Friday, November 11, 2011

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 11 - Orchestra Conductor

Yesterday, Sophia, Olivia and I attended "The Tin Forest" concert at the Minnesota Orchestra as part of its Young People's Concerts program.

Olivia and Sophia before the concert began.

We have been attending concerts that are held during the day and geared for children for three years now. The concerts have been a highlight for each us, and certainly have enriched our homeschool curriculum.

As part of the 30 Days of Giving Thanks challenge, I wrote a thank you letter to the Associate Conductor, Courtney Lewis, to let him know how much we appreciate and enjoy the concerts. (Since there's no mail service today, the note has to wait to go into Saturday's mail.)

His enthusiasm and insight into each of the pieces selected for the concert keeps the girls engaged, and has helped develop their knowledge of and appreciation of orchestral music.

Minnesota Orchestra during a Young People's Concert.

After hearing multiple concerts, each of the girls are drawn to different instruments in the orchestra. Sophia began playing the harp in June.

Playing Music for Grandparents
Sophia playing the harp for her grandparents at their home.
Her grandfather (Papa) has Alzheimer's Disease, and
had to move to a nursing home in October.
In December, she will be playing some songs for him
(and other residents in the palliative/hospice unit at the nursing home)
that hopefully he will be able to recognize.

At yesterday's concert, there was a piece in which each of the instruments had an opportunity to be showcased. When the harp was being introduced, Sophia leaned over the edge to get a better view of the harpist playing the instrument she is now learning to play. 

Needless to say, her perspective of and appreciation for seeing and hearing a professional harpist has grown considerably in the five months she has been playing the instrument.

Olivia still is interested in the piccolo after hearing it being it played during a piece last year called "Tubby the Tuba" and in Benjamin Britten's "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra."

Today's thanks goes to Courtney Lewis for sharing his love of music with children. He and the Minnesota Orchestra truly are inspiring young lives; and helping children make a difference through music!


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