How to Train your Kid

It was Father's Day and every year there is a violin recital.

Busy day today.  Working on the kitchen,  recital to go to, and hope to find parking close to the church (there's Toronto's taste of Italy in the same College and Bathurst area).

Luckily for us, we found a spot, and squeaked in just before 1:30pm. Phew.

Time flies when you are busy.



But Claire said that they would have waited for Kieran.  Glad they didn't have to.



Kieran got to warm up with the group and he also practiced his solo in the morning.  So he was prepared.

His solo was after the group so he'll have time to chill and relax before his turn comes up.





It was challenging taking video and photos with the DSLR.  If the video looks to be drifting, that's because I had the little canon in one hand and the canon DSLR in the other.

And there was this frizzy haired mother sitting in front of me that kept moving in my way.   And she wasn't even taking photos.

The agenda is always the same.

The entire school plays together with the youngest, the youngest do their solos and then next youngest, and then the more advanced students go later. Doing longer and more complex pieces either solo or duets.

Some did beautifully.

While a few others struggled a bit.  Which happens.  They learn so many pieces that sometimes they get confused.  But Dorothy (on the piano) plays the notes so that she can remember where she is and continue.  They usually don't have any music sheets.  So it's all from memory.

Felt bad for her. She was in tears.  It was the frizzy haired mom's daughter.  She'll do better next time.

Kieran said he was nervous too.  Before he started.

But then everything was fine as he started playing.

The focus is on the violin playing and less on the audience.  It's just like practice.

And that's what practice is all about.

To make the performances seem routine.

He did really well.

Afterwards we went to go watch How to Train your Dragon 2.

Happy Father's day.





This girl was impressive.  Without sheet music and it was perfect.  Wow.



Dorothy's daughters did a duet, change in program.