Solo & Ensemble Weekend

This past weekend was Solo & Ensemble Festival. This is an event where students can perform a piece for a judge, get feedback from that judge, and earn a medal for participating. All students earn at least a bronze medal (III), but can earn silver (II) or gold (I) for performances that meet the judging criteria. This was Kayla’s 5th and final year participating. She has 4 gold medals from her previous events, and so hoped to close out her run with a 5th gold. She had a song called “Donkey Ride”, which had 16th note runs and grace notes scattered. She had a little bobble, but all around it sounded good!

And her result…

kayla.solo.result

Yep, that’s a 5th gold medal for Kayla!

While this was Kayla’s final event, it was also Ashley’s first event. She was the only 5th grade pianist performing, mostly because middle schools around here are usually 6th-8th not 5th-8th like Big Hollow. That and many 5th graders have not been playing long enough to want to face a judge! Ashley did not want anyone in the room with her, so I have video of her playing the song here at home. The judge have her a short mini-lesson with feedback. She played a version of “Swan Lake”. (And at the end you will know that Kevin tested into Gryffindor!).

And her result…

ashley.solo.result

Also a gold medal for Ashley! Prior to this medal, Ashley had talked about maybe quitting lessons. Now, she is talking about wanting a more challenging version of Fur Elise for next year’s event!

And now a few random pics from a week or two ago. I had a little fun with the pancakes I made, making sure everyone knew whose pancakes belonged to who!

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3 thoughts on “Solo & Ensemble Weekend

  1. Great performances Kayla and Ashley! I am not surprised Kayla finished her run with a 5th gold medal! And Ashley was amazing, especially with but being her first time to be judged! Congratulations, girls!! 🙂 I’m a very proud Gramma!
    I hope Ashley will continue piano lessons. You have such a special natural talent. I know from personal experience that I wish I had not quit piano lessons when I was young. I know that the practicing every day is no fun, especially when it’s something new, but it will be so worth it, and you are so good!
    Pancakes with names!! That’s very funny, and i don’t know how you did it, but what fun! 🙂
    I hope Kayla will get to play her clarinet in high school at Woodland Academy. There again, you have such natural talent, Kayla! (besides, Gizmo likes to hear you play!). 😉
    Lots of love, big hugs, and congrats!!
    Gramma xoxoxo

    • Pancakes with names: I put batter in a snack bag and snipped a corner. I piped the name (backwards) onto the griddle, then dumped the rest of the batter on top of that.

  2. Kayla,
    I don’t remember myself, ever being that good, playing the Clarinet ! I am so proud of you! Five Gold Medals . . . WOW !!!! 🙂
    Ashley,
    A well deserved First Gold Medal !! 🙂 🙂 :), and rightly so, that was a beautiful performance. I know it has to be much more difficult when you are playing, and being judged for how you perform. You did it all beautifully . . . WOW !!!! 🙂

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