Piano Lessons in Art

Above is a work titled “Piano Lesson” that is currently being displayed at the Art Institute in the Matisse exhibit, which is free with general admission into the museum.

On Thursday, April 15th at 6pm, there is a concert being held there in conjunction with the exhibit of French music in synch with the spirit of Matisse’s works featuring pieces by Poulenc, Ibert and Defaye.

Speaking of Music.....

Check out this video of Bobby McFarin demonstrating the power of the pentatonic scale at the World Science Festival in 2009.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne6tB2KiZuk

Isn’t music FUN?!

Music and Language

SAN DIEGO - Words and music, such natural partners that it seems obvious they go together. Now science is confirming that those abilities are linked in the brain, a finding that might even lead to better stroke treatments.

Studies have found overlap in the brain's processing of language and instrumental music, and new research suggests that intensive musical therapy may help improve speech in stroke patients, researchers said Saturday at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID AP Science Writer

What do you think music study is doing for your child??

Sundays at Sherwood

Listen to Hungarian Dance No. 1 by Brahms.

Structure of a Typical Suzuki Lesson

For those of you who aren’t sure what to expect or need a refresher before the fall semester begins, here is a breakdown of a typical Suzuki Piano Lesson.


2’ - 5’

Get settled in - catch up on the week. This is the time for any discussion of practicing concerns or any communication about upcoming performances, schedule changes or important events. Parents - if you have something you want to discuss - now is the time!

5’ - 28’

Lesson time. This is time for the teacher and student to have focus on the task at hand. Measurable improvement should be made and if a parent is attending the lesson, notes should be taken on the lesson procedure so it can be imitated every day at home. We will start from the beginning and work our way through your child’s entire repertoire - fine tuning tone and technique in the earlier pieces, working on dynamics and articulation in the more recent pieces, and working on notes and fingering in the new pieces.

25’ - 28’

Parent time. Sometimes a portion of the child’s lesson will be used for work with you to cover tricky passages or new concepts so that you may feel comfortable working with your child at home.

28’ - 29’

Questions and Review of practice points. I will often go over with your child what he is supposed to focus on, but this is time for you to check their notes and make sure you are ready to cover at home what I will be listening for in the next lesson!

29’ - 30’

Transition. (Often times, I use this time for hearing the information or story your child was so excited to impart to me in the middle of the lesson.)

Summer Recital - June 12, 2009

Click here for the complete set of pictures from the last recital!

For the video of Jimena, Natalie, Max, Olivia, Whitney, Will, Bradley and Erica, click here.
For the video of Gabriella, Athena, Graham, and Anne-Marie, click here.
For the video of Hong, Sophia, Eddie, Diego, Ayla, Sean and Kayleigh, click here.
For the video of Katie, Sylvia, Antonio, Fiona, Declan, Anna and Ryan, click here.
For the video of Elliot, Fiamma, Criss and Jeremy, click here.
For the video of Mary, Amber, Mason and Ms. Aubrey, click here.

Have a great summer - I’ll see you all after Labor Day!

Suzuki Summer Institute

One of the best educational tools the Suzuki community provides is the summer institute. This is an opportunity for your child to have fun in a musical environment that celebrates family, shared learning and music!

I love it when my students attend institutes because the circumstances provide an environment where much can be gotten out of the student to advance his musical education, commitment and enjoyment.

I have always gone to the Chicago Suzuki Institute in Deerfield, but there are several others around the country. Many families choose to make the week into a vacation to explore a new area. The institutes all provide housing, food and activities.

For a list of all institutes, click here. So far this year, I have students attending the Blue Lake Institute, the Chicago Institute, the Stevens Point Institute and the Colorado Institute.

If you wish to talk to other parents who have participated in an institute, let me know! I strongly encourage it this summer!