I’ve been to one other recital since I started teaching, but I was kind of piggy-backing off of another teacher’s regularly held recital. She’s a friend whose daughters I just so happen to teach—it was nice and convenient and a great way to ease into things.
But after a nice long summer with a few students who had been learning a lot, I knew I wanted to celebrate the work they had done.
The program was short, casual, and straightforward. The two girls each played two songs, and Patrick played his new favorite: "Hero's March."
After they played, I went ahead and played Bach's Invention No. 8, a short, fun piece that I played years ago--in middle school, I think? I was halfway cheating, because I relearned it to play once already at the recital earlier this year. However, I was halfway legit, as well--I actually re-memorized it this time. I know. Go me.
When all was said and done, we mingled and snacked. Here's the potluck food table:
Okay, now I have to sabotage this post to talk about the pretzels.
Do yourself a favor and try this SUPER EASY snack I got from Taste of Home's Fast Fixes with Mixes:
Basically all you do is dump the pretzels in a bowl, mix the other ingredients, drizzle over the pretzels, stir, put in a baking dish, and bake at 200 degrees (F) for an hour. Stir every 15 minutes while baking.
You will never regret trying this--it immediately made me think of an after-school snack on a crisp fall day. It's a great idea, assuming I'm ever put together enough to have a snack for my kids that involves more than saying "Apples are in the fridge."
Anyways, back to the regularly scheduled post...
I was so proud of everyone who played that day. The girls and Patrick had been working hard. Especially for the ones for whom this was a first recital ever--bravo! The pieces were memorized and polished, and they all looked like they were proud of themselves. What a great feeling! What a wonderful thing to see as a teacher!
It's looking like I'm going to have a serious increase in piano students come September, which is not only great news business-wise but also kind of exciting for me. I enjoy having something to work at and to prepare, a demand on my creativity. I also really love the challenge of trying to teach such vastly different students. I understand better how my piano teachers felt when I came prepared and ready to learn (and how they felt when I came without having practiced much at all-- and I thought they wouldn't be able to tell. Ha!).
In all, I feel this mini-recital was a success. My mind is brimming with new ideas for teaching. I'm looking forward to the start of an adventurous new piano year!
 |
| All set up! |
The program was short, casual, and straightforward. The two girls each played two songs, and Patrick played his new favorite: "Hero's March."
 |
| Don't mind the awkward lighting--there is no good angle for this piano with the window right there. |
 |
| Alright, who else thinks my husband is fantastic for 1) wanting to take piano lessons at age 26, 2) actually taking them and practicing, and 3) being willing to play at a recital with no other student over the age of 10? You rock, Patrick! |
After they played, I went ahead and played Bach's Invention No. 8, a short, fun piece that I played years ago--in middle school, I think? I was halfway cheating, because I relearned it to play once already at the recital earlier this year. However, I was halfway legit, as well--I actually re-memorized it this time. I know. Go me.
When all was said and done, we mingled and snacked. Here's the potluck food table:
Okay, now I have to sabotage this post to talk about the pretzels.
Do yourself a favor and try this SUPER EASY snack I got from Taste of Home's Fast Fixes with Mixes:
- 1 package pretzels (they ask for the large think ones, I like the thin ones better)
- 1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
- 3/4 cup oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dill weed
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
Basically all you do is dump the pretzels in a bowl, mix the other ingredients, drizzle over the pretzels, stir, put in a baking dish, and bake at 200 degrees (F) for an hour. Stir every 15 minutes while baking.
You will never regret trying this--it immediately made me think of an after-school snack on a crisp fall day. It's a great idea, assuming I'm ever put together enough to have a snack for my kids that involves more than saying "Apples are in the fridge."
Anyways, back to the regularly scheduled post...
I was so proud of everyone who played that day. The girls and Patrick had been working hard. Especially for the ones for whom this was a first recital ever--bravo! The pieces were memorized and polished, and they all looked like they were proud of themselves. What a great feeling! What a wonderful thing to see as a teacher!
It's looking like I'm going to have a serious increase in piano students come September, which is not only great news business-wise but also kind of exciting for me. I enjoy having something to work at and to prepare, a demand on my creativity. I also really love the challenge of trying to teach such vastly different students. I understand better how my piano teachers felt when I came prepared and ready to learn (and how they felt when I came without having practiced much at all-- and I thought they wouldn't be able to tell. Ha!).
In all, I feel this mini-recital was a success. My mind is brimming with new ideas for teaching. I'm looking forward to the start of an adventurous new piano year!
 |
| (And you thought I'd end the post without a picture of Cambrie at the keyboard... ) |
2 comments:
Good Job for Patrick to learn something new at 26, I don't think your ever to old to learn something new. I started taking piano lessons last year and I am much older than he is. Great job on making your recital such a success.
We all know Patrick can play "Hot Cross Buns" with the best of them, he can't fool us. And hey, if we move there I may even take some piano lessons from you too. Just don't be too hard on me if I don't practice sometimes :)
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