What I'll Miss About South Jersey: Part Two

For the past two years Lexie has been a part of her high school jazz band, concert choir, Girl A Capella Group (known as the The Melodears), Vocal Resolution, and the concert band. Phew! How she pulls all that off on top of being an honors student, and attending other extra curricular activities is beyond me! She has contributed so much in being a part of these groups, and one thing for sure is that she will miss her teachers that taught her how to become a better musician, and vocalist. 

I know for sure that I will miss attending her performances with this particular band, and choir, but as long as we are living in the same state, and only an hour away we will try to make the time to come watch their spring concerts for the next two years. 

Everyone did an amazing job, and sitting in the front row gave me the perfect view to record a few songs, and musical numbers. I absolutely love how certain members of the jazz band gave improv solos with their instruments to the song called "Super Chicken" and how everyone rocked it! Lexie did a violin solo, and she was so fun to watch! 

You can view her solo here. 
Lexie's Violin Improv Solo '16 from Rose Jorgensen on Vimeo.

Here are a few other videos of the The Melodears singing a Beyonce Medley in which you can view here, and one of my personal favorites is the combination of Eleanor Rigby and Mad World songs in which you can watch here. I'm a huge Tears for Fears fan, and when the movie Donnie Darko was released years ago I fell in love with the new rendition of the song Mad World that Gary Jules wrote. Pretty impressive, and Vocal Resolution did an amazing job singing it. 

The energy that was felt at this concert was a bit overwhelming. At least it was for me. Maybe it's because we are relocating, and that this was Lexie's last concert. Maybe it was because she was given a small solo in one of the songs, or maybe it was because she gave a violin solo and felt comfortable doing it. Or maybe it's because her sister attended all four years of high school, and is Highland alumni, and Lexie will be alumni at another school district. Yeah...I think it's all of the above.  

It's super bittersweet knowing that this was her final performance, and concert, but she is pretty excited to start her junior year at a different high school, and make new friends. She sure has learned a lot attending here at Highland , and I know that she will take everything she has learned with her to her other school. 

What an amazing evening it was, and we look forward to keeping in touch with how the band, and choir do via social media, and hopefully we will make it to their spring concert next year! 

Oh, and Mr. Tumminia...you will be missed! 

For more videos of the concert this year, and previous years in which you can see my oldest daughter in you can go to my YouTube Channel! 

Have a wonderful weekend folks! 

songbird.

She began dancing when she was about one years old. Blame it on being a '90's baby, and the fact that I was born in the '70's hooked on '80's music had me teach her at a very young age to listen to the right kind of music.

Music is her world, and she finds many opportunities to surround herself with it.  

She began dance classes when she was five, playing piano when she was seven, and although she doesn't really dance anymore she still plays the piano, and discovered she had a voice about three years ago. 

We used to call her our hummingbird when she was little, and now she is our songbird. 

I was amazed when I began hearing her sing nonchalantly around the house. You know under her breath, while she's cleaning, or even in the shower. I said to myself, "this girl can yodel sing pretty good, and she's never even had voice lessons." 

I've never given it a thought in having her take voice lessons. I figured since she's been humming since she began playing piano, and singing in the choir since middle school that she doesn't need to take private voice lessons. 

Some of my friends say that even though she has a pretty voice that i should still get her into voice lessons for the mere fact that they wouldn't want her to strain her voice or damage her vocal chords. While that's excellent advice and a lot of truth to that I just couldn't find the time, or even give it a second thought in finding her the right teacher. It's not that easy finding music teachers let alone a voice one. She's graduating soon, and I'm pretty sure she'll have plenty of opportunities at college to learn how to improve in other areas when it comes to voice and music. Not that she needs more lessons in piano, but hey...the more you learn the better you get! 

Sierra, and her piano fingers never take a rest. I can't even imagine playing like her, especially when she played this piece when the choir sang Battle of Jericho. That can be a hard piece for others to play, but she was amazing being the pianist for that song.

Grouped with some amazing talent for the past three years in high school this choir has done amazingly well when it comes to singing ballads without any instruments. If any of y'all have ever watched the movie Stand by Me, you'll be reminded of the movie when you hear them sing this one.

Members of the chorale are now known as "Vocal Resolution", and that is what they will be called from now on. 

Here they are singing their own rendition of "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon. I was very impressed and these kids just keep getting better and better with their talent as they continue to prosper. 

Sierra sang exceptionally well. She kind of reminds of the Latina singer Selena with her moves and everything. Having such a beautiful personality with a beautiful voice, who is kind to everyone and has rhythm when she dances! Bittersweet...

When all the girls from chorale get together they really sing loud, and even though I didn't understand what language this song originates from I really enjoyed it. It's called "Voice Dance.

  
The spring concert for Highland high school last night was just awesome, excellent, and it was especially nice to see Sierra & Alexandra side by side singing this song together along with the rest of the choir. 

I'm so glad that Alexandra (along with other middle school choir members) had a small cameo in singing with the Highland choir. 

Sierra's last concert of her high school career ended epically, and I'm very pleased that she came here five years ago in 2009 to join the future class of 2013 because I'll tell you something...this class truly is the cream of the crop, and from my eyes I don't think there will ever be another class like them. (unless it's the class of 2018, 2023, or 2027.) 

Those are the years my other kids graduate! 

Yikes! 

spring concert with a lot of musical talent.

So last night was the Spring concert for Alexandra's middle school. It's unfortunate that they don't have an orchestra because Alex has a stronger love for the violin, but nonetheless she is grateful to have the opportunity to be the pianist for the band, and to be a part of the jazz band. 

Alexandra playing 'Blue Moon' on the piano.

I can tell that the rest of the middle school jazz band worked very hard because they all sounded phenomenal. It killed me to see a little kid playing the drums. I guess I've always had a stereotype of one playing the drums. You know, the kind that look tall, dark, and well...tall!

Nowadays I feel as if I'm more focused, and paying more attention to their natural musical talent. Especially since Sierra is graduating soon. I certainly don't take any of that for granted, and if you lived with them you can see that they work their tush off practicing their songs. They both play exceptionally well, and I'm so proud of the both of them. They have such a strong love for music, and it shows. I'm so glad to have that in my home.

the lovely Sierra.

You certainly get more involved as a parent when they grow older, and seeing them practicing on their own motive is the icing on the cake. Saves me stress from telling them or even 'forcing them' to practice, practice, practice. I never really had to do that with Sierra. So far I don't have to with Alex, and their little sister is on the right track as well. 

Now if we can figure out what Noah's musical talent will be will help me to be more prepared. After seeing him grinning ear to ear while the high school students were prepping their drum sets made me think that he may not mind playing those. Especially when I caught him drumming on them.

All I have to say is, "Oh boy!" 

Even though I may not be musically inclined I sure know what good music sounds like, and I am one lucky mama to have some pretty talented kids! 

Just listen to Alex play here, the middle school jazz band play here, and Sierra kill it with the keyboard here, and here! She sure scares me with that natural musical talent of hers! 

You will not be disappointed. 

If you are...just leave a comment!

Happy Weekend!

Spring concert '12

Highland Regional performed their spring concert this past Tuesday, and it was phenomenal! I really loved it, and everyone did such an amazing job. I'm sure you will love these performances!

Her Chorale teacher decided to do a song at the last minute in which Sierra only had days to prepare, and memorize. She was the pianist while the Chorale was singing "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey. As you can see on this video she did a great job, and was really getting into the song while playing the piano. I apologize for not recording it in its entirety. I ran out of memory on my iPhone, and had to quickly delete some old videos! I still hope you'll enjoy what I recorded!

A few of the band members including Sierra decided to entertain the audience during intermission with a spontaneous wrap skit. Everyone was clapping along, and having a good time. For a minute there I felt as if I was watching American Idol...another dream thought I suppose!

Here is the chorale singing "Dias Irae" by W.A. Mozart with Sierra playing the piano:

The jazz band played "Besame Mucho" featuring Sierra on the keyboard, (and I did record it in its entirety!) This is the song in which she won this award, this certificate , and this trophy in which she was recognized by having her name on this announcement board.

She performed so well, and I continue to be in awe with her talent. She had so much fun this year being part of the choir, chorale, and the jazz band. She looks forward to next year, and hopes to win more awards!