Itzak Perlman Concert, 2014

In November, Moo and I went to see Itzhak Perlman perform at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

He was amazing.  I lifted the above picture from the internet, because the taking of pictures was strictly forbidden, and I was not going to disobey Mr. Perlman. ;)

All I have are some grainy pictures of Moo and I in the audience before the concert began, and also with some friends that we ran into in the lobby before the show.  Those will have to serve as visual reminders that WE WERE THERE! 

What a special privilege it was to sit and listen to this man work his magic--yes, that word is intentionally used--on those strings.  His big, meaty hands and sausage-like fingers could not operate such a delicate instrument in such a sublime manner absent a good amount of magic...or fairydust, at the least.  We were not alone in feeling a sense of wonder and joy while in the presence of such a talented violinist.

Sweet Sixteen

Our firstborn turned 16 this month, and we wanted to make it extra special.  

December parties are nerve-wracking to plan, as one always holds the possibility of nobody showing up as a real one--after all, this is a terrifically busy time of year.  We decided that planning a party with Moo's knowledge could lead to the disappointment of a scanty turn-out...and that would not do!  SO, what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her.  We would have a SURPRISE PARTY!  That way, I could plan and scheme and invite, and she wouldn't have a clue what was happening until that moment that we all yelled "Surprise!".  Whatever dear friends were able to make it would make her completely happy, and there would be no opportunity for even the slightest disappointment.  (I should make it clear that she is not one to ask or require a lot from the universe in order to be happy and content.  She has been surprised by super small birthday gatherings in the past, and was over-the-moon-and-back happy. This, I might also make clear, was a fact lost on me in the frenzied planning of The Perfect Sweet Sixteen Celebration.)

Anyway, I invited friends from tutorial.  I invited friends from choir.  I invited friends from church.  I invited friends from hither and yon.  I realized something in the process:  The Father has blessed us up one side and down the other with relationships here in Tennessee.  I mean, in a "beyond anything you can ask or imagine" kind of way.  Between thirty and forty people showed up to my sister's house to surprise sweet Moo on her sixteenth birthday.  She was surprised and so very touched at the outpouring of friendship and well-wishes on her birthday.  I think we will be smiling about it for some time to come.  

I served dinner, the kids played games, a sweet friend who couldn't make it sent a musical video greeting, and gifts were opened.  We even ended with a spontaneous magic show put on by one of the young guests.  What a fun an interesting group of young people.  Love them.  

And now, the pics:

Noah, Daylen, Joel, Sophie G., Caroline, Hannah, Emily, Sophie J., Shelby, Ally, Krissy, Marah, Faith, Kitty, Eve, Faithlynn, Sophia, Ellie, Lora, Sarah, Olivia, Ellie, Audrie, Lucy, Meghan

Daylen's card tricks, with my nephew as volunteer.

(Just Dance competition after all the young guests left)

And to top it all off, a sweet musical gift from a beloved new friend:

One Big Nutshell

The past few months have been really busy.  I've done reality check after reality check with those I respect and who have navigated raising kids and homeschooled, and time after time I am told the same thing: high school years are super busy, and there is no way around it (at least, no way around it that will make me feel any better than I am feeling now).  So, I'm putting my head down, squaring my shoulders, and heading forward--and further into--the whirlwind.

With my calendar across my lap for the purposes of reminder, here's how we have wrapped up the last few months of the year:

On November 8th, 2014, the Nashville Children's Choir was invited to perform at the Orff Schulwerk Music Conference in Nashville.  This was quite an honor, as the conference attendees consisted entirely of music teachers.  A more appreciative audience there never was!  These photos are from the rehearsal.  The room accommodated about a thousand audience members.

Belle had a small solo part that was really quite lovely. Her partner that she sang a small duet with is a new friend, Skye.  You can see both of them in a video below. 

Despite graduating from the NCC last year, Moo was asked to come along and provide percussion assistance in a couple pieces.

Here are some links to various songs during the performance.  The first one starts with the song that Belle's small solo part appears:  CLICK HERE for that.  Then, if you want to see some more, CLICK HERE and then CLICK HERE.  Enjoy! 

Later in the month, both girls got to sing back up on a song with The Jay Sekulow Band.

Jay has joined together quite a team of musicians for his band.  With the help of producer and DC Talk guitarist Mark Lee Townsend, they collaborate with John Elefante--former lead singer of Kansas--and John Schlitt of Petra and actually have a rehearsal space and recording studio among the offices and studios of the American Center for Law and Justice in Franklin, TN. 

The song the girls sang back up for with some friends is called "Hope of Jerusalem", and was released as an EP on iTunes earlier this month.  

At the end of November, the all-important "Christmas at Belmont" performance was held at Massey Concert Hall on the campus of Belmont University.  This was a non-televised year, so the bulk of the *butterflies* were held at bay.  (I'm thankful for that--I've had more butterflies than I can handle as of late). 

This was Belle's first year without her big sister in the NCC. Bittersweet.

Assistant Director and friend, Mr. Josh Wright.

HERE IS VIDEO FROM THE REHEARSAL:

Just when we took a breath from that performance being behind us, ahead lay the Nashville Children's and Youth Choir Holiday Concerts.

Our beloved Dr. Bridges with Belle.

Mr. James Wells led an audience carol.

We always have the best accompanists.  This time, Victor Krauss on Bass.  Victor's sister is Allison Krauss (of Union Station fame),  as well as a very accomplished musician in his own right, and his niece is in the NCC.  So he gets uncle of the year.

Lots of videos of this concert:

 

About the time that choir concerts were done, full attention could be paid to orchestra and band concerts! Moo had her first concert with the Blair School of Music's Nashville Youth Repertory Orchestra on the campus of Vanderbilt University. It was great to hear her play with such a great group.

Moo with Director Craig Madole and friend Caroline.

BIG NEWS: WE HAVE FAMILY LIVING HERE WHO CAN COME SEE THESE EVENTS WITH US NOW!

A few days later, Belle was in her first band concert with Nashville Notes Intermediate Band.  We are so proud of her. She just started to play the flute this past July...was accepted into intermediate band in August, and they intend to promote her to advanced band after this semester.  She has a conflict between musical theater rehearsal and advanced band rehearsal, so she will likely just stay in intermediate band and coast awhile. :)

With Director David Steffens.

Outside the concert venue, on the campus of Lipscomb University.

Here are some videos of that concert:



On the last video, Red River Valley, Belle played both the flute and piccolo parts on the piece. She was very pleased with the opportunity to do so.

A bunch of other stuff has been packed into these couple months as well...Moo took the SAT and the ACT, Belle was asked to sing in a girls choir for Keith & Kristen Getty Christmas Concert at the Schermerhorn, both girls auditioned for "Hello Dolly!" (with much success!), and we surprised Moo with a birthday bash for her 16th birthday.  All of these things required time, practice and patience.  I think that will be for another blog post.  I'm pooped just reliving these things via blog post!