Need Help!

Before you get worried we are all just fine in our house! All is well and by some miracle we are all healthy.

I need blog lands help though. I want to teach my harp students this year about classical composers. Not just famous harpists but really open their eyes to a bit of the amazing classical world. I want to somehow help them be well rounded musicians not just well rounded harpists (if there is such a thing!)

So I am trying to come up with a list of AMAZING classical composers that we can learn about. I am thinking one a month (at group lessons) then possibly having a little quiz the next month or something like that.

There are so many composers that I love and want to share with them but the ages of my students range from 3-18. I want to somehow keep it light and memorable. Does anyone have suggestions?

I know the greats like Beethoven, Mozart and Bach but what others do you like?

Emma's first Harp Festival

Yesterday was a very exciting day at out house. At least I think so. Emma performed for her first time at the harp festival/federation held at BYU. Her number was #5471 and she played Lavender's Blue (LH) and Lightly Row (RH). Other than forgetting to announce her pieces and number she played them flawlessly!

It is funny though. Growing up having these moments in my life. Performing the exact same pieces, in the same room at the same time of year back in the 80's brings back so many memories for me. The difference though is the way I am looking at them. Through fresh eyes. With a better understanding of how it was for my mom.

My mom was a pro at harp things. She never once let on to me if she was nervous or worried that I wouldn't do a good job. Because of her total confidence in me I never remember being worried that it wouldn't go well. I just always expected it to work out. Man I really hope I can instill the same confidence with my kids. Judging from yesterday and the entire last week it will be a miracle if they get any confidence from me.:) I was a nervous wreck! You would have thought I was performing in Carnegie Hall or something. I had been nervous the entire week and couldn't really sleep the night before. I couldn't eat the whole morning yesterday and just kept saying to Emma "your going to do great! I love you and just want you to have fun!" I hope I can get better at this. I would gladly perform in front of thousands of people and make a fool of myself than have my little girl have a bad experience performing. I can't explain why but perhaps it is just that I totally love her so much and hope that she knows that.

In spite my total heart attack for the brief 2 minutes that she performed she seemed to enjoy it, to not be stressed at all and to own it. Well done Emma! Well done.:)

Utah Suzuki Harp Institute-2010

As if life isn't crazy enough I have said "yes" to being in charge of institute again. What is institute you might ask? It is a week long camp for Suzuki students where they get to come together as fellow music students to learn and play and perform together! It is seriously some of the BEST memories I have as a child.

Every summer my mom, Hannah and I would load up the harps and head to wherever we were told Institute was. Some years is was Logan, then Ceder City, then St. George, then Colorado...one was even in Australia! We were serious about Institute in our family.
The days where I got to play with others who were as excited (I think?) as I was and friendships I made I will never forget. There was also the added bonus that it was the one week every year that I got to have just me and my mom with Hannah to myself. Those of you who grew up in a big family understand this. I loved being able to drive down together just the girls. Eat together and have my mom with me. Almost all to myself. I really cherish those moments.
So...that is why I said "yes" to do this again. I want to hopefully give the opportunity to a new generation of young harpists, Emma included, to make those memories with their moms/dads/grandmas or whoever attends with them.
If you want to check out what we have planned check out the AMAZING website my friend and neighbor put together. www.utahsuzukiharpinstitute.com
Adam and Becki- you guys are the best to do this for me and fellow harpists. Thanks for taking the time out of your lives to put the website together. I OWE YOU BIG TIME!!!!!

A Chorus Line...

This is where I will be for the next three weeks. I will not be viewing the show but will be underneath the stage in the pit. It is NOT a family friendly show so kids under 18 don't go but the music is fantastic! I can't help but smile when the number "One" comes on...that is if I could stop counting all the bars!:)

Playing until October 10th at Pioneer Memorial Theater, U of U, Salt Lake. Opens tomorrow night. If you need anything...ask Kent. He is the man in charge of our chorus line at home!:)