Piano Recital

Aubrey and Connor had their first piano recital this last Monday, April 19, 2010.

A friend from my church ward, Rebekah, started teaching piano lessons to a girl who is in Aubrey's Primary class. Since Rebekah only had one student but still wanted to hold a recital, she invited Aubrey and Connor to join in on it. I was really glad she asked because both of my kids having been playing the piano for a couple of years now but have never had the opportunity to show anyone what they have learned. It's a great way for them to experience the nerves that come with performing but still be able to play a great musical piece anyway.

Aubrey and Connor right before the recital began.

Getting ready to play. Just about all of Aubrey and Connors' grandparents and great-grandparents were there to watch. We really appreciate the interest they took in wanting to be there. Here you see Aubrey getting her flute ready because she played one song with it.

I didn't get any photos of the kids playing their piano pieces because I was too busy videotaping them. (There are videos you can watch at the end of this post.) However, I did quickly snap a few pictures of Aubrey's flute duet with her Grandma Hansen playing the piano.

Both Aubrey and Connor played 3 music pieces, one of which had to be memorized. When the kids were first told that they would have to play a song by memory, they were pretty skeptical that they could actually do something like that. Aubrey put up a bigger fight about it than Connor, she was feeling very doubtful about it. However, the songs they chose were easy enough that they both had them memorized within the first day of practice.

Aubrey has now been playing the flute since the beginning of this school year. She did very well despite the fact she was really nervous, which made it hard for her to keep her breathing steady and strong in order to get a good clear sound out during some points of the song. This was her first flute solo she has ever performed.

Like I said before, we had a great turn-out from our families, which made it that much more special. Here's Ronin with Grandma Hansen and Grandma Kriss.

Aubrey and Connor with their piano teacher, Grandma Hansen.

Grandma Hansen has been absolutely wonderful with teaching our kids. It's been a great way for them to spend individual time with their grandma. I am very grateful that she's been willing to give up much of her time to teach them over these past many years.

Connor and Aubrey were quite silly and giggly during these pictures.

Aubrey and Connor's Great-grandparents, the Mortons, along with Grandma Kriss. After the recital, we were served banana splits. Yum!

Lots of hugs and congratulations right after the recital. Aubrey getting a big hug from Great-grandma Morton.

Connor with Grandma Kriss.

Aubrey hugging Great-grandma Hansen.

Connor with his Grandma Hansen and Great-Grandparents, the Hansens.

Aubrey and Connor with their mom and dad. Ronin and Rigdon were off running around the gym.

Ronin and Grandma Kriss pulling funny faces.

Here are videos of some of the songs that Aubrey and Connor played.

Connor's

Aubrey's

Aubrey's Flute Song with Grandma Hansen. I missed the first few seconds of the song, sorry!

Dear Aubrey and Connor,
Dad and I want you to know how proud we are of you. You've both come a long way with learning to play your musical instruments. Despite the fact that there are times where you'd rather not have to practice or even play at all...we are glad you have stuck with it. We know that having a talent such as this will bless you throughout your life and bring much joy to others and yourself. Keep it up!
Love, Mom and Dad