Noontime Concerts

While walking to work, Paul noticed that this church was advertising free noontime concerts on Fridays.  He mentioned it to us and asked if we wanted to meet him sometimes.  Sure!  This church, called St. Andrew's, is just down the street from our apartment.  I love the outside!  It's beautiful!

The inside is beautiful too, with stained-glass windows depicting scenes from the life of Christ.  

The other windows have a floral pattern that Sarah likes to look at.

So Friday, February 23 we went to the first concert.  

We heard an amazing violinist and pianist.

The kids did pretty well at being quiet and paying attention.  We even had a couple of people afterwards give us compliments on how well our kids behaved.  They were impressed that they could do so well at being quiet and respectful.  The organizers encouraged us to come back each week.  They loved that we brought the kids because it's a great thing to hear great music and a good way to teach them how to behave and act well for these kinds of things.  

We went again on March 2, and heard another amazing pianist.  

We decided to try sitting in the upper seats this time.  It was fun to get a better angle on the piano and more especially her hands.  She could sure play fast!

Afterwards, we went down to thank her and to ask her a few questions.  (We did that with the other performers too.  It's nice to have that opportunity.)  While talking with her, she thanked us for coming and for being so well behaved.  She loved that I brought the kids.  (Most of the audience is older people and those taking a break from work--which I think is a great thing to do!)  There was a man who also thanked us and asked Glenn if he liked the concert.  He said yes. The man then asked Glenn if he played the piano.  He said yes again.  The man then asked if he would like to play something.  He said he was a pastor at the church and invited Glenn to play the *expensive* piano.  Glenn was a bit hesitant at first, not sure if he wanted to because he was a little scared.  But the man encouraged him and Glenn went to the piano.  He played "The Magic Man" from the Alfred Lesson 1B book.  I didn't have time to get my phone out to take a picture or record, unfortunately, but he did really well!  And when he finished the people who were still in the church pews clapped for him.  He was surprised at that because he hadn't noticed many people still in the church.  

It was a pretty neat experience!

And we look forward to going each week if we can.  It's great having such talent available for us to listen to for free and at a convenient location.  One of the perks of living downtown!