I had the pleasure of attending a Christmas music concert this past Saturday. The occasion was to celebrate my daughters’ and nieces’ music lessons. They all study various instruments at the community music school. The concert was held down town in the Art Gallery which, was a beautiful choice as the room was filled with beautiful children making beautiful music; while outside, huge horses pulled carriages filled with puffy people (it was a cold day) through downtown.
It was delightful to hear my daughter Tabitha sing a solo of The First Noel. She blew me away with the angelic beauty of her voice. I’ve always know she has a great chest voice—the powerful ‘rock and roll’ kind of voice that booms out across a crowded room and hushes the crowd into silence. However, her head voice was new to me. She surprised me with her vocal range and talent and almost triggered the little stage mom in me:
She could go all the way with that voice of hers—stand aside Celine Dion!
Tabs can relax though, I’m not the stage mom type—I don’t fret and push my kids with their lessons and homework. I encourage and help when asked, but for the most part, it’s their responsibility to work on their pursuits and chosen hobbies with their own steam.
I admit, sometimes I actually feel guilty about not being a stage mom—I see so many out there. But I am not the kind of mom that chucks her life and identity aside and lives her dreams through her children. I also believe a great mind is developed through non-structured play, so free play time is really encouraged at my house. Most importantly, I am their role model and I want a life too, thus, my children have to be quite driven and disciplined on their own if they want to pursue an interest. Yet, I digress…Tabs’ name in lights…Vegas…kidding!
Tabitha is very independent with her practicing, which is why her angelic voice astounded me. I am so proud of her. She played a piano solo, sang a solo and sang in a chorus.
Pip played a guitar solo to Jingle Bells—she was brilliant—a relaxed and focused performer (and adorable in her Shirley Temple curls, I must say). Big sis Mistaya styled Pip’s hair for the occasion.
*Of course, the day was well below normal temperature (super cold) and Pip “forgot” to put on the tights I had laid on her bed for her that morning. I didn’t notice until she was performing with bare legs and socks!
My niece Artemis also performed a voice solo, piano solo and chorus song with Tabitha as well as a guitar solo. Artemis was amazing. Such an adorable little girl singing her heart out—she has a beautiful head voice also—an angel’s voice like her cousin Tabs.
Mistaya refuses to perform solo anymore, although she also takes piano lessons; thus, she was not in attendance. I allow her the option of not performing at concerts because of a series of stage fright melt downs she experienced; which, caused her to absolutely hate performing piano solos. Though, I admit, I miss her at these events. My niece Anemone had performed on her violin at the concert earlier (before we arrived) so we missed her play—though, I heard she played wonderfully.
It was truly a treat. Yes, professional symphonies and musicians are spectacular; but, give me children singing and playing their Christmas pieces any day: the audible loud sighs of relief when they’ve finished a piece; the unruly bed-head threatening to pop up on recently coifed heads; the freshly curled hair; the pressed shirt and tie with scruffy gym sneakers, the unexplained pauses before, during and after a piece; shy smiles, goofy faces and mad dashes back into the audience seating when finished performing…
Their preciousness and beauty is untouchable.
Sandra Hart
Wish I had been there. I would have been puffed up with pride. My beautiful, talented grand-daughters!
mixhartMix Hart
Yes, no doubt you would have been filled with pride.