What's New? December 2005
(Joseph Polevoi, Chanukah Candles. A winning photograph from the web site: Vivd Light Photography)
Piano Studio of Lola McIntyre
I pray you and your family have holy holidays this season.
Mrs. McIntyre Guest Speaker at Convention - I was one of 4 featured guest speakers at the Indiana Music Teachers Association state convention, held at Ball State University this past Novemeber. The talk was, "Reaching Outside the Box: Connecting Digital Teaching Tools".
AIM Festival - was a big success. There were many outstanding ratings and positive comments. I'll return your adjudication sheets as soon as I make notes of your ratings and comments. We use all these comments to help us grow next year. We'll revisit them as we choose new repertoire and begin preparing for you next level. I am collecting responses and reactions to the event (Email Me) to bring to the follow-up meeting in January.
Studio Class - is this Friday. Due to all the requests by the students, we will attempt to combine both classes so all may see and hear each other. CLASS IS AT 5:00 pm and will end at 6:00 pm. Therefore, all elementary 4:00 folks will come an hour later this month. Everyone comes at 5:00 on Friday December 16, 2005. When you come in the door, please line your shoes up in the hallway and bring your coat into the family room and lay it on the couch. We will also have musical instrument 'show and tell' stations. You'll get to see and hear a bassoon, cello, and trumpet. As you come in go each station on your way into the living room. Most of us will be sitting on the floor. Show-and-tell instrumentalists please arrive 10 or 15 minutes early (4:45) in order to set up. We'll have one in the family room, one in the kitchen, and one in the dining room.
Winter Holiday Break - There are no lessons the week of Dec. 26-29 and Jan. 2-5. Lessons resume the week of Jan. 9, 2005.
December remits are due next week. Thank you to everyone who may have submitted their remit a week early. New students' families may want to review Studio Policies. Just a reminder the moonthly remit of our yearly tuition remains constant ($168 per month), regardless of number of lessons in the month. This allows me to have remained in business for so many years, and you benefit from the experience of a seasoned professional. Most importantly, our students' attendance remain constant, which contributes to a higher standard in our studio. (Realistically, we meet for summer lessons by appointment and with great flexibility; payable at each lesson.)
Spring Recital - Mark your calendars for March 11. Rehearsal is one month earlier, on Feb. 11. There are two requirements to participate in the recital: Attendance is REQUIRED at the rehearsal in order to participate in the recital. Also, the recital performance pieces MUST per performed at one or more STUDIO CLASSES prior to March 11. Studio Classes for next semester will be posted no later than Jan 9, 2005. I will send an email when the dates are uploaded. I will also revised the RECITAL web page when I have confirmation of times and hall at U of I. We are VERY fortunate to have the opportunity to perform at one of finest recital halls in the mid west! This is a special opportunity which may be a positive memory maker for everyone.
Piano Tuning - Pianos should be tuned twice a year: once at least 2 weeks after the heat has been and again after the air conditioning has been on for a couple weeks. You can check your local yellow pages for certified piano technicians. Also, try calling Meridian Music or Piano Solutions (in alphbetical order); they both have good technicians they can recommend. It is NECESSARY to your child's musical development for them to hear the correct pitches as they practice.
May Master Class - Our final studio class in May will be at Meridian Music where we will welcome Dr. William Hughes as our guest concert pianist. He is an artist of the highest caliber. What is a master class? It is when a master musician gives a brief (5-20 minute) 'coaching' to another pianist, in front of other pianists and friends. The audience members, usually made up of musicians, benefit from all the comments and coaching given to all the participants. Usually a master class is less formal: there is usually no bowing, the time can expand over two hours, and audience members and participants can come and go quietly between pieces. Our students will each play one solo OR ensemble, then receive a mini lesson from Dr. Hughes. There will be a charge (TBA) for participating in order to cover the cost of the hall and to pay our special guest. I was 20 years old before I performed in a master class - it is a rare honor and worthy of noting on college, private school, and summer camp applications. Participation will be by my invitation (student must show readiness) and participation is also entirely optional. All students and families are invited to attend, even if they are not performing. There is no charge to audit the session.
iPods - Seriously consider investing in an iPod for your child this holiday. It is such a vital tool for musicians and young developing pianists. Tell me if you get them one - I'll offer some suggestions for tunes to load onto it which would relate to their current reperotire. Just for laughs, here is a hilarious rendition of Blue Christmas performed by a cousin of Porky Pig.
Cello Double Quartet Ensemble - Alex and some of his fellow cellists at CMS are preparing an ensemble for the Solo and Ensemble festival this coming winter. I have sequenced all the parts onto separate tracks and combined them so the students can hear the piece as a whole. Romance, from Romance and Serenade, Op. 119, No. 1, by Goerg Goltermann. Congratulations to every one and special thanks to Mr. Ron Nobles for coaching them. What an awesome piece! [This MIDI file sounds great on our digital piano, but quite crude on my PC. The quality key velocity may need tweaking in a sequencer, and its sound quality may be dependent on your PC's sound card quality. Regardless, it at least allows for everyone to hear what it sounds like with all the parts together.]