Anna sang for her high school “Evening of Cabaret” the other evening. She was the opening act for a fund-raising concert of solos, duets, and group songs.
She sang the classic song from Showboat, “Can’t Help Loving That Man of Mine”. The lighting was a bit off due to the very bright spotlight. Nonetheless, enjoy…
Linda had the spring piano recital for her studio this past weekend. It’s so entertaining watching and hearing how all of the students have progressed from one year to another. Anna and Emily used to be the little kids that played the simple songs at the beginning of the recital. Now, they are two of the older students that are playing some big pieces.
Enjoy listening to Anna (Chopin Waltz in A Minor) and Emily (Schumann Traumerei) play.
Anna has been taking voice lessons for the past few years from Catherine Boone, a voice teacher that attends our church. Catherine also teaches a lot of the high school singers up at Anna’s high school. As a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, she is able to enter her students in the regional auditions where the students can sing for judges.
This was the first year that Anna participated in NATS; she’s sung in other events, but never in NATS. The other events just had her singing her piece in front of a couple judges – nothing unusual. However, this time she specifically sang show pieces and lyrical pieces for different judges. Linda, as usual, accompanied. Enjoy the following four pieces that Anna sang.
Till There Was You (Music Man) by Meredith Wilson
I Have Confidence (The Sound of Music) by Richard Rodgers
O Come, O Come, My Dearest by Thomas Arne
Nel cor piú non mi sento by Giovanni Paisiello
It’s that time of year when every kid in any kind of music activity at school is busy performing in concerts. With each of the girls in multiple music groups, we’ve spent the last 3 nights attending choir, band, and orchestra concerts. Frankly, it’s been great to be there and see the girls performing in their respective groups.
In case you weren’t able to make it, here is a sampling of music from each of the nights.
Choir
Anna sings “Still, Still, Still” with the Heritage Singers.
They also ended the evening with their traditional performance of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah; this is performed with band and orchestra students accompanying – a very nice job.
Band
Emily plays flute on a fun piece called “A Crazy Mixed Up Christmas Concert”.
Orchestra
Anna plays violin on “The Christmas Song” with the combined orchestras. One of Anna’s good friends, Victoria, sings along. Unfortunately, this concert is held in the school cafeteria with very poor acoustics and lighting (it’s a fundraising evening with desserts and drinks).
So, I’ve not posted for quite a while. Frankly, life happens and I’ve been so busy with work, family, and all of our activities. One of my activities that has kept me very busy lately is my position as a Bass II with the Kansas City Symphony Chorus.
We rehearse every Monday evening, but when we have concerts, we rehearse every night of the week leading up to the performances on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
As usual, we were joined by the Independence Messiah Choir (they’ve been doing the Messiah every year for over 90 years).
It’s a very busy week, but so rewarding when the audience gives a standing ovation and they enthusiastic applause after 2 hours of singing.
If you’re looking for me in the above picture, you’ll find me on the 2nd row of the choir loft. I’m the 3rd in from the right.
Each day, Thursday through Sunday, I took pictures as I approached the Kauffman Performing Arts Center. Enjoy the view that I got each day.
This past weekend, Anna and Emily spent the day at Regional Solo Festival for high school students. Anna played violin and sang vocal solos; Emily played flute.
Linda stayed very busy accompanying both of them and a couple other students. We’re very lucky to have an accompanist on retainer.
Anna plays Sonata in G by Eccles
Emily plays Legende by Joachim Andersen
Anna sings Sebben Crudele & Blow Thou Winter Wind
This is actually audio only; a friend recorded it for us
For the past 3 weekends, we have spent an evening with the Kansas City Symphony. In fact, these 3 weekends have spoiled us something fierce. The first weekend was Mahler’s 9th Symphony – a 90-minute masterpiece that kept us spellbound until the very end.
Last weekend was fascinating with percussionist, Martin Grubinger of Salzburg, playing a Concerto for Percussionist and String Orchestra and Brass – 3 movements with three different sets of percussion instruments: wood (i.e., marimba, blocks), metal (i.e., xylophone, gong, chimes), and skins (drums, tympani). This was followed with Beethoven’s 5th Symphony – da-da-da-dummmm. That was one fabulous concert. Check out all of the percussion instruments lining the front of the stage (all played by one soloist):
Then, tonight we were delighted to hear Bernstein’s “On the Waterfront”. This was followed with Leon Fleisher, world renown pianist, playing Ravel’s Piano Concerto in D Major for Left Hand. This picture is Mr. Fleisher taking a bow with Maestro Michael Stern.
Finally, the evening ended with the Symphony playing Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade”. Absolutely amazing.
And to think – I get to sing with this group every now and then…
Emily played in her first flute recital a few days ago. She played “Suite in A minor – I: Overture” by G. Telemann. She has been playing for 5 years and has done a tremendous job in advancing. Linda accompanied on piano.
We got a long deserved break after the marathon of Christmas shows with the Kansas City Symphony in mid-December. It was nice to have my weekly night free from rehearsals and do things with family and friends. However, the rehearsals have returned and we are already in the swing of things getting ready for the next concerts.
We will be performing Verdi’s “Requiem” with the KC Symphony on May 30-Jun 1.
We have also been asked to add an additional concert on May 4. This will be a concert at the Kaufmann Performing Arts Center (Helzberg Hall) with only the Chorus. We will be accompanied by organ only (no symphony). This is unusual, but there has been a lot of buzz about how great the Chorus is and that we are only heard a couple times a year with the Symphony. This will be an opportunity for us to showcase our capabilities and talent. The tickets have already been placed on sale and start at only $10. If you can make it, you should come!
I have spent the last week in a grueling schedule of rehearsals and performances with the Kansas City Symphony Chorus. We had rehearsal every night in the week and then performances Thursday through Sunday (including 2 on both Saturday and Sunday).
Despite being completely worn out, I take great comfort in knowing that my musical offering contributed to the holiday tradition for many people. For many of them, it’s the only time they hear the Symphony and experience the grandness of the Kauffman Performing Arts Center and Helzberg Hall.
By the way, I’m on the 2nd row, 4th in from the right.