November's Unexpected Surprises

November's Unexpected Surprises
Good morning! I wish you all the best as we enter this season of winter and Christmas.
Do you invite guests to come into your class to watch? I hold a "bring a friend day" once a year and occasionally an auntie might come to watch a lesson. Grandmas and grandpas are also always welcome to visit, especially if they are from out of town. 
This past week, Sydney, age 5,  brought both her grandma and grandpa along to sit in on her lesson. I brought out stools for them to sit on and watch our class. I had heard that the grandmother could play piano quite well but didn't think much about it. While she was visiting, I asked if she would like to play after we had finished with her granddaughter's lesson and she readily agreed. I hoped she was able to play reasonably well and would play something with which the children could identify.
When I asked her what she intended to play, she replied, "Chopin's Winter Wind Etude."
Really? I thought, but I actually meant, oh, my goodness! Either this is going to be really good or it's going to be really long and  my five little five year-olds will be squirming around. 
To  my surprise and delight, we were taken on a wonderful winter trip through Chopin's beautiful piece with its whirls and twirls musically depicting a stormy winter day. The entire performance was amazing and no one wiggled or peeped during the whole time.  
After we applauded in appreciation and admiration, I asked Sydney's grandma about herself (though forgot to ask her name). She replied that said she regularly tours around the world performing  and playing with symphonies. What a great honour it was to have her in our class!  
This incident reminded me that you never know who will come and bless you and your students when you open the door to visitors.

  Keep warm and keep singing merrily along.
       Musically yours,
         Mrs. Lois