Saxophone

Whenever we watch a parade, I am always fascinated with the  people who  play the music  instrument that  is seldom played in a regular setting.  I remember last year, one of the  young adult who was playing in the band is disabled but he was playing a saxophone which is very impressive.  Looking at the wwbw.com bassoon reminds me of that scenario.  Not many musician  choose to play instuments like that.  

Young Musicians Auditions at West Liberty University

Our daughter tried the Young Musicians  Auditions in West Liberty University. this year.  It was  held last April 8th.  It is an annual  audition conducted by WLU  to test  young musicians of their  piano playing ability.  This was our daughter's first time so she was  a bit a nervous.  Luckily, her friend  was there  so she  calmed her nerves  down.  Her friend  have done this in the past so   she gave her some pointers.  

We have never been to West Liberty University so we did not have an idea  where it's at lol.  We punched the address to the GPS but for some odd reason,  there was a street that  the GPS wanted us to turn but it wasn't there so we had to turn around and find our way.  Talking  about our  poor navigation skills lol.  Gladly, we left earlier because we always anticipate for stuff like this to happen. 

We were very surprised where the school is located.  It is in the middle of nowhere!  It was way in the sticks, lol.

The university was big and we couldn't believe that it was located far  from the city.  I think if you would have to commute going to this school, it would be hard  especially during the winter.  I got dizzy  because of the turns and narrow roads.  

Anyway, after we registered, there were rooms for practicing so Rylie and her friends practice while waiting for their numbers to be called.  The ratings to be given includes (Superior, Excellent, and Very Good).  We were making jokes about it because our daughter was saying "I hope I don't do very good as it is the lowest score you can get" .  In my opinion, I think they should change the  ratings because no mater what you do, even you messed up  so bad, you still get a very good rating .

The rating is to be based on actual performance and the quality thereof.  The entire composition  is to be performed  from memory.   The points of judgment for  piano solos are tone, rhythm, technique, phrasing, attack and release, interpretation, memorization, stage presence and pedaling.  

For the required composition, she played the Bach: Prelude in C Minor BWV 999.  The comment made by the judge was "Good job!  All the right notes, rests, dynamics, and at a nice quick pace!"  For the choice composition, she played the Summer's Nocturne by Rollin.  The judge's commented "Real promising pianist!" and he took note of the repeat that she made.  She had to start  over when she missed one key.  

Anyhow, her friend got an Excellent rating and I feel bad because she cried.  She played before Rylie so that made  our daughter really nervous.  She had to repeat a line because he missed one key so we were so surprised that she still got s Superior rating after the evaluation.  

Since, she got the top rating, she was invited to a recital next month.  Below is the video of her songs.

She  wants to  try it again next year.  Her goal is to be able to  control her nerves and not to crack to the pressure.  In a way, this is a great learning experience for her to be able to conquer  stage fright.  She is a brave little girl.  I don't have the courage to  do what she does lol.  So great job Ryestein!

Guitar Maintenance

I bought this old guitar at a garage sale for $7.  It needs new strings  so I will have to buy  some when we go to the  music store in the area.  The former owner of this told us that he used it when he was a little younger but  got tired of it and just  leave it in the storage.  A  guitar maintenance is absolutely needed  in order to   have a good working condition on the instrument.  As you can tell in the photo, the guitar really need  a lot of TLC for it to work.  

Planet Venus Model

Our daughter did a study report about the planet Venus.  We bought her  a styro ball and  some  play dough to finish the look of  her planet.  She did the marble design using the  clay dough.  I never  thought of  using the clay dough for it but it worked really good.  

This is  the type of projects that she enjoys doig.  Anything science and things that involve arts and crafts, she's on it.

I will update this  later. 
Shadow Shots

Listening to Like I'm Gonna Lose You

When I am  feeling stressed, music is  my way of calming myself.  One of my favorite  songs of Meghan Trainor  is the Like I'm Gonna Lose You with John Legend.  I thought they did a great job with this song.

I am having a bit of anxiety thinking about moving.  I know that it is for the best but I  shake off the feeling of  leaving my very first home.  I came to  love this home and I maintained it the way I wanted, it makes me sad to leave this home.  I can't even remember how the kitchen on that other house looks like.  I know that it was a smaller kitchen compared to this  current one that we have but I am hoping that it has slides for pantry or else we wil have to buy.  My husband is already thnking of replacing the cabinets since it is old but it is going tobe  a long time  before we can do that.  I should be excited but here  I am  anxious about it, oh boy! 

Looking forward for the warm weather so we could do our daily family walk. We all miss it. #familyfitness👨‍👩‍👧‍👦👫 #walk #stayingactive🏃

A photo posted by Chubskulit Rose (@chubskulitrose) on Mar 4, 2016 at 1:43pm PST

 You can see from the background of the photo above the house that will become our future home.

Summer's Nocturne by Catherine Rollin played by Rylie

I love it when  our daughter is into the zone of playing piano.  She can sit there and play for  hours if she is in the mood.  The funny thing that she does  is when I tell her to take a shower, she would  sit in front of the piano and play first before she finally go  in the shower lol.  Anyway, before I   look at the selectionn of these  Hohner Harmonicas , I included a  short video of her  practicing the Summer's Nocturne by Catherine Rollin.  Enjoy!

Holiday Mini Concert

On December 5th, Torrance Music   have collaborated with  a local busines to  hold their first  holiday mini concert.  Each students played  one song and it was fun to watch.  I wasn't sure if this was the first time they did it but I thought it was a nice idea.  The business  got extra customers that  night and  the family had fun.  I just wish that they  chose  a bigger place to hold this kind of even because it was crowded!Both BUrrits played their piece on piano.  Below is  the video I recorded on the camera.  Please pardon the noise on the background.