How can one piano recital change so many things? And we weren't even performing!I have wanted a piano for the 20+ years I've been married. I bought a little keyboard from Costco a few years ago and it has been ok, but the key weight is different than a piano, and it's not a full-sized keyboard. It has helped pique Jessica's interest in music/piano though and I've been amazed at how she has been able to play the hymns! Then there has always been the money issue...there were always other things needing money. (Isn't there ALWAYS something demanding money?)
Last week after Jessica's voice recital I talked to several people there about piano teachers. Jessica's friend mentioned that he goes to a lady named Patricia Ockey who doesn't live far from us.
***sirens go off!***
My two youngest sisters went to Pat when they were in high school and they LOVED Pat as a piano teacher. By talking to Jessica's friend I learned Pat was still teaching.
She comes HIGHLY recommended.
Then we learned that the spring recital was Saturday May 16th.
Jess and I decided to attend the recital. I wanted to observe the teacher.
We dropped everything to go Saturday, even missing our lunch because we'd been too busy to stop for lunch (odd for us I know.) All the while I was having second thoughts about even attending...
It was WELL worth the time though.
I got to observe Pat with the kids and I can see that she enjoys MUSIC, enjoys the KIDS, and most of all ENJOYS LIFE!!
We signed up for Summer Piano with Pat.
We found a piano too! (of course, walking through the music store to get to the recital hall had something to do with that.)
It has all fallen together so nicely.
SO much has changed just by going to a little piano recital.
Jessica is going to do well with Pat Ockey. I look forward to this new adventure!
One of the musical numbers at the recital brought me to tears and I embarrassed Jessica in the process. I heard her say "I can't believe my Mom is CRYING at a piano recital!" The piece is called "All of Me" by Jon Schmidt.
Ok, so it was a little embarrassing, but I haven't been so moved by music in a LONG time. I felt so uplifted and joyful! It was an amazing feeling! Of course, taking piano lessons for 8 years puts the piano as my favorite instrument of all time! The piano has time and again calmed me down, and I always appreciate a good piano musician.
Oh, and Jon Schmidt is one of my favorite composers/musicians now.
I may even have to start playing the piano on a regular basis again!
Mom, you didn't embarrass me.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the story on your book club? I like the selections you have listed (read only two of them)... do you guys meet physically or is a virtual thing? Do you hold tryouts?
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the Piano, by the way - it's the best piece of furniture you'll ever own.
We meet physically once a month.
ReplyDeletePiano music evokes something deep down in me, as well. In fact, I bought a piano the moment I graduated from college. I think it was my first major purchase. It was a beat up thing and I had it for about 5 or 6 years before I replaced it but I loved it! My favorite music is piano. Thank you for sharing that video!
ReplyDeleteSusan, I didn't know you played. Have you been hiding your talent from us? Now that you have a paino again, you will have to play for fun again. Olaying always lifts my spirits. I love my piano! It was willed to me by Grandma and invokes lots of memories for me.
ReplyDeleteJoan, hiding and being able to practice are two different things. I did a primary piano calling one time and it was one of the most stressful callings I've ever had -- since i didn't have a piano at home. I decided then I needed to keep quiet about my music. I LOVE how the piano lifts my spirits! and I've enjoyed having one for the last week.
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