Posted by Helen on: 10.31.2006 /
This is just family news…but it’s a big deal to us!
My children played (violin) in a concerto competition on Saturday. This was to determine which local young musician would have the privilege of being soloist with the local community orchestra at their next concert.
We thought both our children played their best, but there were fourteen finalists in this competition (nine of them violinists) and so we didn’t know what to expect. We were very happy for my son when the organizer called that evening to tell him he’d won the competition!
My husband made audio recordings of their performances and the links to those are on his website here.
Comment by: Keith
1 10/31/06 7:36 AM | Comment Link |Congrats, Helen!
Comment by: Karen
2 10/31/06 7:51 AM | Comment Link |Wow! That’s wonderful. Congratulations - you all must be thrilled. :-)
Comment by: Julie Marie
3 10/31/06 8:02 AM | Comment Link |Wow! That is wonderful, not just for the musical talent and expression, but also for the poise under pressure your children must have to compete on their own.
Comment by: Doreen
4 10/31/06 11:32 AM | Comment Link |woo-hoo! That’s fabulous. As a failed violin student, I am in awe of your children’s talents.
Comment by: Pastor David
5 10/31/06 2:08 PM | Comment Link |Helen,
Thanks for sharing. It is nice to catch a glimpse of your life outside of cyber-world.
Enjoy the moment, and bask in your child’s happiness.
Comment by: Helen
6 10/31/06 3:26 PM | Comment Link |Thanks everyone!
Julie Marie, yes, I am impressed that my children can play so well under pressure! Ben was a little nervous; Esther said she wasn’t nervous at all. I’d be way more nervous than them if I had to play under those conditions - I’d probably make lots of mistakes!
Pastor David, yes, in fact I do have some life outside the cyber-world! ;-)
Comment by: Mike O
7 10/31/06 9:21 PM | Comment Link |Helen, congrats to Ben. You must be so proud!
Comment by: Mike O
8 10/31/06 9:31 PM | Comment Link |Holy CRAP!!!! Have you guys actually listened to these???
No freakin’ way!!!
My wife says I’m not supposed to say freakin’, so let me soften tht up a bit … these kids are flippin’ AWESOME! BOTH of them!
Comment by: Meg
9 10/31/06 10:16 PM | Comment Link |WOW! So now your son gets to play as soloist for an orchestra! Look out world!! And congrats to the sibling who didn’t win, for you are amazing, unique, spectacular and wonderful!! Yay hooray for both of you!!
Comment by: Jim Henderson
10 11/1/06 12:24 AM | Comment Link |I did listen to both - they are extremely talented and gifted kids
Comment by: Helen
11 11/1/06 5:19 PM | Comment Link |Thanks everyone!
Mike, I’m glad your wife keeps your language in line ;-)
Actually the reason I can only be at the Friday sessions of the conference (I’m flying back on a 6 a.m. flight Saturday - yikes!) is because I want to be back for a district orchestra festival my children are playing in Saturday afternoon.
I figure - I make them practice so the least I can do is show up for the concerts!
They are great piano players too - there are recordings of their piano playing on the same page.
My son records himself playing video game theme tunes on the piano and uploads them to be included in the four color rebellion podcast (they’re also on his website).
My daughter also composes. She received an honorable mention in a state composition contest last year for “Battle Suite” which is on that page, lower down.
It’s awesome that they are so musical!
Comment by: Eliza
12 11/1/06 8:51 PM | Comment Link |Wow, yes, awesome!!
You must be proud of them, but also I’m sure some credit goes to you and your husband for arranging lessons, violins and a piano, making sure practice happens, oh and driving them here and there (only a few times I’m sure) ;-) Do you or your husband play any instruments??
(Also - any tips you can share on how to encourage practice time, if/when your kids don’t leap at the opportunity?)
Comment by: Helen
13 11/9/06 5:04 PM | Comment Link |The symphony orchestra has put an announcement with a photo on their home page (you have to scroll down a bit to get to it).
Comment by: Julie Marie
14 11/9/06 5:07 PM | Comment Link |very cool! what a handsome, talented, well spoken young man you are raising!
Comment by: Helen
15 01/10/07 4:12 AM | Comment Link |FYI today’s edition of one of the local newspapers (the Oak Leaves) includes an article about the upcoming concert.