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

Baby, It's Cold Outside

As you have noticed February is zipping by in a flurry of coooold weather. I decided to cancel the one Thursday class due to weather. I will schedule a make-up class if I think it's needed to complete the curriculum. The fortunate thing about the missed lesson is that it was a review lesson. Hopefully all you parents were comfortable with reviewing the concepts learned.

Let's talk about the compositions. They are due next class!! I am so impressed with the children's creativity and their knowledge of how a song is put together. I think sometimes we think that music is outside the parameters of reason and logic. However, the very best music is logically put together with a known set of rules and formulas that are pleasant to the ear. In my musical training as a child I always thought it was a mystery how composers came up with songs. Thankfully MYC has taught me lots about the logical make-up of most music. There are great musicians who break the rules but that only lends to their great songs.

Practice time for the children should be around 15 - 20 minutes for all levels. If you sit with your child or are doing something near by that allows you to correct and complement their playing you should see the child be there at least that long. If you want to keep up with their musical ability try "practicing" with them a couple of times. You can do it!!

Stay warm,
Mrs. V