birthday month 2023

Regis competed in his first speech contest last month and won 2nd place in 7th grade in the school! I was so surprised!

My mom brought us three eggs from her pet hen in the middle of the month and stayed for three days. After my father's cataract surgery on his left eye in Kaohsiung on Nov.27, my mom will have surgery for macular degeneration on Dec.7. Thanks to my sister and brother-in-law for taking care of them.

My sons participated in a piano competition at the end of the month, and my parents came to enjoy their performances.

Felix's piano learning journey

Felix has been playing the piano since 2013.

4 year 7 month old playing The Rainbow from Alfred's Basic Piano Library lesson book. What's little Regis doing???

5 year 4 month old playing Dmitri Kabalevsky- 24 Pieces for Children, Op. 39, No.18 Galop

5 year 7 month old playing Trumpeter's Serenade by Fritz Spindler

After one month practice, 7 year old Felix performed for the school talent show.

The result was a shock when I saw it just put up after a 30 min wait. As I expected number 30 was the champion and number 19 was also great. 8 year old Felix was the youngest contestant and didn't work hard enough so I didn't expect too much. I felt a little disappointed because I thought he could get at least 80. His performance was nearly like playing at home. His fingers didn't slip too much, he didn't play several wrong notes or forget the text... He asked me about the result. I saw his disappointed face after telling him. I told him "it's ok and enjoy the process. Everything comes with practice. Practice makes perfect. You need to be patient and practice regularly and correctly."

We went see Thor Ragnarok in the afternoon on the way home. It's a great experience for a mother and son to attend.

9 year old practicing Tico-Tico no Fubá.

10 year old Felix won 5^th prize among 9 contestants at 2019 Bohemia Metro Music Competition. When getting up on the competition morning, he said "I dreamed that I won 1^st prize and got Lego toys! I'm going back to sleep to continue my dream." So cute! When we waited and watched others’ playing in the music hall, Felix told me “I’m afraid.” I’ve tried to tell my sons “Enjoy your performance. When you’re on stage, you share the music you’ve been working on with the audience.” I’m proud they made it!

Felix had prepared for New Taipei City Student Competition of Music since February 2019. He practiced 4 pieces. The three compulsory pieces were Bach Invention BWV 785, Invention BWV 786 and Villa-Lobos Suíte infantil No.2 Allegro. His own choice piece was Mozart Variation KV265. Finally, he won 7^th prize among 31 contestants! My dad came stay with us for two nights to watch my sons' performances. We're so proud of them.

Felix often ignores my or teachers' words, just does what he wants. Although he didn't do well at Asia Pacific Music Competition and New Taipei City Student Competition of Music, it's a good timing to let him know that he should think about others' suggestions. The three compulsory pieces are In Autumn by Amy Beach, Bartók Mikrokosmos No.153 Six Dances in Bulgarian Rhythm VI and Ravel Le Tombeau de Couperin Prélude. His own choice piece is Chopin Scherzo No.2, Op.31.

After watching American medical drama TV series The Good Doctor in summer 2021, Felix said he wanted to be a surgeon! He needs to focus on studies to enter a nice public senior high. Besides, he hasn't had enough time practicing the instruments since he started junior high because he gets home at about 6:50 or 9:30 PM. I talked with him and then decided to suspend his piano lessons after the competition and continue his cello lessons which was suspended for almost 3 months.

Felix had taken a break from piano lessons since he started junior high. After discussing with him this summer, we decided to enter the competition and resume piano lessons once or twice a month. With limited practice time, 2-3 hours a week, I was satisfied with his performance on stage!

Regis's piano learning journey

Regis has been playing the piano since 2015.

Regis's worked hard. On the way to the hall he told us he's nervous. He had a blackout in the last section. Luckily, the bell rang. What a great surprise to know he got 1st prize! The marks were divided into two opposing extremes. Three of the judges liked his performance.

After 3 week practice for the school talent show...

When we waited and watched others' playing in the music hall, Regis told me “Can I sit on your legs?” I know he's nervous. I’ve tried to tell my sons “Enjoy your performance. When you’re on stage, you share the music you’ve been working on with the audience.” I’m proud they made it!

8 year old Regis had prepared for New Taipei City Student Competition of Music since spring 2019. He practiced 4 pieces. The three compulsory pieces were Bach Invention BWV 785, Invention BWV 786 and Villa-Lobos Suíte infantil No.2 Allegro. His own choice piece was Kabalevsky Sonatina Op.13 No.1 Allegro. He's the youngest. I'm satisfied that he won 14^th place among 31 contestants!

Regis cried in the washroom after leaving the stage because he didn't memorize the score again when playing on stage. It wasn't unexpected. I know he wasn't prepared yet. He just started playing this piece without the music score two days before Asia Pacific Music Competition. Well, of course I felt a bit disappointed about his stage performance; on the other hand, it's a good experience and an opportunity for learning.

We worked on the speed. After one month, he did better at New Taipei City Student Competition of Music, which he'd prepared for since spring 2021. The three compulsory pieces are F. Couperin Le Tic Toc Choc Ou Les Maillotins, Schubert Moments musicaux Op.94 No.3 and Bartók Mikrokosmos No.141 Six Dances in Bulgarian Rhythm VI. His own choice piece is Chabrier Scherzo-Valse.

Regis' finger was accidentally injured by a classmate a month before the competition and he could only practice with one hand for a few days. Fortunately, it didn't affect him too much.