Category Archives: Piano

Achievements & Milestones, Activities & Interests, Piano, Video

Piano Recital

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Alan performed “Ecossaise” beautifully today at the Music Settlement’s annual Suzuki Solo and Graduation Recital.  He’s becoming a pro at recitals now!

The performances were followed by the end-of-year picnic and awards presentation.  Alan was once again among those recognized for meeting the 100-day practice challenge.

After the event, Alan cashed in his Music Settlement scholarship with Magna-Tiles and Magtastix!

6/4/19 Update:  Alan performed a duet of “Berceuse” at John Carroll tonight with his Tuesday night Suzuki [method] partner, Pascal.  On Tuesdays this year at the Music Settlement, Alan played with both Pascal and George until George moved out of state midway through the year.

2nd Grade, Activities & Interests, Books, Cousins, Games, Piano, Read-a-thon, Swimming, Violin

Fall Weekends

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Alan’s weekends this fall go something like the following:  Friday night hangouts with Daddy, followed by Saturday lessons and Sunday fun.

On Fridays we’re likely to play one of our board games together (Sorry!, Mouse Trap) and arrange baseball bats by match-ups.  Saturday lessons kick off with swimming at Hawken and are followed by piano and violin lessons back-to-back at the Music Settlement.  On Saturday nights, Alan heads to Grandma Debbie’s to see his cousins and sleepover at Grandma Debbie’s house!

Sundays involve taking Tata to Giant Eagle for shopping and then stopping by the apartment to have lunch and play.  We also usually play baseball or tennis too.  Occasionally we stop by the Wildcat Fitness Center as well.

There’s not too much schoolwork to do on weekends this fall.  Alan does do practice math problems though.  And we participated in Millridge’s Read-a-thon for the first time!  Alan logged 480 minutes while reading 22 books this month.

Activities & Interests, Piano, Video

Music Settlement Tuesdays

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Tuesday nights this year (every other Tuesday to be exact) are once again group piano and Dalcroze class nights.  Alan first meets with George and Pasquale to practice together for their upcoming group performance in December.  Then Alan meets up with other classmates to combine music with movement.  Tonight Alan let loose running to the beat, then practiced rhythm clapping and jumping.  Alan made it look easy, but other kids who haven’t had as much music instruction had trouble with the pace and staying on beat.

Achievements & Milestones, Activities & Interests, Piano, Video, Violin

Piano Recital

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Alan once again excelled at his end-of-year piano recital at the Music Settlement this afternoon.  With his parents and both sets of grandparents in the audience, he brought the house down with his rendition of “Little Playmates.”

Following the performance, we stayed for a picnic as well.  Alan was presented with his “100 Days” trophy, which he earned by practicing for 100 consecutive days!

6/5/18 Update:  Alan performed a duet of “Honeybee” at Cleveland State tonight with his Tuesday night Suzuki [method] partner, George.  On Tuesdays this year at the Music Settlement, Alan partnered with other kids to learn music collaboratively.  In addition to practicing the piano, Alan was able to watch kids play other instruments, which has led to Alan’s new interest in learning how to play the violin.

1st Grade, Piano

ABC Countdown – Week 4

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“ABC Countdown” recap from the past week:

Monday was “Mismatch Day.”  Alan wore one long black sock that he normally wears for ice skating, along with one of his regular white socks.  That was his choice.

Tuesday was “Necklaces and Neckties Day.”  Alan wore his new green and blue tie (pictured above).

Wednesday was “Outside Day.”  Alan and his class read outside in the courtyard during normal classroom time.

Thursday was “Popcorn Day.”  Alan and his class went to Progressive Field for a tour and then to Squire’s Castle for lunch!  After the field trip they ran out of time in the school day, so the class had to eat their popcorn the next day.

Friday was “Quiet Read-in Day.”  Alan brought in Ten Tiny Dinosaurs, which he got at the Spring Book Fair after school on Wednesday.  He read inside the classroom on the reading carpet.  And ate popcorn!

One other note about Friday:  While unrelated to ABC Countdown, Alan performed on the piano during Music class.  He proudly played “Clair de Lune” for the whole class!

1st Grade, Activities & Interests, Artwork, Cousins, Games, Piano

Fall Weekends

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To Alan’s delight, fall weekends this year have been following a similar formula to last year.

Friday nights again involve parties with me.  Saturday afternoons involve music lessons at the Musical Settlement and Chinese & Martial Arts class at the Cleveland Public Library.  Best of all, Saturday nights involve visits to see Tyler and Carleigh and sleepovers at Grandma Debbie’s house!

Sundays can include trips to the Wildcat Fitness Center to practice basketball, visits to see Tata & Papa, or playing “Go Fish,” the Cars 3 Memory Game, or fidget spinner battles with Daddy.

On Monday mornings at school Alan has to write in his journal about what he did over the weekend.  Alan said that he enjoys writing about playing with Tyler the most. 🙂

   

(Pictured is a Chinese lantern craft that Alan made for his Mom).

Achievements & Milestones, Activities & Interests, Alan's First, Piano, Video

Alan’s First Piano Recital

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Alan rocked his piano recital today, playing the best version of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” I’ve ever heard.  Grandma Debbie & Papa and Tata & Papa were there to see Alan’s debut performance, along with Veronica and I.

Afterwards we stayed for the Music Settlement’s annual picnic.  Alan would later take home a certificate and a music note trophy to commemorate the completion of his first full year at the Music Settlement.  Way to go, Alan!

Activities & Interests, Alan's First, Cousins, Piano, Video

Fall Weekends

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I think it’s safe to say that no one has more fun on weekends this fall than Alan.

Friday nights involve parties with me.  Saturdays are all about Chinese class at the Cleveland Public Library and music lessons at the Musical Settlement.  Alan’s still going strong practicing the piano and he’s been observing violin performances too!  Saturday nights involve sleepovers at Grandma Debbie’s house (and being silly).

Sundays can involve either playing with Tyler (now that he’s moved to Streetsboro!) or visiting Tata….and they usually end with swimming with Mom at the MHS pool.  Just recently Alan floated on his own for the first time and put his face under water!

Whenever we can find time, Alan also gets some swings in with his new metal bat, which he got when turning six.  October is also the perfect time to collect buckeyes that have fallen from our favorite neighborhood buckeye tree!

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Alan's First, Piano, Video

Public Performance

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Today Alan played the piano for the first time in front of an audience!  Alan’s preschool class was studying the letter “P,” and Mrs. Jones asked Alan if he’d perform for the class and teachers in the music room.  Alan — as brave as he is — later told me he was happy, not scared, when he agreed to show his friends his new talent.

Despite not preparing in advance, Alan put together a seemless, near two-minute free-style performance. Mrs. Jones even recorded the show so that I could watch it too!  It was a fantastic surprise to get at work today, and I listened to Alan play on a loop all afternoon.

This spontaneous performance comes at a time when Alan is just concluding his first piano class.  Since he enjoyed it so much, Alan is moving on to one-on-one piano lessons.  I’m so proud of him for developing his musical talents!

Here’s the full video from Mrs. Jones: