pianist one
A Pianist, one
Vocabulary
| claim | perform | White House |
| Mozart | compile | heart (2) |
| p-word | prodigy | talented |
| sibling | territory | acoustic guitar |
| harp | grow up | overwhelm |
| career | trip (2) | in charge |
| fumble | passion | prestigious |
| gifted | scale (3) | blossom (2) |
| ill | favorite | comfortable |
| flute | suppose | performance |
| ideals | kind of | grown-up |
| values | patience | generous |
| gift (2) |
Video
Transcipt
How many six-year-olds can say the performed at the White House?
Emily Bear can make that claim.
The little girl from Rockford, Illinois was born to play the piano. And she writes most of her own music, so maybe…just maybe…
We’ve found the next Mozart.
This is the story of a little girl who was born with a gift. And she opened that gift early.
Emily: This comes out to me. This comes out.
Journalist: Where does it come from?
Emily: I don’t know…probably in my heart.
You could call her a piano prodigy, though the “P-word” is never used in the Bear home.
Mrs. Bear: This is all unknown territory for us. I’ve heard about kids like this; I never thought I’d have one.
Her siblings, 12-year old Benji and 7-year old Lauren, are also talented musicians.
Emilly: My brother plays electric and acoustic guitars; my sister plays the harp and piano. And I only play the piano. But I would like to play the flute.
Emily was discovered four years ago by her grandmothers. One of them a concert pianist, who has made a career of teaching musically gifted children, like Emily.
Merle Langes, grandmother: I just love music; that’s my passion.
Four years ago, Emily’s mom and dad took a trip — and left grandma in charge. She heard someone playing the piano and thought it was the eldest
Grandmother: I was overwhelmed — it was the baby who was two-years-old and one month, playing a C scale, with three fingers.
Grandma Merle immediately contacted the prestigious Juliard School of Music in New York.
Grandma Merle: He said there’s only one person in the country: his name is Emilio Del Rosario. He teaches music in Chicago.
With music instruction from Del Rosario and many generous instructors, including Mary Sauer, the Chicago Symphony’s principle keyboardist, Emily has blossomed.
They’re practicing Mozart’s Concerto Number 23, that Emily will play next month with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra.
Mary Sauer: What she does in her music in all the styles that she plays in, she is speaking from directly inside her, which is why jazz is so comfortable for her.
Yet her favorite song is not jazz or Mozart, but one she wrote herself, for Mr. D, her loving piano teacher, who is now ill.
Journalist: What are you going to be when you grow up?
Emily: A composer. I like Mozart because he is kind of like me; and I’m kind of like him.
Like her playing, Emily’s composing comes from her heart. It’s her patience with fumble fingered adults that she has to work on.
With keyboard chops that would be the envy of most adults, it easy to forget that Emily is still a child.
Emily: But this one is my favorite. Do you know why?
Journalist: Why?
Emily: I got it at the White House.
Journalist: What is your hope for her?
Mother: To be happy. Seriously to have good values and to have peace in her heart. To be a really good grown-up.
But until then, the one thing Emily wants you to know…
Emily: I’m just a normal kid who plays the piano.
Emily will play at Revinia in September. She played there last summer at the age of FIVE. We’ve compiled a number of Emily’s recent performances on our website along with her latest CD.
Steve: Alison, she is such a joy to listen to.
Alison: Steve, you’re right; I’m in love.
Questions
1. Who is Emily Bear?
2. She has performed at the White House. True or false?
3. “We have found the next Mozart.” What does this mean?
4. Is Emily the only person in her family that plays a musical instrument?
5. Did a musician discover Emily’s talent? Who discovered her talent? How old was Emily?
6. How did Emily learn to play the piano?
7. She only plays classical music. Is this right or wrong?
8. What does Emily want to be when she grows up?
9. Which is her favorite toy?
10. Does Emily’s mother wish she becomes a famous pianist?
A. Can you play the piano? Did you have piano lessons as a child?
B. Do you know of children or adults who can play musical instruments?
C. Should children learn to play musical instruments?
D. What happens to these children who play musical instruments when they grow up?
E. What will happen in the future?
