Friday, November 27, 2015 | Uncategorized

As 2015 comes to a close...

I wanted to give you an overview of the events that happened in the fall as well as a look forwards to 2016!  I was very excited to get back to teaching this September after the birth of my beautiful baby girl - Beverley.  Time is going by so quickly!  I can't believe she is already 8 months old.  Thank you to my students and their families for all their kinds words, gifts and advice!

September-November

We hit the ground running in September, as we began to prepare for auditions (Fairy Tale Rock, Alice In Wonderland Jr. and Urinetown at Moving Art, Tommy at Barrie Central) and Winter examinations.  

Students were working hard through the month of October as they rehearsed for Beauty and the Beast Jr. with The Kempenfelt Community Players.  I had the pleasure of seeing the show in early November and was quite impressed with the level of talent and professionalism displayed.  In November, the results of the auditions came in - a few of my students were cast in major roles, evidence of their hard work and thorough preparation!  

December

As December rapidly approaches, we are now in the throes of Barrie Music Festival registration.  Don't forget - the early bird deadline is December 11. Moving Art students will be presenting their annual cabaret on Dec. 12 at 13 at The Loft Art Space.  This year's theme is "Musicals Through The Ages" and will be made up of group numbers created by the students themselves!  You can get tickets by emailing tickets@movingart.ca The following weekend, make sure you get out to see Fairy Tale Rock (music directed by yours truly).  It's a great show for the whole family.  It will be touring Simcoe County Elementary schools but stops in at The Loft Art Space for a few public shows on Dec. 19 and 20.  You get tickets for that through Moving Art as well. 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Lessons will stop a week early this year because Ty, Beverley and I will be heading to Florida for Christmas.  My in-laws recently got a place there and we have never been.  This will be Beverley's first time on a plane!  If you are looking for a great Christmas Eve service to attend this year, head on over to Harvest Bible Chapel in Barrie.  They will have two services - Dec. 23 and 24 at 7pm at Timothy Christian School.

Happy New Year!

Looking ahead to the new year - we have lots to be excited about!  Lessons resume Jan. 4.  At the end of January, in addition to Royal Conservatory Exams, the Barrie Music Festival will once again be hosting "Music In The Mall".  It takes place at the Georgian Mall and is a great opportunity for students to perform for their friends and family.  I will give you more information in the new year.  After that we will be working hard to prepare for the Barrie Music Festival - which begins April 4th!  Don't forget, there will be no lessons during March Break (March 14-18).

Spring ahead!

April, May, and June will provide lots of performance and audition opportunities - The Junior Triple Threat Program will present Alice In Wonderland Jr. at the end of April, The Senior Triple Threat Program will present Urinetown at the end of May, and last but not least, our year end music recital will be June 12th at 3pm at The Loft Art Space.  Kempenfelt Community Players and Triple Threat auditions are also in June.

That's all for now...

Thanks for all your hard work practicing and attending lessons so far!  Keep up the great work!  I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas.  

Sunday, November 8, 2015 | Performance

What is it all about?

The Barrie Music Festival is a great learning opportunity as well as a chance for students to perform.  Participants are put into classes based on their age and skill level and are evaluated by an adjudicator brought in specifically for the festival.  In competitive classes, students are given a mark and 1st, 2nd and 3rd places are awarded.  They also offer non-competitive classes where the students receive feedback, but no mark.

Why should I participate?

There are a few reasons why I think participating in the festival is beneficial:

• It's an opportunity to perform
• Entrants receive valuable feedback from a professional who doesn't know them
• Family and friends can get a chance to see students perform
• Scholarships and more performances are possible for those who do well
• It gives each participant a goal to work towards
• Students are able to see their peers perform

What can I expect during a class?

As already mentioned, students are grouped by age, skill level and song type (ie. Traditional Folk Song, 15 years and under).  Class sizes are usually fairly small, ranging from 1-8 students.  The class begins with each student providing a copy of their music for the adjuditcator, then everyone will have a chance perform their prepared song.  After everyone has performed, the adjudicator will talk to each student in front of the audience, giving each some positive and constructive criticisms.  Finally, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards are distributed and that particular class is over. Please note, classes can take place at anytime between the hours of 9am and 9pm during the duration of the festival.   

How do I sign up?

The festival is April 4-20, 2016 and the deadline for registration is January 22, 2016. This year they are offering an Early Bird Registration deal if you register before Dec. 11, 2015. You can register online at: www.barriemusicfestival.com

 Here is some important information:

• Register at: barriemusicfestival.com before January 22, 2016;
• The festival runs from April 4-20, 2016;
• Classes are between $20-$36 each – payable online during registration;
• Singers will be required to pay an additional $15 per class for an accompanist - payable to your accompanist, not during online registration;
• Carefully enter all the information on the registration form onto the online form – I will be filling these forms out with your child and sending them home over the next few weeks;
• Feel free to visit the website for more information, or contact me if you have any questions.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015 | Practice

Believe it or not, I don't make you learn scales as punishment.  We learn scales for a few reasons.  I recently read a good article about the importance of scales from the website howtopractice.com Clink the link to read the whole article or keep reading for some of the highlights.

10 Reasons Why Scales Are Important

1. Timing - having good internal time is a crucial skill when it comes to being a musician. Try practicing your scales with a metronome, start slow and gradually bump up the speed.
2. Intonation - voice students, this one is for you! You should be able to sing scales and exercises unaccompanied and still remain in tune.
3. Co-ordination - use scales to focus on all the aspects of practicing your instrument.  This should include posture, breathing, fingering (piano), relaxation, etc.
4. Dexterity - scales will help prepare you for quick passages in repetoire.  
5. Muscle Memory - your goal should be to play scales without having to think about it.  Eventually you will know them so well, they will just flow.  
6. Ears - if you can't hear what is wrong, you can't correct it.
7. Sight Reading - you will see scale patterns in many of your songs. Recognizing the scales will help you with sight reading.
8. Theory - music theory is much easier to understand if you know your scales.
9. Exams & Auditions - you will need to know scales and exercises for all music exams and school auditions
10. Building Blocks of all music - almost all music is based on scales.

There you have it - ten reasons! Go forth and practice your scales!  I can't wait to hear the fruits of your practicing next week!