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

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!

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!

Whitewater Rapids Premiere Performance

This isn't the highest quality video compared to the quality of performance these kids had.

They were on!

This is the first time in 5 years of playing that they have performed for anything besides their yearly recitals and entertaining family.

Excitement!

Anticipation!

Practice!

Practice!

Practice!

The Whitewater Rapids didn't win this time...but what defines winning?

Is it performing?

Is it having fun?

Is it making people smile?

I like to think so...and so do they!

Kapers Audition

Kyndra, Landon, and Peg auditioned for the Kiwanis Kapers Talent Show last weekend....the kids' first talent show...for a prize! 

First they practiced at Peg's house...and had to decide on a band name.

 We almost decided on the Bloody Fiddle Band

or Nose Bleeders...

However, the final name was The White Water Rapids.
Peg has instilled these two kids with so much skill and confidence over the last 4 years that they weren't even nervous!  I think Ronda and I were more nervous than the kids....I know we were.  They just marched up on that stage and did what they have been doing... as friends...as siblings...as band members.

Meet the first two members of the

White Water Rapids....

one more member will be joining soon.

`

Fiddlers

I haven't posted any music lately. These kiddos are all getting so good.

Fiddle Concert 09

Last night was the girls fiddle concert.  All the kids did just great.  Whew!  There were times when I wasn't sure if one or the other would get up on that stage but I have come to realize that the behavior of my children cannot be understood nor predicted.  Anyway, I put this together quickly this morning because I am off and running today with Mom and Dad here!

Friday Fiddle/Dance Practice

Sometimes I just love having girls.

Wallowa Fiddle Camp

The first day of camp none of us knew what to expect.

The girls and I had a heart to heart before going in....they needed to TALK to their teachers, PLAY their voilins, and MEET new kids.

Avery's class was a good fit from the beginning. She was able to be one of the leaders of the Pre-School group. It took her a couple of days but soon she was singing as loud as anyone else and having a great time.

Kyndra was signed up for an intermediate class. They learned 5 songs before lunch on the first day! Two other moms and I decided this was too much for our little girls that hadn't even been to a full day of school yet. We moved them into Avery's class. That class was divided into 3 groups...pre-school, 6 year olds...older. It was a good fit for them. They got to sing, play, be in a small group, and learn music. None of the 6 year olds were playing to their ability but us moms decided it didn't matter...they were having a good experience and having fun...that matters!

At camp they played played played (and not all music). There were jam sessions at night, at lunch, and in the morning. We loved Aunt Beth's Pop-Up..>THANK YOU! FYI: I want to reserve it for the same week next year.

We met new friends almost instantly. I only had to talk with the girls the first night about not being shy and that we were there to meet new people and to have fun. Then they were off! I sometimes had to go looking for them and would find them at other camps, in the bathroom, on the playground...it was great.

This experience included amazing instruments and the opportunity to see people (big kids) making music together just because they wanted to, not because it was "practice time."

The girls practiced at lunch...by choice!

There was a dance with live music from participants. Yes! Those are socks on the "callers" legs (hee hee) and YES! that is Kyndra out on the dance floor dancing with a friend! I couldn't hide my shock. This is where Avery was after one dance....

she was so tired, we all were. Class went from 9-3. We weren't in class the whole time, the different groups had different times, but still..we were pooped. Also, the basket-ball court was right outside our camp spot. They were playing at 6:30 a.m. and until 10:00 p.m. Note to self: Don't camp next to the the basket-ball court next year!

This is the whole class. What a crew!

Overall I think it was a great success. We all learned some new music (did I mention I ot to take a dulcimer workshop), we had fun, met new people, fell asleep to music and woke up to music, and had a week together!

**I forgot to mention what Avery said when she learned that Joe wasn't staying with us "camping" for the week..."But what are we going to eat??? Who is going to cook??" She knows that Daddy does all the camp cooking and was very concerned!

Home!

Last I posted we were headed to Montana for a week.

We spend a great 7 days there, came home for one night, then headed off to Fiddle Camp.

After 6 days and 5 nights camped in the Wallowa school grounds we are home!

The girls are soaking off the dirt.

The crocs are in the dish-washer.

I am reading, reading, reading, to catch up on blogs.

We are exhausted!

I guess I have some catching up to do!

Year 3 Recital

I can't believe these kiddos are at the end of their third year.
They are only 6! (Kyndra will be in June)

Once again it was a fantastic concert.
Once again I cried.
Once again Grandma was here!

But this time...
Kyndra played 2 songs with String Song!
Jen wasn't here.
Avery got to play 2 songs!

It was a wonderful show, Peg! Thank you!

Talent

There was a benefit concert last night for a local church that burned down.
Kyndra, Landon, and Avery all got to participate with the "Blazin' Bows" group.

Much of the concert was Mulligan Stew, which consists of three high school kids, Peg (the teacher) and a bass player (a dad).
They are awesome, amazing, talented, just incredible performers!
Also performing was Smokin' Strings and String Song, groups of young people at varying levels.
This is a video of all the "older" kids playing spoons.
Almost every one of these performers plays more than one instrument, some more than two.
It was such an experience to sit and soak up the talent in the room last night.
This video is sort of long, but well worth the watch!

First Duet

We survived the girls' very first duet, Engleskan. Kyndra felt confident enough that she knew the song to get up and play, and Avery shows no fear whatsoever. It was a tear-jerker seeing the two of them performing. I'm just so dang proud of them both. Mom and Dad came all the way from Montana just to watch the show and to stay with us for the week. You can hear Mom at the end of the song. We are so glad to have them here celebrating Valentines Day with us and early birthdays. My real birthday party will happen this weekend in Portland at a conference....woohoo....can't wait....Hubers here we come!

Almost there

I wanted to post this video of Kyndra playing the last song in Fiddle Book 1. This is just part A. Part B is still shaky but she should have it down by Wednesday to get it checked off. Also, I finally got around to updating the podcast in the sidebar. There are two new songs and another couple in the works. Maybe I'll get around to recording them in the next month or so!

"We were a band!"

Since AJ started taking lessons, Peg (Kyndra's teacher) has been saying that she needs to bring her violin and play for her. Today was the day and thank you Ronda for having your camera on hand. Avery proudly carried her violin into the music room and went about the routine of getting it out for tuning, as she has watched Landon and Kyndra do so many times. It was a good exercise for the big kids to play the very first song they learned, 2 1/2 years ago, Mississippi Hot Dog. They sounded just great. This excellent shot is the first time around. On the second, Peg played her guitar and they "sounded like a real band."

I am sitting here imagining the music these three will make together someday. I dream they just jam together for the pure enjoyment of making music that they love. It will happen, as long as we keep it low pressure, enjoyable, and fun, it will happen.

And yes, Avery's shoes are on the wrong feet. I love that girl!

AJ's First Recital

Avery's first violin recital, and solo, were tonight at an assisted care facility. Avery and Makenzie were cool as cucumbers as the event approached. Neither of them seemed to be experiencing anxiety as their big night approached. I was anxious enough for the whole lot of them!

Both girls shined, shined, shined tonight! They were stars! They each played a solo and one of the songs with the group. Avery didn't miss a note on her solo and, well, hopefully hit a couple of notes on the group piece. It didn't matter, she didn't know, she did her best without hesitation.

Here is "I'm a little monkey"

Both Ronda and I were in tears by the end of that short 30 seconds. Hillary asked AJ if she wanted her to play with her and she just shook her head, "No." So brave!

A big high five!

Avery and Hillary

Kyndra recognized some of the songs (yes, that's a turkey hat on her head)

I wish we could have been playing for Grandpa tonight, or Joe's Mom. But, the holidays are coming and both of the girls will get a chance to share what they are learning. What a gift to have music in our lives.

Thanks Ronda and Heather for the pictures!

Recital Prep

This is such an awful picture but that's Avery on the right and Makenzie next to her. They had group lessons yesterday to prepare for their upcomming recital. Yep, that's right, a recital! I had the camera out on the counter to take with me, and I passed it 3 times after the kids were buckled in the car: once to get coats in case we went to the park, once to get appropriate shoes and socks for Kyndra in case we went to the park, once to get socks for Avery in case we went to the park, once to take an extra St. John's Wort in case we went to the park (just kidding). I took this with my phone and am just pleased that i was able to figure out how to get it off the darn thing.

Avery has been taking lessons for 6 weeks, 39 days to be exact. She is 3. She is doing a solo! She knows "I'm A Little Monkey" and "Mississippi Hot Dog" sort of, if I remind her of the notes.

I had the biggest knot in my gut during this rehersal. Bless their hearts, they did such a good job, especially in this group piece with all the big kids. They play MHD first then these two beginners will sit down while the older kids play the rest of their group songs. They just kept strumming their little vioins and got a few notes right. Makenzie more than Avery. I was so anticipating some sort of melt down from one of them. It was probably a blessing that Makenzie's mom had to work and couldn't be there. Avery turned and smiled at me afterwards and gave me the thumbs up! I about cried.

At dinner I asked her if she wants Hillary to play during her solo. "No, I can do it," she said. "It's just A, 1 on A, 2 on A, 3 on A, 3 on A, 2 on A, 1 on A, A."

At bedtime I told her how proud I was of her playing with the big kids. I told her that if she missed any notes while playing with the big kids I sure couldn't tell because she just kept on playing like we talk about doing. "I didn't miss any. Not one."

So, I guess the message to me is if she doesn't know, it doesn't matter. She was up there playing her heart out and didn't get frusturated or upset with herself. I am reminded that she is a different person than her big sister. She has different reactions to situations. She is just her own little person.

The recital is on the 20th. I know I'll be a nervous wreck but apparently (I pray) I'll be alone in my nervousness. I'm getting a gut-knot just thinking of it!