This is the solo part! Pretty darn good for only 6 months!!!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Andrew's violin contest
We are so proud of Andrew. This was his first competition -- and he sure looked great! He is required by his teacher to "compete" at least twice a year.
Here is Andrew as the "lead" of the group.
There were about 50 contestants from all ages. This group is only a portion of those that performed. Andrew is on the right, second row. In Andrew's defense of these pictures, his mother is a terrible photographer and these pictures were taken while they were preparing -- so he isn't staring off into space, not paying attention.
Andrew was required to perform a solo and a duet. The songs for solo were "Heel & Toe", "Edelweiss", and "Cripple Creek". The rules state that you have 30 minutes before you perform to work with your guitarist. They are not allowed to have met or practiced before this. They are judged on things like: tonal quality, rhythm, if they are in sync with the guitarist (the guitarist cannot slow down or repeat anything), strong start of each song, correct intro so guitarist can follow -- just to name a few.
Here Andrew is playing in the "Twin -- youth/youth" division. They played, "The Old French Waltz." Again, he first met this young girl (9 yrs. old) right before the performance. Andrew didn't place in this particular event, but it was a good experience for him to have to play and listen to another violinist.
Here is Andrew with the top contestants in his division. He ended up placing seventh. He wanted to place higher, but was pleased with his performance. Having never done something like this, he did a wonderful job.
Here is Andrew as the "lead" of the group.
There were about 50 contestants from all ages. This group is only a portion of those that performed. Andrew is on the right, second row. In Andrew's defense of these pictures, his mother is a terrible photographer and these pictures were taken while they were preparing -- so he isn't staring off into space, not paying attention.
Andrew was required to perform a solo and a duet. The songs for solo were "Heel & Toe", "Edelweiss", and "Cripple Creek". The rules state that you have 30 minutes before you perform to work with your guitarist. They are not allowed to have met or practiced before this. They are judged on things like: tonal quality, rhythm, if they are in sync with the guitarist (the guitarist cannot slow down or repeat anything), strong start of each song, correct intro so guitarist can follow -- just to name a few.
Here Andrew is playing in the "Twin -- youth/youth" division. They played, "The Old French Waltz." Again, he first met this young girl (9 yrs. old) right before the performance. Andrew didn't place in this particular event, but it was a good experience for him to have to play and listen to another violinist.
Here is Andrew with the top contestants in his division. He ended up placing seventh. He wanted to place higher, but was pleased with his performance. Having never done something like this, he did a wonderful job.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Romance
Something special? Those mushy, gushy moments that make all the women blush and the men roll their eyes? Cherished moments that I hold dear to my heart and brings a smile to my face.
Actually, the first romantic experience I ever had was when I was in high school. I remember it was Valentine’s Day. Somehow my dad figured out I was going to be missing out and when I came home from school there was a red rose on my pillow with a little note telling me he loved me. Wow!!! That was going to be tough to top.
But, my honey has done just that. You would think it was a huge event, much built-up excitement, flowers, fancy clothes, or incredibly exquisite food. No, it is in all the little things that endear me so much.
For example, when we were dating Karsten’s favorite cereal was “Honey Nut Cheerios”. He used to cut the front of the box and write on it with cute poems and sayings using the “Honey Nut Cheerios” words.
When we got engaged, he didn’t have a ring because he wanted me to go with him and get exactly what I wanted. For two weeks, I wore a string he tied on my finger. Corny?? You bet!!! Special to me??? You have no idea!!!
There were those times when I would find a note on my car window, an extra bit of cash in my wallet with “no strings attached”, a closed door in the morning so I could sleep in, breakfast in bed with special foods that he knew I particularly liked, a clean house when I got home late, making the bed in the morning when I’m in a rush, and many more things that I couldn’t even begin to list here.
Of course there were flowers and chocolates, fancy dinners, and diamond rings mixed in between. But the most romantic thing my honey has ever done? That would be to take my hand, walk me to the alter, kneel across from me, look me in the eye, and tell me he would love me and cherish me for eternity in one simple word, “Yes.”
Well, with that being said. All I have to say is I’m sooo thankful that he was young, naive, and didn’t know what he was getting himself into. If he’d been able to read the fine print that said there were no refunds when the warranty ran out – you know what I mean, aching bones, gray hairs, lost memories, sagging and droopy body parts, wrinkles, arthritis, weight gain – ooohh, I better stop before I reveal all my deep, dark secrets – I wouldn’t be able to tell you that the most romantic thing now is when he still looks in my eyes, takes my hand, walks with me, kneels across the alter, and in doing so for another tells me he still loves and cherishes me forever. That is true romance!!!
Actually, the first romantic experience I ever had was when I was in high school. I remember it was Valentine’s Day. Somehow my dad figured out I was going to be missing out and when I came home from school there was a red rose on my pillow with a little note telling me he loved me. Wow!!! That was going to be tough to top.
But, my honey has done just that. You would think it was a huge event, much built-up excitement, flowers, fancy clothes, or incredibly exquisite food. No, it is in all the little things that endear me so much.
For example, when we were dating Karsten’s favorite cereal was “Honey Nut Cheerios”. He used to cut the front of the box and write on it with cute poems and sayings using the “Honey Nut Cheerios” words.
When we got engaged, he didn’t have a ring because he wanted me to go with him and get exactly what I wanted. For two weeks, I wore a string he tied on my finger. Corny?? You bet!!! Special to me??? You have no idea!!!
There were those times when I would find a note on my car window, an extra bit of cash in my wallet with “no strings attached”, a closed door in the morning so I could sleep in, breakfast in bed with special foods that he knew I particularly liked, a clean house when I got home late, making the bed in the morning when I’m in a rush, and many more things that I couldn’t even begin to list here.
Of course there were flowers and chocolates, fancy dinners, and diamond rings mixed in between. But the most romantic thing my honey has ever done? That would be to take my hand, walk me to the alter, kneel across from me, look me in the eye, and tell me he would love me and cherish me for eternity in one simple word, “Yes.”
Well, with that being said. All I have to say is I’m sooo thankful that he was young, naive, and didn’t know what he was getting himself into. If he’d been able to read the fine print that said there were no refunds when the warranty ran out – you know what I mean, aching bones, gray hairs, lost memories, sagging and droopy body parts, wrinkles, arthritis, weight gain – ooohh, I better stop before I reveal all my deep, dark secrets – I wouldn’t be able to tell you that the most romantic thing now is when he still looks in my eyes, takes my hand, walks with me, kneels across the alter, and in doing so for another tells me he still loves and cherishes me forever. That is true romance!!!
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