JUNE NOTES

DUETS!

Many of the students have been working hard the last month on reviewing counting. Most students have been doing an easy short duet “sheet song” (just at the lesson-not something they had to practice) to prepare for doing duets in the summer. Several of the duets we have been using were written in an easy hand position by classical composers for students to work on counting, and even though the student’s part is easy, they sound fantastic when we play them together. They have also been using the metronome to count their duets.  Sometimes I would play their part along with them to help them get used to hearing the beat and counting their part. Even advanced students are working on a mysterious sounding duet called “Wheels of Chance” which reviews tricky 6/8 counting. They are a great group of students and play the duets so well. They are brave and will even try it with me after only playing through their part once.  I think they are quite surprised how different the tune sounds with the supporting part played along with their part.

 

MORE MUSIC

We also continue to work on our method books and fun sheet songs-so much to do! I have found a very pretty version of the theme song to the movie Up and several of my students have enjoyed playing this. We have also been learning exciting songs like Shinjuku Station, Pastel Clouds, and Royal Fanfare. Something for every mood! Of course we continue to learn the standards such as Lean on Me, and Stand by Me, and the classical standards such as Moonlight Sonata and Pachelbel’s Canon.

VACATION DATES

No lessons July 4,5,6.

On Friday July 19 the 5:00 and 5:30 lessons are cancelled.

CELEBRATION DATES
Rehearsal: Sunday Oct. 20, early evening
Celebration: (performance) Sunday November 3, early evening
Participation in the performance is optional.
Both will be at the recital hall at Houston Piano Company. (More details in future newsletters)
houstonpianocompany.com/

 

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

I am proud of my 21 year old son, Ben, who is once again touring this summer with Drum Core International.  He is with the Cavaliers and will be competing in Houston on July 19, with mama taking pictures of course!   He will continue working on his degree in Music Ed. at Austin Community College in the fall.  (Ben is the guy in the green hoodie).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am also proud of my 25 year old daughter, Genevieve, who has taken a new job as a field manager for the campaign of a candidate (in an Austin district) for a state office. She is LOVING being back in Austin and also feeling like she is making a difference on women’s issues by supporting candidates who present bills on education and women’s health care and other women’s issues. In her current job she helped her Senator write and present a   few bills and was recognized by the Senator to the committee for her hard work. (In case you didn’t know, her Masters Degree was in Women’s and Gender Studies).

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