Spring break was a welcome time for me and I am looking forward to the next few weeks too. We have no time to relax because recital preparation and Greater Southwest Music Festival are coming up in May. Our recital will be May 18th. We had 19 superior ratings and 11 excellent ratings at the Pastorale Festival on March 10th at Texas Tech. Students were scattered among 4 judges, however, all excellent ratings were given by one judge. I am proud of all the hard work students gave during the recent weeks. Comments were supportive and complimentary. Students displayed courteous behavior and parents came out to support their children ranging in age from 5-17. I am very glad we have that behind us, but it was rewarding.
March 20th will be the first day of Spring, but March 21st is the 327th birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach was born in Germany and was the father of 20 children. The Bach family lived in a period of time where people worked at furniture making, metal work, woodcarving, and other skilled trades, but the name "Bach" stood for musicians. From 1550-1800 there were more than 50 Bach musicians that are known about. As a young man, he was not well-liked by other musicians or his church congregation. He was reprimanded for leaving for a one month vacation that turned into a three month vacation instead. he walked 300 miles to hear a Danish organist play a series of recitals causing him to miss all the Christmas and Advent services. Fortunately for all of us, he continued him music studies and ideas that made him the most famous of all Baroque musicians. He died at age 65 and was almost blind. His grave was unmarked for 150 years.
Can you imagine the loss of the musical community if we had never had this great musician!
Please check the blog each week. Jeopardy is my favorite show and I will provide much good information that you can use when you participate on all sorts of game show activities. If you win, just remember where you heard the information.
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