A Place Like This

Category: Music

  • Katten at the Keys

    —

    by

    Valarie Budayr
    in

    It's no secret that every good piano has a katten at the keys. We are so lucky to have this little fellow who checks our hand positions so we don't injure ourselves. Or perhaps choose the wrong music. He complains greatly if we play too many diminished chords.  He gives the pianist a very uncomfortable…

  • The Joy in Doing

    —

    by

    Valarie Budayr
    in ,

    Since he was about 18 months old he has loved to beat and drum on things. As a very small boy he would toddle around the house taking all of my plastic containers out of the cupboard. With a wooden spoon he would spend long spells just singing and drumming himself tired. Two years ago,…

  • Chasing Friday Night Marimbas

    —

    by

    Valarie Budayr
    in , ,

    Though it is October, we had the gift recently of being chased by the last days of summer warmth and sun in Portland Maine. Artists, musicians, food vendors, and the people of Portland, all joined together to celebrate their creativity during the First Friday Artwalk. As we walked along the street, we heard this great…

  • Mesmerizing Music Rolling Along in Japan

    —

    by

    Valarie Budayr
    in , , ,

    I was visiting Ren's blog Lady of the Arts today when I saw the most incredible video. Filmed in the Japanese forest of Kyushu. A wooden ball goes down a very long wooden marimba playing Bach's Cantata # 147: Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring. The sound you hear comes from the actual marimba and is not…

  • Some Things in my Ear

    —

    by

    Valarie Budayr
    in , , ,

    Yesterday Mimi and I headed to the store to do what's known as the "big shop"; buying everything needed for Thanksgiving dinner. With all of the cooking,crafting, and writing I'm doing lately, I have many things loaded onto my ipod to work by.  Some of them are  very unique items and others are old friends but…

  • We are the champions, my friends

    —

    by

    Valarie Budayr
    in

    Why is the hotel congratulating Mimi? Why is her mother singing this old Queen song? Because Mimi placed second in the Tennessee State Music Teachers Association Competition, piano concerto division, playing the Dminor Bach piano concerto. Good friend Hao, placed first playing Rach 2. Mimi pictured here with friends Hao and Melissa who placed first in…

  • The power of music

    —

    by

    Valarie Budayr
    in

    Last week the high school orchestra had the honor and pleasure of sitting side by side with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. A huge thank-you to everyone involved and especially to Lucas Richman, Maestro of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.           He truly inspires our children. It was a thrill to see Mimi sitting next to…

  • A Cello Trip

    —

    by

    Valarie Budayr
    in

           Yesterday Mimi and I took a 3 hour drive to Murfreesboro so that she could audition for Govenor' school. Honestly, I had not looked forward to a three hour drive there, a 10 minute audition, and a three hour drive back.                        I'm so glad we did this. Not only did she nail…

  • a very special time………

    —

    by

    Valarie Budayr
    in

    So I have been very deliquent in posting on the blog. Where have I been ? Having a great time with my family. Last week the Maryville High School orchestra and choir gave a stunning performance during their holiday concert. I hope you enjoy the photos. I hope to have a soundtrack up soon for…

  • Rain & Music

    —

    by

    Valarie Budayr
    in

    It is finally raining.  After many months of zero rain it is really pouring.  This is the worst drought in Tennessee history. We are down 1 1/2 feet of rainfall for the year.  As I sit enjoying the rain I’m listening to a new album called, " Raising Sand".  It is the efforts of Robert…