Lethbridge Piano Festival

This afternoon, Alyssa and Austin performed in a piano festival in Lethbridge. Austin performed one piece in a "recital class" and Alyssa performed three pieces in a "concert class." It was a dreadfully long afternoon. We were there about 3 hours by the time both kids performed and were adjudicated.

Crafty Card Tricks played by Austin Doig

Austin pretty much nailed his piece and came in 2nd of 7 performers. He did not get nervous at all. A few minutes before he performed, for example, he asked me if I could move the seat. I thought he was concerned about getting the piano bench in the right spot for his performance, but no. He was worried about 3 pokémon cards that fell between the seats in the van. I guess whatever his strategy, it worked. Good job, Austin!

Sweet Sorrow played by Alyssa Doig

Alyssa had a much harder task than Austin. Rather than play a single grade one piece, she had to play 3 grade five pieces. She also had to sit in a church for two-and-a-half hours before playing, sitting thinking about how nervous she was. Anyway, things didn't go quite right on her first piece, Bach's "Little Prelude in C Major" but she did quite well on her other pieces. I'm not posting the Bach piece, but if she'll play it for me again, perhaps I will post that version. She did really well on her other pieces, although the adjudicator didn't completely agree with her interpretation of "Sweet Sorrow." Personally, I think it sounds beautiful.

Jig played by Alyssa Doig

After the festival we met Rob and Austin in Lethbridge and caught dinner at Swiss Chalet before the kids had to be back for Mutual.