Piano Recital 2017

Getting ready for this piano recital was the toughest thing we have done as a family in some ways.  Whew!  The girls are both at the point where the easy books are too easy.  And the next step up are pretty hard.  There were lots of tears.  There was maybe even some shouting.  As a result, this is Libby's last recital.

She is going to take a break from piano to "focus" on clarinet (meaning actually practice clarinet, which she hasn't been doing).  

Anyway, the hard work and sweat were worth it.  The result was pretty great.

Sarah's number was "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus".  She played it with such vigor (and had lots of trouble mastering it--so also with lots of mistakes).  Her recital performance was the best she'd ever played it.  I never want to hear it again in my life.

Libby's song is really beautiful.  "Silver and Gold" from one of those classic stop motion Christmas movies.  She got the first page right away and it sounded great.  Then she kept playing only the first page for several weeks.  Finally Sarah tattled on her.  So I had to supervise and help with every practice that I possibly could after that.  It was a hard song.  And we worked hard.  Whew!  She went out on a high note I guess.

  

Ben had just learned to play with both hands about 3 weeks ago.  He started immediately on his Christmas songs.  I was proud of his willingness to learn Rudolf.  It even has a flat!

Ben gets pretty bad stage fright.  He sobbed the first time I had him practice saying his name at home.  But we practiced that many times too, and he nailed it.  You wouldn't have even known he was nervous at all! 

We are thankful for our great piano teacher--Laurie Shorten.  Libby will miss spending time with Laurie much more than she will practicing piano!  I expect Libby will still sit down and improvise from time to time.  That has always been her favorite part.  Anyway, Nortons don't quit.  Unless the time is right to move on.