Things I learned from Miss Pratt

As most semesters are drawing to a close, I would like to reflect on a student teacher that has been at the High School with me since my first day. She has been like a breath of fresh air, very helpful, and I know my friends and I will miss her. She was always so interested in what we were playing and had so many suggestions and positive words of encouragement. So now, I present my list of things I have learned from Miss Pratt:

- It's fun to see over people love orchestra, too!

- Cello: one over, one under.

- When teachers express their love for a certain piece, it helps kids love them too. *cough* St. Paul's Suite.... *cough*

- When you grow up and buy adult pants, always buy pants with pockets in them.

- The hardest note to get in tune is a first finger F on the E string.

- Cool people wear Hello Kitty band aids.

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I'll add to this as I think of more. I hope she's successful teaching and I'll see her again sometime. I'd like to know where she ends up - I'll be following in her footsteps one day :)

All Passes - Art Endures

NOTE: I actually wrote this yesterday, November 28th.

Earlier this month I took a trip to Chicago to see the Chicago Symphony for my fifteenth birthday. Before the performance my mother and I were strolling down Michigan Avenue towards the "haunted" Congress Plaza Hotel. As we were walking, I noticed advertisements for a large sheet music shop and violin makers on a building called the "Fine Arts Building."

Sadly, it was closed for the night but my mom promised she would take me back as soon as she could.

Today, I finally got to go back.

I am mystified by this building. Walking in, I felt like I had time traveled back a hundred years. I half expected to see Stradivari himself, working, after being lost in his element after all this time. As I ventured further, I met the elevator operator, who pulled his lever back and sent us flying to the 9th floor, as I watched through the open wall in front of me. It reminded me of 1408. Ha.

I highly recommend checking out Performer's Music, a sheet music shop in suite 904. This was the most amazing sheet music shop I have ever set foot in. Or walking up the stairs to the Stradivari Society. Step back in time for awhile.

Cliche.

I notice as I read facebook profiles that they almost always say "Music is my life." Which is great, we all do. It's turning into a cliche phrase. What does it really mean when you say that music is your life? Do you ever stop to think about what goes into making that (usually terrible) mainstream pop song you listen to? What did it evolve from? And by you not having that one song, could you not have survived? I think you just mean that you find joy out of listening to music - whether it's classical or rap crap.

There is a difference between me and these cliche people I talk about. I make music. I don't just listen to it. And I don't just love it, I am passionate about it. If you took my violin away from me, I would be a completely different person.

Family unhurt in Goshen blaze

Family unhurt in Goshen blaze

This was Brianna's family, keep them in your prayers!