Did I mention that Emma tried out for Orchestra Regionals? This was her first year.
Emma said she made tons of mistakes. However, we as her parents, made mistakes as well, as it was OUR first time having our daughter try out. We’ll get to that.
Since fall started, Emma’s been learning her piece, Nardini’s 1st movement of Concerto in E Minor. Initially, she wasn’t so keen on the music. I couldn’t really blame her since I also didn’t like it all that much. Musically, it was tough on the ears at first- the sporadic timing and changing of eighth, sixteenth notes, triplets, trills…etc. and an aggressive melody in a minor key. She hated practicing it because the timing just didn’t make sense to her.
But things changed in December-January when she really started finishing the song, when she became more confident in playing the song. She still had some timing issues, but there were actually places in the music where she soared.
The day of the auditions, Perze and I made mistakes helping her find the scales and parts of the solo that she had to play for the judges. I think if she had that bit of information, her scores would have been better. BUT I feel she might still have not made it, because although she did fairly well on her scales and solo, she bombed on her sight-reading. Her numbers for that were really low, so it’s going to be the issue we’re going to have to help her tackle if she wants to try out next year too.
Although she didn’t make it, Perze and I were extremely proud of her. The perseverance she exhibited to practice, facing the pressure of expectation and the judges were factors not easy to confront. She proved that she can commit to chasing a goal. And the rejection for 7th grade regionals was something we knew she needed sooner or later. That experience of feeling loss despite working hard for something is character building, so I’m proud of how she handled that!
Not only did she not get into orchestra regionals, but choir as well. That was a story all in itself. I never understand how they can get kids to sing during winter, when it’s the middle of the season of sore throats, colds, and coughing. When she made her recording, her voice was nowhere near where she could fully control it, so I know that factor contributed to it.
Bummer, right?! sigh
Anyways, she took that well too. (LOVE HER)
Did I tell you that she tried out for her school musical?
She didn’t get it.
Sike. She did, but didn’t get the part she wanted to audition for. She ended up being part of the cast- the ensemble because she was super nervous on reading lines AND dancing! C’mon, life. Give her a break. This is her first year for trying out for these bigger things. BUT you know it. WE REJOICED. In the car, as I was reading out her acceptance letter into the cast, Perze and I were so proud of her for getting a part, albeit a very small part- she will get the experience of being PART OF THE TEAM. And those times being a supporting role is sometimes as important as those huge big roles. Again, character building, team building, learning to support your friends and being happy to play your part are all important things to learn when growing up.
I mean, I know, child.
Gosh, we’re super proud her.
It’s not easy to put yourself out there, esp. with your talents- playing, singing, acting, dancing… The courage to fight against yourself to choose fight over flight in the face of fear- AT 12! I don’t remember being that brave at 12. I had a hard time even speaking in public, let alone letting someone hear me sing.
Build your heart, Emma. This world will constantly tell you you are not good enough. Your own inner voice will even sometimes chime in against you, but your dad and I will try to scream over them and tell you you are more than you will ever think you need to be. We believe in you no matter what.
