Heather's Birthday Party

Heather's birthday was yesterday, but she had her party today. 

She decorated her own cake.

We invited her class over for a bonfire sledding and skating party. 

We dug out all the spare skates we could find.

There are 11 kids in Heather's class besides her.  Some families have already started their holiday travelling, but 6 kids came. (also there are several December birthdays in that classroom and I think some of the parents have reached their limit.)

The party started off with some sledding.

The snow was fast.

A short video to show her speed.

Then there was pizza and hot cocoa around the fire.

A traxter ride to the pond.

We had little rainbow colored electric tea lights around the skating area. This was all I could get for a picture.

Then inside for cake and ice cream.

The reindeer pinata. No one come between Heather and a baseball bat!

Here are some christmas things that have been happening around here lately.

Just One More

I feel like I'm on a roll with the music posts lately. This will be the last one for a while, I think. (Until the Opus 29 concert anyway.)

Heather was invited to sing with the high school chorus in their winter concert. The song is called "When You Believe" from the Prince of Egypt. The choral director wanted some younger voices for parts of the arrangement. Please excuse the screaming toddler at the beginning of this video - she was dancing around on the bleachers and fell, giving herself a good whack on the noggin.

I made Wayne and Cole come so they could hear what a high school chorus and band sounds like. It's amazing what a difference a couple of years make. 

Wayne in the Newspaper

Wayne found his way into the newspaper again, thanks to the middle school winter concert.

First of all a little background on how our music department works - all students who choose to learn an instrument are automatically in the "OCSU concert band." Above and beyond that, some students are invited to join the jazz band. As a 5th grader, Cole can only play in the big band. If he works hard, he may someday be invited to join the jazz band. Wayne participates in both the big band and the jazz band. This year, his teacher asked him to play piano for the jazz band.

You can barely see the top of his head on the other side of the piano, below.

Below, the chorus sang a song called "Sound the Trumpets" and Dante and Wayne had the honor of playing the accompaniment.

Cole also sang with the chorus. He's towards the right.  Wayne and Dante are ready with their trumpets.

Below, Cole plays saxophone and Wayne plays trumpet with the big band.

Opus 29

Wayne did it again. His music composition piece was selected for Opus 29. He will once again get the chance to work with professional musicians as they rehearse his piece and attend the concert as it's premiered in front of a live audience.

 January 12, 2015 (snow date Jan 14) at Elley-Long Music Center at Saint Michael's College, Colchester VT.  

Opus 29 features piano, brass, and voice (Although Wayne chose not to use voice). His piece is called Persistence. Congratulations Wayne. We are very proud of you! (Below, click on the little arrow in the upper left to listen)

Meanwhile, Cole has bee revising "Death Rings Over the Valley" to submit for Opus 30, which will take place in the spring and once again feature string instruments. (click on the little arrow to listen)