Fall Semester: Week 10

This week will be focusing on listening and representing rhythms with Planetary Pulse.  The students had a lot of fun at Group lesson and I hate I didn't take any pictures!  They played their pieces beautifully and had fun with all the Halloween games.  

Fall Semester: Week 9

This week we will focus on intervals and chords with Haunted House Harmonies.  We will be starting to work on our Christmas songs this week in preparation for our Winter Recital.  Next week we will have our group lesson on Tuesday, October 30th at 4:15-5:15.  I have some great games and activities planned!

Fall Semester: Week 8

This week we are playing a Candy Corn game to reinforce note names.  The group lesson is scheduled for October 30th at 4:15-5:15.  We will be sharing our spooky creations and playing some fun Halloween music games.  Feel free to come dressed up as your favorite character.

Fall Semester: Week 7

This week we will play "Don't Eat Jack."  A fun game reinforcing rhythms.

It is time to sign up for group lessons.  You should have received an email with details regarding group lessons.  They will be held the week of Oct.29th.

Fall Semester: Week 6

This week we will be focusing on note names with a Candy Corn Match Up game.  We will continue to work on our Spooky Piece for the group lessons.  October payments are due.  I hope you have a great week!

Fall Semester: Week 5

This week we will be focusing on rhythm with pumpkin rhythms and intervals with a fun game called spider legs.  Students will also be choosing some pieces to do a fun spooky experiment with.  Ask your child to share his spooky creation!

Fall Semester: Week 4

I am going to be assessing the students on note names, chords and keys with some flashcards.  We will then focus in on the notes that need more reinforcement.  I gave out several Super Stars this week, so keep up the great work!

Fall Semester: Week 3

Last week the students worked on naming notes as we captured aliens.  This week we will be focusing on intervals, chords and rhythms with legos.  Our super star challenge is going to be for completing a piece with 98% accuracy.  I will be listening for notes, rhythms and dynamics.  You can try each week to earn a super star for any piece assigned this semester.

Alien Invasion

We have gotten off to a great start!  The students have each chosen an alien and this will help them keep track of how many stars they earn each week.

This week we will be playing "Alien Invasion" to review note names.  Keep encouraging your child to practice daily.  Getting a good routine set early will help ensure a consistent practice time throughout the year.

Shooting for the Stars

"Shooting for the Stars" is our Piano Theme for 2012-2013.

It’s time to blast off and shoot for the stars as we aim to be a stellar piano student.

Students will work to fill up their stars by attaining goals for practice, rhythm, sight reading, presentation and notes.  Students will also have other opportunities to earn stars with special incentives.  They will record how many points they receive and they will spend their points at group lessons for prizes.

Here is a sneak peek:

Spring Semester: Week 12

It is the last week of lessons for the Spring Semester.  We have had a wonderful year and the students are really getting into their Pirate Compositions.

I will be giving students a Summer Practice Chart to keep their skills up during the summer.  Any student who brings back a completed sheet will get a prize (candy).

https://www.box.com/s/f9d1217beca1ac088d7b

I also have a present for each of the students for completing their Hidden Treasures journey.
Pirate of the week: Nathan Weems

Group lessons will be on Wednesday, June 5th from 5:15-6:15 and Thursday, June 6th from 5:15-6:15.  If you have not signed up for one or cannot attend please let me know.  The students turn in their jewels for prizes, so if they cannot make it I need to know by this week.  I will let them go to the treasure chest this week if I know they won't make the group lesson, so please let me know if they can come, if you haven't signed up.  Thanks!

Spring Semester: Week 11

This week we will be playing Pirates Plunder for reinforcement of note names.

We are continuing to work on our composition piece.  Each student is composing a piece and will perform their piece at the group lesson.  If you haven't signed up for group lesson you can do so by clicking on this link:  Group Lessons

Our pirate of the week is Maddie Woods

Last week we had a great time playing our lifesaver line up game.

Spring Semester: Week 10

We had a wonderful Piano Recital.  The students did so well and I am so proud of them!  We will be playing a Lifesaver Game this week to work on Note Names and testing for the One Minute Club.

For the last three weeks I am focusing on composition.  I would like every student to compose a piece.  The piece can be inspired from something the student has heard or played, but must be an original composition.  The subject of the piece should relate to our pirate theme, so the title should reflect something to do with pirates.  It can be anything related to pirates, so the ocean, mermaids, gold, sailing, etc...

I plan on having the students perform their compositions at our last group lesson.  I have a special "treasure" for each student for working so hard this year.  Many students are close to getting to the treasure chest on their map, so keep working hard!

Important Dates:
Last week of lessons: May 28th - June 1st
Group Lessons: June 4th - 7th

Sign up for Group Lessons: Group Lessons

Spring Semester: Week 9

Recital Week!  This Saturday we will have our Spring Recital at Tabernacle United Methodist Church on Liberty Road.  The recital is at 10:00 AM, so plan on being there about 10 minutes early so your child is in place and focused for the performance.  Feel free to invite any friends and family.  We will be preparing for the recital during our lesson time.

For Performance Guidelines follow this link

After the recital we will only have 3 more private lessons left, followed by a week of group lessons June 5th-8th.

Group Lessons will be offered at the following times:

June 5th - 8th
3:00-4:00
4:15-5:15
5:15-6:15

Please let me know which times can work with your schedule or follow this link to sign up using this link: Group Lessons

I have decided to take the summer off, so I will not be offering lessons over the summer.  I will be in touch in August regarding piano in the fall.  Thank you for all your support at home with practicing and preparing your child for lessons.

Spring Semester: Week 8

       

Last week we had a great time playing "Fool's Gold."  This week we will play Treasure Island.   Students will answer music questions to move along the high seas in search of the treasure. 

Our recital is set for May 12th at 10:00 AM at Tabernacle United Methodist Church on Liberty Road.  Please invite all your friends and family.

Pirate of the week:  Shane Hansard

Here are some pictures of our game this week: Fool's Gold

Spring Semester: Week 7

This week we will be practicing note and keyboard recognition with Fool's Gold.  Students will match staff cards to gold pieces (pennies) on the keyboard.

The recital will be May 12th at 10:00 AM at Tabernacle United Methodist Church on Liberty Road.
For Performance Guidelines follow this link

Pirate of the week is: Maddie Wood

Spring Semester: Week 6

I hope you have all had a wonderful Spring Break.  Lessons will resume on April 16th at the regular time.  This week we will be reviewing music concepts with Bingo.  I will be emailing the details for the Spring Recital this week.  Most students already have some pieces they have been working on.  

Spring Semester: Week 5

We had a 'hopping' good time with "Hopping Intervals this past week.  This week we will continue the Easter fun with "Jellybean Jumble."  Students will use jellybeans to name note names.

Pirate of the week: Alec Bradley

The studio will be closed from April 9th-13th due to Spring Break.  Lessons will resume on April 16th.

The 2nd payment of the Spring Semester is due by April 14th.

Spring Semester: Week 4

This week we completed our one minute club and had great results!  We also had fun playing our "Bee Game."

This week we will have a hopping good time with our "Hopping Intervals Game"
Our pirates of the week are: Jay Daniel, Juletta Klein and Seth Hansard

One Minute Results:

One Minute Club

March 2012

Goal: 23 notes

1. Christina Beasley
2. NATHAN WEEMS
3. RYAN DOUGLAS
4. Maddie Woods/ALEC BRADLEY
5. Kelsey Walrond
6. CHANDLER HARRIS/SETH HANSARD

Purple: 42 notes learned

Teal: 38 notes learned

Orange: 30 notes learned

Blue: 25 notes learned

Red: 23 notes learned

UPPERCASE: New individual high score

One Minute Chord Club

March 2012

Goal: 14 chords

1. Christina Beasley
2. NATHAN WEEMS

Purple: Inversions

Teal: All Chords in root position

Orange: All White chords, major and minor

Blue: C, G, D, A Major and minors

UPPERCASE: New individual high score

Spring Semester: Week 3

This week we will be testing for the One Minute Club for Level 1 and above.  We also be doing some note naming worksheets.

Pirate of the week: Ryan Douglas

This month the students can earn extra jewels by logging computer time.  Students can earn 3 extra jewels for playing musical computer games online.  Use the Online Games link on my site.  Students need to log in 20 minutes a week in order to receive the 3 extra jewels.  Simply record the games played in your practice log, under notes and have your parents sign it.  There are a lot of games to choose from, so have fun!

Spring Semester: Week 2

This week we will be focusing on note names with Lucky Leprechaun.

My pirate of the week is Juletta Klein

Congratulations to Maddie Wood and Christina Beasley who scored Superiors in the Greensboro Music Teacher's Association.

Reminder: Spring Semester fees are due this week.

Spring Semester: Week 1

We had a wonderful time at our group lesson.  The students seemed to enjoy themselves and loved turning in their jewels for prizes.

This month the students can earn extra jewels by logging computer time.  Students can earn 3 extra jewels for playing musical computer games online.  I have added a Online Games link on my site.  Students need to log in 20 minutes a week in order to receive the 3 extra jewels.  Simply record the games played in your practice log, under notes and have your parents sign it.  There are a lot of games to choose from, so have fun!


This week we will play the Pot of Gold Game, which has students adding up rhythms to fill up the pot of gold.


Enjoy some pictures from our Group Lesson:

Winter Semester: Group Lessons

Last week we had fun playing Tic Tac Toe

My pirate of the week is Seth Hansard

I am looking forward to a fun group lesson!  I will post some pictures of our games :)

Winter Semester: Week 12

This week we will be focusing on note recognition with Tic Tac Toe.  Please sign up for group lessons with the link below.  Group lessons will take the place of the private weekly lesson.  They will be held from Feb.27th - March 2nd.

Group Lessons

Spring Semester will begin on March 6th and the semester fees will be due by March 15th.  

Pirate of the Week: Maddie Wood

This past week the students enjoyed playing our candy hearts game.  See pictures of Chandler Harris below.

Winter Semester: Week 11

This week we with name notes and intervals using candy hearts.

Our Pirate of the week is: Shane Hansard

Remember to sign up for a group lesson using the link below

Group Lessons

Winter Semester: Week 10

My students did a wonderful job matching up rhythms for "Hat Trick."  This week we will focus on some "Candy Hearts" games.

My pirate of the week is: Anna Paige Daniel

Remember to complete some extra theory sheets, found in the back of your folder or theory book for extra jewels.

Group Lessons will occur the week of February 27th.  Group lessons are an hour long and take the place of the regular lesson time.  The students share pieces, play games and turn in their jewels for prizes.

Please sign up using the link below and put your name in as many slots as possible.  If there is not enough people signed up in the slot you chose, then I will need you to choose another time.

Group Lessons

Winter Semester: Week 9

This week we are focusing on rhythm and matching them to the correct time signature.  We are matching the correct hat to the snowman.

Our Great Gem will be Focus.  In the month of February you can earn extra jewels for completing theory sheets.  You can earn one jewel for each theory sheet you complete.

This week's Pirate is Jay Daniel.

Reminder: February payment is due by the 15th.

Winter Semester: Week 8

Our fishing for notes was a big hit this week.  I have learned my students love goldfish!

 

This is the last week to sign up for the GMTA Piano Festival at UNC-G on March 3rd.  For more information look at the end of this post.

This week we are playing "Race to the Igloo" a great game to reinforce those note names.



Our Pirate of the Week is: Juletta Klein

We had some great scores in the one minute club with three students getting a new high score!
Here are the results of the one minute club:

One Minute Club

January 2012

Goal: 23 notes

1. Christina Beasley
2. NATHAN WEEMS
3. RYAN DOUGLAS
4. Maddie Woods
5. Kelsey Walrond/  ALEC BRADLEY

Purple: 42 notes learned

Teal: 38 notes learned

Orange: 30 notes learned

Blue: 25 notes learned

Red: 23 notes learned

UPPERCASE: New individual high score

Reminder about the GMTA Musical Festival:
The Greensboro Music Teacher's Association is hosting their annual piano festival at UNC-G School of Music on Saturday, March 3rd.  The cost is $10.00 per person and the fee is due by Jan.31st.  Students will play two selections from memory and get a certificate of participation.  They will get a superior or excellent rating based on their performance.  Students who receive a superior rating for two years in a row are eligible for a trophy.  If you are interested in participating, let me know as soon as possible so we can start preparing.

Winter Semester: Week 7

We are focusing on note recognition with a fun game called "Fishing for Notes".  Students will use goldfish crackers on a staff or keyboard to identify different notes.

This week our pirate of the week was:

Nathan Weems and Ryan Douglas

We had a great time playing Changing Cups Challenge.  

Reminder about the GMTA Musical Festival:
The Greensboro Music Teacher's Association is hosting their annual piano festival at UNC-G School of Music on Saturday, March 3rd.  The cost is $10.00 per person and the fee is due by Jan.31st.  Students will play two selections from memory and get a certificate of participation.  They will get a superior or excellent rating based on their performance.  Students who receive a superior rating for two years in a row are eligible for a trophy.  If you are interested in participating, let me know as soon as possible so we can start preparing.

Winter Semester: Week 6

We had a wonderful week back and the students enjoyed telling me all about their break.  This week are playing Changing Cups Challenge where students stack and rotate cups to make intervals and chords.  I also want to test for the One Minute Club for students who know 23 notes or more.  You drill card flip book is a great resource to practice notes.  You can also use the many resources on the Online Music Games list to practice those note and chord names.

Our pirate of the week is Nathan Weems!


Reminder about the GMTA Musical Festival:
The Greensboro Music Teacher's Association is hosting their annual piano festival at UNC-G School of Music on Saturday, March 3rd.  The cost is $10.00 per person and the fee is due by Jan.31st.  Students will play two selections from memory and get a certificate of participation.  They will get a superior or excellent rating based on their performance.  Students who receive a superior rating for two years in a row are eligible for a trophy.  If you are interested in participating, let me know as soon as possible so we can start preparing.

Winter Semester: Week 5

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year.  We are starting back with piano lesson this week.  We will be doing a Mitten Match rhythm game.

The Greensboro Music Teacher's Association is hosting their annual piano festival at UNC-G School of Music on Saturday, March 3rd.  The cost is $10.00 per person and the fee is due by Jan.31st.  Students will play two selections from memory and get a certificate of participation.  They will get a superior or excellent rating based on their performance.  Students who receive a superior rating for two years in a row are eligible for a trophy.  If you are interested in participating, let me know as soon as possible so we can start preparing.

Reminder: January monthly fee is due by Jan.14th