Over the River and Through the Mad Lib.
The MTNA Music Achievement Program is in full swing. I commend all of the students who are participating, and so far it looks like everyone is on board, though I haven’t received papers from some of you. Please bring these to lessons ASAP. If you want to come up with goals of your own in lieu of, or in addition to those listed on your individual sheet, go for it.
The Student of the Month in November, for October’s work, is Brianna Mathelier. Brianna is working hard on her goals, one of which is to practice 30 minutes a day 5 days a week. The consistency in her practice is paying off, and she’s noticing that her tunes are easier and easier to play. Way to go, Brianna!
It’s November. Over the River and Through the Woods time. Enjoy it.
We’ll be starting Christmas music next week. Please bring whatever Christmas materials you have to lessons this week and next, so that we can evaluate any needs.
Most of you are working on a memory song in addition to the regular lesson work. Please take these tunes seriously–playing by memory allows one to concentrate on making music musical. I will expect all recital pieces to be memorized.
Schedule notes: Lessons will continue as usual until Thanksgiving, There will be no lessons on November 27th and 28th, Thanksgiving and the following day.
Last week at lessons, Veronica Gilman gave me this little Mad Lib she did. I thought I’d share it:
Just click it to enlarge it. Thanks, Veronica.
October Notes–MTNA Music Achievement Award Time
Fall has arrived, school is in full swing, and lessons are, too. As promised, the MTNA Music Achievement Award program is beginning this month. At this week’s lessons, all students will be given an envelope that contains the following:
1. Goal program notice and agreement sheet to be filled out and returned.
2. List of individual goals for each student, from which he/she is to choose 8-12 to complete.
3. MTNA Goals list form upon which each student will write his/her chosen goals.
This program is not mandatory. Please read the papers when you get them and talk about it with your student. At the completion of the term, award pins will be handed out at a recital, and notice will be made in the newspaper of their accomplishments. Please call me with any concerns, or ask at lessons.
The Student of the Month for September is Lauren Dros. Lauren is consistently well-prepared and enthusiastic for her lessons. She has developed good practice habits and I expect that she will enjoy her musical life very much. Congratulations, Lauren.
There are no schedule adjustments in October, except a reminder to Monday students that there are no lessons on Columbus Day, which is a holiday.
September News
The new school term has begun, and with it, a more structured lifestyle. In reference to structure, please take the link on the right marked schedule. I will assume you will be here at the appointed time beginning next Monday, unless I hear from you between now and then. Some of you have taken lessons throughout the summer, and are returning to your old time slots. Please take a moment after reading this to peruse the schedule and make sure we are in agreement on lesson time.
Speaking of schedules, there will be no lessons September 14 -22. Lessons will resume September 23rd. Most students will miss one week of lessons, and Monday students will miss two weeks.
Beginning October 1st, students will be given the opportunity to participate in a new Achievement Award program, designed partially by the Music Teachers National Association, of which I am a member. This program’s purpose is to help encourage students to continue their music study and enhance their love and appreciation of music. Students will earn a special MTNA pin upon completion of the program. The program has three main sections: Participation, Exploration, and Observation. Within each section, certain goals will be listed, tailored to individual student’s skill level. Examples of Participation goals for an intermediate students are:
- Perform for a religious even, nursing home, senior citizen center, or civic event.
- Complete a scale assignment as outlined.
Examples of Exploration goals:
- Listen to a CD of music approved by me.
- Develop a music game.
- Write a music magazine.
- Interview a professional musician.
Examples of Observation goals:
- Attend a concert.
- Attend a recital.
- Attend a rehearsal of a music aorganization.
- Watch a video on a composer.
There will be a minimal cost to this program, to cover the cost of pins. A sheet explaining the individual student’s goals will be given out at lessons, after each student who wants to participate returns a contract sheet stating his or her desire to participate. Forms will be distributed during the last week in September. I hope many students give this a try. I promise to set realistic goals so that all may attain their pins. At the conclusion of the program, we’ll have a recital where the pins will be awarded.
A word of business: Please read the business link on the right, also, to remind yourselves of the business policies of this studio. I was lenient about attendance notification this summer, and this leniency will end (yikes!) September 8th. Please call or email if you will not be at lessons, or take your chances–I will assess a $10.00 missed lesson fee.
Thank you all for trusting your musical education to me. Play on!
The Dawg Days of Summer
Greetings fellow musicians,
While many of you are on hiatus from piano lessons this summer, there are those who are taking advantage of the longer days and making music. I salute you.
Welcome new students Lauren Dros and Tiffanie Descardes. Lauren is in the same class as two of my other students. She wears the coolest glasses…welcome Lauren. Tiffanie is one of the most enthusiastic little girls I know. She’s a little afraid of Mia, though. Don’t worry, Tiffanie–Mia likes to listen to you play the piano. Remind me, and I’ll put Mia upstairs while you play if you’d like.
Some items to consider as we close out the summer this month: Consider putting more classical music on your listening list. While at physical therapy last month, my therapist, who is 33, mentioned how he heard this great piece of music, and through much research, discovered it was Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. He proudly bought a CD of it, and listens to it often. If any of you are wondering what of the discography might interest you, speak to me. I have many recommendations. Listening to classical music helps us to order our minds and soothes our spirits.
On a personal note, if any of you get out Seattle way this month, check out the Seattle Opera. My son Patrick is in the orchestra. They are doing Aida.
New for fall: Every student will be working on memorization every week. The new achievement program will include memorization goals. As we begin lessons in the fall, I will post more information on the program. If you are taking the summer off, may I suggest you memorize a favorite old tune to play for me when you return in the fall?
The Student of the Month award will return in October, for September work.
On July 7-9 I attended a Wellness seminar sponsored by the Music Teacher’s National Association, and the Canadian Music Teacher’s Association. I came away renewed in spirit and very excited about making music with you all. The meeting was held in the Yamaha Artist’s space in midtown, and about fifty of us from all over the US and Canada attended. One issue that was discussed at length was performance anxiety, its causes and treatments. After the seminar, I spoke with my adult students about the possiblity of their participation in a recital, and to my surprise, all agreed to play. This fall/winter we will have three recitals–one, an adult student recital, and the other two will be student recitals. I am splitting the group this year.
The schedule on the website is not entirely correct, but with summer’s flexibility, I’m leaving it as it is until September. These reflect the time your student came in the last school year. If you request a change, please make as soon as you can.
Thank you all for sharing your talents with me each week.
Summer’s On
Summer schedule has begun. If you need a change in schedule, please let me know as soon as possible. The posted schedule is the schedule during the school year. Since few weeks in summer follow a set schedule, I won’t post a summer schedule. If I don’t hear from you, I will assume you will be staying on the regular school year schedule. A few of you have requested morning lessons, and I can accommodate those. Also, if you are going to miss lessons, please give me a call or email. I hope you all get to enjoy a little vacation time this summer. Thanks!
Speaking of schedule changes: There will be no lessons July 3rd, and no lessons July 7, 8. and 9th. I am attending a National Music Teachers seminar in NYC on those days.
I hope you all enjoy your July 4th holiday.
Coming in the Fall: A new achievement recognition program, affiliated with the MTNA. This program will be tailored to each individual student’s abilities and aptitudes. I’m working on the requirements now, and it should be ready to implement Sept. 15th.
Update
The spring recital has been cancelled because of scheduling conflicts. This is a good time to schedule a private recital in each of your homes. Be brave! Play for the neighbors!
Next year we will plan two recitals, one during the holidays and yes, the Virtual Recital will return.
The summer schedule will begin June 30. If you want a change of time, please let me know as soon as possible.
June Notes
Happy June! Thank you all for being understanding when I was gone in May. I had a lovely time in Los Angeles visiting our son and his wife and new baby, Gavin. Nicholas graduated from Pepperdine Law School and also received a Masters in Dispute Resolution on the same day, May 16th. It was quite the trip–with lots of reasons to be proud.
Now we are back into music study, and I hope everyone is enjoying the nice weather and extended daylight. It seems to take a little extra discipline to get that practice hour in, doesn’t it? I try to go by this adage: The pain of discipline is less than the pain of regret. In that spirit, let’s all try to get a little more time in at the piano in June than we did in May. (I won’t have to go far to meet that goal, myself.)
A few housekeeping items: Invoices will now be given out at the first lesson of the month or in some cases, mailed, instead of emailed. Thank you all for paying promptly. I appreciate it.
Recital news: tenatively set for June 21st is the Spring Recital. More on this to come soon. It will be an early morning recital.
Student of the Month for June is Cheyenne Broomfield. Congratulations, Cheyenne. He’ll be receiving two sand timers for his efforts.
The summer schedule will remain the same unless I hear from you. If you would like to have a morning lesson, let me know, and I can make some schedule changes. There will be no lessons July 7-9. I will be at a Music Teachers National Association wellness conference in the City on those days.
Have a wonderful June.
May Notes
Congratulations to all of you adults who are learning to play the piano after many years of thinking about taking it up. Adult learners have challenges unique to their situations–including no Mama around to see that practicing gets done–and often these challenges prove the mettle of the individual. I am amazed at the tenacity shown by the adult students, and I’m very pleased with their progress. One of the adult students is the Student of the Month for April, specifically for the resolution he has shown in his studies, overcoming great obstacles to reach a comfortable relationship with the piano. Congratulations, Michael Schiavone. (Sorry, Randy, better luck next month!)
I hope everyone enjoyed the week’s break during Spring Break from school and piano. We have another week of vacation coming up next week. There will be no lessons from May 12-20th. This will be the last break from lessons for the school year.
Practice reminder:
Try scheduling piano practice in the morning, if you aren’t already doing that. With the longer, warmer days and athletic practices, the afternoon can easily see time slip away. If you are used to practicing early, it gets done almost effortlessly.
Have a great May!
It’s spring peeper time! About another month of these guys singing their hearts out, and then (relative) silence again until next March. I love the peepers.
The Student of the Month for April is Jordan Thompson. Jordan, like most students, had a wall to climb over, and she faced the challenge. Great job, Jordan! To help her in her practice, she received a one and a two minute sand timer. Jordan also is a great swimmer and enjoys horseback riding.
The spring recital will be in June this year. Pieces for the recital will be assigned the first week in May.
Thank you for your promptness at lessons, and in obtaining music as needed. It helps in the continuity of lessons when students have the materials they need.
Please let me know if you would like your student’s lesson assignment written in a separate notebook.
Schedule Changes: The schedule on this website is up to date. Please note that there will be no lessons on April 21-25th, which is spring break for many students. This is a change from the original plan. In May, there will be no lessons from May 9-20, inclusive. Mark your calendars now–and enjoy the break.
Piano Tuning
Pianos need regular tuning. I have added a page to this site with Mr. Hahn’s phone number on it. Look for it under Other Stuff. Happy Tuning!