Spring 2019 Recitals

These guys work so hard to improve at their piano and it shows!

Gabe didn't have the easiest term and has decided that he will not continue with piano lessons. He has asked to try playing the drums, which isn't exactly something we are cool with, so we are narrowing it down to playing the bells and snare drum in the High Point Homeschool Beginners Band. If he does well and works hard, we can see about going further with that...

In the meantime, we are very proud of him for sticking with piano for three years and thankful to Cathy Lamb for all her hard work and patience with him.

Olivia continues to excel at her piano studies. She going to attend UNCG's piano camp this summer, giving her a taste of college life a little early! She does so well and works so hard that we can't possibly complain about the results!

2018 Fall Piano Recitals

Spring Recitals

After another long term of practice and lessons, it was time for the spring piano recitals. One thing we've wanted is for the kids to each have at least two years of piano. It builds so many great things! Discipline, artistic talent, an appreciation for music of all kinds and possibly an open door to new instruments if they want to try something else. If, after two years, they decide they don't want to continue, that's fine, but they'll at least come out on the other end having tried and learned something new. 

Gabe worked so hard on his piece. He struggles with frustration when he can't seem to get things right and the spring recital is always harder. The kids have to memorize their pieces, which just adds that extra degree of difficulty to an already hard piece. He made it through and has said that he wants to continue through the summer and fall, so we'll see how things fare this winter.

Olivia continues to work on her music and Ms Lamb has really pushed her this year with difficult lessons and pieces. This one was 4 whole pages that Olivia had to memorize! So far, she's certainly our most musically inclined child and could go far if she wants to put in the effort.

We're so proud of both of them for the hard work they put in and for persevering through the tougher times when they don't feel like continuing. I think the end result shows that they both have some solid skill and talent that will serve them well in life!

Piano Recital - Spring 2017

It's time again for the kids' piano recitals and we couldn't be more proud. Both Gabe and Olivia worked so hard and their diligence paid off. Their spring recitals always involve memorizing their pieces, so it makes it so much harder.

Unfortunately, Gabe's video didn't come out, but he was PERFECT! He was nervous about making a mistake, so we got there early enough for him to practice his piece and he knocked it out of the park. Later, I had him play it at home so I could record it.

Fall Recitals

Gabe had his very first recital this week and he did so well! 

He practiced really hard for it and it paid off. We are so proud of him for doing such a great job.

Olivia, who is old-hat at this now ;), also had hers and did a wonderful job as well. It took her a while to get a hand of this piece because it had a lot of chords to it rather than a straight melody. She lost her place at one point, but did a great job of keeping her wits and soldiering on.

Great job, guys! :)

Olivia's Recital - Spring 2016

Olivia had her Spring Recital today. She did wonderfully. It amazes me each time just how much she improves and how hard she works to learn her songs. 

There's no question in my mind that Olivia's got a lot of talent and can go as far as she wants to with her music.

As usual, the kids got some running-around time along with some snacks afterwards

 It's not often that I get a decent picture of all 5 kids, but today I was able to get 3! :) Unfortunately, the wind was blowing, so it was hard to keep it out of the littles' faces.

Olivia's Winter Recital - 2015

Olivia's piece for this winter's recital was the Overture from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite. 

She really improving and works so hard to learn her pieces each week.

Olivia's Recital - Spring 2015

Olivia continues to amaze us with how much she improves on the piano each season. This particular piece took a long time for her to master, but she did it! Her teacher, Ms. Lamb, gave her the option of just doing the first movement, but Olivia was determined to do them both. 

She worked really hard at it and it all came together. We couldn't be more proud of her drive. :)

Our beautiful musician with her flowers from Nana and Pop-Pop, who came to support her as always! :)

Olivia's Holiday Recital

Olivia had another recital today and she did wonderfully! As a dad, I'm anxious for her whenever these things come around. I really want her to do well because I know how hard she's practiced. This time, we picked a version of My Dreidel that was pretty tough for her. It was fairly long and had a key change in it that took her a while to master. I really can't express how proud I am of her and how well she's been doing with her lessons and practicing. 

Afterwards, There were the usual collection of cookies and since it was a nice day, we took them outside to eat. Nana and Pop-pop came to support Olivia and gave her some beautiful flowers and a candy cane. :)

  After their cookies, they burned off some of that excess energy.

Olivia's Piano Recital - Spring 2014

Olivia had her spring piano recital last weekend and did such a wonderful job! Ms. Lamb challenged her (and her other students) to memorize her piece, which was Bach's Minuet in G. Olivia was chosen to go first because she is one of her strongest and most confident students and wouldn't be shaken by being the first to perform. Sure enough, she was great! 

Nana, Grandpa and Grandma were all on-hand to cheer her on.

She got some very pretty flowers.