Congratulations are in order for several students from my studio.
Dana M., who has been selected to perform in her school's talent show
Anna B., who played the lead in her school's production of "The Little Mermaid" this past weekend
Anna B., who also auditioned for and was accepted into her school's top chamber choir
Catherine G., who was selected to participate in Indiana's 2008 All-State choir
Good work everyone!
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Being Center Stage
Last night, I performed a solo concert for the series at the Lincoln Township Public Library in Stevensville, Michigan. It was a totally new experience for me! Usually, when I'm playing for weddings, I'm not exactly the center of attention - I leave that to the bride! Although temporarily terrifying (my poor husband had to put up with a VERY nervous wife all day!), once I got started playing I really enjoyed myself. I just had to remember that this was probably one of the few times most people will get the opportunity to hear a harp in person. It was a chance for me to share my love of music and this instrument with an attentive audience, instead of being the "living floral arrangement" that I sometimes become at parties! I also had a wonderful time after the concert chatting with the attendees (including a couple of other harpists!). I'm not sure how often my husband will want me to give concerts, but now that this first one is under my belt, hopefully I won't be as nervous for future ones!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
How Young is Too Young for Music Lessons?
I get this question a lot. Parents see a spark of musical creativity or aptitude in a child as young as two or three, and want to immediately sign them up for lessons. Some children are ready for the structured environment of one-on-one intensive instruction; others might do better in group music & movement classes (Kindermusik, MusikGarten, etc.).
Parents need to take a realistic look at their children - you know him or her better than anyone else! - and determine if they are ready. Can your child sit still and pay attention for fifteen minutes at a time? Does your child know the alphabet? Can he or she count to ten? Write his name? Do you, as a parent, have the time in your schedule (and the patience) to sit with your child for 15-20 minutes EVERY DAY to supervise and assist with practice time? Older children and adults can discipline themselves to work through their assignments on their own, but young children will need constant guidance and support from you.
All that being said, I have found tremendous success teaching children as young as four to play the piano! This is NOT Suzuki training. These students are learning to read music, playing songs they love, and creating songs using their imaginations and creativity. In my studio, I will accept harp and piano students as young as four, and voice students at age eight. For students under age eight who are interested in taking singing lessons, I highly recommend beginning with piano lessons. This allows the student to learn the fundamentals of music reading and musicianship on the concrete object of the piano, rather than in the more abstract terms of the voice. Even my youngest students take 45-minute lessons. With "off the bench" music activities and games, we are able to maintain the focus on learning through different mediums.
An article appeared in the South Bend Tribune last February, that discussed the benefits of early music education and lessons. Selections from this article follow.
"Some instructors teach children as young as 4; others prefer to wait until the children can read. Some instructors say that, because more children are attending pre-school - and thereby being introduced to music in class - they are interested in music lessons at an earlier age.
"The decision usually falls to parents, many of whom view music as an alternative to sports or other extracurricular interests.
"Parents know that music carries our culture forward. If you want your child to be culturally literate, then you want him to study or listen to music.
"Music isn't a magic pill, but there are a variety of studies that show how music supports a child's development. Some of those benefits include socialization, cooperation, and mental agility. Other studies suggest that music helps children focus on the structure of sounds, an important aspect in language development.
"The challenge comes when parents set their expectations too high, hoping for instant results. The teaching method needs to match the child's age, interest, and maturity. Even when you hold an infant, sing to him and rock him gently, you are being a music teacher."
My studio has grown tremendously since moving to South Bend last summer. There are still some openings available if you or your child are interested in signing up for harp, piano, voice or music theory lessons. Please contact me at devon@theclassicharpist.com to set up a no-obligation interview!
Parents need to take a realistic look at their children - you know him or her better than anyone else! - and determine if they are ready. Can your child sit still and pay attention for fifteen minutes at a time? Does your child know the alphabet? Can he or she count to ten? Write his name? Do you, as a parent, have the time in your schedule (and the patience) to sit with your child for 15-20 minutes EVERY DAY to supervise and assist with practice time? Older children and adults can discipline themselves to work through their assignments on their own, but young children will need constant guidance and support from you.
All that being said, I have found tremendous success teaching children as young as four to play the piano! This is NOT Suzuki training. These students are learning to read music, playing songs they love, and creating songs using their imaginations and creativity. In my studio, I will accept harp and piano students as young as four, and voice students at age eight. For students under age eight who are interested in taking singing lessons, I highly recommend beginning with piano lessons. This allows the student to learn the fundamentals of music reading and musicianship on the concrete object of the piano, rather than in the more abstract terms of the voice. Even my youngest students take 45-minute lessons. With "off the bench" music activities and games, we are able to maintain the focus on learning through different mediums.
An article appeared in the South Bend Tribune last February, that discussed the benefits of early music education and lessons. Selections from this article follow.
"Some instructors teach children as young as 4; others prefer to wait until the children can read. Some instructors say that, because more children are attending pre-school - and thereby being introduced to music in class - they are interested in music lessons at an earlier age.
"The decision usually falls to parents, many of whom view music as an alternative to sports or other extracurricular interests.
"Parents know that music carries our culture forward. If you want your child to be culturally literate, then you want him to study or listen to music.
"Music isn't a magic pill, but there are a variety of studies that show how music supports a child's development. Some of those benefits include socialization, cooperation, and mental agility. Other studies suggest that music helps children focus on the structure of sounds, an important aspect in language development.
"The challenge comes when parents set their expectations too high, hoping for instant results. The teaching method needs to match the child's age, interest, and maturity. Even when you hold an infant, sing to him and rock him gently, you are being a music teacher."
My studio has grown tremendously since moving to South Bend last summer. There are still some openings available if you or your child are interested in signing up for harp, piano, voice or music theory lessons. Please contact me at devon@theclassicharpist.com to set up a no-obligation interview!
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Another snowy wedding
After last night's weather, I got a little worried about even making it to today's wedding! They had closed down part of the road I needed to get to the church because of snow and high winds, but fortunately it was open by this morning, and I had no problems.
This ceremony was held at the Morris Chapel of Morris Farms in Niles, Michigan. What a beautiful place! Simple and elegant, and the acoustics were fabulous. I can't wait to play there again. The music selected for the processionals and recessional was primarily traditional (Canon in D, Bridal Chorus, Trumpet Voluntary), but the couple chose more popular pieces for the prelude, postlude, and unity candle lighting (All I Ask of You, Grow Old Along with Me, Embraceable You, Bless the Broken Road, From This Moment On).
The snow kept falling throughout the ceremony, but let up just in time to get the harp loaded and back on the road.
After the long winter of corporate gigs and holiday parties, I'm always ready for the weddings to start again. It is such an honor to be included in a couple's wedding ceremony, and today was no exception. Congratulations to the new Mr. & Mrs. Schroth!
This ceremony was held at the Morris Chapel of Morris Farms in Niles, Michigan. What a beautiful place! Simple and elegant, and the acoustics were fabulous. I can't wait to play there again. The music selected for the processionals and recessional was primarily traditional (Canon in D, Bridal Chorus, Trumpet Voluntary), but the couple chose more popular pieces for the prelude, postlude, and unity candle lighting (All I Ask of You, Grow Old Along with Me, Embraceable You, Bless the Broken Road, From This Moment On).
The snow kept falling throughout the ceremony, but let up just in time to get the harp loaded and back on the road.
After the long winter of corporate gigs and holiday parties, I'm always ready for the weddings to start again. It is such an honor to be included in a couple's wedding ceremony, and today was no exception. Congratulations to the new Mr. & Mrs. Schroth!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Wedding in a Blizzard
This past weekend, I had the pleasure of playing for a beautiful ceremony at Riverside Receptions in Geneva, Illinois. The ceremony was held overlooking the partially frozen river. The bride wanted snow, and she certainly got it! The ceremony began at 5:00 PM, right when the flakes started coming down. I can't wait to see the pictures!
This performance was for the harp and flute duet for the ceremony, and harp solo for the cocktail hour.
By the time I was ready to load up, my car was completely covered in ice. The trip that took two hours to arrive took five hours to get home. Snow, ice, and high winds made for some poor road conditions, and having the harp in the back of the car makes me a little nervous when the person driving behind me is tailgating! I almost stopped for the night in Highland, Indiana, since I had to be in Valparaiso the following morning for Sunday brunch. I even went to Walgreens to buy a toothbrush, but never found a hotel. Once I was off the interstate, road conditions improved, and I made it back to South Bend at 1:00 AM.
"Wedding season" is staring early this year. Usually February, March and April are slow months, but this year is already busier than 2006. April Saturdays are almost full, and nearly every weekend for the rest of summer already has at least one wedding, sometimes two or three! I'm looking forward to playing in some exciting new venues, and sharing the pictures here.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
New Demo Recording
Last week, I made my first new demo recording since the summer of 2004. It was about time! I was very pleased with the results, and the new clips are up on my website's repertoire page at http://www.theclassicharpist.com/rep.html. Peak Audio Productions did the recording and mastering, and I'm really looking forward to working with them again on a new project as soon as I get more of the arrangements done. Hopefully there will be news on this by early fall....
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Student Achievements
January has been a busy month in my studio! After I spent most of my time in December performing, it was a wonderful change of pace for me to get to sit back and enjoy watching my students perform.
On January 14th, I held my first ever studio recital. Thanks to all the hard work of the students, accompanists, and my family, it went extremely well. For many of my students, this was a trial run for ISSMA solo and ensemble contest. The program included:
American Lullaby (Liz H., Soprano)*
Homeward Bound (Kayla W., Mezzo-Soprano)*
Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes (Janice B., Harp)
The Water is Wide (Becca K., Mezzo-Soprano)*
Someone Else's Story (Melanie B., Soprano)*
O Danny Boy (Beth C., Harp)
American Lullaby (Emily G., Soprano)*
O del mio dolce ardor (Jen P., Mezzo-Soprano)
My Favorite Things (India W., Mezzo-Soprano)*
Yesterday, January 27th, was ISSMA contest. I had ten students enter, and they received nine gold medals and one silver! In addition to those students marked with an (*) above, these students also performed:
Into the Night (Meg G., soprano)
Charmant Papillion (Cera T., soprano)
O mio babbino caro (Anna B., soprano)
O Isis und Osiris (Charley P., bass)
Congratulations to everyone who competed this year. It's a nerve-wracking experience, but it does get easier every time you do it. Both Charley and Cera competed at the Division I level, so their gold medals qualify them for the state competition in Indianapolis later this Spring.
I also have several new students who have joined my studio this month. Welcome to:
Sophia S., piano
Tiffany R., voice
Dana M., voice
Randy A., voice
Jennifer S., voice
Keep up the good work - you have all made me very proud, and it is an honor to work with each one of you!
On January 14th, I held my first ever studio recital. Thanks to all the hard work of the students, accompanists, and my family, it went extremely well. For many of my students, this was a trial run for ISSMA solo and ensemble contest. The program included:
American Lullaby (Liz H., Soprano)*
Homeward Bound (Kayla W., Mezzo-Soprano)*
Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes (Janice B., Harp)
The Water is Wide (Becca K., Mezzo-Soprano)*
Someone Else's Story (Melanie B., Soprano)*
O Danny Boy (Beth C., Harp)
American Lullaby (Emily G., Soprano)*
O del mio dolce ardor (Jen P., Mezzo-Soprano)
My Favorite Things (India W., Mezzo-Soprano)*
Yesterday, January 27th, was ISSMA contest. I had ten students enter, and they received nine gold medals and one silver! In addition to those students marked with an (*) above, these students also performed:
Into the Night (Meg G., soprano)
Charmant Papillion (Cera T., soprano)
O mio babbino caro (Anna B., soprano)
O Isis und Osiris (Charley P., bass)
Congratulations to everyone who competed this year. It's a nerve-wracking experience, but it does get easier every time you do it. Both Charley and Cera competed at the Division I level, so their gold medals qualify them for the state competition in Indianapolis later this Spring.
I also have several new students who have joined my studio this month. Welcome to:
Sophia S., piano
Tiffany R., voice
Dana M., voice
Randy A., voice
Jennifer S., voice
Keep up the good work - you have all made me very proud, and it is an honor to work with each one of you!
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