I have not been a good blogger, now have I? I intend to amend that situation, starting today. I intend to write something at least once a week. All "the best laid plans" aside, I hope I can meet my challenge. Too often, the computer means Spider Solitaire and FreeCell. I hope to amend that practice as well.
My Spring Recital is just a week away. In past years, my student base included elementary to high school students. This year, I find all my students are elementary age, and most are beginners. I'm working on the program tonight. My theme this year is Mostly Mozart. A relatively seasoned student complained he'd been "working on that Mozart piece for so long", why not something else for the recital? It's a thin line, between introducing recital material too early or starting too late to master for performance. And yes, we have been working on Mozart for quite some time, but there is still room for improvement, still need to practice and review, to polish for performance. He gets it; he's just ready to move on. One more week...
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
My Quiet Winter
You'd think I'd forgotten about my blog, it's been so long since I've posted.
It's been a quiet winter. Oh, wait! Did I say that? No, it's been a magical winter! Going into the Christmas holiday, I had 6 students. Coming out of that same holiday, I had 18 students! I still don't know what happened, but I am ever thankful, and extremely happy.
I had the honor of accompanying at a few elementary school holiday concerts, both in December and in January. Chorus, band, and strings, depending on the school. I've got to commend our young, aspiring musicians. They worked very hard for these concerts, coming to school early for rehearsal, giving up recess for rehearsals, and most importantly, practicing at home! Yes, even the chorus members had homework -- all their songs were performed from memory. I was so happy to have been at each performance, to accompany these groups, and mostly to have experienced their pride in their success!
My own students are preparing for a mini-recital, to be held this next Saturday for the Alzheimer's residents of the nearby assisted living complex. There are times when it is quite obvious that someone hasn't practiced since his last lesson. Not so recently however! The improvements these kids have shown this past month is remarkable. We are concentrating on Mozart this year: not your standard elementary level repertoire. I am so proud of the progress they all have made, learning new notes, new rhythms, dynamic shadings. They have worked hard, and I can hear it. I think they can hear it too, and are anxious to perform. If I remember to take pictures, I'll post a few here next week.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Halloween! part 2
The residents of Sunrise Assisted Living had a big day last Sunday. An hour of music, piano and vocal, followed by juice and cookies, made for a fun-filled afternoon. My piano students entertained with Halloween Carols. I was proud of each of them -- they introduced themselves and spoke about the music they would play. They were poised and articulate. Good job, kids!
After the piano portion of the event, a seven-person, high school choral group led the residents in a sing-along. I accompanied them as they shared music dear to the residents' ears. Most of the residents joined in singing -- they had the words printed out to read, but I think most of them already knew most of the songs. Unfortunately for me, I had my back to them the whole time, but I could hear their enthusiasm as they all sang together.
I am hoping for a reprise concert in December. Not the same music, but the same venue and performers. The pianists are already working on some Christmas music to perform. Just have to get the high school choristers pumped to come back. That shouldn't be too tough; they may have had more fun than any of us!
After the piano portion of the event, a seven-person, high school choral group led the residents in a sing-along. I accompanied them as they shared music dear to the residents' ears. Most of the residents joined in singing -- they had the words printed out to read, but I think most of them already knew most of the songs. Unfortunately for me, I had my back to them the whole time, but I could hear their enthusiasm as they all sang together.
I am hoping for a reprise concert in December. Not the same music, but the same venue and performers. The pianists are already working on some Christmas music to perform. Just have to get the high school choristers pumped to come back. That shouldn't be too tough; they may have had more fun than any of us!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Halloween!
We are gearing up for a Halloween mini-recital at Sunrise Assisted Living. Creepy, spooky, mysterious and kooky music has been wafting through the studio for weeks now and it's time to let it loose. In addition to piano, a vocal group will join us to perform their own collection of songs. I'm looking forward to hearing what they have prepared, and always to hearing my own students perform.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Annual dilemma
We're finally back into the routine of the school year, and weekly piano lessons are part of my routine. It's a good thing I love what I do: I'm afraid I'm not too busy yet. I have this annual dilemma come mid-September. Where did all the students go? Returning students tend to trickle back. By October, my fears are usually assuaged, but that doesn't make September any easier.
My reasoning for slow registration is simply this -- kids do too much, and parents have little time. Of course, I allow the slow return. The beginning of the school year is always fraught with obligations, paperwork, and deadlines. It takes about a month to get into the flow of the new year. Even lessons at the college do not begin until mid-September. And this year in particular, we experienced an earthquake on the first day of school, followed by Hurricane Irene and an extra week of torrential downpours, plus all the consequential school closings. So it's no wonder it takes a few weeks to get my school age students back at the piano.
Reading other teachers' blogs, however, I don't see my slow-registration problem to be an issue for others. Somehow they convince their parents to register in July, and pony up the first month's tuition with the early registration. I guess I'm just too easy on my parents. Someday I will get tough and learn how to begin the season full steam. But until then, mid-September will remain a bit scary for me.
(An aside. My current students are already working on scary Halloween music for an October mini-recital. Maybe that's what makes my mid-September so scary.)
My reasoning for slow registration is simply this -- kids do too much, and parents have little time. Of course, I allow the slow return. The beginning of the school year is always fraught with obligations, paperwork, and deadlines. It takes about a month to get into the flow of the new year. Even lessons at the college do not begin until mid-September. And this year in particular, we experienced an earthquake on the first day of school, followed by Hurricane Irene and an extra week of torrential downpours, plus all the consequential school closings. So it's no wonder it takes a few weeks to get my school age students back at the piano.
Reading other teachers' blogs, however, I don't see my slow-registration problem to be an issue for others. Somehow they convince their parents to register in July, and pony up the first month's tuition with the early registration. I guess I'm just too easy on my parents. Someday I will get tough and learn how to begin the season full steam. But until then, mid-September will remain a bit scary for me.
(An aside. My current students are already working on scary Halloween music for an October mini-recital. Maybe that's what makes my mid-September so scary.)
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
And so it goes...
We're back. Back from vacations at the beach, picnics in the park, baseball and hot dogs and all that summer represents. Back to work, back to school, back to the humdrum of daily practice. No, stop! Did I say humdrum? Never, never! In fact, I have just purchased a drum, of sorts: an African sanza. More like a drum with a keyboard. It's a bowl carved out of wood and topped, seamlessly, with wood. An etching of a face has been burned into the wood, holes carved as eyes, above which are 8 metal keys of different lengths, thus playing 8 different pitches. The underside of the bowl shows a woodburning of a drum. As a piece of primitive art, it is beautiful. As a tonal percussion instrument, it is intriguing. I'm not sure how I can weave it into a piano lesson, but I'm going to give it a try.
I also have a bongo drum, which, yes, I use in piano lessons. Despite the tune "I've got rhythm, I've got music. Who could ask for anything more?", rhythm can be a difficult concept for some folks. Counting, clapping, using words instead of notes doesn't always cut it. I have found, however, that beating a drum tends to break through the rhythm barrier. Outside of lessons, it's just fun to play.
I wonder what I can do with the 2 kazoos I have by my piano? Nothing humdrum here!
I also have a bongo drum, which, yes, I use in piano lessons. Despite the tune "I've got rhythm, I've got music. Who could ask for anything more?", rhythm can be a difficult concept for some folks. Counting, clapping, using words instead of notes doesn't always cut it. I have found, however, that beating a drum tends to break through the rhythm barrier. Outside of lessons, it's just fun to play.
I wonder what I can do with the 2 kazoos I have by my piano? Nothing humdrum here!
Friday, May 6, 2011
Spring Recital
It's that time of year again. Coming to the close of the school year, the weather is clearing, and it's a rare few who want to stay inside practicing the piano. Hence the early Spring Recital. Too much competition with spring sports, field trips and finals, not to mention the longer, warmer days, if we put it off any later in the season.
We had our recital this past Sunday, and were blessed to have had a lousy weather day. Cold and cloudy led to rain, and a full audience for whom to perform. For the past ten years, I have had the honor of holding my recital in St. Anne's Church in Annapolis. I tell my kids it's Stop #1 on the Historic Annapolis Tour, so they need to play really well -- you never know who might be walking through the church. (I remember one Sunday a few years back when Dan Rather wandered in.) In order to prepare for their performance, I offer one lesson at the church a few weeks before the event. The acoustics of the church are phenomenal! The music resounds, and can be a bit overwhelming , especially for the younger musicians. In addition, every piano "plays" a little different. The feel is different, the action is stiffer or softer, the pedal tighter. It's always good for the kids to experience all of this, the feel, the sound, the space, before the actual event.
This year our practice day was the Saturday before Palm Sunday. The Flower Guild was hard at work stripping the palms for the next day services; there was a lot of commotion in the church that day. And what a good opportunity for the performers. Instead of playing in my home studio for me and the dog, they actually had an audience! They were able to work out some of the willies that morning, (and the ladies of the Flower Guild appreciated the entertainment!).
Come recital day, everyone was well prepared. These young musicians had practiced, and hard! I had challenged each of them with music a bit beyond their level, and each rose to the occasion. We began the program with the most novice; she started lessons just 2 months ago. At the other end of the spectrum, Stairway to Heaven, performed by 2 sisters, on piano and recorder, was the perfect closing piece. I think the most poignant performance, however, occurred after the formal recital. My youngest student, just barely 5 years old, was scheduled early in the program. His extended family, unfortunately, arrived late and missed hearing him. After all the commotion at the conclusion of the program, he sat down at the keyboard, his entire family, parents, grandparents,siblings, gathered around the piano and he played his 3 pieces for them. They were so proud of him and he just glowed in all the attention. What a heart-warming sight!
It's funny. I get so worked up, worrying about my introduction. But the folks in the seats are not there for me; they want to hear their children perform. I kept my comments to a minimum and all went well. Now we're into the last month of the piano year. New this year, I have given each student a piece of music to teach to themselves, as I explained, to practice as if I am sitting next to them every day. They seem to appreciate the confidence I have in them. We'll have a soiree at the end of May to show off what they've taught themselves, and to celebrate all their accomplishments this past year. Should be another fun event.
We had our recital this past Sunday, and were blessed to have had a lousy weather day. Cold and cloudy led to rain, and a full audience for whom to perform. For the past ten years, I have had the honor of holding my recital in St. Anne's Church in Annapolis. I tell my kids it's Stop #1 on the Historic Annapolis Tour, so they need to play really well -- you never know who might be walking through the church. (I remember one Sunday a few years back when Dan Rather wandered in.) In order to prepare for their performance, I offer one lesson at the church a few weeks before the event. The acoustics of the church are phenomenal! The music resounds, and can be a bit overwhelming , especially for the younger musicians. In addition, every piano "plays" a little different. The feel is different, the action is stiffer or softer, the pedal tighter. It's always good for the kids to experience all of this, the feel, the sound, the space, before the actual event.
This year our practice day was the Saturday before Palm Sunday. The Flower Guild was hard at work stripping the palms for the next day services; there was a lot of commotion in the church that day. And what a good opportunity for the performers. Instead of playing in my home studio for me and the dog, they actually had an audience! They were able to work out some of the willies that morning, (and the ladies of the Flower Guild appreciated the entertainment!).
Come recital day, everyone was well prepared. These young musicians had practiced, and hard! I had challenged each of them with music a bit beyond their level, and each rose to the occasion. We began the program with the most novice; she started lessons just 2 months ago. At the other end of the spectrum, Stairway to Heaven, performed by 2 sisters, on piano and recorder, was the perfect closing piece. I think the most poignant performance, however, occurred after the formal recital. My youngest student, just barely 5 years old, was scheduled early in the program. His extended family, unfortunately, arrived late and missed hearing him. After all the commotion at the conclusion of the program, he sat down at the keyboard, his entire family, parents, grandparents,siblings, gathered around the piano and he played his 3 pieces for them. They were so proud of him and he just glowed in all the attention. What a heart-warming sight!
It's funny. I get so worked up, worrying about my introduction. But the folks in the seats are not there for me; they want to hear their children perform. I kept my comments to a minimum and all went well. Now we're into the last month of the piano year. New this year, I have given each student a piece of music to teach to themselves, as I explained, to practice as if I am sitting next to them every day. They seem to appreciate the confidence I have in them. We'll have a soiree at the end of May to show off what they've taught themselves, and to celebrate all their accomplishments this past year. Should be another fun event.
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