recital

This guy and his set of three challenging piano pieces skipped into his recital on a bright sunny afternoon.  I wouldn't have imagined this day last year before Aiden introduced himself to his teacher and asked her if he could take lessons at the Mantua Made Fair last November.  Since his first December lesson he has learned so much; lessons in perseverance, concentration, and the joy of doing something you love. His teacher has a philosophy on recital songs showcasing the level you are at, but not being perfectly polished songs you've played for months.  So he was given his Disney songs for the themed recital (The Unbirthday Song from Alice and Wonderland's Mad Hatter's Tea Party, The Winnie the Pooh Theme, and Lavender's Blue from really old Disney movies) about three weeks ago (one of which we were on vacation), and he had a countdown to the recital.  The songs he had partially memorized were easy to lose track of, but he kept at it and most importantly he was pleased with his performance.  I can honestly say I was convinced I was going to cry, but remarkably kept it together even with his little bow and smile at the end...until one of the older kids played a piece he composed for his mom called My Heart.  I couldn't help but flash forward to Aiden in a much larger neck tie that probably doesn't zip up (he loves that tie).  I was so touched that his teacher chose to give him the recital prize (you can hear her give it to him at the end of the video), and he told me after he thought he might have to make a speech.  His prize was the Lego Play book, and boy does she know him well!  He said it must have been because he brought her a lego piano creation a few weeks ago.  We all enjoyed a little reception afterwards with 'Unbirthday' cupcakes (which were 'Lavender Blue' cake inside) we made with the Mad Hatter toppers Aiden designed.

AB's first piano recital from LB on Vimeo.