Judging the Princess

Simplicity is the final achievement. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art. ~ Frederic Chopin

The Princess has been working on two piano pieces for the last few months: one Baroque piece called "Polonaise" by J.S. Bach (this was the speed she played it actually) and a Romantic piece called "A Little Flower" by Cornelius Gurlitt. She was to not only play them, but to memorize them for a judging, which took place Saturday.

She played Polonaise a bit too fast, according to the judge, although at the same speed of the CD that came with the book, but he also said that he was impressed that her technique was so good that she was able to do it at that speed rather well.

Then we had to wait for the call from her piano teacher, Miss Trudy, to find out how she did. When the phone rang Saturday night, the Princess was all over me asking if this was about her rating. It was Miss Trudy. Her scored was 92 out of a possible 100, which gave her a superior rating of five points, the most she can get in one year. When she accumulates fifteen points, she will be awarded a trophy, so it will be at least two more years before this can happen.

She also played the same songs at church yesterday. Everyone complimented her.

After church, we splurged by going out to eat at the restaurant of her choice, Ruby Tuesday's this time.

Need I say how proud her father and I are of her? It was a great Valentine's gift!

~ My Lord, thank you for giving my daughter such a wonderful gift and a wonderful teacher to help her develop her skills. May she use this talent to glorify You always. ~