A good day
Today was a good day,
I invited my friend Ashley Horvat to come out and play for my kids at Dutch Fork Elementary. I knew the kids would love her, but their enthusiasim really surprised both of us.
There is always a level of chatter and "noise" when you have a class of 30+ 5th graders with instruments in their hands. While engaging them (kids) in a brief conversation on JS Bach (and throwing his wig at someone...somehow I do believe this happened) the decibel level was more than I could stand. Yet, before I reclaim my silence Ash began playing and almost instantly the kids froze.
I absolutely love to watch children in this type of situation. As her fingers flew through her Bach, they would look around at each other as if they didn't believe their eyes and their ears. I saw my social and very rambunctious class sitting quietly and paying attention to every note she played. When she finished the applause was resounding and I saw my friend blush as if this was her first performance ever and she didn't know what to do with herself. Cute huh.
Its funny but kids are usually the best audiences, WHEN you present the material to them in a way that they can understand and relate to. Ashley passed her music around to show the kids what her notes looked like, even showing them the manuscript of Bach's handwriting. She spoke of how long she had been playing and how she made a career out of this "violin thing".
This "Music Thing" it can take you places if you let it. I'm not advocating for all my students to grow-up to be classical musicians (it would actually flood the system...Just kidding:-) but I think that it doesn't hurt to be exposed to this, maybe it just opens their world just a bit beyond what is everyday to them.
So...
I'm preparing for the UK trip, still haven't packed for me or the cello (Yes I'm taking Bea she would be jealous anyway if I was with another cello for a week) and not to mention practicing. I think for this type of venture a lot of scales, slow with focus on sound etc. will be good for me. Anyhoo, one more day of lessons and I'm off. I'll be intouch (look forward to pics, I just bought a digital camera. yay!).
peace.love.and loc gel
I invited my friend Ashley Horvat to come out and play for my kids at Dutch Fork Elementary. I knew the kids would love her, but their enthusiasim really surprised both of us.
There is always a level of chatter and "noise" when you have a class of 30+ 5th graders with instruments in their hands. While engaging them (kids) in a brief conversation on JS Bach (and throwing his wig at someone...somehow I do believe this happened) the decibel level was more than I could stand. Yet, before I reclaim my silence Ash began playing and almost instantly the kids froze.
I absolutely love to watch children in this type of situation. As her fingers flew through her Bach, they would look around at each other as if they didn't believe their eyes and their ears. I saw my social and very rambunctious class sitting quietly and paying attention to every note she played. When she finished the applause was resounding and I saw my friend blush as if this was her first performance ever and she didn't know what to do with herself. Cute huh.
Its funny but kids are usually the best audiences, WHEN you present the material to them in a way that they can understand and relate to. Ashley passed her music around to show the kids what her notes looked like, even showing them the manuscript of Bach's handwriting. She spoke of how long she had been playing and how she made a career out of this "violin thing".
This "Music Thing" it can take you places if you let it. I'm not advocating for all my students to grow-up to be classical musicians (it would actually flood the system...Just kidding:-) but I think that it doesn't hurt to be exposed to this, maybe it just opens their world just a bit beyond what is everyday to them.
So...
I'm preparing for the UK trip, still haven't packed for me or the cello (Yes I'm taking Bea she would be jealous anyway if I was with another cello for a week) and not to mention practicing. I think for this type of venture a lot of scales, slow with focus on sound etc. will be good for me. Anyhoo, one more day of lessons and I'm off. I'll be intouch (look forward to pics, I just bought a digital camera. yay!).
peace.love.and loc gel
posted by Cora at 7:58 PM
1 Comments:
Cora, you are too cute!
And you flatter me too much. It was my pleasure to play for you and your kids last week. It gave me something to practice for a few days, and I just love playing for and being around kids. You have a great group, which is only a giant compliment to you because that shows what a great teacher you are for them. :D
I hope you are having a great time in London, and Damir and I can't wait to see you maybe next week sometime. Take care!
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