Recitalmania.
Congratulations on a wonderful recital, everyone!
Mackenzie went the extra mile to play with a cast on her wrist. I hope you get well soon, Mackenzie.
Thank you one and all for preparing well and performing well. Didn’t we have fun?
The following students earned MTNA pins for 2008-2009: Tiffanie Descadres, Corinne Tousley, Cheyenne Broomfield, Chaundre Broomfield (also named Student of the Year), Sarah Hendricks, Allie Hendricks, Melvine Gomilla, Nailah Cooper, Alberto Gilman, Veronica Gilman, Chris Hendricks, Mason Hendricks, Lauren Dros, Brianna Mathelier, Jordan Thompson, Kyle Thompson, and Mackenzie Thompson. Congratulations!
Schedule Note: There will be no lessons on Monday, May 25th, which is Memorial Day.
Lots of Recital News.
The Spring Recital will be held Friday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m. Most of you are familiar with the venue–the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Mt. Airy Road in New Windsor. Directions from west of New Windsor: Take 94 to the intersection of 94 and Mt. Airy Road. There is a light. Turn left (north) and drive to the T. Take a left at the T, still onto Mt. Airy Road. Cross the reservoir, and the church is on your right about a quarter of a mile beyond the reservoir. I will hand out directions at lessons next week if you remind me that you need them. I will appreciate an on-time start, because there is much to do at this recital, including handing out MTNA awards. Please don’t hesitate to call me if you have any questions.
The Spring Recital for Adult Students was held on May 2nd. We had a wonderful soiree. We enjoyed music by J.S. Bach, W. A Mozart, Clementi, Beethoven, Diabelli, and Lennon/McCartney. Congratulations and thank you to all who played–you did a marvelous job. This was an informal evening of piano playing and socializing with other adult students–comparing battle wounds and successes. I hope to do this more often.
Congratulations to Chris, Mason, Sarah and Allie Hendricks on the addition to their family–a little sister named Claire.
Welcome new student Jordan Fox. I look forward to our time together. Jordan is a fourth-grade student at Little Britain.
The Student of the Month for April is Randy Raichart. It’s hard to be first at recital–especially when it’s your first time playing in public. Thanks for the support you’ve given me and my students through the years. Best Randy quote: “If God wanted me to play the piano, he should have given me 88 fingers.”
Adult Recital Time
Soon it will all be water under the bridge. Or over the waterfall. Whatever—The Adult Recital is this coming Saturday, May 2nd, at 7 p.m. at my home. There will be four students playing. Spouses are invited and encouraged to come and cheer on their husband or wife. No jeering, hissing, heckling, tittering, or snickering allowed, but expect lots of laughter and a good time. I’ll be serving light refreshments afterward.
April Notes
The Student of the Month for April is Tiffanie Descadres. Tiffanie is my youngest student. She’s working very hard, and is learning the value of methodical practice, though she is so young. I look forward to hearing her play at May’s recital.
The MTNA Music Achievement Program is nearing completion. The original deadline for completion of all goals was April 1st, but I have extended the deadline until May 1st. All students who attempted to earn it are currently on track to receive the award. I have been amazed at some of the work that has been done. Melvine Gomilla wrote a report on Beethoven that was incredible–ask to see it at your next lesson, and you might learn something like I did. I look forward to handing out these awards, and congratulate everyone on their hard work.
Welcome to new student Jordan Fox, who begins lessons on April 8th.
Congratulations to Emily Dianis who was accepted to SUNY Plattsburg. I’ll miss you each Monday evening! Best of luck to you in your collegiate goals.
The recital is tenatively set for May 15th. I will try to finalize it this week and will let everyone know the exact date this week, if possible.
There will be no lessons during spring break, April 9-19. Enjoy your vacation!!
March Coming In.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifKKlhYF53w
Hello troops!
If you haven’t watched the youtube video link above, please watch it when you finish reading this update. Just think of the opportunities that arise out of piano lessons–and good carpentry skills.
The student of the month for March is Mackenzie Thompson. Mackenzie is often the last student of the week for me, and what a joy she is. Hopefully you’ll all get to hear her play Leap Frog some day. It’s simply amazing. Congratulations, Mackenzie. Very appropriate for welcoming the spring peepers. Soon they will be out!
The schedule will remain the same for the month of March. If your school has a snow day this month, please call and let me know as early as possible in the day whether you are coming to lessons or not. Thanks.
Later in the month we will begin working on recital pieces. Now is a perfect time to do a progress check with your student on the MTNA Music Achievement. Please let me know if you are having a hard time finding resources for reports or books to read. Your local school library is a great source, and the internet can be a big help, too.
Have a wonderful March.
Groundhog Day Notes
Happy February to all of you musicians out there! Groundhog Day reminds me that soon the little critters will be coming out of hibernation, to be seen all along Ahern with the bunnies, looking for dinner. Spring will come, and with it, the spring peepers. Can you tell I have spring fever?
This past month we reviewed the paperwork for the MTNA Achievement Award program. It looks like everyone is on track and will have earned the award by the next recital. Good job! If you have any trouble with any of the goals, please ask me for help. Some of you are wondering where to find books, videos, etc. on composers. Talk to me if you can’t find anything in your local school or community library.
Welcome new student Corinne Tousley! I am very happy to have you come each week and I love your sense of humor. You start my week off right!
The Student of the Month for February is–Kyle Thompson. Congratulations to the “and-a-one-and-a-two-and-a-skiddle-dee-do” guy. Thank you for helping me end my week well.
Schedule notice: Attention all of you Monday students!! There will be NO LESSONS on February 16th, Presidents’ Day.
Mid-January Update
Thank you all for coming to the New Year’s Recital. This is Jordan playing one of her tunes.
And this is Tiffanie. Everyone did a great job and I’m very proud of all of the students. The next recital will be in the spring, and everyone will be required to play from memory. Several played from memory this recital, but it will be a requirement at the next. It’s not as scary as you might think–it’s actually easier to play from memory. Did I say requirement?
FYI on the schedule next week–lessons will be held on January 19th, which is the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. If you do not plan to attend lessons, please notify me before Jan. 19th. Thanks!
Welcome aboard to new student Corinne Tousley! I hope you enjoy your piano days very much.
Please remember to bring your MTNA requirements sheet to lessons this week. We are doing a mid-program check-off of requirements. So far, many students have completed about 50% of their goals. Keep it up, guys!
Happy New Year–Recital Update
Time to stop lounging around and get ready for the recital! The recital has been rescheduled for Friday, January 9th at 7:30, at the same venue. (See post below for directions, or see me for a map.)
I hope everyone had a very nice holiday and vacation from school and piano. I’m excited to start lessons on the 5th, and anticipate a great month. I look forward to seeing everyone this week so that we can revisit recital songs and make whatever adjustments are necessary.
The Student of the Month for December was Jordan Thompson. Jordan took the challenge and ran with it this past month. Great job, Jordan! It was difficult to choose a student this month because many students were well prepared.
During the week of the 12th I will be spending part of each lesson evaluating progress on the MTNA Music Achievement program, so update those sheets. Everyone who plays at the recital will be able to check off that goal.
Also this month, we will be doing extra rhythm work. If you can add, you can understand rhythm and how it works. Ask your student the difference between running notes and walking notes today!
Happy New Year to everyone!
Snow Day for the Recital
I regret to inform everyone that the Recital scheduled for tomorrow night, December 19th, is cancelled because of the impending storm. I plan to reschedule it for (hopefully) Jan. 9th, depending on the availability of the venue. I will let everyone know as soon as possible so that you may adjust your plans. Have a very wonderful holiday and stay safe and warm! Lessons resume January 5th.
RECITAL UPDATE
The recital is planned for Dec. 19th, this Friday, at 7:30pm. Please note the time change. Hopefully this will give parents who work outside the area more time after work to travel to the venue. Also, as of tonight (Wednesday at 8:30) the recital is still scheduled. If the snowstorm materializes into a big event, as the weather service predicts, we will reschedule it. I will call everyone if I choose to reschedule. My main concern is everyone’s safety in traveling, and secondarily, snow removal in both the parking lot and sidewalks at the church. Please feel free to call me anytime for more information. 845-496-4247, or 845-649-8516.