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!