WORKSHOPS-I have attended piano teacher workshops this summer, and they presented a lot of great ideas for teaching. Also we are trying some new songs, and new books that are full of great familiar songs like Stairway to Heaven, Wipe Out, Swan Lake, and Gangnam Style. I am always thrilled when they publish motivating songs like these, it is so helpful in getting students to practice with this familiar music.
A new feature was presented in one of the workshops, which is Sight Reading books for levels Primer through 2B. These use the songs that are learned in the lesson book, and reviews the concepts with a similar short song that students just “read” and do not practice. This increases reading skills, counting, and reinforces the concepts learned in the lesson. These will be used at the lesson, with me pointing out tricks to sight-reading such as identifying patterns in notes or rhythms.
Rehearsal: Sunday Oct. 20, early evening
Celebration: (performance) Sunday November 3, early evening
Both will be at the recital hall at Houston Piano Company.
Participation in the performance is optional, but I will assume a student is performing unless I am told otherwise.
Some of the advanced students have started choosing their songs for the performance. What a wide variety of music is going to be played! All of the songs are beautiful and you are going to enjoy them very much. Do not worry if your student has not started their song yet-beginner/intermediate students start closer to the performance since their songs are easier to learn and they would be tired of them by the performance if they started them this early. More details about the performance will be included in the Sept. newsletter.
PIANO MUSIC-I played for St. Matthews church again the last Sunday of July. The hymn that I prepared for the prelude is on the piano music page of the website, “Open the Eyes of my Heart”.
VACATION DATES-No lessons Friday Sept. 6, Sat. Sept. 7 and Tuesday Sept. 10.
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