Visit with Paige

Paige had a harp recital on Wednesday, April 11, up in Greeley. Craig and I went up to see it. It was just gorgeous! She played four pieces, two solos, a piece accompanied by a clarinetist (Suite from the Victorian Kitchen Garden, by Paul Reade), and a piece accompanied by a violinist (Fantaisie for Violin and Harp by Camille Saint-Saëns). For her next recital, she is thinking about playing The Colorado Trail: Fantaisie for Harp, op. 28, by Marcel Grandjany, and perhaps one of her old favorites, The Moldau (arranged for harp), by Bedrich Smetana. She might also look at Le Cygne for cello and harp, by Saint-Saëns.
       After the recital, the three of us went out to Paige's favorite restaurant in Greeley. It's always fun to go there, but I prefer the cafeteria food in the campus dining hall -- more choices, especially vegan choices, and much healthier. We did have lunch in the cafeteria on both Wednesday and Thursday. Both meals were fabulous.
       I've been suggesting to Paige for some time that she apply to the honors program. She finally did and was accepted almost immediately. She will need to take several honors classes, some interdisciplinary seminar classes, and to complete a mentored project in either a research, creative, or applied path. She was expecting to graduate at the end of this year with twice as many credit hours as she needs, but she will probably now need another semester and will graduate in May, 2019. Given the extra time, she might be able to get a second degree in fine art and art history, but we'll see.
       Unfortunately her (relatively new) harp has developed some little cracks in the soundboard. She might have to send it to France, where it was made, for repairs. She still has her Lyon & Healy 23 as backup, but it needs a $12K repair, which would need to be done in Chicago. It might be as well to get that done anyway ...
       Paige seems happy and self-confident. By studying art and music, she has chosen to immerse herself in beauty. I think she will have an enchanting and satisfying life.