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.

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!

choir competition

Each choir sings one of compulsory elective songs plus an own choice piece.

Nov. 13, 2012

The school choir took part in the yearly music competition this morning and finally got a good result again! It's especially gratifying to be acknowledged for our efforts.

Nov. 14, 2013
The judges gave pleasant ratings this year. We continued to get a good result.

Nov. 10, 2014

On my birthday this year we took part in the music competition and continued to achieve a good result again! Our compulsory elective song was Jubilate! Sing Out A New Song, and followed that with 魯冰花 as our choosing. It's our first time to sing a foreign language song!
below are videos shot Oct. 8 morning (1 month before the competition)

魯冰花

 魯冰花

 魯冰花

 Jubilate

Nov. 10, 2015

We have two student teachers, who majored in Chinese music, this term. Both are 13 years younger than I.

What a coincidence! On my birthday, the same date as last year, we took part in the choir competition and sang two Taiwanese songs: 問田蠳 and Stars in the Sky (天頂的星). We performed in front of the school on the 5th morning before this competition. Good experience for the children.

Nov. 15, 2016
We're the number 10th among 17 schools. It's our best result for the past 13 years! We sang She'll Be Comin' Round The Mountain and 小小的果實.

Nov. 13, 2017

We sang The Happy Wanderer and 本事.

Nov. 20-21, 2018

We sang a Mandarin song I Miss You, Mama (我想念妳媽媽) and a Taiwanese song 鯽仔魚娶某 on Nov. 20. Felix's one of the singers this year! A student teacher and a Malaysian intern went with us. We took part in the yearly folk song competition for the first time and sang two Taiwanese songs 鯽仔魚娶某 and Stars in the Sky (天頂的星) the next morning.

Nov. 18, 2019

We sang Autumn Vesper and 小小的果實.

Nov. 24, 2020

We have two student teachers this term. One majored in Chinese music, and the other majored in vocal performance and conducted the school choir on New Taipei City Music Competition this year. We sang 牧童之歌 and 聽泉 (Listening to the Spring Water).

Nov. 22, 2021

We sang 芒草香 (Silvergrass) and Australian ballad Waltzing Matilda (快樂的流浪漢).