When it Rains...It Pours

...But at least I have these little angels with me.  I took this picture during a fabulous rainstorm this morning.  It has been a crazy summer of rain.  In this picture, we see them in a single dimension brimming with health, vitality and beauty.  We spend a lot of time looking at others in a single dimension.  Ironically, singularity emodies both truth and deception.  These children are brimming with health, vitality and beauty.  But three of these children have PCD.  A disease which ravishes their lungs.  A disease we spend hours a day treating in an effort to halt its progression.  Two of them have hospital stays, surgeries and IV therapies dangling over their heads in the near future.  But they look so healthy, right?  There can't be anything to worry about...or so the well-meaning tell me over and over.  The best way to support is to acknowledge grieving and offer a listening ear.

I've said it before, but I think there has to be some sort of law of compensation.  If you are given a nasty disease to deal with when you are born, and for the rest of your life,  you are given an added measure (a huge one) of sweetness and depth.  I know it is true with my children.  And the 3 of us born without it, that same nasty disease strips us of ambivalence and clothes us with keen awareness. We are better too because of it.

There are a lot of times, in the moment, when I question if taking on the education of my children at home is really what I want to do.  It often pushes me to emotional exhaustion...Invariably, I conclude yes.  Most days I spend 5 hours on the piano, directing school from the bench next to a practicing child.  But the vigorous study of music has equipped my children with an amazing ability to work through very difficult things, which are not fun in the moment, for a greater, delayed reward of mastery.  It's taught me that same lesson.  I never imagined the role music would play in my life and in my children's, but I am grateful for it.  It was a driving force in bringing Ellery back to life after a severe prolonged illness.   I feel music is poised again to pull our family through some rocky times ahead.

It's been a very long 6 weeks.  I'll be grateful for answers tomorrow.

First Flute Competition

Ellery posing with a $13,000 flute.  Not in the cards.

The green satin was so fitting for this St. Patricks Day Event.

 Ellery participated in her first flute competition on Saturday.  It was a fantastic learning experience for her.  There are a lot of things we will do differently next time.  She competed with three pieces, two in the Elementary division (Slovakian Hoop Dance and Estillo) and one in the Junior High division (Cossakaya).  I think that was quite a few pieces to learn and we didn't have enough time with the music.  Also, we didn't know to tune her flute before, so the first piece she played her flute was completely out of tune with the piano and the stand was directly in front of her face and hands.

She did place third for her performance of Estillo, which thrilled her.  There were only 4 competing on that particular piece, but she doesn't need that little tidbit of information right now!  Marilyn did a beautiful job accompanying.  The competition was in SLC at the University of Utah.

February Piano Recital

Callista playing Beethoven's "Rage Over a Lost Penny."

Ellery playing "Swan Lake."  You'll love this one!

Ellery is floating on air.  Her teacher informed her she will be playing Chopin's "Minute Waltz" for her next solo.  Unsimplified.  Usually the children choose their own solos, but her teacher felt this would be a perfect fit.  Ellery fell in love the moment she heard it.  If there is anything that just sends Ellery into a blissful state it is tackling a challenge she feels is very grown up and far above what any girl her age is doing :).

Second Piano Competition

Ellery competed in her second piano competition on Friday.  It was a rough day on all of us.  Ellery was sick with a terrible head cold.  The kind where her nose would not stop running, and her head was pounding.  But in true Ellery style she persevered.  Her performance was certainly not her best, but she walked away with a  "Superior" and one plus.  She was devastated and bawled.  (Her mother's child.)  

You win some and lose some.  It was difficult for me to watch, because I know how she can really play her songs.  The perfectionist in me is always leering its ugly head.  I wanted her to have "3 plusses" and play to her ability.  We invest a lot of time into this foray.  It is difficult not to become personally discouraged when my children don't perform well.  Not only do I hurt for them, but it is a blow to my personal pride.  I've got to get over it.  No one is ever at the top of their game 100% of the time, especially when they are sick.   I wish I had a good recording but I don't.  Here is a practice session we recorded.  We were trying to correct some of the awkward postures she moves into.  Forgive the out of tune piano.

First Flute Recital

Ellery "decorated" and insisted on ringlets framing her face.

Ellery designed this program.  Font choice was
particularly important to her :)

Ellery our "born performer" had a great spotlight moment for her first flute recital.  We had a conflict with her teacher's studio recital, so we decided to have our own.  Ellery made up a program and invited her friends, cousins and neighbors.

   

Amber, Ellery's fantastic flute teacher.

On the fly, she added an extra piece she sightread the day before.  (She didn't mention that to me until an hour or two before the recital.)

The flute has been an interesting progression for Ellery.  While I vigilantly practice the piano daily with the girls, I drew a limit at one instrument.  She practices the flute alone. I know this is not even remotely as effective, but I just couldn't add another thing to my plate.  Piano is so exhausting emotionally.  So we set the kitchen timer for 45 minutes and she "practices."  This usually happens while I am piano practicing with Callista.

Marilyn our babysitter, neighbor, and amazing musical prodigy
and example to my children.  She accompanied Ellery.

 
There are quite a few bathroom breaks and a lot of "Disney" sight reading, but at least she is playing and as you will see, in a year she has made quite a bit of progress.  If we had a little more time to practice with her accompanist we could have worked out some of the kinks but when all was said and done, Ellery is a performer and she pulls out all the stops come show time.

"Largo"

 Ellery's teacher Amber, is working on her Masters Degree in Flute Performance at BYU.  She is first chair in the chamber orchestra.  I have been so pleased at the time and attention she gives Ellery.  I found her by contacting the head of the BYU flute department.  I interviewed about 6 potential teachers, and had them play for us.  Ellery and I both felt Amber would be a perfect fit and we haven't been disappointed.

"Reflection"

"O Christmas Tree"  Unfortunately sometimes I forget I have to keep my iphone a certain direction or my video's are cockeyed.  Oops.  This is the piece she learned in a day.  I love the jazzy version!

Marilyn, our weekly babysitter, is another blessing in our life.  She is brimming with personality and talent.  Each week when Brent and I return we coax her into a recital.  It usually includes a little Debussy or Chopin, top notch!  I love having my children exposed to such a darling, talented girl.

She really saved the day during "Jesu" by following Ellery, who seemed to miss every entrance.  But with just 3 run throughs, I'm not sure what else to expect.  Again, I don't give the flute the same attention as the piano.  The recital seemed to creep up on us without warning.  But, here it is the final number...

"Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring"

This is quite a bit of beginner flute footage.  In the future I will be better about creating a video collage of sorts with excerpts.  It will be easier listening :)

November Piano Recital

Callista persevered through a dangerous piano bench slip-sliding away.

The camera was knocked out of my hand part way through so it gets a bit sketchy at the end.

First Recital, First Concerto

Firsts always bring anxiety, anticipation, and a big dose of mystery.  Especially with our little wild card Callista.  She reads like whiz, does math like a brainiac, but can't recite an entirely memorized talk in front of a crowd for the life of her.  For her first piano recital performance, I had no idea what to expect.

This is what happened...

She nailed it!  We were so proud of her.  Especially considering her nerves in front of large audiences.  She counted and was as cute as can be.  According to her teacher, she saved the recital for the beginners.

Ellery prepared a Concerto in only 6 months, which is really quite a memorization feat.  This is Concerto Romantique, Movement 3 by Katharine Rollins.  At about 3 minutes in listen for her Cantabile, an especially beautiful portion, at 4:30 or so her cadenza solo, and then grand finale!

On Wednesday when we walked out of piano lessons, Ellery said, "Mom I am learning the rest of Forget Me Not, to surprise my teacher!"  This morning after practicing she spontaneously looked at me and said, "Mom, thanks so much for working with me on my practicing."  I think like Amy Chua says in her memoirs Battle Hymn of a Tiger Mom, we don't love anything until we are good at it.  Ellery's love for music is starting to mature, in many ways I think it is a direct result of her rapid progression and the recognition she receives.

We consider music to be an invaluable life long skill for our children.  It brings out the "Tiger Mom" in me, but I don't think I will have regrets.

Voices so Sweet

Ellery and our little next door neighbor Koy sang in church today.  It was so sweet.  They both are so confident and poised.  I was blown away.  Koy's mom Jessie played the piano.  We shot this video afterwards, since it wasn't appropriate to film during Sacrament Meeting.

First Piano Competition

No pictures allowed during Comp.

Grandma

Before the Competition

Ellery participated in her first piano competition the weekend before we left for Hawaii.  She was very diligent in her preparation, despite so many health issues the last 7 months.  Her performance was fantastic. I still can't get over how composed she before and during performing.  I feel like a nervous wreck and she is as calm as a little flower.  

We left all pianos behind on our 2 weeks away, so the recital she had last weekend was a little rusty, but she still did wonderful.  

I am amazed at the psychology Carol, her teacher, uses to build confidence in her students.  She treats them as mature and accomplished musicians.  Ellery's next recital piece is a concerto.   Her teacher says "concerto" with such reverence and gusto all at once, it is hard not to catch the contagion.  It has 18 pages.  Ellery's comment to me in the car as we left her piano lesson:  "Mom I just can't believe it, I just keep thinking I am teenager.  It is almost like I am a mom.  I just can't believe a little girl like me is playing an 18 page piece."

Ellery's teacher makes her feel she is so advanced and so brilliantly musical.  I love it!

A Work in Progress

The absolute best part of this performance are her smiles and finish. Talk about gusto!

She can play this piece much better. She will be performing it again in 3 months at her next recital and for a piano competition.

Piano Recital #4

Ellery literally sparkled in her recital today. I think I was far more nervous than she was. Life has been so unusual for us the last little while I haven't been able to help her practice as much. She played her piece "Minuet in Rondo Form" by Rameau the best she has ever done. And guess what? She remembered to bow!

In her dress she designed and made, my heart was bursting for her.

Piano Recital #3

Shhh! Don't tell the doctor, I couldn't miss her recital.

I love that Ellery plays with emotion. It was something I never had when I played. This was her best performance yet. She still forgot the bow. Maybe next time. The recitals are so inspirational. The older students are phenomenal.

Ellery February Recital

Ellery participated in her second recital this afternoon. She has now been studying the piano for 9 months. She played Ode to Joy by Beethoven.

Note to self: Fore go the sparkly shoes at the next recital. They only draw attention to the feet. Clearly, the tendency for bouncing feet has not yet been outgrown!

Ellery with her fantastic teacher Carol Cherry. This has to be the most positive and motivating woman I have ever met. I love listening and learning at the lessons. The way she interacts with Ellery is amazing.
Grandma and Grandpa weren't snowed out this time! They took little Mark and Noelle home. We will miss them.

Ellery's First Piano Recital

Ellery began taking piano lessons in June, soon after she turned 6-years-old. We are very proud of her. Today she attended and performed in her first recital. She was as confident and together as ever.

She was quite nervous when she saw these big doors. I think her fur cape gave her some added confidence.

Piano began with a great deal of enthusiasm. After about 6 weeks the practice meltdowns started. Two weeks of that and I thought I was going off the deep end any minute. I called her wonderful teacher, who is the most positive, loving teacher, I have ever met or seen in action, and she gave me some pointers. Since then, things have only been onward and upward.

Now she doesn't beg to practice every single day. She would in a perfect world. But she is cooperative and cheerful for the majority of the time, once we get going :) and as long as there is at least a 25 cent reward!

Ellery was first. This is her teacher showing her where to go and what to do a few minutes before the recital began.

I was flabbergasted by the talented young people who performed at this recital. It was phenomenal. In fact our little babysitter, who is only 13, played Prelude III by Gershwin and Wedding Day at Troldhagen Opus 65 No. 6 by Grieg. Wow. Most powerful was to watch Ellery listen to these young people play. Their display of dedication and talent was worthy of her emulation. I never remember hearing recitals like this. A teacher makes all the difference. We are lucky to have found the perfect one for Ellery.

Ellery looking intense just moments before. The glitter lipgloss adds to the intensity.

The Recital Introduction...done in body builder pose :)

Here's what she said in her mouse-like voice:

"My name is Ellery Davidson and I shall play I am a Child of God by Petit, Egyptian Dance by Saint-Saens, The Chapel Doors by Read, and Surprise Symphony by Hayden."

I am a Child of God...this one was absolutely perfect! The bouncing feet are priceless.

Egyptian Dance...this one was a good exercise in keeping going when you find a mistake. She actually played the second line twice, modified the third line and finally got to her repeat and played the whole song through almost flawless.

The Chapel Doors...perfect.

Surprise Symphony...actually this piece was nearly flawless, except in her attempts at dramatic dynamics she played some keys so softly she didn't push hard enough to hear them. Bless her heart.

She ran off so fast she forgot to bow. What a wonderful accomplishment for her very first recital. Of course we got her some flowers and celebrated with some sparkling apple cider and chocolate pudding (made with avacados and agave).