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Cactus Pear Music Festival

Music was a huge part of my childhood, teen years and early adulthood.  I lived for music.  I was a highly accomplished pianist.  In fact, in case I've not mentioned it before, I went to the University of Florida on a Piano scholarship with every intention of being a concert pianist.  Then reality hit...I wasn't that good.  Plus, I didn't really want to work that hard.  My life headed a different direction, but I still minored in music and continued to play for fun into adulthood.  I even taught piano lessons for a few years, until I had children of my own. 

I'm so grateful that these "children of my own" found music too. 

Bailey was a bit of a late bloomer musically.  He started the viola in 5th grade strings.  He was immediately a natural at viola.  In his opinion, the best in the class.  Middle school proved that statement true.  1st chair viola, all 3 years at Garcia MS and 1st chair as a freshman in Varsity Orchestra at Health Careers.  He joined YOSA (Youth Orchestra of San Antonio) in 8th grade and final found some great competition, real musical geniuses and kids he could really relate to.  He's competed at Regional levels too (1st chair in 7th and 8th, 3rd chair for 9th grade).  This year he even went to State for Solo and Ensemble.  Talent he's got...oh and perfect pitch.  Only 1 out of every 10,000 people have perfect pitch.  It's pretty amazing, even if I wasn't his mother!

His orchestra director this year, encouraged him to audition for the Cactus Pear Music Festival, a two and a half week intensive music program that selects only a few young musicians.  He dragged his feet about it and even turned in his application late (still not sure he was interested).  He auditioned and was selected.  The only violist selected too.  We were all proud and excited for him.  We didn't truly understand the term intensive, until it was over.  All of us, musicians and parents and even siblings, were exhausted, when this musical extravaganza was finally over.  It pretty much consumed most of the month of July.  We've spent this week recovering!  But it was so worth it...these kids were amazing. It was an experience of a lifetime.

The kids worked with professional musicians from around the world, gave community performances and were at all the professionals performances...6 concerts, 5 community outreach concerts and lots, and lots of rehearsal and lessons.  Whew...








 




Here's a video of the final concert given just by the Young Artists.  This was one of my favorite pieces...Brahms Piano trio in G Minor.



It's long...but if you have the time...give it a listen to.

Music is our lives...

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