Arts Night at The Academy, 2014

This was our first experience of Arts Night at The Academy.  We had no idea what to expect.  The girls only knew one thing: at the end of Arts Night, they were to perform their piece with their musical theater friends (two of which--Adelaide and Abby--are pictured below):

 Once we entered the sanctuary, it became obvious what this was going to be--a vocalist, instrumentalist and dramatist recital for the various students and groups in The Academy.  But just when I got up to speed on what this night was going to be, I was utterly surprised at the crazy-high level of skill some of these kids possessed at their musical craft.  Specifically, two separate violinists, a pianist and--get this--a ukulele player.  Each played their chosen instrument not just amazingly for their age, but amazingly, PERIOD.  It was awesome.  At the end, the girls and their musical theater troop took the stage and finished up the night with "We're All in This Together" of High School Musical fame.

Here is the video:

Next Monday, the kids find out their various parts for their spring musical performance of Peter Pan, Jr..
From that point forward, they will be spending Mondays only rehearsing Peter Pan music, lines and choreography; so at that point improv games, generic acting activities and other sorts of non-Peter Pan choreography will come to an end because of this new, singular focus.

I've seen the results of the singular focus of Alice Griffith's Musical Theater class in the past...and I can't wait! 

Music City Youth Orchestra

This last month, Moo was accepted into a chamber ensemble for the Music City Youth Orchestra starting this semester.  After two rehearsals, they had their first event: a "Play-a-Thon" fundraiser where musicians raise funds for the MCYO by finding folks to sponsor their performances at retirement communities in the Nashville area.  So, this kills two birds with one stone--money for a non-profit music organization for youth is raised, and some of the more forgotten among us get to be surrounded by youth and music for an afternoon.  Brilliant.

Aside from the unique experience that playing in an ensemble allows a musician to have, an added bonus is having one of your best friends be part of it too.  In this case, sweet Caroline--friend and fellow violinist:

Tuning up before the residents started coming in.

Conductor Melanie Parobek introduces the group.  Somehow all the orchestra got front row seats (Moo says that once they showed up and sat down, THEN she got really nervous).

After the chamber ensemble performed, the full orchestra performed a couple pieces as well. ( I'll point out the way-cool harp for my way-awesome nephew--Tae Kwon Do Master and future harpist, Jaiden. )

Here is some video:

No Degrees of Separation?

Okay, so this is pretty cool, and demonstrates how fun it is to live in Nashville if you are involved in any way, shape or form in the world of music. This video is of Darius Rucker, the GRAMMY winner for this year's Best Country Solo Performance for his song Wagon Wheel. A month before winning the GRAMMY, Darius was one of the vocalists that the girls provided background vocals for this past December in the CMA Country Christmas special. Well, this is a video that he released announcing the ACM Awards Vocal Duo of the Year Nominees--which include Love & Theft, Belle's guitar teacher's band for which he plays lead guitar. 

It's just a small web of interconnected musicians down here, and it's pretty fun to be involved in just a tiny little way. :)

Honor Chorister Dynasty

In the beginning of January, the NCC had their daycamp to introduce the choristers to new spring music, and gear up for the second semester of their choral year and tour.  The nerve-wracking part of January Jubilee, as this daycamp is called, is that it includes a vote by the 90 member choir on who they think is deserving of the status of Honor Chorister.  Candidates are to demonstrate kindness, focus, leadership, knowledge of musical parts, and quality vocals.  Last year, much to our delight, Moo was voted to be Honor Chorister along with a handful of her peers.  As this is Belle's 7th grade year, she was eligible for the first time this year...and much to our delight and relief, she was seen fit by her peers to be voted Honor Chorister along with 3 other kids from NCC.  They voted over January Jubilee, but this week--2 weeks after the vote--the Honor Choristers were revealed.

It's a little hard to make out from this picture, but they have all the kids close their eyes and wait.  The accompanist plays anticipatory, game-showesque music while a couple of the directors walk around the room and put the medals around the necks of those chosen.  Once that medal is placed upon your neck, you silently stand up--eyes still closed--and wait for Dr. Bridges to say "Okay, everyone, open your eyes!".  After that (from what I can tell from my vantage point out in the hallway), it's a bunch of whoops and hollers and screams all to the piano meddlings of Krazy Kyle Hankins.  The four kids chosen this year are all really deserving--and we are so proud of Belle.  We are a bit sad for dear friends who didn't receive the coveted award, but I have to agree with Belle's words: "They all are Honor Choristers in my eyes". 

 This is William.  He is the youngest boy of the great Hearn musical dynasty, and has been in Touring Choir since--get this--he was in third grade.  The Hearns are amazing.  And sweet.

Daddy was very proud of his baby girl.

(We came home from choir with quite a story to tell...right when Steve had his hands covered in garlic and oil.  So THAT is why he is holding his hands that way.  LOL)

Quote of the night: "I feel like I just won the lottery!"

Musical Theater 2014

The girls are in a musical theater class this year at The Academy.  It has been awesome.  They regularly learn choreography to various songs, play improvisational games and prepare for mock and real auditions.

Today, they had their auditions for the musical that the class is putting on in May--Peter Pan, Jr.  Both girls auditioned for the part of Tiger Lily, and both did great.  Today was also a time that parents could come see a couple of the songs that the kids have learned choreography for.  I got pictures and video:

Night at the Salon

 I nervously checked out a new salon last week.  It ended up being a really fun time, as my new stylist was super confident and competent (a nice blend), and entertained me with talk of how she finagled her way into a regular TV spot on a local news affiliate and how a she and a local plastic surgeon swap services.  Apparently, the "best and worst" part about botox is that it doesn't last for long.  That, and she occasionally ends up looking like a stroke victim (her words, not mine).  She was a hoot.

Looking online ahead of time, I learned that the salon was equipped with a webcam, so as I went in for my appointment, I quickly texted my husband and sisters that I might be able to be seen via webcam getting my hair cut.  I then dropped my phone in my purse on my way in.  To my surprise/horror, I discovered that said webcam was right at my stylist's station.  Well, if they got my text and found the salon online, they'd get a show.   Midway into my haircut, the receptionist came up to us and said, "Allison, your family is watching".  Yup.  They found me.

When I got my phone out of my purse when I left, this was what I found:

I had the giggles for awhile after I left.