A few new student performances that have been uploaded to the Student Performances section of the website. These musical clips were recorded in the weeks leading up to the Nov. 12 recital.
Category: Recitals
Student Performances
I just added a new recording under the student performances heading. Hopefully as we get ready for the recital on Nov. 12 there will be more great performances to share. I will not be using student’s names to identify the performers, just the titles of the pieces. So if you are looking for a specific recording, as the performer what their piece was.
Why Christmas Is Later This Year
Well, that probably got your attention. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but Christmas is still on December 25. However, there is good news as well. This year Brunner Studios will not be having the traditional December recital. This means we don’t have to start practicing Christmas music in September and October. Should I back this plan up and explain a little?
The past few years the winter recitals have taken place in December. That means that high school students were starting Christmas arrangements in September and October. Why so early? No one wants to play music significantly easier than their standard repertoire at a big recital. Also, you have to account for fall break, Columbus Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving and any other number of random breaks and holidays that the school system might decide to throw your way.
Then after all that hard work, you start getting the emails and phone calls. You know the ones I’m talking about. Susie won’t be able to play at the recital. That day is Great-Aunt Gertrude’s annual cookie swap. Now, no offense to anyone’s Great-Aunt Gertrude, but these students work hard and I hate to have them miss a big recital.
So to save myself a spike in blood pressure, and the kids a lot of what they will see as wasted effort, we are having the recital on Nov. 12. Standard piano repertoire with a few fall pieces and *poof* one fall recital.
The students will get their Christmas books at their next lesson and begin playing season appropriate music. We might try to go and play at a local nursing home or arrange for a carol sing at a church, but those are come and go events.
So see Christmas is arriving later this year. Well, the music is anyway.
Pre or Post Thanksgiving Recital Date?
First, I would like to thank Lib Hughston for recommending Piedmont Music Center for a possible recital location.
As I was scouting location for a winter recital location, I had to decide what was the best time for the event. Do I go pre-Thanksgiving or post-Thanksgiving? Almost everyone has winter/Christmas recitals. Usually these recitals are jammed into the first or second weekend of December. Now let’s hear the collective groan from the parents. Another event in December? Can we cry now? So rather an causing collective hyperventilation, I decided to go with an early November date.
I’ll admit that I will miss the Christmas carols at the recital. What I won’t miss are the half a dozen students who can’t attend because of other events. Teachers, I encourage you to schedule those big annual recitals at non-traditional times. Your students will thank you. 2 months is plenty of time for even beginners to learn a piece for a recital. New student participation is important. Older students can either present a new piece or pull one out of the rotation of performance ready pieces in their repertoire list.
Good luck to everyone with the recital preparation!
Looking for Space
You would be amazed at how difficult it is to find a space to have a recital. The good news is that I might have found a location for the winter and spring recitals. So stay tuned for an upcoming announcement.
It is so important for students to have a chance to perform on a regular basis. If your church, community center or social club would be interested in hosting a recital or background music for an event please contact me.
Memorization: Why It Matters
Memorization. Love it or hate it. Personally I am on the hating it end because it is challenging to me. Professionally I totally understand the point and advocate it.
Memorization of music really took off for piano when Franz Liszt and Clara Schumann decided to show off. Being the popular musicians that they were, everyone decided to emulate them. So that is where it started.
Pianists of all ages and skill levels find themselves in situations where memorization is required. From recitals and festivals to camps, workshops and talent shows, memorization is required. The earlier you begin memorizing the easier it tends to become. When beginning the piano, the pieces are short and easy. Does it not make sense to begin with these short, easy pieces? Why wait until you are learning intermediate repertoire or have enter a competition to learn to memorize? Memorization is a skill. There a lots of tricks, tips and skills that make it easier. If you don’t build that skill set as you build your musicianship skills it just sets you up for frustration later down the road.
Why does memorization matter in the music? Freeing yourself from the page and the pages turns or page turner lends itself to more artistry and musicianship. Knowing the music so intimately that you can concentrate on the nuances that turn a piece from a collection of notes into a work of art. The freedom to experiment musically in practice, lessons and master classes only comes when you know your music backwards and forwards. Memorization really is for the sake of the music.
Many teachers require memorization of students and provide incentives. Stickers, prizes and games take away the drudgery and make memorization a fun learning experience. By the time students are learning the standard repertoire, memorization begins to come more naturally. For some students, memorization will always be a challenge. Encourage those students and praise their success but don’t let them use it as an excuse to not participate in events. If you are looking for a music teacher, take into consideration if the teacher requires memorization at a healthy level.
Don’t wait until you want to memorize that Beethoven Sonata to begin memory work. Begin with Mary Had a Little Lamb.
Good Luck!
MTNA Music Achievement Award Program
Brunner Studios will be participating in the NMTA Music Achievement Award Program for the 2011-2012 music year.
The follows goals can be selected to be set by the students for the year. Select all or a few for a customized achievement program. This is a great opportunity for those students who do not wish to participate in the traditional festival circuit in the spring.
1. Set a required practice amount per day/days per week and follow. (Time to be
approved by the teacher.)
2. Complete one lesson/methods book or comparable segment of vocal literature.
3. Complete one theory or ear training book.
4. Complete one technical exercise book (or specific assignment as set by the teacher).
5. Complete a scale or vocalise assignment as outlined by the teacher.
6. Complete a sight-reading assignment as outlined by the teacher.
7. Memorize one to four pieces (or more)—to be determined by the teacher.
8. Learn one piece from several different style periods or learn several contrasting style
pieces.
9. Learn a complete sonatina/sonata (or suite or set of songs, and so forth).
10. Learn a duet with another student (or teacher). Or play/sing a piece with an ensemble.
11. If keyboard, accompany a voice/instrumental student on one piece. If voice/instrumental,
sing/play a piece with a student accompanist.
12. Perform as a soloist on a recital.
13. Perform for a religious event, nursing home, senior citizen center or civic event.
14. Participate in an event sponsored by MTNA on the local, state or national level.
15. Participate in school choir/band/orchestra or church choir/orchestra for one school term.
16. Write a report on a composer. (Composer to be approved in advance by the teacher.)
17. Read a book on some aspect of music. (Book to be approved in advance by the
teacher.)
18. Compose a piece.
19. Learn to play/sing a pop, blues, jazz, etc. piece of the student’s choice.
20. Purchase a CD, approved by teacher, and listen to it at least once a week for _______
weeks.
24. Arrange a piece to include other instruments with piano.
25. Attend a concert/recital/musical.
26. Watch a musical concert on public television.
27. Watch a video about a musical or composer.
For more information contact Brunner Studios in Charlotte, NC.
Planning the Academic Year for Piano
Here in the south the school supply lists are already putting in an appearance. Last week I was at a Target store here in Charlotte, NC and they were already putting out school supplies. (On a side note, I did purchase some new markers and folders.) This is the time of year that students feel like they get to start over with their goals and you might get an influx of new and transfer students. Many of these students will want to participate in festivals and competitions during the coming academic year. How do you make sure they are prepared and stay on schedule?
If I am getting to see my students during the summer, then I take part of a summer lesson and we evaluate our goals. If the student is not taking summer lessons then I try to use the second lesson back to evaluate the situation. What are we evaluating? I give the student their options for festival and competitions and we talk about how much music they would need to learn and what could overlap for these events. For example, if a student wants to participate in NFMC and NCMTA the choice piece for the NFMC festival could be drawn from the NCMTA list. This bring the required pieces down from 5 to 4. All 4 pieces could be used for Guild Auditions.
Guild Auditions and the National Achievement Program both have technical requirements. I use my checklist and have every student go through all of the technical exercises that they should have learned up to this point. One sheet that I use is found on the Resources page. This lets me know what we need to review and when compared to the festival levels what we need to accomplish in a set time frame.
I try to give a theory evaluation if there is time. Otherwise we do this in the next few weeks. If a student is participating in the National Achievement Program I use a practice test to see how prepared they are for this level of examination. These exams are quite difficult and it seems that half the battle is reading and following the instructions.
With all of this information, we can plan when to choose the literature and what schedule we need to keep to be prepared with the technical skills. Students sometime practice a little aimlessly when there isn’t a clear deadline. This can give them a mini-deadline for every week. For those high school students who are so busy, it is pretty easy to divide their pieces into sections and set a measures goal for each week. For example, we need to learn and memorize 10 measures of the Prokofiev this week and 5 measures of the Bach. It’s amazing how well they will practice when not overwhelmed.
How to Find a Piano Teacher- Part 2
On Friday, we talked about how to find a piano teacher. The first thing you need is a name. What were our steps?
1. Ask your neighbors
2. Google your area
3. Visit reputable teacher websites
Now that you have a few names in hand what is the next step? You need to interview teachers and interview with teachers. The best of mode of communication really depends on the teacher. Let’s face it, most piano teachers are stereo typed as old ladies with cats. So yes, you will find teachers who don’t communicate by email. You will definitely have to call these teachers to get information and to feel out what their personalities are.
If you do find teachers who are more technologically savvy, don’t hesitate to email them with a request for them to call you. My reasoning on this is simple. I teach from around 1:00 to 8:00 Monday thru Thursday. I do not answer phone calls while I’m teaching. I don’t want you to think that I’m ignoring you or not getting back to you. I can however, send you a quick email that I received your inquiry and will contact you back as soon as I have a break or am done teaching. If you want to include details in your email or questions, this is a great idea. Any info that the potential teacher has to help answer questions or address concerns is appreciated.
What questions should you ask a potential piano teacher about beginning lessons in their studio?
1. What is your training?
2. What opportunities do your students have for performances and festivals?
3. Do you have a policy sheet?
4. Are lessons customized for the student’s learning style?
5. What is your availability?
6. What do lessons cost and are their additional fees?
The answers that the teacher gives you should give you a feel if you would like to continue to the next step of scheduling a trial lesson or signing up for lessons. Follow your instincts. Not every teacher is suited for every student. Be honest with yourself when looking at the type of teacher you want. Taking piano lessons is a big commitment. You are learning another language. Find the teacher that is best suited for your educational needs.
Schedule a Summer Recital
This weekend is Memorial Day. The start of summer. Many students around the country are already out of school and those who aren’t are counting the days. As teachers we encourage our students to take summer lessons. Try scheduling a summer patriotic recital to give your students a goal to work towards. After those spring recitals we run the risk of losing focus. A fun filled relaxed recital of patriotic music just about fits the bill. Brunner Studios offers summer piano, voice and oboe lessons.
Here are a few ideas for your patriotic recital
1. Picnic Style- If you have the space, have everyone bring blankets and snacks. Have the audience sit on the floor. Encourage the families to sing along if they know the song. Have your older students practice their accompanying and host a sing along.
2. Red, White and Blue- Have your students dress in their patriotic best. Nothing like a theme to bring out that creativity.
3. Duets and Trios- If your students have time, let them learn a duet. There are some great patriotic arrangements out there for 4 hands.
Enjoy your holiday week!