04-30-2012
A Favor Asked
Please do not use any of my neighbor’s driveways when coming to, or leaving from piano lessons. It is fine to use my driveway if you feel the need to turn around. Thank you.
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04-30-2012
Spring Notes
A little birdie told me it’s almost time for Spring Recital. Tentatively set for June 4th, it will be held at the LDS church on Mt. Airy Road in New Windsor at 7 p.m. More information will be coming in the next few weeks.
What’s New? The online theory games! Many of you have started to play the games at www.musiclearningcommunity.com. All of you have received passwords and usernames and have access to everything the site has to offer. PLEASE enjoy the site and use it to brush-up on your knowledge. It is free for you! Try it! If you have any questions, please ask. Music Learning Community has a link on the right side of this page.
Jordan Thompson participated in NYSSMA Festival last weekend, and Kyle Thompson, Mackenzie Thompson, Elizabeth Allegro, and Allie Hendricks will particpate in NYSSMA Festival in May. Have a wonderful time! On May 6th, Melvine Gomilla is participating in the Annual Spring Recital of the Hudson-Catskill Music Teachers Association. He’s playing a jazz standard–In the Mood. Thank you students and parents for putting forth extra effort in participating in these events.
Schedule notes: There are no lessons on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28th.
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04-03-2012
What’s New?
Technology is changing the way we learn music. Over the next few months, I will be phasing in a couple of new programs to help students solidify what they learn at lessons. Ask me about the enhancements being made to my studio–I think you’ll be happy to hear what’s coming!
Next week, April 8-14, is Spring Break for most students, so we will not be having regular lesson time. Several students are traveling to fun and exotic places. Enjoy your trips!
Students who are participating in NYSSMA should be in the home stretch of preparation for that event. This week’s focus will be on solidifying our memory work.
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03-21-2012
Spring Cleaning
These warm spring days are really nice. It’s great to open the windows wide and feel a cool breeze while practicing–though my neighbors may not agree.
We’ve had a healthier-than-usual winter at the studio and it’s been nice to have consistent attendance and practicing. I’m happy with each student’s progress and look forward to a great spring recital this year. Last year’s Beatles CD was a hit, and this year we are returning to the live recital format, likely in May. Watch this space for the date to be announced.
Several students are working on NYSSMA solos. NYSSMA is in Kingston in April for the older kids, and in May for the younger crowd, time and place TBA.
As a reminder, there are no lessons March 25-30. I am attending the Music Teachers National Association 2012 Conference in the city all week. Also, there are no lessons during spring break, April 9-13th.
Happy spring!
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01-18-2012
It’s 2012 already.
Thank you all for preparing for, and attending the Christmas Recital. It was nice to not have to work around snowy or icy weather, too. The next recital will be in the spring.
I was happy to celebrate my birthday this year by giving my own solo recital. I had so much fun that I will probably do it again next year.
Several students are in transitional periods between early intermediate and intermediate repertoire, and this month we are concentrating on good practice habits–always doing scale work before playing the lesson, using correct fingering, and good posture. If your student said I took his or her photo at lesson, I did this as a way to show them their own postures. I noticed quite a change at the following weeks’ lessons.
Thank you for notifying me when your students are not coming. It saves you money, and it saves me from “dead air”.
Many students will be participating in NYSSMA this year. We will begin working toward that around March 15.
Congratulations to Melvine Gomilla and Jordan Thompson for participating in HCMTA Festival in November. They did very well!
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12-08-2011
Recital Notes
The Christmas Recital will be December 19th at 7 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints in New Windsor, New York. If you need directions, please let me know and I’ll draw you a map. It’s easy to find. All friends and relatives are invited to this hour-long event. And yes, Randy is making his famous cookies for refreshments, in case you need an extra incentive to come.
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11-01-2011
November First
These kids took a break from practicing to go trick-or-treating. (Actually, they are Noah and Claire, my grandchildren.) Now that Halloween is over and the sugar highs are on the way down, it’s time to begin preparations for the Christmas Recital, which will be Dec. 19th. Please bring whatever holiday music you have, or have played in the past, to lessons this week. Everyone will have something new to play this year, and we need to do an inventory.
Nov. 11 and 12 are audition days for the HCMTA Festival at SUNY New Paltz. Two students are participating this year. Good luck to them as they prepare for their auditions. Next year I would like to have many more students participate on both the competitive and evaluative programs. Because the event is the first part of November, we need to begin preparing during the spring/summer–something to keep in mind.
I hope everyone had minimal impact from the Halloween storm. I know many of you have been without power for several days. Also, thank you for your patience when I cancelled lessons for a week’s visit in San Diego. The new granddaughter, Sadie Jane, is as cute as Claire. (I might be a little biased, though.)
Lessons will continue uninterrupted until Thanksgiving Day.
Happy Practicing!
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09-15-2011
September Madness
I hope everyone is pleased with the virtual recital CD Recapitulation.
Hopefully everyone is beginning to settle into a regular schedule of school and practice. Thank you all for being cooperative and helpful in making changes necessary to the schedule. Almost everyone was able to fit into the schedule. For those on the wait list, thank you for your patience.
Something to look forward to: Nov. 11-12 is Festival at SUNY New Paltz. A few students will be involved in this. I will be talking to those who will participate next week.
We will have a Christmas Recital this year. It is tentatively scheduled for Monday, December 19. Mark your calendars!
Please remember to bring your binders and Blast Off! music theory books to lessons.
Also, if I have assigned scales, please bring your C.L. Hanon studies books every week.
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08-31-2011
Schedule Notes
Please note that ALL students need to secure spots on the schedule. Last year’s schedule is not rolling over automatically . Please email or call me to confirm your time as soon as you can. I will do my best to accommodate everyone, but it is in your best interest to schedule as soon as possible.
The CDs are ready for distribution at the first fall lesson. Invoices and statements for July and August will go out tomorrow. Lessons start next week unless special arrangements are made. Looking forward to a great year!
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08-16-2011
End of Summer Notes
As summer nears its end, please keep in mind that piano will start again soon. For those students who have been coming for lessons during the summer, please note that there are NO lessons from August 18-Sept 5. Lessons will resume September 6, 2011. I hope you have all had a great summer and look forward to this fall’s preparations for festivals and recitals.
The Virtual Recital CD will be given out at the first lesson in September to all students who participated. Thank you for your patience while it was in production. If you want to hear a sample, click on Melvine’s mp3 on the prior post.
Please let me know your time slot preferences as soon as possible. A few slots are filled already. I realize that many students cannot choose a time until sports schedules are given out, but please contact me as soon as you have an idea of when you want to come to the studio.
Please email me the preference rather than leave a phone message. Thanks!
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