Friday, August 18, 2017

Summertime. and the living is...

[Oops -- I never posted this.  So, 2 months later, here you go.]

Unbelievably, I've been in my new location for one full year.  Where did all the time go?  I visited my former home last night; the new owners were kind enough to invite me to see their improvements.  I told them, I could never envision selling my house; I would hate the new owners because they changed my house, or I would be so jealous because they changed my house!  I can't hate these new owners.  They are salt of the earth wonderful, and have made only beautiful improvements.  So, I guess I'm just jealous.  And very happy.  They are taking great care of the old homestead.  I have a much smaller place to care for, in a different town with so much going for it.  A very good situation all around.

Summer is here.  Temperatures are soaring into the mid- to high-90s.  Folks are staying behind closed doors, and it's only June 14.  As a music teacher, I find this weather promising.  My students have more time to practice, thus more time to improve their piano skills, even while on vacation!

School finished last week, and "formal" lessons as well.  Don't get me wrong.  Lessons have not stopped.  I teach 12 months a year.  The summer schedule is merely more relaxed in order to accommodate vacations and camps.  I will be travelling this summer as well.  I ask that all students continue with at least 6 lessons over the 12 week summer break.


Monday, January 9, 2017

Here's to 2017!

2017.  It's here.  Happy New Year!

2016 brought me to Frederick.  Best move.  I couldn't be happier.  One advantage that I did not anticipate was joining the Frederick County Music Teachers Association.  Through the FCMTA, my local students have performed in 2 recitals, one at Halloween, and one just last week.  My current student base is still small.  The 2 recitals exposed my students to a larger audience.  And they did so well.  I was very proud of each performance.

I have always held a 12th Night Recital in January in order to encourage piano time during the holiday season.  This may be the last year I will be able to do so.  My small house will not accommodate too many students and their families.  Even last year in the old house, much larger, it was standing room only.  I had a small turnout this year, but I rate it a success.  The girls played their pieces, I had time to remind them to bow to thank their audience for attending, and then they enjoyed un-spotlighted time at the piano, paying older pieces ("Remember I played this at Halloween" and "The first piece I ever learned!") and improvising.  One parent suggested a Twinkle Twinkle duet.  I was so impressed; these 2 girls had never met each other, let alone practiced together, and yet they nailed it.

All of these performance events teach so much more than merely playing a selection of music.  Preparing for a performance requires focus, patience and time.  In this gotta-have-it-now era, learning to take time to reach a goal is an important life lesson.  They still have a lot to learn.  Don't we all?  But they did well, accepted their mistakes in stride, and are looking forward to the next time.

Wishing all far and wide a happy and successful 2017.  May we all continue to learn, accept mistakes (ours and others') in stride, and reach our goals this year.