Declan - Done with Folk, and on to Baroque!

Congratulations go out this evening to Declan, who gave a clean, confident, and musical performance of Suzuki Book 1 at Sherwood Community Music School.  I'm proud of all the work you've put into becoming an accomplished pianist for your age!

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As if playing the piano weren't challenging enough.....

In case any of you out there are feeling especially brilliant this week, Pauline and I propose a challenge.  Can any of you play like this??



Try it, practice it, and let me know!!

Ohhhh..... IT'S ON!  October 20th, a student responded to Pauline's challenge:




Maeve says, "Oh yeah?  Watch THIS!"
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Studio Star Scholarship Results!

The Studio Stars of the 2011-2012 school year have been decided and I'm happy to announce that the winners are Natalie Rehkemper and Katie Schneider!

Natalie has proven to be a committed piano student by making strides in developing the ability to practice in a goal-oriented manner and solve problems at the piano on her own.  She took that focus and motivation and worked very hard over the summer break.  To recognize this achievement, Natalie is being awarded one free piano lesson in which she can choose anything she wants to learn at the piano and her choice for where she plays in the order of this year's studio recitals.  Congratulations Natalie!

Katie, this year's second place winner, has continually proven herself to be a committed student with a passion for music.  She has been working on musicality, stage presence, and calmly facing passage-work without too much frustration.  I have seen her make great improvements in these areas and I love listening to her play.  Katie is also being awarded one free piano lesson in which she can choose anything she wants to work on at the piano.  Congratulations Katie!

All of my students are eligible for these awards, which are given yearly.  Both Natalie and Katie take lessons at Sherwood and if you see either of them in the studio or the hall, please congratulate them on the hard work they've put in this year!

Theme from the Eroica Symphony

Enjoy below, a version of the 4th movement of Beethoven's 3rd Symphony; and if you're one of my students in Suzuki Book 3, pay careful attention to the theme as it arrives one minute and fifty seconds into the performance.  What instrument has the theme?  How can you make this as powerful on the piano?



Further questions for the Book 3 student: 

1. What does Beethoven do to this theme starting at three minutes and 24 seconds into it?  
2. A counter theme enters at about four minutes.  How does it contrast the original theme that we're so familiar with?  
3. Would you call what happens around minute six a climax in the piece?  What happens when the theme returns just after that?  
4. What about the theme at minute 7 and 45 seconds?  What kind of Classical style treatment or form are you familiar with that you can detect Beethoven using in this movement?

What is the best thing about being a pianist?

I asked this question of all of my students recently on an online poll.  At the end of the day 7% of my students said it was looking cool, 14% said learning something new every day, 38% said the best thing was being able to do something other people can't do, and 50% said that making beautiful music was the best thing about being a pianist.

Have you thought about why you are a pianist?  Are the reasons still the same as they were when you first started taking piano lessons?   Is it ever a combination of all of those answers?

Some pianists play to entertain others; some to entertain themselves.  Some like to share the music they produce and some want to be left alone with it.  For some, working through something new at the piano makes them feel really smart and for others, it is all about the finished product. 

I admit that the best thing about playing the piano changes all the time for me.  Whether I'm a teacher or an entertainer or a philosopher or a therapist; whether I have a musically educated audience, an undiscerning and eager audience or whether I'm playing just for myself - I'm always getting these things out of it.  I'm always feeling great about improving every day; I'm always proud of what I've accomplished and I almost always get to make beautiful music.

Happy Practicing!

Repertoire-Learning Contest Results!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the repertoire contest this summer.  Wow!  Everyone played wonderfully and it was a close call!

But I'm happy to announce the two winners, who will get their prizes in the next couple of weeks.

In first place, with her poised performance and great use of the technique she learned this year is Pauline, playing Jazzy Joe:



In second place, with her enthusiasm and musicality, is Mary playing Carnival:





Congratulations to ALL the participants.  I'm really pleased with your performances and can't wait to work with you further this year!

Summer Repertoire-Learning Contest!

All current students of mine at Sherwood or FaithSlaker Music:

I hope you're all having a great summer!  Care to show us all what you've accomplished?  I've given you all the skills you need; we've worked hard together during the school year; now you have the opportunity to show everyone what you can do on your own!

This contest is for the performance of a single piece (or portion of a piece) played by you on video with beauty and accuracy submitted by e-mail (mp4, youtube or vimeo).

Winners will be selected based on accomplishment within their playing level, musical expression and daring choice.

Entries must be received by midnight on August 31st and winners will be announced via e-mail by Labor Day.  The first place winner will be awarded a book of wonderful music to learn at the piano as well as a CD of inspiring piano music by great performers.  The second place winner will be awarded a collection of fun sheet music that we can work on together during the year.  

Now, head on over to the piano, warm up with your performance pieces, and see what you can do!  I look forward to watching all entries!

*Suzuki students:  Suzuki repertoire will not qualify.