May is almost finally over! Whew. I am just glad that I made it through. It seemed like everything under the sun had to be scheduled for May this year. What exactly did I go through this month? Well....I've been busy preparing 3 of my piano students to participate in Certificate of Merit. A California based MTAC event. It was pretty intense. They had to prepare 3 pieces, be able to pass a sight reading exam, a theory exam, and an ear training exam - as well master a page of technical exercises. It was a little much for 10-11 year olds if you ask me. But - they finally finished their evaluations and all passed. 2 of my students participated in Composer's Today - and then had a recognition recital that I had to attend. Even though they had the most rinky-dink compositions there, I'm so glad they did it. It was a lot of work getting it on paper - but they learned a ton from it too....and I was reminded at the recognition recital why I'm perfectly content for my kids to be "average" or "great - but not insanely out of the ordinarily talented." There were all these kids there who were phenomenal (winning national events, having their pieces played in New York, etc...). Then you talk to them at the dessert table - and whoa. Cocoa Puffs complete....and the parents are even more bizarre. I think I would much rather have a family picnic in the park on a Saturday than try to push my kids to that end - or my students. Of course, you want your students or children to excel and be their best - but moderation truly is a principle not to be overlooked!
4 of my student's participted in the Spring Festival at USD here. I was supposed to be in attendance at this event, helping out...but it was scheduled at the same time as my dress rehearsal for the San Diego Children's Choir....so I completely missed out on this one, but their comments that came back were pretty good.
We had our final concert of the year for the San Diego Children's Choir in Copley Symphony Hall on Mother's Day. I'm really glad that one is over. Although, I'm still having nightmares about the piece I started one beat ahead of the choir TWICE!!! (The second time the director just kept going.).....and then there was the page turn fiasco. I was turning for the other accompanist - and I missed a repeat sign. I went forwards instead of backwards - and whoa. In 2 and a half beats of one measure, I heard every foul word under the sun under her breath, as well as seeing my life flash before my eyes. It's my pregnant brain....or at least that is what I"m going to blame all the mishaps on.
I had my last board meeting of the year for MTAC this month too. Hallelujah! ....and I put out my last edition of the newlsetter for this season. I get a nice 3 month respite from that now. Even though the Children's Choir got out on Mother's Day I've been doing extra tour rehearsals for them the last few weeks. I'm almost done, though. They are leaving on tour to Switzerland in July - but since they are doing everything acapella - I only have one more rehearsal in June, and then they don't want the piano. Yippee!
I turned down a High School Choir and a Flute Choir Recital - and boy am I glad. I don't think I could have crammed another event into all of this.Add to all of this Madness - Mega Morning Sickness - a Primary Drive In Movie Activity I was in charge of - taking on 3 new piano students - and increasing 2 students lessons to 1 hour each this month - and 2 trips to the Urgent Care (1 for a ruptured ovarian cyst for me - the other the very next night for hubby's face crazily going numb all over) - and a 2 year old and its not wonder why I never though May would end. I'm pretty excited for the summer indeed. I have no Choir Rehearsals and half my piano students ditch out on me for the summer (Korea/Japan/India/England vs. piano lessonsin CA - which one would you pick?) I might actually have time to be bored. I can't wait. I also can't believe I'm saying that. I am a little worried about being bored, but I will adjust. I tried to enjoy this month because I know that things will change. We might move - but even if we don't right away I will definitely have to scale back with 2 kids. It's time to move into more of a mommy mode for me. I might not ever have another Music Madness Month - but I'm positive there will be plenty more months with other types of madness running rampant through them!Already things have calmed down.....and its nice to have a few moments to play music for fun. Granted - I'm only 3 lines into the Rachmaninoff Etude Tableux that I wanted to learn for fun - but the Cadet is getting a real kick out of listening to my glorious renditions of "I love Trash" from the Reader's Digest Songbook - and every song from the Star Wars Songbook. His giggle when I sing Jedi Rocks is worth it all. Its just a reminder to me of how much fun music is - and it doesn't have to be that stressful. Hooray for the nigh dawning of June!
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