Family Life in Salt Lake City: Violin Week

Marcus, his violin teacher, and her baby girl

Marcus had a busy week of violin a few weeks ago. First, there was a group recital on Monday, then jury on Tuesday, and the honor's recital on Friday. He is with the gifted music school preparatory division, and this is how it works. They have a recital with the students of each teacher separately, then they have a jury for all the students. The students who pass the jury are invited to perform at the honor's recital.
Marcus did well and he was invited to the honor's recital. He is actually the most advanced violinist in the GMSPD. There were about 30 students performing at the Honor's recital. Some play piano, some play cello, some play guitar, but most are violinists.

1月末にはマーカスのバイオリン・リサイタルがありました。まずグループ・リサイタル、そしてジュリー（期末テストみたいなもの）があり、そのテストに合格すると優秀生徒によるリサイタルに参加資格が与えられるという仕組みになっています。マーカスは一応一番レベルの高い生徒なので、毎回優秀生徒によるリサイタルに参加しますが、このシステム、マーカスも私もあんまり好きじゃなかったりします。

I filmed all three performances, but none of the videos were perfect. Monday's recital one didn't have good sound quality, and the honor's recital one was too noisy. The jury one was better, so I am posting that video here although Marcus made a mistake at one spot where he usually has no problem playing.

このビデオはジュリー（テスト）の時のものです。グループリサイタルのビデオは音声が良くなく、優秀生徒のリサイタルのビデオは周囲が騒がしいので、このビデオが一番見やすいです。間違ってる所もありますけど、上手く落ち着いて処理出来てると思います。（親ばか？）

Marcus is super shy. Plus he is so afraid of making mistakes. He hates performing. He was super hesitant to go to the jury. I told him to do his best and have fun. After the performance, he looked very happy and content. On the way home in the car, I said to him, "Don't you feel good inside when you do your best, and it doesn't matter what the outcome might be, right?" He agreed with me, and I was happy to see him understanding what positive attitude means. I would like him not to avoid difficult and uncomfortable situations, and face them with courage and overcome them instead. I truly believe that learning to play an instrument helps to build character.

気が弱くって、人前で演奏することが苦手なマーカス。この日も本当に嫌がっていたのですが、「ベストを尽くして楽しめばいいのよ。」とアドバイスしました。演奏の後、マーカスは清々しい笑顔だったので、「ベストを尽くして立ち向かうと、結果がどうであれ良い気分でしょう？」と言うと、合意していました。その気持ちを忘れないでいてほしいです。困難なことや苦手なことに面した時に、それから逃避するのでなく、立ち向かう勇気を持つのは人生の上で大事なことですよね。