Practicing Contest!

Practicting ContestHello Everyone!  Announcing our new practicing contest that will begin at your lesson THIS week.

RULES:

1. For every day that you practice 20 minutes or more you will pick one bead to add to your studio ribbon.

2.  You  must complete a chart each week and it MUST be initialed by a parent before your lesson.

3.  Contest will end when the first student receives 30 beads.  To be fair – everyone else THAT WEEK that accomplishes the task will be included among the winners.

4.  It is hoped that many will practice at least 30 of the 40 or so days leading up to our big recital, so the prize will likely be announced at the show.

Now – GET PRACTICING!  And don’t forget to include your parents:  THEY MUST INITIAL your sheet EACH WEEK.   A copy of the final practicing sheets will be emailed to your parents when the contest ends.  ENJOY your playing – you are all amazing!

My First Piano Adventure

Robert M Sides at the Arnot Mall in Horseheads, NY hosted a clinic today featuring the following regarding “My Piano Adventures” arranged by the Faber Institute.

Explore the world of a 5 to 6 year-old, where fun motivates play, and play is the child’s magic formula for learning. Through songs, games, and engaging pedagogy for the young beginner, the My First Piano Adventure® course shapes the small hand for good piano technique, builds rhythm skill, and develops especially strong music readers.

We also learned about the new Piano Adventures® Player app!  This app is going to be aMAzing!  I can’t wait to use it.

Veena Kulkarni, Faber Piano Adventures Workshop
Veena Kulkarni, Faber Piano Adventures Workshop

Save the Dates!

  • Makeup Class* – Monday, October 5 – 4:00 p.m.
  • STUDIO CLOSED – October 13/14/15 (2 of 4 for 2015)
  • STUDIO CLOSED – October 20/21/22 (3 of 4 for 2015)
  • Makeup Class* – Monday, November 16 – 4:00 p.m.
  • Makeup/Performance Class* – Monday, December 14 – 4:00 p.m.
  • STUDIO CLOSED – December 29/30/31 (4 of 4 for 2015)
  • Makeup/Performance Class* – Monday, January 11 – 4:00 p.m.
  • Our 24th Annual Recital – Saturday, January 16, 2016

*Make-Up Lessons

It is our policy to close the studio four weeks during the year, with notice, and these closings are not paid for by the student and will not be rescheduled or made up. Make-up Classes may be scheduled occasionally due to inclement weather and/or upcoming events. Any student may attend. These group lessons will be one hour in length and will be spent working together on theory, rhythm skills, ensemble playing, as well as performance training. Other topics will be covered, depending on the needs of the group as a whole.

 

Piano Guild Auditions

2015 Guild ParticipantsToday eight students performed at the Cedar Arts Center in Corning, NY before an adjudicator from the American College of Musicians for membership in the National Fraternity of Student Musicians. All did very well with scores ranging from Excellent to Superior Minus. Great job, everyone!!

For more information, please visit our 2015 Guild page.

Recital Day Schedule

10:00 a.m. REHEARSAL
We will all meet at the Deane Center for rehearsal. If you prefer to wear your street clothes, that’s fine, but be sure to pack everything you will need for your formal attire, including your shoes! We will be rehearsing the following in sequence: Curtain Call, Duets/Ensembles, followed by Solos (beginning with the youngest). Once your solos have been played, you are free to break for hair/lunch unless we have determined more duet/ensemble rehearsal is needed with your group.

10:30 a.m. Hair Stylist on duty
Some have expressed an interest in getting a quick updo for the show. If you would like to use our stylist ($15 plus tip), please make that known to me as soon as possible. You may need to come already curled/straightened as desired and you also need to provide me with an idea of what you are hoping to get within the next two weeks. We will be able to accommodate some curling/straitening with our additional volunteer, but time may be of the essence.

12:00 p.m. LUNCH BREAK

For many of you, especially the younger ones, you will be able to break earlier. PLAN TO RETURN DRESSED BY 1:30 p.m. You may dress at the Deane Center, but please allow time for that.

1:30 p.m. INDIVIDUAL PORTRAITS

You have received your portrait order form with this packet. Please fill it out ahead of time and bring the form, along with your payment, on recital day. Individual portraits will be taken from 1:30 – 2:00 p.m. Photos will be taken in quick succession, so PLEASE DO NOT BE LATE. Please call my cell if necessary (number above).

2:00 p.m. GROUP PHOTO
PLEASE plan to have each student ready by 2:00 for the group photo which is to be TAKEN promptly at 2:15. If someone is late, it will hold up the group and get in the way of us resetting the room and welcoming our guests.

REFRESHMENTS
As is our custom, we will be providing refreshments at intermission for everyone who will be attending. If each family could make an item to share, we will be able to accommodate the 100+? who will be attending. As in years past, it would be nice to have an assortment of sweets, deviled eggs, meat/cheese, vegies, etc. plus a beverage, please. I will be providing coffee and water, along with plates, cups and napkins. Please plan on something that’s “finger food” and won’t require silverware.

RECITAL SEATING

During the recital program, each student will begin in the back of the room with me. Unless they have something else coming up, they will complete their solos or duet and come to sit with you. Please make sure that your child knows where you are sitting and leave a seat available for them (perhaps near the end of the row). This way, they can enjoy the rest of the program with their family.

DRESS Preferably (but within reason): coat/vest and tie for gentlemen, dresses for ladies and dress shoes for all.

If you have any questions/concerns regarding our rehearsal or recital, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I realize it can sound a bit daunting, especially if this is your first recital.

The Deane Center

The Deane Center is located at the Corner of Main Street and Central Avenue in Wellsboro. For those unfamiliar with the area – the Deane Center shares a block with Citizens and Northern Bank and the Native Bagel. Limited parking is available behind the Deane Center and in the bank parking lot (Water/Crafton Streets). Otherwise, you will find both town lots and on street parking.

I have provided a map of the Deane Center below so you can navigate your way to the Grand Community Room. Enter the Deane Center on Main Street. You will find the elevator on your right (just past the stores on either side of the lobby). Once you have arrived on the second floor, follow the map below. Turn left off the elevator and immediately left down the hallway. Deane Center Map
Deane Center for the Performing Arts
Grand Community Room
104 Main St, Wellsboro, PA 16901

Saturday, January 10, 2015
3:00 p.m. Showtime

Remember: There is no admission fee for our recital. The public is welcome – please invite all your family and friends!