Music

Summer Strings Institute

Posted in Leah, Molly, Music on August 7th, 2021 by c-had – Be the first to comment

This year, the Summer Strings Institute put on by the National Philharmonic was back. Leah was accepted into the Prep week (elementary school week) and Molly was selected for their Junior week (middle and early high school). Then Molly was also asked to serve as an intern during Prep week, so for that week both girls were at camp together.

This video is of the end of SSI Prep, including both Leah and Molly.

And here's video of both the chamber music concert and full orchestra concert at the end of SSI Junior.

Both sets of grandparents even came to see the final concert of SSI Junior.

Grandparent attendees

Great job girls!

SSI

Solo and Ensemble

Posted in Leah, Molly, Music on January 30th, 2021 by c-had – Be the first to comment

Our girls have participated in the county's Solo & Ensemble Festival most years, but this year's was very different. It was held over Zoom, and it went really well. In the elementary school festival, Leah played great. Thanks to Jen Retterer and Mr. Henley for some great teaching, and Joanne Alme for recording some great accompaniment.

Solo and Ensemble

And here she is playing the song, recorded after the festival.

A week later was the countywide virtual Solo & Ensemble Festival for middle school, and Molly played Concerto in Dm (transcribed from Concerto in A Minor, Op. 3 No. 6 for violin), 1st Movement on viola. Thanks to Margaret Lang for excellent teaching, Ben Denne for great teaching and providing the accompaniment track, and Chris Jenkins of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music for some very helpful feedback.

Solo and Ensemble

Separately from playing for the adjudicator, we recorded her playing the piece for all of you to view here.

Praise From Home – Way Maker

Posted in Music on May 4th, 2020 by c-had – Be the first to comment

In this week's Praise From Home, Jen finally joins the band for Way Maker. Pay close attention to Jen's shirt (though Molly's shirt and my shirt are also appropriate for today).

Praise From Home – Unstoppable God

Posted in Leah, Molly, Music on April 26th, 2020 by c-had – Be the first to comment

In this week's installment of Praise From Home, Leah takes the lead with a song of her choice - Unstoppable God. And this is as close as we’re going to get to having 3 kids.

Praise From Home – Open Up The Heavens

Posted in Church, Leah, Molly, Music on April 21st, 2020 by c-had – Be the first to comment

And now the second in our series of praise songs. This time, Molly takes the lead in a song chosen by her.

Praise from Home – Oh Praise The Name

Posted in Church, Leah, Molly, Music on April 12th, 2020 by c-had – Be the first to comment

This will hopefully be the first in a set of praise songs from home by our family. The girls are now able to really contribute to praise songs, and it is awesome! This is the first praise song Leah has played on piano (and the first song she's played from a chord sheet), and she did great! I hope it warms your heart as we're all stuck at home.

Virtual recital

Posted in Music on April 3rd, 2020 by c-had – Be the first to comment

We hosted a virtual recital for the grandparents early in the pandemic.

Virtual recital

Virtual recital

Virtual recital

Molly Choir February 2020

Posted in Church, Molly, Music on February 3rd, 2020 by c-had – Be the first to comment

Molly continues to sing in the youth choir at church. Jen and I don’t often get to see her sing as we have other commitments on Sunday morning around church, but I got to see her this time. They sounded great!

Molly Solo and Ensemble Festival

Posted in Molly, Music, School on February 2nd, 2020 by c-had – Be the first to comment
Solo and Ensemble octet

Molly's orchestra director at school organized octets for those interested in smaller ensembles this year (as you may have seen at Barnes and Noble). Molly's octet performed at the Howard County Solo and Ensemble Festival in February. They were fantastic, and earned a superior rating and an invitation to the state festival later this year.

Molly Symphony Orchestra Concert January 2020

Posted in Molly, Music, School on January 24th, 2020 by c-had – Be the first to comment

In addition to her Chamber Orchestra, her GT Sinfonia, and her octet, Molly joined the Symphony Orchestra at school again this year. This group includes 6th-8th graders, and combines strings with winds, brass, and percussion. They meet at 6:50am before school every Tuesday and Thursday, so these are some dedicated kids. They had their first concert in January.