Melodious Journey

As 8th grade comes to a close, the violin has been a friend to little miss Haana.

This year, in music, she auditioned and was selected into All Regions orchestra. She was one of the very few students who made it into all-regions all 3 middle school years. She got 1Honors (heighest grade) for her end of year Solo performance and for her Emsemble - where she selected a music, recruited 3 other classmates, she coordinated practice sessions and they performed together as a quartet. She performed at Peek Music Festival at University of North Texas, Denton woth her school orchestra. She was the concermaster in the end of the year performance of her school orchestra, where she was also awarded the Musician of the Year award for 8th grade. An award she shared with her rival Damian Torres.

 

In the beginning of the year, she auditioned and was selected into Mckinney's Greater North Texas Youth Orchestra, where she's practiced and performed this year. 

She has grown so much in her musical journey and she's been driven entirely by her interest, passion and drive for growth and challenge. Her teachers at school guided her so well, and helped her along this journey so much. I am so thankful to her teachers and her guides. She auditioned for orchestra at her high school. She was not only selected, but was placed at the the Chamber (highest level) orchestra at the high school starting fall 2026. As an incoming freshman, this hardly ever happens. 

I'm excited for her musical journey to continue! It was been a melodious ride!

Fall Concert

Back in the summer little miss Haana had auditioned for a strings orchestra to be a violinist in it. Her teacher Mr. Lucas and she worked on the audition pieces for several weeks through the summer. We sent a video recording of her playing the audition pieces right on the very last day.. and then we waited.

And waited. And waited. Finally I couldn't take it any longer and I emailed the chairman to ask if she made it or not. And then with baited breath, waited some more. Then, i got the reply back. She's in!! Miss Haana was longing on the couch on that lazy summer day when I screamed to her that shade it in to the orchestra! We were delighted!! 

Orchestra practice started in the fall, every sunday. But she practiced at home almost every day.. no more reminding her to practice. Now she was practicing on her own non stop!

A couple weeks back her orchestra performed their first fall performance. I had never heard them perform together before. She was dressed in a black lacy blouse, back pleated skirt, black socks and shoes; and took her place amongst the violinists. I had never heard the orchestra perform together, only her practicing solo at home. It was such a wonderful experience hearing them perform together, sounding so different as an ensemble!! 

I am so proud of her!! 

The Performance

Little miss Haana was to have a violin recital soon. Her teacher and she had decided on what song to play. She knew the song well enough, she didn't need to look at the notes at all. 

Then, maybe because summer had just  started, or maybe she didn't want to play a song she already knew; she just fell off the rhythm of practicing. Now, with the recital only a week away, I was reminding her, with not so effective anger management on my part, to practice daily. 

On the other hand, given that the performance was at the Dallas Opera House, and formal attire was strongly encouraged, I had carved out the saturday before the performance for important family business - family shopping trip. First, little miss Haana needed some shoes that she can wear with her red dress that she had selected to wear for the performance (even though i tried to steer her towards the glittery pink one, but oh well). I decided I will wear a similar red dress too. And then, I needed some dress shoes too. I decided Raj must have a new jacket for the occasion. Not to leave anyone behind, new little man shoes were bought for Bobby boy too. All this while little miss Haana kept reminding us, 'Why are you guys shopping, it will only be me at the stage!'. After being at home for 1.5 years, there was no holding me back from a shopping trip with a purpose!

That evening though, the pesky issue of practicing came up again. And i had just had it! I was very upset and frustated that she's not practicing enough in the days leading up to performing at the stage. That just wouldn't do. I oscillated between deciding to just cancel all her violin classes and not even going to the recital; to remorse that if I cancel her classes it may be a point of no return. Of course through this all, I always wished I myself knew how to play an instrument. I didn't learn as a child, and then never had the time as an adult. It was an intense evening.

Next morning, little miss Haana's recital was in the afternoon. I kept watching her doing everything but practice her violin. And then, sometime after breakfast, she got up to play the accompaniment piece on my phone while she played with it on her violin. Since the accompaniment piece is on a slightly different scale, it takes a little getting used to, to not get distracted with it. She tried and practiced several times till she got it. That morning she practiced and played several times, till she was doing pretty good. 

When it was time, we all dressed up, even little Bobby boy was dolled up in full sleeves, formal collared shirt, jeans with suspenders, grey big boy socks (i forgot the new shoes at home), and a bow tie. All topped with his untamed curly hair. 

At the Opera hall, poor Raj had to pick up Bobby and walk him around the entire time, cause he wanted to run away exploring. But after the long wait when it was little miss Haana's turn, all of our eyes were glued. She glided to the center of the stage, bowed and got to play position with her violin. Her teacher was her accompaniment. She played Judas Maccabeus on violin and played what to my untrained ears sounded flawless and melodious. For that minute, little Bobby boy was glued to his spot too. And just like that she was done, she was bowing to the audience. We were filled with pride. 

Outside in the lobby, we took pictures. Little miss Haana and I were twinsies - wearing similar dress and similar shoes! On the way back from the Opera house, we all knew it was time to celebrate. Dinner restaurant choice - whatever little miss Haana would like!

Here is the recital video!

Win-Win

Finally, all the classes and the riding on little miss Haana to make her practice, and the heartburn and fights when she didn't; all of it is finally paying off!!

Little miss Haana is such a sweet, caring big sister. Last few days as soon as the little Bobby boy is unhappy and fixing to cry, she immediately runs to get her violin and gives him a private performance. He immediately grows silent and watchful and listens with appreciation! She has a captive audience. I have a calm baby. Bobby boy feels better, at least for the time being. It's a win- win for everybody!!