Tag: kids

Middle School Percussion Concert

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"Solo" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 55mm, f/4, 1/160 sec, ISO2000
 “Solo” Cedar Park, 2018

こんばんは。How’s it going?

This evening, Koa performed at the percussion concert – both solo and ensemble. He was so happy that he got chosen as a soloist, and he did great! He got a huge round of applause at the end, which was really cool. 👏

Besides the solo, his percussion section performed two pieces, and they rocked the house. I’ve heard and seen them perform the pieces before, so I knew it was going to be great, and they did not disappoint.

"Ensemble" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 50.5mm, f/4, 1/160 sec, ISO2500
 “Ensemble” Cedar Park, 2018

Next year, Koa will be moving on to high school, and he’ll continue with percussion in the band there. The percussion director is the same for his middle school and high school so the transition will be easier. It’s great that he’s found something that he’s really into! His middle school band experience was truly a positive one, and he learned a lot about hard work, discipline, and respect. I am so glad he was in band, and in percussion in particular. I have to say that a lot of the credit goes to the band director, who is strict but dedicated. We really got lucky that he was the director at our kids’ middle school! 🎶

"8th Graders" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 26.5mm, f/3.2, 1/160 sec, ISO1600
 “8th Graders” Cedar Park, 2018

I hope you had a nice Tuesday!

またね～

Contest, Critique, and Misc

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"Critique" Austin, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/4, 1/105 sec, ISO6400
 “Critique” Austin, 2018

Today Koa’s percussion ensemble participated in a contest and critique. It was very interesting to hear the comments from percussionists at the top of the field. One of the judges is a professor at Florida State University, another is the Principal Timpanist for the Austin Symphony, and the other is a well-respected band director. I think that hearing the perspectives from these experts made a great impression on the kids.

In other news, I took care of some business around the house, including raking, fertilizing the lawn, tidying up our planters, and replacing a license plate bulb on Mariko’s car. Digitally, I decluttered and organized my desktop computer files, and made a fresh backup. And then I almost finished a book I am reading and did my daily exercises. It was a long, but fun, day!

Student Recognition

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"Student Recognition" Leander, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 18mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO320
 “Student Recognition” Leander, 2018

こんばんは。How’s it going?

Today’s photo is from an event at the school district’s board meeting. The occasion was to recognize the students of three different extra-curricular activity clubs for outstanding achievement, and Bay was one of the kids recognized! He’s in a club called Youth & Government which is really interesting, and honestly, something I didn’t think Bay would be interested in, but he actually took this on all by himself and has excelled. I am so proud!

I hope you had a great day!

またね～

Audition, Car Shopping, and a Sketch

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"Morning Begging" Cedar Park, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/3.6, 1/90 sec, ISO3200
 “Morning Begging” Cedar Park, 2017

こんばんは。How’s it going?

Today I took Koa to the regional band audition early in the morning. It was a long day for him, but he’s been practicing for this all week and the hard work paid off. He got second-chair and made the region band! I’m very happy for him because I knew he really wanted it and was nervous about the audition. Congrats, Koa!

Later in the day, I went to the Subaru dealership to test drive the car I am most interested in: the Crosstrek. I love this car! I’m pretty sure this is the model I will buy, and since the Odyssey is starting to have problems, it will be soon.

The model that I drove today was the trim level I want and had the options that I cared most for, plus the price was excellent. Everything was great, except for the color. Although the white is nice, I prefer the silver or the pale blue. In fact, I saw a “cool gray khaki” color and fell in love with it, so I’ll wait until one of those is available.

Later in the evening, I added some more to a portrait I sketched the other night. I think it came out ok, considering I only spend 30 minutes initially on it. I really don’t know how to draw a hoodie, and this one looks more like a parka-type jacket, but I like it anyways. 😄

"Hoodie" Cedar Park, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/3.6, 1/70 sec, ISO3200
 “Hoodie” Cedar Park, 2017

To see all the sketches I’ve been working on, you can check out the Flickr album “My Sketching Journey”, or my Instagram account barron.sketches which I created just for posting sketches, watercolors, and stationery items.

And today’s photo is of Koa and Lani at breakfast. Lani is so well-behaved when she wants a treat. 🐶

I hope you had a nice Saturday!

またね～

Percussion Concert

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"Watching Again" Cedar Park, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO2500
 “Watching Again” Cedar Park, 2017

こんばんは。How’s it going?

Tonight the percussion section of Koa’s school band performed a concert, and Koa had a solo. He did great! I was so nervous for him, but it was an awesome performance and everyone enjoyed it. Koa said he made a bunch of mistakes, but I thought it was amazing. All his friends cheered him on which was so great. Please watch/listen to the song below:

I hope you had a great Tuesday!

またね～