Outstanding

Katie was astonishing tonight. She’d been up since 5.30, done stretching and practices. She’d been to school, she’d done dance class. Granny and Grandad had picked her up. She’d come to me at the music festival where she dressed in her new concert pianist finery & rehearsed.

Then, in the packed auditorium, she walked so elegantly to the stage, introduced herself charmingly and proceeded to play a solo of The Swan from the Carnival of the Animals to close the entire festival. It was the most beautiful I’ve heard her play it, she brought tears to me eyes. She was also awarded the trophy for Most Outstanding Pianist of the festival. It was gorgeous.

I missed it but sat behind us were some big kids, one from YYM. He apparently turned to his mates and said “here, listen to this, she’s amazing”. The round of applause she got was fabulous for her. She was so modestly confident the whole evening. She only showed nerves to me for about 5 seconds right when her turn came. One of the festival accompanists (who had accompanied her in the clarinet solo) came to her and said it was so wonderful it had made her wish she’d got her cello to play along with Katie.

Granny and Grandad came for a late cuppa and bun to celebrate. Katie fell asleep on the sofa as we sent B messages- who was very sad she couldn’t be there to see it.

You did good, kiddo. So good.