There are moments that happen, there are moments that surprise you, there are moments you prepare for and sometimes they are all just one moment. I recently attended my mother’s piano recital; she has had over thirty of these at least. I can remember setting up all of the chairs, tables and refreshments in the early years. My brothers and I knew it was coming every spring; we would have to help set up, take down and listen to all the students take their turns. It has been many years since that time and the event has moved to its now present location in a nice auditorium at Murray State University. The setup is easy, chairs in place and no tables or piano to move…perfect.
I can’t remember how many students performed in her first recitals but the numbers have grown with forty-five students this year and far more family members attending. This year the auditorium was packed. The students range in age from five years old to early twenties. Clearly some have just begun their journey to learn the keys, tempo and pedals to some who have mastered every part, even to pure memorization. The night progresses from the short simple pinkly pieces to longer more complex works, both are usually recognizable by ear to everyone. Family members from parents, siblings, grandparents and more wait patiently to see their own perform. A years’ worth of lessons and preparation will be on full view to see how far they have progressed. Many who are there for their first time are quite surprised by the end of the night, their expectations for a long evening are not as the even last for almost three hours. You have to hand it to the younger children who sit, maybe not still, but in place all that time as everyone gets to play.
When all of the current students have had their time to play for everyone in attendance and they all have received their well-earned applause, the evening is still not complete until the two guest soloist have had their chance to impress. At this point everyone is ready to stretch their legs and go home having fulfilled their obligations and most are pleased with their night, even surprised at how good the students can play. But much to their dismay two more people, one at a time, make their way to the piano, no music in hand and touch the keys. This year was the same as a few of the previous with the final player of the night; Kyle who took lessons for years, finishes the night with a bang. I have seen Kyle play many times and I have always been impressed but this year he just took my breath away and I am sure that was the case for many in the hall. He always chooses what he is going to do, classical pieces, melodies of songs from a time or whatever he thinks will be enjoyable. This year he chose a Scott Joplin piece and crushed it. I have watched the videos over and over myself also showing it to friends who asked how things went. Kyle put on a show worthy of any paid performance that would impress. Needless to say everyone there was thrilled they stayed to the end to see what their children someday, may be able to do if they stick with lessons, practice and have a passion for piano. My mother, Mary Ann, has had that passion for her students and teaching and it shows every year through the young and older students alike. Their passions were fanned and supported with her ability to make the notes on the paper make sense. Kyle definitely has a passion for piano and it shows. What a night, what a performance and what a singular inspiration to find your passion, whatever it is and crush it.
Here is a link to my Facebook Author page for the videos,
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-W-Glover/834082943319608?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
I can’t remember how many students performed in her first recitals but the numbers have grown with forty-five students this year and far more family members attending. This year the auditorium was packed. The students range in age from five years old to early twenties. Clearly some have just begun their journey to learn the keys, tempo and pedals to some who have mastered every part, even to pure memorization. The night progresses from the short simple pinkly pieces to longer more complex works, both are usually recognizable by ear to everyone. Family members from parents, siblings, grandparents and more wait patiently to see their own perform. A years’ worth of lessons and preparation will be on full view to see how far they have progressed. Many who are there for their first time are quite surprised by the end of the night, their expectations for a long evening are not as the even last for almost three hours. You have to hand it to the younger children who sit, maybe not still, but in place all that time as everyone gets to play.
When all of the current students have had their time to play for everyone in attendance and they all have received their well-earned applause, the evening is still not complete until the two guest soloist have had their chance to impress. At this point everyone is ready to stretch their legs and go home having fulfilled their obligations and most are pleased with their night, even surprised at how good the students can play. But much to their dismay two more people, one at a time, make their way to the piano, no music in hand and touch the keys. This year was the same as a few of the previous with the final player of the night; Kyle who took lessons for years, finishes the night with a bang. I have seen Kyle play many times and I have always been impressed but this year he just took my breath away and I am sure that was the case for many in the hall. He always chooses what he is going to do, classical pieces, melodies of songs from a time or whatever he thinks will be enjoyable. This year he chose a Scott Joplin piece and crushed it. I have watched the videos over and over myself also showing it to friends who asked how things went. Kyle put on a show worthy of any paid performance that would impress. Needless to say everyone there was thrilled they stayed to the end to see what their children someday, may be able to do if they stick with lessons, practice and have a passion for piano. My mother, Mary Ann, has had that passion for her students and teaching and it shows every year through the young and older students alike. Their passions were fanned and supported with her ability to make the notes on the paper make sense. Kyle definitely has a passion for piano and it shows. What a night, what a performance and what a singular inspiration to find your passion, whatever it is and crush it.
Here is a link to my Facebook Author page for the videos,
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-W-Glover/834082943319608?ref=aymt_homepage_panel