Let Freedom Sing “Jazz”

Future Concert Pianist…. She’s Hoping

 

The proud performer

Mrs.. Meagan

Temple Lights 2009

 

Professionals At The State Capital

Daimon’s school choir was invited to sing at the State Capital this year.  They stole the show with their Jazz tunes.  Grandma Teri, Grandpa Jim and cousin Ely came to support Daimon along with mom and dad

Birthday and Turkey Day All In One

Grandpa Jim shared his birthday this year with the turkey, what more can a guy ask for on his special day than a beautiful feast with family, complete with cake and pie? When the Spratley’s get together there is no shortage of camera time…..whether you’re a willing party or not you’re subject to photo opts….we get a little crazy sometimes!

Warlocks And Sorcerer’s On The Prowl

 

Sadly Daddy missed Halloween due to a business trip to Chicago. We were happy to have Grandpa Jim and Grandma Teri as well as Uncle Josh, Aunt Nic, Ely, Colton, Raelynn, Aunt Lynn and Brian join us for Trick-or-Treating.  We started the night with a Chili block party with neighbors complete with homemade root beer.  The only thing missed was Daddy and his “speed trick-or-treating” technique.  Colton came prepared this year with his scooter in tow and was a little put out Ben wasn’t in attendance!  Sorry Colt, there’s always next year!

Fall Break Festivities

 

Daddy opted to sit on the sidelines and capture our fun on film!  Kelly and the kids enjoyed the ice and remained standing most of the time.

We Are Officially In The Double Digits(10)!

It was a weekend of celebrating for Daimon and the party went on for 3 days straight.  Friday he celebrated at school with birthday treats…. Hershey’s chocolate bars! Saturday was the traditional dinner at Carrabba’s where Jay made a party platter of desserts created especially for Daimon. Sunday was Daimon’s actual birthday.  Presents, homemade cheeseburgers and fry’s……were his meal of choice followed with Baskin Robbins mint chip ice-cream cake.  All crowd pleasers!

“I Think I’m Starting To Get Famous!”

It’s official…… we have a member of the Phoenix Boys Choir.  Daimon’s choir teacher at school asked us to take him for an audition and so it began.  He announced that he made it to his school choir teacher. She told him she was going to post it in the school paper.  Later, Ben was putting Daimon to bed and Daimon’s remark was “Dad, I think I’m starting to get famous.”  Life through the eyes of a 10 year old! 

A little about the prestigious “Phoenix Boys Choir”:

Mission: The Phoenix Boys Choir, through educating boys in the art of singing and performing the finest music in the boy choir tradition, develops character, discipline, leadership, global awareness, and a strong commitment to excellence, thereby contributing to the greater Phoenix musical life and enhancing Arizona's cultural reputation nationally and internationally.

Since 1948, the Phoenix Boys Choir has provided top quality music education for boys ages 7-14 and lively entertainment for audiences around the world previously under the direction of Dr. Harvey K. Smith, who led the choir for forty years. The choir has been under the baton of Georg Stangelberger since 1999. Each season, 40 to 50 singers from the 170 member Phoenix Boys Choir are selected for membership in the organization's elite Tour Choir. Ranging from 10 to 14 years of age, these singers are lauded internationally as a result of their intensive Arizona-based training program.

Concert tours throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, Canada, Mexico, China, and Japan have brought the choir both audience and critical acclaim as one of the globe's outstanding boy choirs. The Phoenix Boys Choir has performed for four United States Presidents and with name entertainers such as Doc Severinsen, Stevie Wonder, and Keith Lockhart conducting the Boston Pops Orchestra. In 2001, they were named "Cultural Ambassadors" to the European Union and in December of 2002 were named an Honorary Phoenix Point of Pride by the Honorable Skip Rimza, Mayor of Phoenix.

In February 2000, the Choir won a Grammy for Best Choral Performance for its recording of Penderecki's Credo with the Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Helmuth Rilling. Credo is one of eight compact discs featuring the Choir, the most recent being Joy To The World.

In February 2003, the Tour Choir performed for the American Choral Directors Association Convention in New York City at Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center and Riverside Church.

In July 2007, the Phoenix Boys Choir won first place in the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival at the world-renowned Musikverein in Vienna, a competition created to provide a unique platform for the world's most talented youth choirs, bands and orchestras.

http://www.boyschoir.org

Family Pictures