This past month, all levels have been trying new versions of popular music from some new publications I have purchased. Here is a list of some of the songs:
Stairway to Heaven, Don’t Stop Believin’, Lion Sleeps Tonight, Great Balls of Fire, Avengers Movie Theme Song, Looking Back (love theme from Glee), and Springsteen.
Several of my students have started in a new book called Current Hits that has songs by current popular performers like Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus.
We are trying some new classical books also. My students who prefer this type of music are enjoying learning some beautiful songs, such as Valse poetico no. 3 by Enrique Granados, one of a set of songs that he wrote which was inspired by poetry.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Rehearsal SUNDAY, October 21
Performance SUNDAY, November 4
I have the facility booked for 4:30-7:30 and will split the studio into 2 performances to keep the performances from being too long. The performance times will be 5:00 and 6:30. The rehearsal and performance times will be the same. Please let me know if you need a certain time as soon as possible because I try to keep the performances from being too long. Once I establish who is in each performance, changing times usually involves a family from the other performance also being willing to change times.
LOCATION-HOUSTON PIANO COMPANY
1600 w. 13TH St.
houstonpianocompany.com
PARTICIPATION IN THE PERFORMANCE IS OPTIONAL, but I assume a student is participating unless I am told otherwise.
PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE! All students will play 2 songs. They will choose the songs out of several choices, so they have “ownership” in their songs. The more advanced students begin choosing their songs in early August, as their music takes more weeks of practice to learn. The intermediate students and beginners wait until a little closer to the rehearsal as their music does not take so long to prepare. If a sibling or neighbor starts their performance song before your student, don’t worry, we will be picking all the songs for everyone very soon.
Once they choose their songs, the best thing you can do as a parent is encourage them to not wait until the week before the rehearsal to learn their songs. The songs they are playing are too hard to learn in a week.
Also, there are often specific goals we are working on for the week on their assignment book or posted on “sticky notes“ on their music. I will encourage all students to write how many minutes they practice each day on a chart on their assignment book, to help motivate them to work on their songs.
REHEARSAL INFORMATION
During the rehearsal we go in the order of the performance to get the student used to the performance format. The rehearsal also gives the student a chance to get used to the piano, as all pianos and pedals feel a bit different. At the lessons before the rehearsal, we talk about the possible pitfalls of performing (going to fast because they are nervous) and also performance etiquette (don’t bow with your music in your hands!). I do not embarrass them by talking about their rehearsal in front of other students but I make notes and talk about things they can do to improve their performance at the next lesson. Family members are welcome to stay for the rehearsal, and may leave with their student after they have played their songs, or if they decide not to stay, they can return in about an hour to pick up their performer.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
This performance is called a Celebration to emphasize the positive, relaxed and casual atmosphere. The word recital makes students nervous and we want this to feel more like a happy talent show instead of a stoic formal performance. Dress is casual and I usually dress in jeans to make my students comfortable. If a student wants to dress up they certainly can.
You are welcome to invite family and friends. Please let me know if you are bringing a huge group of friends so I can set up extra chairs. We love our audience! The more the merrier! You may want to let your friends know that we let the students play through both their songs so they can keep their concentration, then clap after both songs are finished (enthusiastically, not politely!)
PERFORMANCE FEE
The performance fee is $40.00 per family and is included in the October invoice. This fee is non-refundable.
MUSIC
The student must bring their music to the rehearsal and performance, as we do not memorize our music for the Celebration. Loose music must be in a binder that I provide at the lesson. If the music is from a book, make sure to bring that book.
NEED MORE INFORMATION?
Contact me at 832-492-5168
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