spring recital

and another semester of piano has come to an end. it was, by far, my most taxing semester yet. i think there's something about the end of the school year that screams to kids "HEY! JUST STOP BEING REMOTELY INTERESTED IN ANYTHING AT ALL. DON'T EVER PRACTICE AND YOU'LL BE FINE JUST WINGING IT AT THE RECITAL." see the caps? really, screaming. fall comes and they're all revved up and excited again, but these spring recitals are a different monster. i'm always amazed at what a little bit of fear can do to them in the last two weeks before the recital. we've had a practice chart since march with stickers as incentive and those who practiced the most were rewarded.

i played duets with two of my students. i think we pulled them off with flying colors. i think my favorite pieces this time were "music box dancer" and "hallelujah." although "chariots of fire" and "new york, new york" are close runners up. everyone did such a great job.

no one played in the wrong octave or the wrong key. one even insisted on using the pedal {even if they are still a foot too short to reach it, so they have to play it standing up!}. too cute.i got tired of the regular old let's-stand-here-stiff-as-boards-with-fake-smiles-and-pose-with-teacher-maren-picture, so we jazzed it up a bit. only missing one as she had to run off to a school play a bit early. and look, lisa, you're the tallest!!as always, this little gal stole the show with her post-recital entertainment and other shenanigans. i should get used to it by now. i think my students stay on with me in hopes they'll get to see leah every once in awhile. i'm glad she's so loved.