Music Program in School

It's been 6 years since my daughter started school and she has been an active member of their music  program.  They just started  their Bell choir again this year.  Thank goodness, they don't need any roland td4 or any  expensive gadget, they are just re-using the ones they had last year.   I love seeing  my kids  participate in any music event in school, it makes me very happy and proud to see them on stage and especially in church.  I can't believe how time flies, she is now in 6th grade and I don't even want to think that in few years, she will be driving.  

Music Room

We went to our new home yesterday and brought some stuff. We are slowly bringing some small things there so that during our big move, all we have to bring is the big stuff. My daughter have asked us where are we putting the piano and keyboard that they have. She suggested to put it in the room where I am setting up my office but that room is not  big enough for an office and music room.   We  don't really have a  specific room to  use as a music room but I was thinking of  putting it in the living room  We will see how it goes when we move.  Looking at these jbl vrx at Music's Friend, I am thinking of replacing our speakers but  since it  is not on the budget yet, we can still use the old ones that we have.  Maybe in a year or two, we can  buy new ones.  

Playing Guitar

A friend of mine played guitar and sang at the   mass last Sunday at church.  My son was so amazed that  his  classmate's Mom  can strum the guitar really well.  It reminded them to  get the  guitar that I got for them months ago from the closet.  The guitar  came with free strings and a DVD as guide for beginners.  I wish that I  have a guitar when I was growing up.  I really wanted to learn but we were not allowed to touch my grandfather's instruments.  My parents could not afford to buy us one so we never really  developed our interest in strumming guitars.  I learned a little bit when I was in college already but  never really   keep at it.  

My Little Fashionista

Ms. Burrito is turning ten in half a year but she is tiny for her age.  Finding a dress for her is a bit tough sometimes because she is little.  I  shared the same fate when finding clothes for me, I always shop at the teen section.  Anyhow, this is the dress that we bought at Macy's for her first recital in Duquesne.

 I let her wear some accessories such as my bracelet,\ and the  necklace I got her last year.

 I really don't know how to put make up on but I tried  to put eye make up on her lol.  I think I butchered it though.

 She was wearing the coat that her friend Lauren gave her as a gift.

I think she did a fabulous job performing and dressing up.  I fyou miss to see the video I posted, you can watch it here again.

By the way, thanks for those who helped us out  in picking  wich shoes she should wear for her dress.  Your input  is highly valued!

City Music Center

Last Saturday was  our daughter's first day of classes in  Doquesne University.  She is enrolled to their  music program which include  one-hour of Musicianship, one-hour of Eurhytmics, and a 45-minute one-on-one piano with Ms. Natasha.  She was very nervous on the first day because we read  the reviews  online about her piano teacher and most of her students said that she is very strict, however, they all complimented her for being the best teacher.  Here are some of the photos of her first day at City Music Center.  Their classes are held in Mary Pappert School of Music building.

I tried to divert her nervousness by  letting her pose for me to take a picture of her which she did but inside the  piano teacher's room, you can tell that she is very tensed.

The piano teacher invited us over  to see how she does  but after the session, she told us that we  can no longer come inside with her in the succeeding lessons lol.  After her piano lesson, we  waited outside for her other classes to be over.  We let our son ran around the field and  have fun.

Me and my son won't be going with them  next Saturday.  Three hours of classes is  a very long time for him to wait although he can play outside but I would rather stay here at home with him then we can do something else rather than  be in the campus.  Besides, my husband has to do his  online assignments while waiting for our daughter so it will give him time to do it alone without us.

Would You Dance or Would You Play and Instrument

Giving our children the freedom to choose is the right thing to do as parents. It might be early for them but giving them a little freedom also helps them in developing their real talent. When we came back from South Korea, we let our daughter try to take dance lessons but she did not like it so we let her try the piano lessons instead and she loved it. Before we bought the piano that we have at home, we looked at resources online like the musicians friend and compared prices. We ended up buying a re-tuned piano as it was the price range that we could afford. So if you are wondering if your child like what they do for their hobby or whatever they are into, ask a question like "Would you dance or would you play an instrument?"

Music Jewelry Box

I was looking at the posts from my blog and looking for specific post that my Mom might have posted but I did not see it. So I am posting it right now while my brother is not using this computer yet to play his game.  The reason why I was looking for this post because I wanted to forward it to my music teacher who gave me this precious gift when I won the Doodle4Google for the state of West Virginia.

She gave this to me after school and I was very surprised and  excited  because she never mentioned that she was going to give me something.

I love the message she wrote on the card and the message itself on the music box!

Thank you so much Mrs. Bernardi for this wonderful gift!  I will forever treasure this.  You have helped me so much in pushing myself to learn more about playing the piano right.  Thank you for your suggestion for me to try at Doquesne University.  I am getting excited to  start my lessons there.  I am so glad that my parents   decided to  keep my former music teacher for this year.  Mrs. Fedoush is such a good teacher.  I just feel bad that  my parents has to pay so much for my piano lessons.  But I am so thankful!  I thank God that  I have great parents and great teachers.

Thank you for  dropping by and for leaving me a comment.  I enjoy reading them every time.

Love

J.RylieC.

Why your Child Should Take Piano Lessons

If you’re considering what instrument your child could learn then the piano certainly makes for a popular option; however there are plenty more reasons why learning to play the piano should be your first choice, and some be pretty surprising.

Improve your child’s cognition

Learning to play the piano is a relatively complex process, and the concepts involved are pretty demanding on the grey matter. Throughout learning to play the piano your child’s cognition will improve and their mental abilities will increase, and whatsmore, there’s scientific research to prove it! Numerous studies have found that musicians have a higher IQ than none instrument players, and because piano playing involves using both sides of the brain it is far more brain power building than many other more simple items.

Piano playing is the ultimate stress buster

Learning to play any instrument can be relaxing, but learning to play the piano, and the fact that many songs require a bit of passion can act as the ultimate stress buster. There’s nothing better for a piano player that may have had a rather bad day being able to unwind with an energetic rendition of their favorite song.

Improve your child’s hand-eye co-ordination

Learning to play the piano involves the use of both hands over two sets of keys as well as pedal operation; throughout their lessons their hand-eye co-ordination will improve, which means that they’ll become better at other activities, such as playing sport.

It can help your child master other instruments

Learning to play the piano involves rhythm, bass clef, and treble clef, which are all common features of other instruments. From the moment your child has a grasp of the basics they’re at an advantage for learning other instruments. First Tutors have said that they often see children focus on one instrument and then pick up others quickly and easily afterwards with little or no tutoring

Help your child build their Self-Confidence

There are few things that parents want more in life than for their child to be happy and confident; learning to perform any instrument is a great way of building confidence, particularly when they get over their first recital.

This also means that they may be far more comfortable at doing things such as speaking in front of large groups of people, which is a vital skill to have throughout any academic career.

Give your child a lifelong talent

Playing the piano is a skill that will stay with your child for the rest of their life; whilst they may undertake other hobbies and sports that will be forgotten with age, piano playing stays ingrained within the memory, and there are many people into their 80s and 90s that can perfectly recall piano playing.

It’s fun!

If for no other reason you should consider the piano as the instrument for your child it’s that it’s fun! The challenge of learning this great instrument can keep children engaged for hours at a time and mastering a song that they’ve been working on for weeks is always highly enjoyable.

Oh and one last thing… having your child practice at home will inevitably be more enjoyable for the other inhabitants if they aren’t bashing away at the drums!

My daughter playing Beethoven's Fur Elise

School of Music

We took our daughter to  Doquesne University last Saturday so she could try out their  music  program.  My husband said that it was  the Asian's place as w have seen so many Korean and  Chinese children taking  music lessons.  There were so many cool instruments that we saw, not sure though if there is cool snark from those who are taking guitar lessons but I am sure that they have one.  The founder of the program was very impressed  of  our daughter's ability when we told her that she's been  only  learning piano for over a year.  She said that her level is in fourth year level already.

The Corrs

I always admire families  that are gifted with music just like The Corrs.  These four Irish siblings  is one of my favorite artists of all time. I love their songs and the fact that they can play different kinds of music instrument like  the yamaha drum set, violin, guitar, piano, keyboards and all others.  I wonder if both of their parents are  musical talented as well because they are all  very god artists.  Below is the video of their song Breathless, onle of my favorites of their songs.

Dance Moms

As much as I object for my 8 year old to watch  the TV show, Dance Moms, I can't because she like watching those girls dance.  So I what I would do is hold the remote and fast forward it whenever the Moms are having too much drama.  The latest episode showed where the group has to portray a diva attitude like Myley Cyrus so they have a microphonle  props.  I am sure that it wasn't the royer microphones at Guitar Center but they did a pretty good job in portraying the roles.

Music School

The Music teacher at my children's school sees something special at our daughter.  She said that Ms. Burrito has a rare talent and that she encouraged us to send her to  a different music school if we want  her to learn the proper way.  She told us that she will be contacting people  that she knows at Carnegie University to help our daughter out.  I just hope that it isn't something very expensive and we can't afford it.  I am sure that we won't be needing a   cheap amps at musicians friend but I am worried that  it is expensive.  Oh well, everything happens for a reason, right?

Her Music Teacher and Friends after the Christmas Mass

Speaker System

Our speaker system is exactly like this classic bose 20 that I have seen online.  My husband bought this from the military base store when he was still in the service for such affordable price.  We love the quality of its sound especially when all of us are watching a movie at home that we really love.  How about you, hat kind of speaker  do you have at home?

Nina Simone's Feeling Good Cover

Have you ever watched Nina Simone, Feeling Good cover video in Youtube?  This  girl is so good, I had goosebumps listening and watching her sing.  She is only 12 years old  but my gosh, she  can really sing so well.  She is  gifted with a very soothing and well controlled voice.  My daughter  told  me that she wishes she can sing  like her.  You see my  darling daughter love to sing too which I think she has  potential but she  believe she is not good enough.  I keep telling her to just practice and practice.  I am also encouraging her to take voice lessons but she said that she's shy to do that.

Anyhow, to see what I am telling you about Nina Simone, please watch the youtube video below.  Youtube is such a good channel for those talented individuals who  needs  exposure.  A lot of   talents nowadays are being discovered through this channel  which I think is a big help for them to be recognized.  If you like what you see on this video, would you mind sharing in your  social media media pages such as Facebook and Twitter?  Thanks a lot!

This post is brought to you by our friends and family of Anna Simone.

Forest Drums

My kids are having a blast today. We stayed at our backyard playing for about two hours and when we came in, my daughter played the piano while my son sung the song "Forest Drums". It feels good to listen and watch these two does music together. Sometimes, I imagine them growing up playing in a bad together with the band clamp and other instruments. You may watch the short video below.

Music Recital

My daughter takes piano lessons at Torrence  Music Studio.  They had a rehearsal  last Saturday for the Annual  music recital  to be held  at Memorial Baptist Church.  Her teacher talked to us and told us that  she should have given our daughter  a much  difficult  song but they have to  submit the song months before the recital and she did not know that Ms. Burrito will do really good.  She said that next year,  she definitely knows what piece  she would give her.

We arrived early during the recital so  the kids got the chance to go see the big squirrels  feasting  on nuts under the trees beside the church.  It also gave us time to take some family pictures outside.

While we were seated on the pew and waiting for the program to start, Ms. Burrito told me that she   is nervous.  She even went to the restroom   for the last minute.  I know that she will do good but I understand how she felt that day as  it  was her first time  playing with audience.  To add to the pressure, she is the very first number.

We invited our  neighbor family to come and watch.  Lolo and Lola Fancher came and Sarah and Angie Howells came  as well.  The Howells brought  Ms. Burrito a bouquet which   helped  her forget her nervousness for a while.

The program was beautiful, Ms. Burrito did not mess up a thing and she did pretty well.  We went to  the Mexican Restaurant, Chico Fiesta, after the program as a simple celebration.  I will make a separate post about that.  Below is the  video that I recorded from my point and shoot camera.  I forgot that I can't rotate the video so pardon if  it is not how it needs to be, just listen to the song and ignore the  picture lol.  Her part starts after the introduction of the teachers.  Enjoy!

Music

The music teacher at school picked  Ms. Burrito to sing the "Alleluia" at church last Saturday.  Ms. Burrito have never sang alone  so she was very nervous.  She has been singing with the group but never alone so that was her first  solo  performance.  

With my two kids, Mr. Burrito is that one with the "VOICE", I mean the one that can really sing.  So when the teacher  chose Ms. Burrito, she  was like "I don't know why she picked me".  I told her that the teacher see something special on her voice so   she just need to be confident  and don't think that there is an audience.  I know that it is hard to do because I have been there.  I was asked to sing during our Theology class graduation, and I was on fire lol.  

I found this Epic Threads'  dress on a sale rack at Macy's.  This was originally priced at $39.99 but I got it  for only $4.67, so I got a pretty good deal on this one.  This dress is made in China but the quality is really good.

Below is the  video I took when she was singing.  Her voice was shaking, you can tell how nervous she was lol.  But I think, it wasn't bad knowing that it was her first time singing solo.  The second video was the group singing.

Both hubby and I love music  which explains why our  Burritos are  very interested in it too.  You might have read a post I did some years ago about my husband being part of a band. He played bass but he can sing too, he just don't believe he can lol.  I was a part of a choir in church during my high school years and also part of the choir that the Non-Teaching stuff in the catholic school where I worked in the Philippines.  So music is pretty much part of our lives.  Music is one great spice in our family.

New Favorite Pastime

As we promised our Burritos, we bought them a piano on the second week of December. It wasn't delivered until the 1st day of January and they were so delighted when  the Piano movers finally  delivered it.  They also  started their lesson from a piano teacher  of fifteen years.  I think they would  do good with it.  

My father-in-law has a bigger piano at his basement and he actually gave it to my daughter but it needs tuning.  The one that we have is a Spinet vertical piano, Wurlitzer.

I am glad that she chose piano lessons over the ballet lesson  because I did not see any improvement to her when she was taking  ballet lessons for  6 months.  At least with piano, if you know how to play one, you can play it even when you get older.  Anyhow, it's their new favorite  past time at home.

Singing at Church on Christmas

We did not attend the family's  usual get together at my  FIL's home because  our daughter has to sing at church.  We  stayed 2 1/12 hours at church  because there was a Christmas Pagent  before the mass so we had to go earlier than usual.  The Christmas Pagent (Show) was performed by  SJS students, i was beautiful!

Look at the joyful faces singing the yuletide carol.  Hubby and I were so impressed by our son because the whole time we were at church that long, he never made a fuzz or anything, he was really good!

Kool Katz

I receive a free copy of Groove Kid Nation's Music in Motion called Kool Katz.  I played it  at home yesterday and  my  Burritos did their groovy moves.  This  CD is all about musical  instruments, a great and groovy way for kids to learn music.  I  just wish that this is available in VCD so the kids can also learn the moves that they are portraying in the songs.  But overall, as a Mom, I like their music.  A pretty good beat for the kids to stay in their feet and  dance as they listen to the catchy music.  Thank you so much Groove Kid Nation for this free copy of kids song!

If you want to check out this CD, just visit the link I have provided above.   I highly recommend this.  It's fun to do for the kids during weekends.

Disclaimer:  I did not receive any compensation for this post , however, I receive a free copy of the product. Therefore this is not a sponsored post,  opinion is 100% mine.