My brother arrived the weekend before my birthday and stayed for 9 days. On my birthday, he treated me to lunch and accompanied me shopping. My children and he always have so much to talk about! We visited Xpark together before he went home.
My sister came up to visit me at the end of the month and stayed for two nights. We played four-handed piano, played the board game Saboteur 2 with my kids, went to see the movie Eternity on Dec.1, and she even cooked a healthy dinner.
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.
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!
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, SchubertMoments 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.
