This was a super busy day to end a super busy week! First things first – we got to meet Kieran and be overwhelmed by all of the cheeks. I don’t have too many pictures with Shannon using her camera, I just didn’t pull mine out enough. And Kayla was still coughing a bunch, so we kept her away from Kieran some.
The next big thing was Kayla’s Honors Band event today. Honors Band is an organized event sponsored by Music Education Services, the group that comes in and does the band program in Kayla’s school. All of the directors choose their best students to invite to this event. Kayla was one of 6 who attended today from her school. There were over 200 kids there from as far away as Rockford (3+ hour drive). The kids spend HOURS in sectional rehearsals and whole group rehearsals throughout the day, breaking only for lunch and a quick snack. They are working to perfect pieces that they have only ever practiced alone at home. At the end of the event, the kids perform the pieces in a concert. It is so cool to hear how great the kids sound performing pieces they had not ever played together until today. I am not posting all of the songs, just a few.
Here are some pictures of Kayla in morning group rehearsal (pink shirt), attacking her Jimmy John’s slim 6 at our picnic lunch in front of the hosting church, and in afternoon rehearsal/concert (concert dress).
The first video is of all of the band teachers performing for the kids. They did a John Williams medley in honor of Star Wars Appreciation Day (May the 4th). I missed the very beginning, but here is the rest.
Kayla began her concert playing the national anthem. Remember, these are 6th-8th grade students…..
This next piece is called “After Burn”. Kayla hates this piece because her part is to play middle C 260 times. It’s a very boring repetitious part, but necessary to the overall song. It is supposed to be the musical story of the Air Force F-22 Raptors performing maneuvers.
This was Kayla’s last piece, “Picture at an Exhibition”. It’s a musical version of strolling through an art museum. Dad was able to come for the concert, and he knew this one right away because he played the same piece on the clarinet when he was Kayla’s age. Too weird!
Kayla is exhausted! She played her clarinet for hours today with kids just like her and guest conductors that treated them like serious musicians. She enjoyed the whole thing, and we are so glad she was healthy enough to go!
Next week: Music part 2 – Ashley edition!
Very nice, Kayla! 🙂 We enjoyed your concert thanks to Mommy and these wonderful videos! You have a very special musical talent. I am so glad that you were well enough to play for your special invitation only concert.
It was indeed a very busy week! It passed by very quickly with Kieran, Aunt Shannon and Uncle Jon visiting. I miss them already!
Lots of love for a job very well done,
Gramma xxxx
Good morning from the East Coast! So happy that Kayla was well enough to visit with Kieran and make her performance! Just love the Kieran visits photos….especially the multi generation one!! Hoping that Gramma’s knee now has less pain than before surgery!! Kayla, what a wonderful experience playing with such talented band members!! Kudos to you! I used to play clarinet in the marching band and oboe in a special concert band, then in high school! Guess what, Ashley and Kayla, on May 22nd, I will be assisting two of my special needs students in our school concert! Both of you know the importance, percussion has in the over-all success of a band…….. Well, both my students are in percussion!! One can read music, the other cannot!! Wish me luck!! We are looking forward to Ashley, music part 2! Hugs and love!!!! 🙂
Great pictures again! Kieran was such a social butterfly, and a cute one at that.
Kayla, I am so glad you got to have this day. You will always remember it. I haven’t been able to listen to the videos yet because someone chewed on my earbuds, but the pictures are awesome. How perfect that you were on the end of the row so that we all could see you so well!
It was SO GOOD seeing you girls and your parents too! Kieran LOVED meeting you. I have lots of pictures that I will be posting soon to our blog (probably over the next several days). I also have some that I saved just for you, so I’ll email those along tonight.
Kayla – the Honors Band seems like it was such a cool thing. It is amazing how different it is to play with a whole band of kids as dedicated and talented as you are. There is nothing that will make you a better player than challenging yourself and surrounding yourself with others who share your passion. So proud!
Ashley – I can’t wait for Music Part 2! Kieran really loved your piano playing too. I have been singing Bear Necessities all week!!
We wish we could have spent more time with you girls, though it seems that visits with us bring out the sickness in you! Next time, hopefully we’ll all be healthy.
Love you all! ~ Aunt Schnah