:-)

Here are some videos of the kids playing at the assisted living home. Lots of fun!

Spring Recital!

The children have been so busy with piano lately, but they love it.  They've worked extra hard this year, and it has really paid off.  Within one month, they had 3 performances for which to prepare.  The experience of performing in front of various groups of people is stressful on them, but it teaches them so much more than just musical skills.  They've learned how to study and practice and prepare, how to be organized and meet a deadline, how to perform under pressure, how to deal with the public, and how to persevere until something is finished.  Now, they get to sit back and enjoy that satisfied feeling one gets when it's all completed!

Here they are with their piano teacher.  (If you look closely, you'll see a spot of lipstick on the right side of Seth's forehead where an adoring fan gave him a smooch...the subject of much teasing for my little "chick magnet" around here!)

Below are some clips from their Spring Recital.  Seth has been taking for about 7 months.  He's moving very quickly and loving it.  He had 2 pieces in a row at one point, so his teacher told him it wasn't necessary to stand and bow between songs, just to nod and acknowledge the audience.  Caleb has always said that Seth has the advantage with any audience because of his dimples, and I think that proves to be a true statement with this video.  It's so darn cute!  Love my little Sunshine.

So Much Fun!

My mother-in-law and I took the big kids to 2 assisted living centers yesterday to play piano. One of the centers was an Alzheimer's center. They were scheduled to play for 30 minute sessions, which is the first time they had played for such a long period of time without stopping. We had so much fun, and it was a really good experience in so many ways for the kids. Here are a few clips:

Caleb, Musette in D Major by Bach


Madelyn, Morning Has Broken (they really loved this piano!)


Caleb, Good Morning Blues. The residents really liked this one. They were dancing at the Alzheimer's place, but the piano was so out of tune that the video sounds bad, so I'll post this one instead.


Madelyn, Habanera from Carmen


At the Alzheimer's center, one of them asked if Madelyn could play "God Bless America", and she said she couldn't, but he started singing it anyway while she played something else. They all sang to all of the hymns. I was really proud of how they stayed focused on their playing and still enjoyed the residents as well.

Seth & KK, Heart and Soul

Seth has his first recital this Sunday. He's only been taking lessons for 2 months and is obviously not ready for performing yet, but I love his zeal. He would have been crushed if I'd told him he couldn't go, now that he has joined the ranks of "piano players" in our family. He has raced through his first book already and practices all the time, so KK worked with him to play this little duet. I'm so glad we took him! It was good for him, but also the residents fell in love with his dimples and big brown eyes. One lady walked him around and introduced him to everyone there! He loved every second of it.

Also, there were 2 piano teachers there, 1 retired and 1 still giving lessons at 90 years old! They were very encouraging to the kids.

For Sunday's recital, KK and Sis are playing (separately), 2 of my favorite pieces of music. It's been a joy to hear them practice for the past few months. For my FB friends, I've already posted these on Facebook, but I thought I'd put them here again for those who aren't. I'm so thankful for the hard work and dedication my children have put into piano. It's really paying off now.

Moonlight Sonata, Beethoven


Canon in D, Pachelbel