young fan, have been for years. So is our friend Joe (but not his wife or my daughters! ). The other night Joe mentioned how good Neil’s new cd sounds and the next day when I returned home from a long day of lessons, rehearsals and ferrying young girls around, my sweet husband had placed an “encouragement gift” on the table for me.

Neil Young: Live at Massey Hall

Thank you.

Over the next five days I will be sitting listening to my girls perform in the Kiwanis Music Festival. They have been preparing for months, so I have actually listened to their pieces many times over already. The difference is that this week I must remember to breathe when they perform, I think I get more nervous than they do. Tomorrow L12 plays Tarantella by Drdla and A10 Broken Baroque by Ricky Hyslop.

Last weekend I read with interest and amazement the story about world renowned violinist, Joshua Bell. The Washington Post article gives a full account of his performance outside the Metro in Washington DC. He played for 43 minutes during rush hour and only seven people stopped to listen. Often there was just a rush of people going past, some throwing a quarter his way. This man who plays to full houses, where people pay $100 a seat, made less than $35.
Astounding.

I don’t think a day goes by at our house when we don’t hear one of the girls’ violin pieces. If it isn’t the girls practising it is likely that one of us will be singing or humming one of the tunes. The Suzuki method is based on learning through hearing first. When B6 was born we were listening to cd 1 &2 regularly so he listened along with us. Very early on in his life he was able to sing the songs from the repertoire in tune.

On Sunday we were able to listen to close to 100 students from Suzuki Music, the school we belong to. Once the children have mastered the first few Suzuki books in their private lessons they are given the opportunity to participate in orchestras and ensembles. L12 currently helps out in one of the first orchestras, for the members it is their first opportunity to play in an ensemble. Orchestra 2 is more advanced and it was their fundraising concert that we were attending. Each year Orchestra 2 travels to Montreal and does a couple of school concerts and some sightseeing. Last year A10 was a member of this orchestra.

Orchestra 2 had invited all the ensembles in the school to perform. The parent playing groups, the junior and senior flute ensembles, three junior orchestras and Stellae Boreales all contributed to a great program. We could see the progression possible for students in the school. Stellae Boreales, which L12 and A10 belong to is a violin choir. The standard is quite advanced and repertoire varied and exciting. Both our girls are enjoying the experience of learning and playing with the group. And we are enjoying listening.

We have been listening to the first cd from Australian singer/songwriter Matt Tonks. We’ve been listening quite a lot, actually, it’s that good.