First Cello Concert

Before I get too ahead of myself and actually blog about Christmas before a week has gone by, I need to quickly go back and write about Stomper and Bitty's first cello performance, a week before Christmas.  My sister Margaret puts together a cello concert of all her students (50 cellists!) each December and this year, my kids got to be a part of it.  She makes sure to include some music that even the most beginning cellists can take part in.  It was so fun to see them and I felt so proud.  

The concert was at the main library in the auditorium and we were lucky enough to have Troy's parent's join us.  Bundle did quite well for most of the concert (but not all of it, darn it).  My kids played in maybe 5 of the 20 pieces, and I know it was hard for them to sit still and just hug their cellos during the other numbers, but I think that exercise of patience is really good for them.

My favorite part of the night was definitely the fact that Bitty had invited her very best friend from school without telling me until the last minute.  Luckily I found out about the invitation just in time to send a quick text to her mom.  I didn't think they would be able to make it but just before the concert started I saw Bitty's face light up like a firework and she gleefully grabbed my attention and pointed out her friend sitting behind me several rows.  I was so happy for her except that Bitty was so excited about it that she was quite distracted and just sat there beaming at her friend instead of paying attention to Margaret. She missed a couple of cues but didn't seem upset or embarrassed; she just grinned hugely at her friend!  Funny girl.

I'm looking forward to many more great performances in the future and watching my kids interact with all of these students brought back so many memories of my own piano-student days and the many friends I made there.  Stomper and  Bitty already seem to have a favorite friend or two after getting together for several Saturdays in a row for rehearsals.  Cute.