Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Little Drummer Boy
Today, Parker had his second drumming lesson at Studio Percussion. It is interesting to sit in the waiting area and hear Parker play along to his music of choice, Sweet, and sometimes match the rhythm and feel of the song, and then sometimes seem to go completely crazy. Still, he loves drumming, loves being there, and is calming down enough at times to match rhythms and read the music, so it is definitely a good thing. We are still in our evaluation month, so we'll have to see how he continues to do, and go from there, as the lessons are pricey.
Labels: homeschooling, music, Parker
Friday, August 31, 2007
And 1-2-Threeo, Now A Trio ...
Speaking of Chalice Choir, I came late yesterday because of a gathering of moms I needed/wanted to attend. When I got there, pretty much the next song we started singing was "Like A River" which has an optional solo part. At the end, I'm singing with two other women in a trio for the solo, and all my insecurities are at the surface. I lack confidence when in front of a large group of people, and knowing that the Fellowship will probably have around 200 people isn't actually comforting. I guess this is a good time to work on it .... right?
Everything's Possible
At Chalice Choir practice last night, we started going over a new song entitled "Everything's Possible" that has a main solo, and the choral parts start with oohs and ahhs through most of it. Well, about halfway through the song, we start to sing actual words, and I realized while singing them that I didn't have the feeling behind it, and was only singing words.
So, I decided, while the choir director was going over the men's parts with them, to go back and actually read the song's lyrics to know the sentiment behind the song, and sing with the appropriate emotion -- and I had to try desperately not to cry. It was such a heartfelt love song to a child, filled with the promise of unconditional support, I had a hard time getting back into the moment. So, of course, today I had to try and search for the lyrics to share, and found a version of it on YouTube. So, here it is to share with others; may you also have unconditional love and support throughout your life.
Everything's Possible
We have cleared off the table
The leftovers saved
Washed the dishes, and put them away
I have told you a story
And tucked you in tight
At the end of your knockabout day
As the moon sets its sail
To carry you to sleep
Over the midnight sea
I will sing you a song no one sang to me
May it keep you good company
You can be anybody that you want to be
You can love whomever you will
You can travel any country where your heart leads
And know I will love you still
You can live by yourself
You can gather friends around
You can choose one special one
But the only measure of your words and your deeds
Will be the love you leave behind when you're gone.
Some girls grow up strong and bold
Some boys are quiet and kind
Some race on ahead, some follow behind
Some grow in their own space and time
Some women love women
And some men love men
Some raise children, and some never do
You can dream all the day, never reaching the end
Of everything possible for you.
Don't be rattled by names, by taunts or games,
But seek out spirits true
If you give your friends the best part of yourself
They will give the same back to you.
You can be anybody that you want to be
You can love whomever you will
You can travel any country where your heart leads
And know I will love you still
You can live by yourself
You can gather friends around
You can choose one special one
But the only measure of your words and your deeds
Will be the love you leave behind when you're gone.
Oh yes, the love you leave behind when you're gone
Music and lyrics by Fred Small.
Labels: Kristin, music, spirituality, Unitarian Universalism
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
He's Got Mad Skills
I promise that I haven't been showing him Amadeus over and over. Apparently, it is incredibly fun to change your perspective while playing the piano.
I have to say that although I know that both my family and Jeff's family are musical, it is still pretty surprising to me how well Parker picks up on things. And, he really seems to like playing music, so it was obviously a good decision on my part to bring out my old, but nice and complex CASIO ToneBank (notice the prominent branding?) for him to have fun and learn on.
Ironically, I received that keyboard for Christmas back in 1991. It is apparently still worth almost $100!!
Labels: homeschooling, music, Parker
Sunday, July 16, 2006
About Parker's Summer Classes
O2BKids is an "edutainment" facility (I hate that term!), and Parker is taking PreKarate, Lil' Mad Scientist, Music Fun, & PreDrama there this summer (he is also signed up for Sports Movement & Games, but he doesn't like it, it isn't well-organized, and it is outside in 90-degree weather ... so we're dropping it!). So, these classes are teaching him things I can't (well, except the science one! Okay, and the Music.), getting him the class setting/listening to other adult than family aspect, and he's loving it! I'm still around the building, and can be in the room when I choose, which is a good compromise for me. We still haven't made up our minds on homeschooling, though we are still leaning heavily towards it, and are keeping ourselves in that mindset.
Labels: drama, Florida heat, homeschooling, music, Parker, PE, science