Love of Music

I'm sitting here listening to music happen in my house, like I do every night.  New things are occurring with the music...new even as of tonight.  As Kyndra is playing harmony to Good King Wenceslas (which I've only heard in practice), she turns and says, "there are two harmonies, you know."  Nope...I sure didn't.  Then she says to her sister, "Why don't you get your violin out and we'll play together," to which her sister replies..."fine."

I love hearing harmony with the music.  I love the harmony that music brings to our busy lives. 

Kyndra graduated from Suzuki Book I this last weekend.  They play about 1/3 Suzuki, 1/3 Fiddle, and 1/3 other stuff like Christmas and Dual Fiddling. 

  I couldn't be more proud of these two musicians.  They practice alone, because I am not capable of helping them, they laugh, they help each other, and they perform in front of people! 

The cello is a beautiful instrument.  I think Kyndra wanted to play the bass because she knows how much I love it.  What I hope she has come to understand is that I just love the music.  She can play whatever she wants...I just want them to play and play with a smile on their faces. 

Once again, bless all of the musicians in our lives.  We are so fortunate.

New favorite expression..."If you are going to make a mistake, make a big fat loud one." Ms. Lydiard

2012 Talent Show

The girls played a song together for the first time this year in the talent show.  Grandma was the accompaniment and the sounded great.  Parents were allowed to go for the rehearsal...there is still another performance this afternoon.  Thanks for watching!

Winter Fair Fiddlers

This was a big weekend for the girls.  They participated in their first fiddle contest at the Montana Winter Fair!  We all learned a lot through this whole process.  There were three rounds for both girls.  Each round had to have a hoedown, a waltz, and a song of choice.  Kyndra had to know new songs for each round while Avery could play the same three songs if she wanted to.  We had no clue where to go when, who to talk to about what, or what needed to be done by whom.

Tony, Jaida, Mom, Kyndra, Avery, and I all made the journey down for the weekend.  We just missed a snow storm the night before and a clear drive down.  We arrived early to warm up and ask someone to accompany them during their performances.  We found this very nice man, Ray, to play for them and they joined the other participants in the "bar" area to practice.  What a crazy noisy fun thing!  All the participants find their corner and run through their songs a time or two before it's their turn on stage.

Avery woke up forgetting one of her songs.  We played with the music during warm up and we thought she had it down.  She was the second performer of the day, the little sweetheart, and she did forget where she was and fumbled a little through the song.  She didn't cry, she finished, and she wasn't the only one who lost the notes in their head up on stage before the judges and audience.

They both got to play all three rounds and made it trough with shining colors.  There were some squeaks and forgotten notes, and missed fingers, but they did it!  They did it and I couldn't be more proud.

We stayed at the "Yoyo" (Tony's name for the Yogo Inn) and swam, ate some good food in town and listened to some talented folks from Montana, North Dakota, Idaho, and I'm sure more places that I didn't catch.   This video shows most of the music they played with some cut out.  It's still a very long video, I apologize..I couldn't help it.



When I asked them what they liked best about the weekend they said the fiddle contest!  So that's a good sign!  I'm having one of those really peaceful, happy moments...life truly is good!

Avery's 1st Grade Performance

Today was Avery's day to share her fiddle with her class. Avery has always been my bravest one so I didn't even think to be nervous for her. It took 2 minutes and 43 seconds for her to get started on her first song! I know that because I was recording the whole thing. It just took her a little to get that first note started but once she got going it was all good.

Enjoy the show!

Girls Sharing Day

Every other week the girls get to share in Kyndra's class..and every other week the boys get to share.  Last week Kyndra informed me that she wanted to play her fiddle for sharing next time.  I was surprised, and honestly didn't think she was serious.  By Monday she had it all planned out...which songs to play, when I should bring her fiddle, and what she was going to tell her classmates.

Anybody who knows my little girl knows what a big step this is for her.  She has played for her classes ever since Kindergarten but Landon and Peg have always been with her.  Even as I was walking into her classroom today I had a knot in my throat thinking of all the times she hid behind my legs and wouldn't talk. I was scared for her!  You bet I was!  But she did it!  She told a little about her instrument, lessons, and practicing then began to play.  The video is bouncy because I was watching the other students' reactions and giving her a thumbs up every now and then...grinning from ear to ear the entire time.



It's a brave new world for this brave little girl.  I'm so proud of you Kyndra Lyn!

First Fiddle Tunes of the Year

One of the many changes this year include a new fiddle teacher for the girls. We were so fortunate to find Tobi Magruder...a local Old Time Fiddle champion!

What does she look like? Why are there no pictures of her?

Funny thing is that I have NOT even met Miss Tobi!

My job has had me out of town so much that Mom has been in charge of getting the girls to their lessons. Thankfully I started a new job in town this week and I'll actually be able to meet her next week. I am excited to put a face to the recorded voice I hear from the girls' lesson.

I wanted to share their first new songs of the year. The girls have really been working on their sound and form. Mom has played a huge role in fiddle this year...they are having so much fun with her, learning a ton...and seem to listen a little better to her too!

Kyndra playing Soldier's Joy

Avery playing Rubber Dolly

Thank you and Happy Birthday Mom!

Wallowa Fiddle Tunes...Around Camp and Side Adventures

Once again time has slipped past me.  I have more to post but just can't do it without finishing our Fiddle Camp story.

I found a great hike outside of Wallowa that went along a creek bed.  These three kids are just old enough to go quite a ways and not get too tired or have to be carried.  

 Wallowa Lake was freezing and fun!

 Talk about a talented kid!

Second trip to the lake!

One Two Three JUMP! 

 Avery's class was so cute and small!

 Then there was the dance that everyone played at...not everyone danced at...guess who didn't!

 Kyndra and Landon were front and center at the dance.

 This is me!

Wallowa Fiddle Tunes...First Days

Our week at fiddle camp is over already. As I was looking at over 300 pictures tonight I realized it may have been a good idea to make daily posts.

It's not that I didn't have Internet access.

It's not that I wasn't taking pictures.

There were plenty of stories to tell.

I was just too dang busy!

When I wasn't busy I was too dang tired!

Our first couple of days days looked a little like this:

Around the camper getting ready for the day's work.

Avery had a nice small class that seemed to be just right for her skill and personality.

I was chewing my nails after seeing Kyndra and Landon's class...

the size

the age

the level

scared me a bit.

I waited until lunch...

and chewed more nail...

and watched with amazement.

I can't wait to tell more!