Well, it has been WAY too long since my last post.  I know my goal of posting at least once a month is not going well!.  I kept putting off writing until I get my recordings in the computer, and on YouTube so I can share with you; however, that is just postponing my blogging so it will just have to wait. 

So much has happened in the last month.  We had our fall get together for the piano studio which I think was a super success.  We played games, played for each other, and ate some snacks.  I'll be posting pictures shortly!  Also, I actually remembered my recorder, and I do have some recordings to put up here.  So EXCITING! 

Then, I had my mega busy super week.  Remember a couple months ago how crazy I was with working a summer camp, teaching and tech week for a show.  Well, I had another mega busy week.  This time, I had tech week for a show, teaching AND a wedding.  Aaron also had to work for a marching band competition on Saturday.  We were one busy couple.  Thankfully, my parents took the Miller monster for the weekend.  Otherwise, it would have been absolute insanity.

To top things off on the busy scale, Aaron and I are looking to buy a new home.  We are way excited, but the way our schedules line up is NOT conducive to home shopping.  Anyway, we hope to buy and move within the next six months so keep us in your prayers during the stressful time.

With all that said, I have GOT to get some recordings up.  Check back soon!  I promise to get them up ASAP.   I have SO many great recordings from my students, the choir AND Aaron and I.  I am just so way behind.  No day like today.. right??? 

Until next time..

Anna-

Well, I think its safe to say that we have made it through back to school season.  Whew! That was difficult.  I have several new students so if I haven't said so before, Welcome!  I'm so glad to have you be a part of our studio.  Back to school season is so much fun for me as I get to see my returning students excited for school, and I get to meet new students!  I have about 30 full time students, and I am happy to say I am nearly full!  Mark your calenders our first studio get together is October 13th.  For those of you new to the studio, this is a get together amongst students.  We play for each other, play a couple games and have homemade snacks :)

Additionally, Sound of Music rehearsals are in full swing.  Performances are Oct 18-21.  I hope to be able to get a couple recordings to post on here.  So, be sure to check back later.

In the meantime, I finally got a couple recordings uploaded to YouTube. 

This is an excellent recording of Ivy Chapel's Ladies' Ensemble performing a lovely arrangement of Jacob's Ladder.

One of our many talented members at Ivy Chapel, Earl Kreder, collaborated with me on this spunky version of the classic hymn, Praise to the Lord. 

Finally, we have another recording of the ever lovely, Marsha Fix, performing C. Francks timeless O Lord Most Holy. 

I hope that you have enjoyed this round of recordings.  Please check back for more piano fun! 

Smiles,

Miss Anna -

Guess, who didn't forget her recorder on Easter.  Its honestly not the best recording quality.  We have to find a better spot for the recorder so we can hear the choir better.  Its a learning process.  I wasn't going to post the recording, because I wasn't 100 % happy with it, but I'd certainly share with you if you leave a comment :)

However, I feel like we got a great recording of the offertory Aaron and I performed so here's a recording of our rendition of "Oh How He Loves You and Me"

I am so incredibly lucky to have a Zoom H4 Handy Recorder.  I love this thing.  Its actually my husband's.  I haven't really enjoyed the marvels of this thing until this year.  I do almost all my recordings on it.  I can record straight into my amp so I can have Miller screaming, the cat meowing and me singing out loud, and you wouldn't be able to tell.  A-MAZING! 

Now, the downfall to having such an awesome contraption is you have to REMEMBER to bring it with you when you want to record something.  I cannot tell you how often I have wanted to record something and just plain forgot.  Well, guess what I did.. forgot to bring the recorder on Good Friday.  The choir's anthem was SO powerful.  I have been waiting ALL year to sing this song.  That's right.  I picked it out LAST year!  Seriously, it took me singing through it around 4 times before I could do it without crying. 

Also, I am so blessed as a choir director to have so many talented men and women in my choir.  One of these is Marsha Fix.  She is an amazing woman, and her voice just sends chills down my spine.  Every Good Friday, she sings "It is Finished."  Marsha and I have the only lights on in the entire church, and when we are finished, we turn off all the lights.  It is an extremely powerful moment, and I FORGOT the recorder.  You can't recreate a moment like that.  I will have to wait until next year to get that recording.  So, now, all of you can anticipate Good Friday next year.  I will NOT forget. 

In the meantime, here is a recording of Marsha Fix and I on March 25th performing "O Divine Redeemer" by Gounod.