I’ve got Her Piano Recitals on the brain because Charlie was performing in one last night. (Now it’s on your brain too!) 🙂 Charlie’s was a beautiful recital in every way. Partly because it was only forty-five minutes. (Kudos, we thank you music teachers!)
Her Piano Recitals by allie taylor
Partly because Charlie was well prepared for his pieces and enjoyed performing them. And partly because Animal Crackers in My Soup was sung as the final recital number.
http://youtu.be/c1LI8lZALPM
Love that little Shirley Temple singing Animal Crackers in My Soup.
Last night’s rendition was a little different than Shirley’s, but the high school girl singing it should’ve gotten a trophy just the same. A big shiny one, three feet tall. After verse 1, she blanked on the chorus. So she apologized and started over. This happened again. And again. And again. A total of four times folks. But she didn’t give up. It didn’t master her, she mastered it. (And I told her so afterwards.)
I was also in recitals as a child. They were simultaneously pleasant and stressful experiences. But I do think they were good preparation for the future.
My mother has what I call “recital history.” Her Piano Recitals were less than stellar experiences. She also had clever piano teachers. In the 1940’s when she was five, she had her first piano recital. The recital was held in her piano teacher’s second-floor apartment, located over an ice-cream shop in Winnetka, Illinois. During the recital, all of Miss Copeland’s students, including my mother’s two older sisters, Patty and Pinkie, willingly performed their pieces. However, when it was my mother’s turn, she refused to budge from her seat, despite gentle encouragements from Miss Copeland. Following the recital, Miss Copeland called on Patty and Pinkie to go downstairs to get ice-cream cones for all of the students. Miss Copeland herself went around the room taking the orders.
When she came to my mother, she said, “What flavor would you like, Judy?”
My mother said “chocolate.”
Miss Copeland said, “Bring Judy vanilla.”
Several years later, now studying under a fine, Julliard-trained piano teacher, my mother tried again, this time nervously finding her way to the piano bench on stage in a large recital hall. Despite her preference for playing by ear, she knew her piece cold, having practiced it diligently for weeks on end. Nevertheless, when it was time to play, her mind went agonizingly and totally blank. Unable to remember even the first chord, she began playing by ear instead, easily improvising a pretty tune. On and on she played, certain she was fooling everyone (except, of course her parents and teacher, who knew better.)
Eventually, a raspy whisper came from behind the curtain. It was Mrs. Randby, her now slightly exasperated piano teacher, who evidently needed to ensure there was time for the remaining students to play. She said, “All right, Judy, you can wrap it up now”. Mother came to a suitable stopping place, exited the stage like Loretta Young, and never again played in another recital.
(She does tickle the ivories for us on occasion, and quite beautifully I might add. Mom, here’s that chocolate cone you wanted. Enjoy every virtual lick!)
You may also enjoy: Every Time a Bell Rings
Sallie Eisengrein says
Thank you for bringing back fond memories of watching Shirley Temple with our daughters! We all loved her movies!
[email protected] says
This sounds a bit like MY mom who was told she needed to learn to play the piano well enough to “play for church.” One day she was a last minute substitute and played for church then promptly refused to continue taking lessons… b/c she had played for church. Ahhh… kids, back then… sheesh…
[email protected] says
Piano…. my nemesis as a child. I’m not sure who one…me or the piano since I stopped taking lessons after I conquered the Old Gray Mare Ain’t What She Used To Be.
[email protected] says
*won (darn it)
Allie Taylor says
You are so funny Leslie. THIS old gray mare, she ain’t what she used to be, ain’t what she used to be, ain’t what she used to be….
Susie says
What a hilarious story–loved it!!
Aunt Margie says
Brought me both to laughter and tears! Thanks for pulling tender memories from your archives.. How I love to hear my sisters play! Kudos to Charlie-the-star, too!
Laura Cook says
Love this story & some history on your mom & your musical giftedness. Is that why you often hold Jon’s hand when you sing? SO DEAR.
Judy says
Yes, my recital history is true, unfortunately, so now whenever I attend recitals, etc., I am nervous for the young performers — on their behalf! The story of the courageous high school girl who sang at Charlie’s recital reminded me of you, Allie, when giving the Valedictorian Address at Dublin Christian Academy during your senior year of high school. At one point during your memorized speech you, too, suddenly pulled a total blank, and there were more than a few moments of agonizing silence before you eventually regained your composure, remembered what you wanted to say, and finished like a champ. My heart had been in my mouth, but now I wore it on my sleeve…
Allie Taylor says
How well I remember those several minutes of agonizing silence. An eternity. For me and the audience. Looking out, I didn’t see an eye. Just a sea of bowed heads. “Dear God, please help this poor girl remember her speech.”
Barbara Child says
Nowadays she would have gotten the chocolate as if she had done everything perfectly!
Jen says
Precious memories now shared with US! Thank you!
Barbara B. says
This is priceless, also enjoyed seeing Shirley Temple again with her mop of curls and her adorable little voice. Brings back memories growing up…… though never had piano lessons, loved your Mother’s experience and her determination, even at her young age, to state her childlike desire to imply, “not now”. Glad to see she persevered later on and now is quiet proficient and know she is glad she did! Her DAUGHTER does a wonderful job also and happy she is so musically talented, as is her whole family!!!!! Kudos to everyone
Accountants London Bloke says
Ah I remember Shirly Temple! Thanks for this much needed bit of nostalgia!
Allie says
You are so welcome, and glad you enjoyed it! I had great fun writing it. (Gotta get it down on paper (computer?) or these precious moments will be forever gone…)