Mostly Concertos Piano Recital

It was amazing to listen to Thomas perform his Grieg Concerto with his teacher, Mrs. Bachus, accompanying him.  He has improved so much in the 8 months he has been studying with her.  We are excited to see his continual progress.  When I see him sit at a piano now I am in awe.  I remember when he was so little that his hands didn't reach an octave and he was dwarfed by the piano.  Not the case anymore! :)  When did he grow up!

Piano Recital

Thomas performed at the Kent State Recital Hall on Saturday in his first recital with Mrs. Bachus.  He played "First Arabesque" by Debussy.  His playing has dramatically improved in just the 12 lessons he has had with Mrs. Bachus.  He has a renewed love and a much deeper understanding and ability to progress.  So grateful for people that make time to share their talents and gifts with our children.

2015 Federation

Thomas participated in his 4th year of Federation.  This is a piano competition of sorts.  He entered 3 different categories:  Concerto, Solo, and Hymn Playing.  For the Concerto he memorized a piece that was 26 minutes long and was accompanied by a professor of piano from the Kent State University.  For the Solo portion he memorized 2 different pieces that were both about 8 minutes long.  Hymn playing was easy for him as he just had to play 2 different hymns.  He spent the morning at Kent State waiting for his times to perform.  He would play for a panel of judges and they then critique and rate him.  We could not watch this part of the competition.  He thinks he did very well; however, he has not received his scores yet.  

This year he earned an invitation to play in the Honor's recital that afternoon.  This is earned by 3 previous years of earning Unanimous Superior scores.  He is limited to playing for only 5 minutes so he performed a portion of his Concerto that he played earlier that morning.  

We Survived May

I am beginning to believe that the month of May rivals December in terms of busyness and hectic schedules.  There are so many end of the year school activities pulling at us.  Add to that the beautiful weather that beckons us to be outside sprucing up the yard after a long, cold winter and enjoying the warmth of sunshine and blue skies.  The opportunity to be at the pool again, BBQ, and eat meals outside is much more enticing than all the end of the year school projects, homework, spelling lists, etc.  I am trying to survive the next week and a half before I get to reclaim our family and enjoy a couple months of being together without school, packing lunches, evening activities and commitments.  I hope we survive...and I hope I can muster the desire to pack a lunch for them for 7 more days...it will be a challenge...and I'm not sure I am up for it! :)

Thomas, Sammy, and Joel joined other scouts the Friday before Memorial Day to put flags on the graves of veterans in the Tallmadge Cemetery.  They loved it and are excited to be able to do it again next year.

Gideon's typical breakfast includes mixing at least 3 kinds of cereal together each morning.  Love the bedhead this kid wakes up with each morning.  I will deal with the bedhead; however, because I love the way his red hair shines in the sun when he is outside playing.

I have reflected a lot this month on how we were led to live where we live at this point in our lives.  Stow has once again been named Ohio's best Community for Music Education and it is definitely a well deserved title.  Thomas and Spring continue to love and excel in the band and orchestra.  May has a brought about so many concerts for these two that I have lost count.  After their last band concert we were able to snap a quick picture with one of their 3 band directors, Mr. Newman.  He is Spring's small group instructor on the trumpet and he is the director of the Junior High Band and Jazz Band for Thomas.  He, as well as Mr. Monroe and Mrs. Sandman are amazing band directors that have blessed our family for the last 4 years and will continue to throughout their high school careers. Mrs. Hamilton, as their Orchestra teacher has been the same; unfortunately, she retires this year so we anxiously await to see who will step up in her place.

Yesterday the Deacons helped Thomas with a service project for Sue Ann.  She needed some big boulders moved out of her backyard and then an area of her yard leveled out into a smoother grade.  Following that they moved lumber for the deck Thomas is going to build for her this summer to her backyard.  The rest of our kids were so excited to be able to help as well.  They all accomplished a great deal in such a short period of  time.  I love that our children love to serve and help whenever they see an opportunity.  They continue to be great examples to me.

Yesterday also marked Thomas' final piano recital with Ms. Bakkum.  It was a bittersweet moment as he and Ms. Bakkum performed a duet together for the final time.  I loved watching them smile at each other and just work in perfect unison together; however, I teared up a bit with the thought that this chapter of his music career is coming to an end.  The relationship they have developed is so very special and I know he will forever treasure the memories, skills, and life lessons he has learned from her.

We ended our day yesterday with a trip to the pool in the evening.  It was a last minute decision and I don't think I have ever seen the kids get ready so quickly.  Neither Joel or I went swimming last night so Sara just hung out with us.  She found a swim diaper in her bag and kept trying to put it on her head.  Finally I helped and then she wasn't so sure she liked it.

Ms. Bakkum

When we moved here we found a gem of a piano teacher for Thomas.  We found Kim Bakkum.  I was relieved to only have to drive about 10 minutes to lessons for him each week instead of an hour like were doing in California.  But, that wasn't the tip of the iceberg for the blessing she brought into our lives.  She is a wonderful woman who has become a dear family friend.  She and Thomas speak a language that we don't understand and I am grateful for this opportunity for Thomas.  She is more than a teacher to Thomas.  She is a mentor, a friend, an example, and inspiration for him.  

She told us a few weeks ago that she is relocating to New Mexico this summer.  This was devastating news for all of us, but particularly Thomas.  Thomas was in tears and has been emotional about it ever since.  We are happy for her to be closer to family, but so sad to see her leave.  

When she was talking to Thomas about it she told him that she wanted to GIVE him her baby grand piano that she learned to play on as a child.  She told Thomas that this piano is very special to her just as Thomas is.  She told Thomas that she wanted to always be a part of his life and a part of his music and this is a way she can do that.  It has been very emotional for both of them.  It is amazing to see Thomas play on this piano in our home.  

Although she is moving, Ms. Bakkum will always be with him. They will stay in touch and she will continue to mentor and love Thomas.  She is a great blessing to us in Ohio.

Sunday Morning

We were waiting for the time to head out the door to church yesterday morning and Thomas was at the piano, as usual.  Sara decided to join in with him.

Look What We Found

Today was a busy Saturday for our family with a library activity for Spring, Orchestra fundraiser for Thomas, Joel fixing our kitchenaid, cleaning out our pantry, playing with the kids, Joel and Thomas helping with a move, and a bunch of other things that I can't remember any more.  Looking back on the day I keep trying to figure out what really kept us busy all day and can't seem to figure it out, but we were busy all day.

 

This afternoon Thomas was playing the piano which isn't anything unusual in our home.  We walked into the room to find him entertaining Sara at the same time.  He didn't realize we were there watching him so Joel was able to capture a video and we were able to get some pictures.  When he finished and turned around he was surprised to see we were taking video of him.  I love how comfortable he is with Sara and how he just involves her with whatever he is doing.

All of Me

Thomas was shown a You-Tube video of John Schmidt playing this song and he thought it was the coolest thing ever so, of course, he decided to learn to play the song as well.  He has worked and worked and worked to master it.  I am in awe when I sit and watch him play and see how far he comes from the first time he plays a piece.

Piano Recital

Saturday afternoon Thomas performed "Hungary" at his piano recital.  He still has nerves of steel.  We ask him if he is nervous and he looks at us like we are crazy for even thinking that.

"Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing"

Elder Ingersoll asked Thomas to accompany him on this piece in Sacrament Meeting in a couple weeks.  They practiced this morning for a short while.  Thomas loves being able to do this and so admires Elder Ingersoll. I'm grateful for the opportunity he has had to be influenced by such a great missionary.

As Zion's Youth in Latter Days

Thomas has the opportunity to play prelude for Sacrament Meeting each week on the organ.  He has been teaching himself to play the organ and has greatly improved since he began during the summer.  He has accompanied once during Sacrament Meeting when he was called the night before and asked if he would substitute.  He went to church early that week and practiced the hymns that were going to be sung for Sacrament Meeting.  He is slowly adding to his repertoire of hymns that he can play on the organ but he doesn't get time to practice other than while playing prelude.

So, yesterday morning he was playing prelude as usual.  He usually comes to sit with us once Sacrament Meeting begins.  Well, Bishop stood up to begin the meeting and after a couple minutes I realized that Thomas was sitting at the organ still.  I looked to Joel and mouthed, "Is he playing for Sacrament Meeting?"  Joel was just as shocked as I was and we caught Thomas' attention and he just smiled at us.  The Chorister smiled too.  I quickly opened the hymnbook to see what the opening hymn was going to be and my heart started to beat even faster.  It was "As Zion's Youth in Latter Days" and it is not an easy song to play on the organ.  Even more troublesome was I knew he had never even attempted this hymn on the organ.  I began sweating and I was afraid my heart was going to jump right out of my chest.  All too soon, the opening hymn was announced and Thomas began the introduction.  Cool, calm Thomas with a huge smile on his face and me "freaking out" as he would say.

The introduction to the hymn did not help put my nerves at ease.  He struggled through it and I looked at Joel with dread.  I was really worried about how this was going to go. I began to silently plead with our Father in Heaven to help Thomas be able to do his very best and to help him be able to get through the hymn without too many difficulties.  He improved dramatically as we all began singing and by the 2nd verse he was doing so much better and the third verse was almost flawless.  I had tears in my eyes and gratitude in my heart for a son that is so willing to serve and for a Heavenly Father that loves us and is aware of each of our individual needs.  I know Thomas received Heavenly help as he so willingly shared his musical talent so we could sing worship to our Father in Heaven.

I calmed down a little and was relieved because I knew he could play the Sacrament hymn with ease.  It is one of his favorites as he loves playing the Sacramental hymns on the organ.  I wasn't so sure about the rest hymn but he played it beautifully, although, he had never before played that hymn either.  Following the rest hymn our final speaker, our High Priest Group Leader, stood to speak.  With tears in his eyes he explained to the congregation the situation. The organist was not at church when it was time for Sacrament Meeting to begin and Thomas volunteered to play for Sacrament Meeting.  He was asked twice if he would prefer someone be asked to play the piano for the songs but he said he would be just fine accompanying.  Brother Johnson then, overcome with emotion, recited the words to third verse of our opening hymn:

          Thru test and trial we’ll have our fears,
           But we will not despair.
           We’re here to serve a righteous cause;
           Truth gives us strength to dare.
           We’ll love, and learn, and overcome;
           We’ll sing a joyful song,
           As Zion’s youth in latter days,
           Triumphant, pure, and strong.

He shared how wonderful it was to see Thomas overcome this test and trial in the midst of playing the hymn. How grateful I am that Brother Johnson shared this because I was too nervous and too busy praying for Thomas to listen and be touched by the words of this hymn.  I don't think I will ever listen or sing this hymn again without remembering the miracle of this day.  Our Father in Heaven blessed Thomas to be able to have the strength to dare an then to love, learn, and overcome so we could all sing a joyful song together.

Christmas Piano Recital

This year Thomas' piano teacher decided instead of having a formal recital she wanted her students to visit a local rest home and play Christmas music for the residents.  Thomas loved this idea, as did we.  Here is one of the pieces he played.  After they performed they took time to walk around and visit with the wonderful residents of the nursing home. I am so grateful for his wonderful piano teacher who values teaching her students the importance of sharing their talents with others.

"I Need Thee Every Hour"

The Elders asked Thomas to accompany them for a musical piece they are doing in a couple weeks in Sacrament Meeting.  Thomas practiced with them this evening and Joel took some video so we could share it with family and also so we could email the families of the Elders to share it with them.

Piano Duet

Thomas will be playing this duet in Sacrament Meeting in a couple weeks with a sister from the ward. He wanted to practice it with his piano teacher, Ms. Bakkum.  So, this is he and his amazing piano teacher today.

Restoration Medley

Trying out the Organ

Thomas has been wanting to learn to play the organ for quite some time.  We found a free audio course from BYU online that is designed for pianists that have been called as organists.  So, tonight Joel took Thomas back to the church to try out the first lesson.  Thomas LOVED it!  He was so happy and so in his element.  On the way home Thomas told Joel, "That was SO much fun!"  Thomas is going to go to the church on Wednesday evenings when Joel is there with the Young Men so he can practice.  Here are a couple videos Joel took tonight of Thomas trying it out for the first time.

School Talent Show

Thomas performed at his school talent show last night.  He was limited to only 1 minute so this is what he chose to do.

Thomas' 1st Ribbon Festival

Thomas participated in the Ribbon Festival on Saturday as well.  He performed 2 pieces, "Sonatina in C Major" and "The Mad Hornet."  I am amazed by his nerves of steel...he just never seems to get nervous.

Spring's First Ribbon Festival

Spring participated in the Ohio Music Teacher's Association's Ribbon Festival yesterday at Kent State University.  She played a memorized piece of music for a judge and received a ribbon for her participation.  Each year they earn a different color ribbon and this year's color was purple.  She was so happy to get a purple ribbon as it is her current favorite color.  She was very nervous waiting for her turn; however, you wouldn't be able to tell once she began playing. She did a wonderful job.

A Night of Music

Thomas and Spring had their Piano Recital this evening at the University of Akron Recital Hall. When we walked into the Recital Hall Spring almost went pale when she saw how large the hall was. We reminded her she would do wonderfully but she was nervous. She had her piece memorized but when it was her turn she decided to take her music with her (just in case she told us later). I was really nervous for her and just wanted her to do as well as I know she had been doing at home while practicing. She was AMAZING! We were so happy. As she played tears came to my eyes because I was so proud of her. She seemed so grown up and so composed on the stage. It was so enjoyable to listen to her play. After she sat down she looked over at us and we smiled and gave her a thumb's up. She just beemed. How I love this daughter of ours!

When it came time for Thomas' turn he walked up so quickly with a big smile on his face. The kid has nerves of steel when it comes to playing the piano. We were shocked to see his teacher, Mrs. Bakkum, sit down at the piano next to him. We had no idea they were going to be playing a duet. He was amazing and it was so awesome to hear them together as we have only heard him play the piece alone before. When the recital was over we asked him why he never told us that he was going to be playing a duet. He assured us he had told us. I guess I need to listen more carefully! How grateful we are for these wonderful children and their willingness to practice without being asked and their love of the piano.