This was Kaylee's last voice recital. We are really proud of her musical journey. When she was in grade school, at a new school, she decided that she wanted to join choir. We were both a little shocked and unsure, because 1) she didn't really know how to sing, and 2) what she did do, she wouldn't do in front of anyone, even us. But she liked the choir and wanted to join, so we shrugged and said "okay", and she did. By the time she got to 8th grade, she wanted to try out for Starlets, the all-girl show choir, but she knew to have a chance at that, she needed voice lessons. So we asked around, and Mrs. R was recommended, and so it began. Mrs. R was a mentor, a friend, and a vocal coach, and really helped bring out Kaylee's confidence. She made it into Starlets, then later into the boy/girl show choir, Encore. During this time, in grade school it was suggested she not play the saxophone. So of course she chose the saxophone. She had a goal here, too, to be principal chair for the Howard County Music Festival, which she was able to do her Senior year. She's been able to go to local and state contest with both vocal and saxophone. All starting from a time when she wouldn't even perform in a car with backup music for her parents. When it comes to plays, musicals, she also had a goal, where she hoped to be able to be Main Cast for a performance, which happened with "Hello Dolly", as Minnie. She decides what she wants and then she does her best to achieve it, she puts herself out there, and I've told her, that's a quality that I personally admire. It's not always easy to risk, and try, and possibly fall. But you don't achieve what you don't aim for, and she embodies that. So anyway, she graduates in two weeks, and starts the next phase of life. I don't know where she'll end up yet, but I do know that once she has her goals in place, she will do what it takes to make them happen to the best of her ability. Anyway, enjoy the last recital piece, "Can't Help Loving That Man of Mine".
Mrs. Robertson had a Senior Concert, and had five seniors that she's been a voice coach for, mostly since they were in Junior High. She really cares about her kids, and I see her get a little emotional about her seniors. She gives them a lot of gifts throughout the years. Confidence, an ear to talk to, guidance on everything from music to life. Kaylee is very fortunate to have so many good people in her life. Teachers, two parents who care, multiple grandparents, friends, coaches, youth pastors. She has a whole support group around her, and I couldn't be more thankful. She has a good head on her shoulders and combined with the support of adults she can trust and rely on, she has an advantage she doesn't even fully understand yet.
That brings me to something that I can't spell out on this blog, because this is not a private page, even if only a handful know it exists. I am going to keep this very vague, but it comes into play with the above. About a month ago, a friend came to Kaylee and another of her friends and told them that something was going on, that wasn't right. Kaylee and friends spent a lot of time agonizing over what to do about it. They didn't know if it was real, or not, exaggerated, or what. She talked to me about it, and I told her that I appreciated how seriously she took it. That if this was real, it needed to be stopped to protect other people too. And if it was not real, it needed to be discounted, to protect the person accused. After a lot of time and prayer, Kaylee and the couple of friends got together to meet with a teacher that they trust explicitly. They laid out what they knew, what they were told, and brought in a corroborating witness. They let the teacher know they only wanted the truth to come out to protect the innocent, whatever that ended up being. The teacher took them very seriously, the school took it seriously. Others who were called in have backed it up. It is two weeks to graduation, and other people might have ignored it as someone else's problem, or left it alone. I think Kaylee and friends did the right thing, even if it was the hard thing. I think that's one of the best things you can say about someone. They did the right thing, even if it was the hard thing.
Oh, also at the Senior recital, Mrs. Robertson has them do a featured artist. Kaylee picked Doris Day (Shocking!). And here's what she had to say about that. I know the video is the wrong way, but I thought Mom would get a kick out of Kaylee using that photo for her recital. Also, here are some pictures with a couple of the other seniors too. We'll miss going to see her perform. Maybe if we're lucky we'll get to see a few performances at college, too. :)
These three did "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy".
Here's where the kids did their performer pieces, and you can see Doris Day on the right center there.
Kaylee getting some awards from her vocal teacher
Kaylee thanking Mrs. R for everything
The voice teacher with her five senior students.
No comments:
Post a Comment