Liam and Lucy Appear in Year-end Concerts

Lucy played three pieces at her year-end piano recital on December 10 at the Montgomery County Community College. She started with a J.S. Bach "Prelude" (BWV 939), then followed with the very lively "Spinning Song" by Albert Ellmenreich (Op. 14, No. 4) and finished with another "Prelude," this one by Dmitri Kabalevsky (Op. 39, No. 19). Unfortunately, the recital was marred by a broken B flat key on the piano, which threw everyone off in their performance. But for that, Lucy played well and continues to grow in her music.

Liam also continues to play piano very well, but has so far declined to perform in recital. By his own admission, he wants to perfect his playing so that when he does play everyone will be surprised and delighted. We think he could easily get that effect now. So, for now his musical performances are limited to playing saxophone in the school band. His holiday concert on December 13 was by far the most disciplined concert we have seen at his school (they have a new teacher this year). His band played three pieces: "Arlington Overture," "Hang on Sloopy," and "Sleigh Ride." The oddness of the combination was explained by the teacher. He picked one he liked, the kids picked one they liked, and they had to have a holiday piece.

The last in the series of concerts was Lucy's holiday choral concert at school on December 20. The very large choir--it seemed to include nearly all of the fourth and fifth graders--sang "Boogie Woogie Holiday," "Gloria," "Holiday Lights," "Misletoe," Elves Work Out," "Going on a Sleigh Ride," and "Snow Day." The song about mistletoe was particularly fun as it was a humourous kid's-view take on...yuck...kissing.