This year, Pastimes for a Lifetime replaced its Annual Student Art Showcase booth with its first ever Piano Student Gig at the 2018 Downtown Burbank Arts Festival.
As a piano instructor, I feel it is important to provide my students with performance opportunities that get them out of their comfort zone while building their self-esteem and confidence. What better place to do so than at an Arts Festival!
Of my five intermediate/advanced level students, four were able to attend. Two students, Ryan P. and Chris K. were acknowledged for learning new pieces in less than two weeks for the show.
On Sunday, April 15, 2018, my students performed beautiful New Age and Pop piano pieces from 10:30 AM-noon on the walkway at Palm Street.
For those of you who missed the concert, please enjoy the photos and beautiful performances.
Aidan C.: Last Days of Summer by Michael Scott
Aidan C.: Etude 80 by John Novello
Aidan C.: Song of Farewell by Christopher Norton
Aidan C.: Northern Seascape by Jim Wilson
Aidan C.: Engagement Party by Justin Hurwitz
Aidan C.: Valse de Amelie by Yann Tiersen
Cameron C.
Cameron C.: Sepia Tones by Michael Scott
Cameron C.: Rainforest by Michael Scott
Cameron C.: In This Small Spot by Michael Scott
Cameron C.: On the Lake by Christopher Norton
Cameron C.: Comptin D’un Autre Ete: L’Apres by Yann Tiersen
Chris K.
Chris K.: Rivergazing by Michael Scott
Chris K.: Sun Harbor Overlook by Michael Scott
Ryan P.
Piano Solo, Ryan P.: Petals by Christopher Norton
Ryan P.: Glass Piece by Michael Scott
Ryan P.: Peace Prelude by Michael Scott
This concert was a great learning experience for both my students and myself. I learned that no matter how much one prepares, there will always be something unexpected.For me, it was trusting the City of Burbank’s DWP to supply a reliable electrical source for our electronic keyboard and amp. After setting up the performance booth (awning, music gear and chairs), it was discovered that the electrical source from the lamp post adjacent to the booth, was dead. No electricity!I took a deep breath and asked the city coordinator to find us another booth location with a hot electrical outlet. She came through and found us a spot by the AMC theaters off of Palm. Luckily my handyman, his son and my husband had not left yet and were able to tear down and re-setup the booth and music gear in less than 15 minutes. It meant having a slightly late start, but my wonderful students and their families were very understanding and supportive. The performances were great, and the students had an eclectic experience they can look back on with memories to share for a lifetime.Many thanks to my wonderful husband, Barry Wehrli for loaning my students his pro music gear and gracious time and expertise in setting up the equipment. I could not have done this without him. A hearty thank you to my office manager, Jessica Lee Sanders for her photography help, assistance in shlepping stuff to the new booth location and helping me keep my sense of humor. 🙂
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Music Scene covers eclectic music events and locales.
If you enjoyed this story, please feel free to share on your favorite social media! Thank you for your support.
Were you inspired? Please share your inspiration in the comment section below.Thanks!
For more on Pastimes for a Lifetime’s Piano Curriculum and founder/instructor Linda Wehrli, visit the website.
Want first notice on more upcoming student concerts? Subscribe now!
Join the fun: Follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
I’ve been committed to continuing lifelong learning and inspiring creative thinking through art and music since 1989. I’d love to meet you! You’re welcome to chat with me on Zoom or stop by the studio. Just shoot me an email at Linda@pastimesinc.com and I’ll be glad to set up a mutually convenient time.
Often, such a prosaic loss or absence of electric power can “ruin your day.” Being a retired Electrical Engineer, I am once more vindicated for having worked in my field by the dependence on electric power that exists in society.
The recovery from this emergency of electric power absence by Mrs. Wehrli and by her husband is remarkable and enterprising, to say the least.
Thank you. 🙂
It was scary at first due to the electricity problem, but everything worked out in the end. These young men did a fine job!
Thanks for your wonderful help and expertise, without which the concert would not have happened. xo
Wonderful talent. Great idea too.
Thanks for the kind words! The students did play so nicely.