Earlier this fall, I mentioned that C has started Suzuki method violin lessons, and I loved reading the comments from so many of you who have had great experiences with Suzuki.
Well, I’m happy to report that C’s first few months of lessons have gone great. She really enjoys the violin, and her teacher seems terrific. We are very lucky because in addition to her weekly Suzuki lesson, my mother in law, C’s beloved Mimi, is a very accomplished music teacher, so she’s able to help C practice at least once a week in addition to her weekly lessons. Also, C attends kindergarten at our district’s only fine arts magnet school, so she also gets to have fun learning in both vocal and instrumental music classes each week. For all these reasons, C is progressing nicely with her impossibly tiny and adorable 5 year old-sized violin. She also seems to be having a good time with music, and that’s wonderful to watch.
However, she was not too thrilled when about a month ago, she was informed that all of her teacher’s violin students would be performing in a recital to take place on November 18 -today. As the date grew closer, she began telling Jon, me, J and E that she did NOT want to play in the recital because she was afraid she “wouldn’t be perfect.” We explained to her again and again that no one expected her to play perfectly, and that the recital would be fun. We encouraged her to relax, which does not come easily to her.
She remained very anxious about the whole thing, and I began wondering whether it was really a good idea to force a very reluctant 5 year old to perform at a recital. I worried that maybe this would zap the joy right out of learning violin. However, Jon, who really understands C’s little mind because they are much alike in many ways, assured me that I needed to get hold of my own anxieties, and instead express calm confidence to C that not only could she play in the recital, but that she would enjoy it. Furthermore, he helped me see that C really needed both of us to be somewhat firm with her about the fact that the decision as to whether she would play in the recital was already made, and that she could trust us that it was the right decision.
I knew he was right, and I knew that it would really help her confidence if she did the recital, so I followed Jon’s lead, and C stopped seeming quite so freaked out about the upcoming recital, although she still expressed her concerns about making mistakes.
Today the big day arrived, and she seemed resigned to her participation and possibly even a little curious about what the recital would be like. So at about 1pm, all of us except E (he was at the cousins for the afternoon working
on his Christmas list) headed about a mile up the street in our neighborhood to the Lutheran church, where the recital would be held.
C suddenly didn’t seem nervous at all as she waited with her sisters, her Mimi, Jon & me for her turn to go up and play. In fact, she seemed pretty excited.
Soon it was her time to go up and play her little version of “Twinkle Twinkle.” She just popped right up there with her violin and didn’t seem nervous at all.
Her Suzuki teacher helped her get situated to play.
And reminded her to take her bow.
She did GREAT! And she was so proud of herself as she came back down the stairs with her little violin, and everyone was clapping for her.
As the next few children performed, G became more and more restless and noisy, so I whisked her outside to the church playground, while C and the rest of the fam stayed inside to continue watching the recital.
G was happy as a clam playing outside on such a sunny and warm November afternoon. She was dressed up for her sister’s recital, so I tried to get her to sit or stand still for a photo, but she had no interest in staying in one place long enough for that. So mostly I chased her around snapping photos of her as she dashed hither and yon.
After the recital was over, C joined us on the playground, where she played a little outdoor violin for us.
She also tried her best to get her little sister to sit still for a photo.
But G still wasn’t having any of my paparazzi action.
So then they both scurried off to play for a few more minutes until we all went home. Where I proceeded to take an afternoon nap right along with G.
Brava, Charley! What an accomplishment!
@Amy – I will convey your warm wishes to her. She'll love that
Katie
Oh I wish I'd been there. Those photos and your post are priceless.
They are both so adorable and so sweet together.
This is wonderful. My mother was also a music teacher and this brought back a lot of memories from the recitals she held with her students.
Great job C! I know I was overwhelmed with pride when my son (who does Suzuki) performed his first recital at Thanksgiving.
Way to go, C!! My son's first violin recital is coming up on 12/8. He'll be playing Jingle Bells alone, and then leading all the other students. I kind of wish he was showing just the tiniest bit of apprehension at playing in front of people because then he might take his practicing a bit more seriously! Which Twinkle did she play? I think Lucas might get his "Twinkle Trophy" at the recital!
@Liz – How old is your little guy? Has he been taking violin long? Is he always a born performer or does he just really like playing his violin?
C played the super, super beginner version of Twinkle Twinkle that focuses on three notes. She also had help from a piano accompaniest, and her teacher right there at hand. I can't wait until her repertoire grows beyond Twinkle Twinkle!
-Katie
Lucas will be 6 in January, and he started violin at the beginning of the school year. He doesn't have a hint of shyness, but isn't a total extrovert either. He's an eager learner, but is always perhaps a bit more interested in learning the next thing than in perfecting the last thing! He's learned all his Twinkles (including the Theme) and has moved on to Lightly Row (as well as learning Jingle Bells). He's not always super excited to practice, so my husband and I split practice duties which works pretty well. My husband is a bit more laid back about it, so Lucas gets the JOY of playing when he practices with his dad, and gets the WORK of learning an instrument (some repetition and paying attention to bow-hold, etc) when he practices with me.
I should also mention that my husband and I are learning along with him, so his competitive nature sometimes gets the better of him — he's wants to be better than Mom and Dad!!
Wow – that's so terrific. I want my C (same name) to do violin as well – I am going to investigate. She's only 4 though.
The dresses are so ding-dong cute. What lovely children you have.
Your little girls are adorable! I bet C got a big confidence boost by completing her recital.
Such an accomplish for C to conquer her fears and perform in her first recital! She and G are lovely in their dresses. Love the last picture of the two of them.
Glad it worked out. My son freaked out about his first recital and ended up hiding where we couldn't find him until his turn was over. Years later we had to get him EMDR therapy to work out his fears about stage fright. I had no idea he was so deeply anxious about that recital and harbored scary unresolved memories about it. So, actually it is not always a good idea to force it, though in C's case it was OK.
Now my son attends a competitive art college where he regularly participates in brutal group critiques, which he has never minded. Go figure. Everyone's different!
Sweet matching outfits. When I think back on my childhood with an older sister, I remember ambivalent feelings about matching outfits because it meant that I had to wear the same thing for years since I'd inherit her hand me downs. If I liked the outfit, fine, but if I didn't it was awful. My mother didn't believe in dressing us alike so the only matching clothes we had were from an aunt who loved the idea and had expensive taste and a wallet to match. I expect your girls will let you know (loud and clear) if and when they have had enough of your styling!
Great job, C! And I LOVE the dress. I remember all of my piano recitals in her Mimi's living room. Even before her daddy was born. And I got nervous, too.
But her Mimi always had a nice table full of cookies and punch for afterwards, so that made the performance a little less stressful.