Ashley had her choir concert last night, the final event of our week of music. All of the choirs sang various medleys from movie and stage. Ashley’s group did pieces from Gypsy, Lion King, Annie, and Les Miz. I think the 5th grade choir was the best of the bunch. It was a LONG concert, with 6 sets of songs (show choir, 5th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade, and a parent choir). The parent choir did a Les Miz medley. They did alright, and Ashley had told me I should join that group. I just didn’t have the evenings available for rehearsal.

Here are the songs from Ashley! She is in the second from the top row, third or 4th kid in from the right.

We start with numbers from Gypsy and Annie.

Next up, The Lion King.

And finally, Castle on a Cloud.

Tomorrow night is Kayla’s graduation dance. Hard to believe that she is one week away from graduating!

Today was Ashley’s piano recital! She was nervous going into it because she had 3 challenging and longer pieces. Two of the pieces were her own choice, the third was more of a teacher/parent choice which made it more challenging. She was the last solo performer of the day, followed by 2 high school aged ladies that performed a piano/vocal duet.  What made this recital a little different was that the first two performers were complete beginners (one hand at a time pieces), then a medium level, then a 7th and 9th grade pair of sisters who are fairly experience, then Ashley.

Ashley’s first piece was Canon in D. This was the one that her teacher encouraged her to do. It’s a staple piece that she felt all pianists should know because it is familiar to so many people in your audience.

Ashley’s second piece was her choice, “I Dreamed a Dream” from the Les Miz book. She has been working extra hard on things like dynamics and using those dynamics for emotional effect.

Ashley’s third piece was also her choice, “Fur Elise”. She wanted a harder version than the beginner one she play so long ago. So I went online and found it for her, and she learned it. She plans to continue practicing it so that she can enter the Solo and Ensemble context next February with it. I think she stands a good chance of a high mark at contest given what it sounds like already!

We have a choral concert on Tuesday, and that will wrap up our musical week!

On a sad note, today Kevin said a final goodbye to his friend Jon, who passed away on Mother’s Day at the age of 42 from colon cancer. Kevin was not able to attend Ashley’s recital, but he did reconnect with so many of his friends who all came out for the service. Jon lived locally, and Kevin spent many a gaming day playing with him. Kevin got to see him last weekend several times before he died, and Kevin was able to be helpful to Jon’s family, who he has known for decades as well.