Tag Archives: Anna

Shawnee Mission South Strings Concert – Spring 2010

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We were back at Shawnee Mission South High School once again this week to watch Anna play violin with the rest of the 4th-12th graders in the South portion of the school district.

As noted on a recent blog post, Anna has really come a long way with her violin in just over 2 years of playing.  She has been taking private lessons and seems to enjoy the challenge that it presents.

I’m very proud of her work with music, dance, and school.  Seems the nut doesn’t fall far from either of the parental trees…

Anna’s First Music Festival

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Anna participated in her first music festival with the school district.  Standing alone in front of a judge with nothing between them except the music stand, she played her violin piece so well.  Her accompanist was the woman who’s been with her all along – Linda, of course.

Her violin teacher, Mrs. Jensen, was also in attendance

I sat watching and listening to my oldest daughter play an instrument that she’s only played for just over 2 years…and she sounded awesome.

Obviously, the judge agreed because she gave her a “1” rating – the best one can get.

Great job, Anna!

Anna & Silver Strings

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Anna is in her second year as a member of Silver Strings – an honor strings ensemble for the 5th and 6th graders of the Shawnee Mission School District.  The rehearsals are at 7:00am on Friday mornings at a school about 5 miles away.   They meet, practice, and are then bussed back their respective schools in time for the beginning of the school day.  This, obviously, requires a lot of commitment by the kids (and also their parents that drive them to rehearsals).  Fortunately, we’re part of a carpool of 4 girls and Linda has only had to drive for 2 months this whole year.

They had one of their concerts the other night and it was a real joy to listen to really motivated elementary string players play together.  Great job, Anna.

KCMTA Multi-Piano Concert

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This weekend is filled with rehearsals and concerts for the 2010 Kansas City Music Teachers Association Multi-Piano Concert.  This concert involves 18 grand pianos on stage with 2 players at each piano.  This duets-only concert includes around 20 pieces that have different sets of players on each set.  It’s like an orchestra of pianos.

All four of us are playing again this year.  I’m playing with Anna; Anna is playing with Emily; Linda is playing with Emily and also with several other students.  It really is a lot of fun.

The picture is from the yesterday’s rehearsal.

Cheer class

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Anna and Emily have been on an extended leave from their dance class due to an ankle injury sustained by their dance teacher (who is over 80 years old).  Having these 2 extra hours in their weekly schedule, it was decided to let them take a Cheer Class that was being offered at our gym.  They have had an absolute blast!

Pictured here is the final pose in one of their routines – they really looked like they were having fun.

Time to deliver girl scout cookies

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The time has come to deliver the Girl Scout cookies.  Anna and Emily do a great job selling cookies in the neighborhood, but a majority of their boxes sold are to the many nurses in the ER at work.  Since I work 35 miles away, this means the boxes get packaged up and sent with me for delivery.

The girls do a great job putting all the orders in individual sacks that are tagged with the persons name and the amount due.  A nice touch is the personalized thank you card written by one of the girls placed inside the bag.

The real problem…the ER is staffed by nurses that work different shifts and different days.  Therefore, waiting for the times our schedules match, I will drive back and forth to work for the next 2 weeks with Girl Scout cookies in the back of my car (awesome if I ever get stuck in the snow).

Finally, the cartoon is for those of you that see Girl Scout cookies the same way I do – they always arrive after the holidays ten-pound weight gain and New Years resolutions!

They love the snow

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I don’t remember when we got this much snow that lasted as long as it did.  It started snowing here in Kansas City on Christmas Eve…and we haven’t seen the ground yet.  It finally got above freezing yesterday and some melting has started to happen, but I think it’s still gonna be with us for a while.

Playing in the snow can be such fun – you don’t even care how cold you are (or if your four legs can’t keep your belly out of it).

 

Finally back in school

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Anna and Emily finally headed back to school today.  Despite just finishing a long Christmas break, school was called off for several days upon their scheduled return due to severe cold and snow.

All I can report is that sanity is once again preserved!

While on break, Linda and the girls went to D.C. to visit Linda’s sister/family.  Included was the National Zoo, National Botanical Gardens, and the National Aquarium.  It was good to have them back home.