The Utah Music Teacher's Association every year has a master's program. At the program students go before a judge one on one. They play their pieces and the judge will then give them some pointers on what to work on. Abby participated in this program this year, it was our first time with this experience. She played two pieces for the judge. After the master's program her teacher informed us that she was picked as one of the students in her age category to perform at the honor's recital held at the end of the music teacher's conference. Out of the hundreds of students who performed for judges, approximately 80 were chosen to perform at this recital. Abby was one of them. They broke the recitals down into 4 different recitals. Abby's recital was held last Saturday, the last recital of the conference.
We arrived during the previous recital and heard a number of exceptionally talented young people playing amazingly complex pieces. We also noted that a huge majority of them were of Asian decent. Well, in Abby's recital it was no different. Abby was younger than all the performers by at least 2 or 3 years. Most were teens however. She felt so discouraged after she played. She felt embarrassed that she was not "as good as" the other performers. I tried to encourage her that she was so much younger and in 2 or 3 years she would also be performing difficlut pieces like the other students. Overall, I hope she had a good experience. She played her piece, "Got the Boogie Blues" quite well and for her age she is very musically talented (where that came from we don't quite know!!) I am so proud of her and hope she knows that no matter what the other performers did--she was the best in my eyes! Abby, I am so proud of how hard you work at things like the piano and I want you to know that instead of comparing yourself to others, just be the best you can be. We are proud of you and hope you realize what an honor it was to be chosen to play in the conference. Keep it up girl!!! We love you!!
The Utah Music Teacher's Association every year has a master's program. At the program students go before a judge one on one. They play their pieces and the judge will then give them some pointers on what to work on. Abby participated in this program this year, it was our first time with this experience. She played two pieces for the judge. After the master's program her teacher informed us that she was picked as one of the students in her age category to perform at the honor's recital held at the end of the music teacher's conference. Out of the hundreds of students who performed for judges, approximately 80 were chosen to perform at this recital. Abby was one of them. They broke the recitals down into 4 different recitals. Abby's recital was held last Saturday, the last recital of the conference. 
We arrived during the previous recital and heard a number of exceptionally talented young people playing amazingly complex pieces. We also noted that a huge majority of them were of Asian decent. Well, in Abby's recital it was no different. Abby was younger than all the performers by at least 2 or 3 years. Most were teens however. She felt so discouraged after she played. She felt embarrassed that she was not "as good as" the other performers. I tried to encourage her that she was so much younger and in 2 or 3 years she would also be performing difficlut pieces like the other students. Overall, I hope she had a good experience. She played her piece, "Got the Boogie Blues" quite well and for her age she is very musically talented (where that came from we don't quite know!!) I am so proud of her and hope she knows that no matter what the other performers did--she was the best in my eyes! Abby, I am so proud of how hard you work at things like the piano and I want you to know that instead of comparing yourself to others, just be the best you can be. We are proud of you and hope you realize what an honor it was to be chosen to play in the conference. Keep it up girl!!! We love you!!
3 comments:
I hope Abby knows that what she has none of the other piano players had and they will never be able to get---no matter how much practice they do. She has a gentle heart, a magical mind and a pure and valiant spirit. The lucky people in this world can see that in Abby and enjoy great blessings just by being with her. Her musical talent just enhances her overall package. If she wants to play like a concert pianist then she can with practice---but if she wants to play to entertain herself and others then that's O.K. also. Abby, you will alwys be the BEST in Nona's eyes.
Abby,
You are a special little girl with amazing talent. Never compare yourself with other cause there are no two people who are the same. Just remember that you are a special child of God. I am so lucky to have you as my niece! We love you Abby!
Nikki; Do you have anything recorded that you can post. I would love to hear her play. I love Nona's comment. It isn't how fast or technical the fingers move, it is the spirit brought by the pianist that separates the artists. A simple piece played with the power of emotion, whether slow, fast, loud or soft, doesn't connect unless you feel the pianist heart and soul in the piece.
Keep playing and feeling. If you love to play, let no one with faster fingers let you lose the love of music. Not many people can feel music anymore.
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