Blizzard lesson!

When the sun peaks from behind the clouds, the sunbeams will meet again! Due to weather lessons were cancelled however I have directed you here to get the homework for the week and to take time to check out this blog. I hope to update it more regularly, especially if I know you're checking it.

Here's the homework:
SBI - E - 17, H-60, H-61 review K-62 (and the last weeks songs) New K-63,64,66 Listen to the CD you received and review the notes we learned and learn about fireman fred in the bass clef. W-3 #3 the CA bridge - this will need patience as their hands are small and this is new. We will review this!!! Last week for dime a practice - bring the 2 weeks of practicing!
SBII - L - 25, E - 9 crab walk c scale - we'll review in class, e minor scale LH/RH, add the I & V7(hugging) chord. review K - 37, new - W-35 K - 38 K - 40. H-49 . We'll review this stuff in class but please take time to look at it and try it to get a head start. Thanks! Last week for dime a practice - bring the 2 weeks of practicing!
SBIII - D major scale :chords triads solid & broken, cadence W - 55, Review K - 36 K - 34, New W - 20, K - 37 circled area only - so we'll review this in class, just look at song. E - 28, BI will have to wait till next week! Last week for dime a practice - bring the 2 weeks of practicing!

I'll also have the order form for TSHirts for telemiracle next class if you want one and also ...hopefully...time when the MYC kids perform,(sat or sun). See you next week, so long farewell, and stay warm.
Mrs. V

Winter song

It has been awhile since posting and I apologize. Now that it is Winter I guess I am at the computer a bit more and can be here again.
We are entering a season of composing and I really encourage you to spend time with your child showing the techniques I've taught. I'd love to spend one on one with your child but unfortunately I can't but you can. Use the equipment - have a laugh at the piano! Despite the desire for a 'learn to play quick' mentality out there know that the hard work at home practicing is necessary and will pay off. All of the composers we've been talking about are note worthy because they really worked hard.
I appreciate all that you parents do. I couldn't do it without you.
Here's my Winter song
The snow falls in waves
filling the spaces between the branches
Covering the emptiness left behind in the dirt
washing away the hurt
As the man with the orange nose
waves goodbye to the warmth
and sinks deeper into the white blanket

How's that for a poem,
I'll see about putting it to music!
Mrs. V

Happy Thanksgiving!

Summer is over and we are officially in fall. The month of October hosts the fall season and the change from summer weather to winter is so quick in Saskatchewan!! We are falling into practicing this month. The children need to practice 5 days to clean up the leaves in their bags for a prize at the end of the month. Some practicing tips:

1. Practice the same time of the day
2. Review each item a minimum of 3 times - correctly!
3. singing, dancing, clapping and homework all count as a practice as long as its intentional.
4. Make the music practice a HAPPY habit. don't be overbearing!

See you next week and have a happy Thanksgiving.

Mrs. V

parents are important!

I am so thankful to the parents who are participating in my MYC classes. You make teaching a pleasure. Your children are absorbing music like sponges. The excitement and the determination I see in them is so encouraging. Music might be challenging as they progress to the next level of musicianship. Just a note, you are noticing all your children's foibles much more than anyone else. I'd love for you to just sit back and enjoy your children as they participate. Sometimes it becomes a habit to re-say the instructions to your children. As you might guess-this is very distracting for all the children who are in class. I take note of when to repeat. You likely learn differently than your child. Some learning styles are visual, aditory, kinistetic, tactile, or a combination. I try to teach to incorporate all these styles.
Thanks again for coming to classes. Relax and enjoy this time spent together with your child.
Mrs. V

Lessons have begun!

Lessons have started for all my music students. This year I am teaching MYC and private piano lessons. Some are in Delisle during the day and some are at my home. My policy is that I will only teach private "beginners" if they are over the MYC age or they've waited to be enrolled with me for more than a year. MYC is such a fabulous beginner program that I want every child learn that way. Besides what parent would not want to spend one hour per week, one on one, with their child!
Level II and III - please start practicing with your flashcards. This is the greatest way to reinforce the notes on the staff. We practice games in class but it's not enough to stick...I also am creating a 60 second club that they can join when they can say their notes in 60 seconds. Let me know when you can.
Thank you all for handing in your lesson fees. It makes the bookkeeping part of music so much simpler. See you next week!
Mrs. V

Welcome Back!

Wow, it's been awhile since I posted on this blog. I hope to have it back up and running for the fall. I have had a great summer and am sad to see it go. However I have an exciting fall lined up as I prepare to teach in our home basement instead of the other studio. As well I will take on private students in Delisle this year.

MYC had a conference in Niagra Falls this summer that was a real treat to attend. I hope to put up a few pictures of this soon. We'll see you in class and be together when it's sunny. Don't forget to bring your bag emptied out except for tin sheet and magnets, rhthm bags, and castanet. If you have flashcards bring them too.

See you soon
Mrs. V

Eggciting Eggs

The class after the break was a bit hectic for me. As many of you know I went to Chicago, got plane delayed and had company within a very tight time frame. When it snows it blizzards!! Neverless, its great to see the kids again in class and how well they are all doing. It's so egg-citing to see them put together music and sing and move and have fun while doing it.

I sent home a newsletter for you to notice dates. I am hosting a bring a friend class in April. This will be brand new for me. The children are welcome to bring a friend -and their mom/dad if they wish- to class to see how MYC classes run and 'show off' their musical ability. There will be a sheet in class to sign up anyone they wish to bring for planning purposes. Feel free to ask me any questions.

I also want you to notice that the recital will be on a Friday night after the last lesson in May This will be explained more as time goes on.

Keep on practicing egg-cellently. This incentive is fun and motivating. There will be small prizes for the golden eggs and a chance to put your name in the draw for tickets to an old-timers hockey game at Credit Union Centre!! I like have something a little Egg-stra.

To all levels: It is extremely important to review the notes and their names throughout the week. The SBI's are getting golden eggs for practicing 5 times their notes. This is the foundation of piano playing. Do not use any acrostics (face etc...)because this works against children's ability to sight read! Another thing is to not get frustrated when your child doesn't seem to 'get it'. In fact it takes much repition to do anything in life. This is the foundation of reading music and throughout their musical journey the notes get easier, some quicker than others, but practice always helps everyone. You will not regret putting in this time with your child.

I have met so many people lately who are not musicians. When I tell them I teach music they always say to me two things: A. They took music and wish they never quit or B. They wish their parents would have given them the option of lessons. This means that you should be proud of yourselves for two reasons. 1. you are giving your child lessons and 2. You have the opportunity to learn music with your child too! How cool is that. I love MYC.
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Enjoy the spring weather that's coming,
Mrs. V