Halloween Recital!

I tried something new this year and did a Halloween recital instead of a Christmas recital. Don't know that I'll do it again, mainly because of all the other events a lot of my students are getting ready for.... it was pretty crazy getting them prepared.... but the actual recital was super-great.

I always think of recitals as my "payback." I know I get paid each month but obviously most music teachers would agree we are not in this for the bucks! I often feel like I am on a one-way street trying to go the opposite way of a never-ending parade of stupid in week-to-week lessons. (I figure most teachers of any kind feel this way a lot.) But to have all my students and their families gathered together to enjoy some good music, and for me to hear how most (mark my words, most) of them have really stepped up and prepared well, is, no cliche intended, music to my ears!

Of course there are almost always a couple who seem to have forgotten what the piano even is and which keys make up their songs, but for the majority I am usually very impressed with the musical talent my students are fostering-and to think I had a small part in that is worth it to me! As you can see I rocked the pumpkin outfit--most of my students dressed up and it was so great to see their cute little costumes! I have 29 students so I split it up into younger and older kids' separate recitals in the same night. It worked out really well.

In each recital, as the kids came in the door I had a bag of little papers they drew one from. Each paper had a different thing on it, like "frankenstein bubbles" or "fangs." I had a bucket of each of those things, and I would draw one out for each performer and that was how the performance order went. After they performed they got their little Halloween thing that I had drawn out of the bucket. They thought it was great.

I wish I had taken some time to take some better pictures of the decorations and the great table of treats! But I didn't. I am always running around like a crazy person, getting everything together and talking to everyone. Collin came to help me set up so he took a few of these pics but that's all I have. It really was cool! I borrowed a few friends' carved pumpkins and we put little LED flickers in them and it looked pretty neat.

Awaiting the recital to begin. . .

Having some fun chatting afterward.

Like I said before, I love my job! It's truly the best. I feel less and less qualified every day as I keep realizing how much there is out there to learn! But I guess that's part of why I like it too--there's always room for new information and creativity!

... now on to Christmas music!! jeeze!