Ensembles

Fall is piano ensemble time, with the studio recital at the end of October (hence the Halloween costumes) and the festival 2 weeks later.

This year was different in a major way: for the first time, Jack and Liza were not duet partners. They were both excited about this development, since practicing together isn't fun for either of them, and their new partnerships were instructive about more than just playing the piano. But they both played fun pieces and progressed quite a bit and did a great job.

Meanwhile, since I knew I'd have to do a lot of scheduling of rehearsals and running around quite a bit for Jack and Liza during the weeks leading up to the recital and festival, I insisted Luke partner with Liza, mostly to make my life easier. They got along pretty well, and Liza did a good job of learning the extra music.

Cat was in her second quartet - different from the group she was in a few years ago - and had a lot of fun with it. The group didn't practice together a whole lot - it's hard to get four teenagers who live in different cities together! - but they sounded great.

It was extra cool that Liza's duo and Cat's quartet were chosen to perform in the winner's recital and won a small cash prize!

Luke & Liza

"Melody in Waltz Time" by Alexander Borodin

"Caprice No. 24" by Niccolo Paganini

(Luke loved this piece)

Jack & Jack

"Oh! Susannah" by Stephen Foster arr. Timothy Brown

"He's a Pirate" by Hans Zimmer

(this one was obviously our Jack's choice, since he is pretty obsessed with soundtrack music right now)

Liza & Josie

"Summer Samba" by Melody Bober

"Rush E" by Andrew Wrangelli

(original video, and a bonus video you might enjoy)

Cat, Aleah, Jack, and Toby*

"Galop Marche" by Albert Lavignac

"Bumble Boogie" by Jack Fina

(pay attention to the very beginning, when Toby starts playing and Cat and Aleah immediately laugh because they were shocked his fast tempo)