Holy Cow! February is Short!

I can't believe it's been almost a month since the last time I posted. I am going to blame it on February since it is such a short month, but I don't really believe that has anything to do with it.

I am finding that I like posting videos of performances since it gives us a way to track progress - so look forward to seeing a Naji video really soon. His orchestra has come a long way since August. He, as a musician, has come a long way, and I have finally found a way for him to play with the family (Yep, I got some new books called "Fiddler's Philharmonic" and I love them.)

But the new addition of orchestra instrumentation has not stopped the expression of band instruments at our house. Sure, Bobo's learning to play the cello has had some wonderful side effects. She now reads the bass clef well. This helps her play the piano and has helped her transfer her trumpet skills to trombone. Unfortunately, the more she loves the cello (she was made first chair this semester) the more she wines about the trombone (she is playing trombone with the school band now as they only have one other trombonist).

Anyway, long story short - in honor of February - I am posting videos of our jazz band playing at Sterling Court (an assisted living residence). Look forward to future posts including Naji (see above), the Dixie College Orchestra, and things I've learned in Organ Lessons.

PS - The Line Up
Runs Throughs:
Joan - Keyboards
Joseph - Tenor Sax
Bobo - Trombone
Sam - Bass
Cameron - Trombone
Kileens:
Mike - Trumpet
Logan - Trumpet
Connor - Alto Sax
Edys:
Jon - Guitar

Out with the Old - In with the New

Yep. Out with the old Holiday Season and in with the New Festival Season. Bobo has really been exploring her musical chops this year. Unfortunatly, I didn't film her performance in the Honor Band, but the next week -- when I found out she was also in the Honor Orchestra -- I couldn't resist capturing that on film.

Joseph invited me to his performance with the Saxophone Ensemble at the Mozart Festival. I asked him if the tune they were playing was any good. He told me it was pretty easy, but that they'd had to double up parts since since they had too many players so there were two people on first alto. What he failed to tell me is that he was one of them. That's him on the far left playing a borrowed Selmer Mach something or other. All I know is it sure sounds good!

Worst Cools

Both Naji and Joseph got the opportunity to hoop dance this month. Naji danced for his 4th grade talent show. Although he loves dancing, the attention it got him was a little much for him. After a couple of days of being told how cool his dance was, he came home and asked me why people thought being Native American was cool. (He doesn't like to be in the spotlight.)

Anyway on to the punchline. Naji said, "Native American is the worst kind of cool." To which Ben responded "No it's not."

I was baffled by this argument. Number 1: I want my kids to be accepted for who they are and not what they are. Number 2: I want them to be comfortable with their heritage. And Number 3: What's a worse kind of cool?

"Webbed Toes," Ben informed me.

Yep. Cool. But. Not.

A Merry Christmas Mega Post

It turns out I am related to Santa Claus. Who knew?

Maybe that's why we all get treated so much better than we deserve.












Not to complain about my children (who are absolutely wonderful) but sometimes when I as them to help with a video (like a birthday video for their brother in Mexico), they help a little bit and then they balk at the idea of being on camera. Then I ask myself, do I not know technology? And through the magic that is digital, I can "make" my kids sing and dance! So here is Macey's belated birthday video -- and timely Christmas Video:



Of course my kids may have an itty-bitty excuse for not being overly cooperative -- they have been overly busy this holiday season, which of course trickles down to me. I've had to do some fancy learning just to keep up with them. The following is a video of Cameron's technical and difficult trumpet recital piece. He held his nerves together much better than I did. What a fantastic musician!

Bobo had concerts in choir, orchestra, and band.

Her orchestra teacher always chooses a wide variety of pieces including some very cutting edge modern pieces. This one combines two of Bobo's loves: origami and music.



And Bobo totally nails her solo in Frosty the Snowman!




Speaking of solos, JoJo at long last got to combine two of his loves in one song -- Jazz and the Clarinet. Check out his solo in King Porter Stomp!



And Last but not Least, Naji has joined the holiday concert game. He has concerts in orchestra and choir. His choir concert is tonight (hopefully we will get footage of that) but to hold us over, here are two clips from his orchestra concert -- pretty good for only having played since September! Ahhhhh, maybe this is why Santa treats these kids so well!

Christmas Miracles

I have been dependent on Christmas Miracles for so long now, they are almost expected. I've seen some doosies. Somehow, every year I come up with the money to buy presents for my over-sized tribe. But this year I was resigned to not expect a miracle. No extra cash loomed on the horizon. In fact, to coin a nautical term, my morning skies were red ("Red Sky in Morning, Sailors take warning")

But I did not let that get me down, because this year I decided there would be no Christmas Miracle and that would be alright. In fact the true Christmas Miracle would be that even without the extra cash or presents Christmas is a magical time. I was determined to enjoy the holiday season, refuse to get stressed, and celebrate the joys of being surrounded by family and friends.

But it looks like I am going to have to put the "Miracle of no Christmas Miracle" Christmas off another year. I got an organ for Christmas. One with AGO pedals. One that I can practice Bach and Prelude and Hymns on every day of the year. But the circumstances through which I got the organ got me thinking.

As emotional as it was for me to finally get an organ (yes, tears were involved) I truly felt for the organist who had to let it go. It took her a couple of days, and some practicing, and some polishing, and some power naps before she could say goodbye. But it was at a time in her life when she needed to let it go -- and make a sacrifice for the Lord. Which leads me to think "For everything there is a time and a season under heaven." I am so thankful I still have time to practice and to learn and to indulge myself. And I am so thankful that the Lord giveth. And I pray that I will be as gracious and willing as those around me when the time comes for the Lord to take away.

The Morning After

Yeah! I totally survived D-Day (Smiley Face). And it turned out ok. Jojo was pleased with his recital -- so I didn't get fired as an accompanist. I had been so nervous about his piece that by the time we played our Jazz pieces that night, I had no nerves left so I was able to just enjoy the enjoy the music and the party. For those of you who are interested, here's the footage. (PS I was a little sad that Macey couldn't be there, so I asked Bro Edie to play his guitar - Merry Christmas Mace -- hope your package gets to Mexico in time) (PPS Check out Bobo and Cameron on Trombone!)

1/2 of D Day Down

What???? Can't Naji even get half a day of fame all to himself??? Today is what I have termed "Dooms Day". I had to play for Jojo's student recital this afternoon. Tonight I play in the RiverRidge Jazz Ensemble at the Ward Christmas party. I have to say, the majority of my stress must have been at Joe's expense, because I feel better already. Here's how we did at the Student Recital.