Duet Festival Fall 2012

Olivia competed in a duet festival this year with her cute friend Julia...

They played really well together, despite the fact that Olivia had strep throat and hadn't been feeling well all week. We used a whole lot of hand sanitizer to make sure she didn't spread disease :).

Their first song was "Spanish Gypsies" by Martha Mier:

Their second song was "Broadway Lights" by Robert D. Vandall: It It is so fun to see them progress. She practices for 50 minutes a day (most days) and loves it!

Spring Recitals

Our piano players had their spring recital last weekend. They both worked hard on their songs...

Olivia played "As Zion's Youth in Latter Days" (which she learned to love through the Young Women's choir experience) and "Popcorn Popping" (which we get to sing every week to close Family Home Evening). She did a great job!

Coleman learned a rag-time piece called "Fiddle-I-O" by Dennis Alexander. There were some tricky rhythms in this song--I was so proud that he kept at it until he nailed it.

He did a great job performing!

We were excited that my mom and Megan could come for the recital. It's so great to have so many family members that support our kids and their hard work.

Honors Recital Spring 2012

Olivia competed in another Piano Festival this month and was invited to play at the Honors Recital.

She played Little Prelude by Bach


She also played Dance Masquerade by Timothy Brown


Ryan's grandparents were able to come...

And my mom came as well...

We are so grateful for all of the support that Liv gets from her family (near and far) and for her wonderful piano teacher.

Most of all, we love that Olivia loves to play the piano. She works hard and makes the most of her talents!

Christmas Recitals 2011

Last weekend we got to attend piano recitals for Olivia and Coleman. They both worked hard on their songs...

Olivia played "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" out of the hymnbook. We sang along for the first verse and she embellished the song a bit the second time through.



Coleman played a duet with Ryan--"Up On The Housetop"


Coleman also played "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" (and we all sang along... I'm pretty sure my voice is way too loud on this recording... so I apologize to the few of you that will actually press play and watch/listen).

 We were so glad that Grandpa Gee Gee and Grandma Jan could come. They have always been so supportive of the kids' piano endeavors!

 Sophia enjoyed the refreshments after both of the recitals!

Getting a picture with all of the children looking and smiling is proving to be difficult. Oh well.

Coleman loves that two of his good friends were involved with the recital. We all love that all of the kids in both recitals are (or were) in our ward. It's so fun to see our friends and neighbors progress in their  musical talents.

We are especially grateful for two great piano teachers and for children that are willing to practice almost every day (even if there are occasional tears and complaints!). We love piano!

Concerto in G Major

Olivia has an amazing piano teacher who pushes her (almost as hard as Ryan does) to improve and conquer challenging songs. This time, it was "Concerto in G Major" by Robert Vandall for a festival competition. She has been practicing for almost three months, and truthfully has shed more than a few tears over this piece. It was complicated and fast and 13 pages long.  The festival was held yesterday, and Liv rocked it.

Olivia played it so well, without a mistake. It was incredible to see her play! The judges thought it was perfect, too, and awarded her 40 out of 40 points! Her teacher said that it is not all that common to get a perfect score, but she earned it. It was my turn to shed a couple of tears when we realized she had gotten a perfect score. Definitely a proud mama moment!

Liv was happy that Grandma Stover came to hear her...

...and Grandma Jan and Grandpa Gee Gee were there too. They have been such strong supporters of our kids' piano endeavors!

Ryan definitely deserves to bask in this glory.  Liv's skills have long since surpassed mine when it comes to playing the piano, so it is Ryan that gets to be by her side working out the kinks and perfecting her song, section by section.

Coleman and I were happy to be a part of it too, she did great. Watch for yourself:

Should you be practicing?

Olivia is preparing to compete in a piano festival next month and is learning a 13 page movement of a concerto piece. Between juggling soccer, school, friends, clogging, church activities, chores, and trying to have a little fun, Olivia often feels just like this:

Spring Recital 2011

It was time again for our Spring Piano Recital. Liv and Coleman's teachers are both our neighbors and friends, so they planned the recitals back to back.

We were excited that Grandma Jan and Grandpa Gee Gee could come....

...and happy that my mom could be there too!

All of the kids in Olivia's group played music from movies. She was assigned "Imperial March" from Star Wars. It was frequently used to work out her frustration and aggression :) and I can honestly say that I am relieved that the recital is past so that we won't have it in our home for 40 minutes each day. It is very true that music sets the tone!


She did a wonderful job though and worked really hard at adding feeling to her music.

Coleman doesn't love practicing, but he loves being able to play the piano and he has quite a knack for it.

I just love his teacher! She is so patient with him and has really helped him to progress.


He started out with "Super Sleuth" which was a fun spy song.


His second song was "Lauren's Lullyaby." We were impressed that he memorized both songs!

Way to go Olivia and Coleman! You both worked hard and performed well!

Called To Serve

Olivia and Coleman played this duet in Sacrament Meeting yesterday. It was so fun to watch them play together! We have had weeks of practicing (usually peacefully) and rehearsing.

They love seeing their names in print.

Our sweet music director always gives a little treat to people that do musical numbers. Liv and Coleman were thrilled with the note and brownies she brought by.

Honors Recital for Piano Festival

Olivia participated in a Solo Piano Festival over the last few weeks. She has worked hard for several months getting her songs ready, and played "Prairie Wind" (can't remember the composer) and "Ballade" by Friedrich Burgmuller. We were so glad that Grandma Jan and Grandpa Denver got to come and listen to her play both pieces.

She was invited to return for an Honors Recital to play "Ballade" last night.

It's so fun to see her play on the fancy grand piano!

My mom came down to listen... she was amazed at the talent of all of the children who played (all elementary age).  Olivia even got a cash award!


A little video of her song....

We are proud of all of your hard work Olivia!

Ensemble Festival

Olivia's piano teacher arranged for her to play in an Ensemble Festival with two other students (who happen to be Liv's close friends). They scored high enough to be invited to play at an Honor's Recital.

Here is "Romp a la Mozart":



and "Three's A Crowd":



Olivia worked really hard on her part and had a great time playing these pieces. Way to go Liv!