Is swimming or basketball season about to end? Ready for a new, fun activity? Some of the group classes are accepting new students. Try kids’ chorus, guitar, or band! More information is available on the classes here. It is only $99 for the rest of the semester. Call me with any questions 814 229 0821
Ready to register? Register Here!
The Spring Recital is officially scheduled for Saturday, April 22nd at 2pm at the First Baptist Church on Main St. Clarion. All students should be working hard on their performance pieces right now. As we approach the date, I will be sharing more tips on polishing music and on how to prepare for the inevitable nerves that accompany recitals. Please contact me with any questions or worries!
Are you ready to challenge your mind and open your creative side? I have had many students start as adults and learn a brand new instrument, or pick up where they left off years ago. Playing and learning an instrument can be relaxing, challenging, and social. You will have the opportunity to play at recitals, parties, and even on the street, or you can choose to only play on your own. Make time for yourself to learn something new!
Guitar classes are on Tuesdays at 6pm, jam band is Wednesday mornings at 9am. There is more information here about group classes. Or, there are many times available during the school day for private lessons in piano, guitar, cello, violin, mandolin, banjo, bass guitar, and voice. Contact me at hillarysmusic5@gmail.com or give me a call at 814 229 0821.
Are you looking for a gift that lasts more than a few hours? Give the gift of learning a new instrument with a group! If you register now and pay for a semester of group classes, ($199) you get a month of free instrument rental that you can pick up before Christmas and put under the tree! This is good for guitar, band, or orchestra classes. In February, you can continue to rent for only $20/month or turn in the rental and buy your own. Don’t need an instrument? Get a free “Hillary’s Music” t-shirt instead!
We had the unique opportunity this year to perform the pre-show entertainment at the ALF pageant. Nathaniel Lerch and Noel Anthony started us off with beautiful solo performances.
Then the chorus and orchestra classes performed
Students had the opportunity to perform on the sidewalk during the Autumn Leaf Festival in Clarion. Residents and visitors enjoyed listening to the music as part of their Autumn Leaf experience!
For the third year, students entertained runners while they worked hard to run the ALF 5K and 10K races.
Check out more on facebook
I’m very excited to announce that we have the opportunity to perform, as a school, in the Autumn Leaf pageant! It will come quickly after the fall semester starts, on the evening of September 24th. So, in addition to the regualar schedule, I will offer addition rehearsal times for all group classes on Fridays from 4-5:30pm. The only required Friday will be the 23rd, but, if you can make it to practice on the 9th or 16th, for any of the rehearsal time, that will help ensure a smooth perrformance! I will be making t-shirts for all performers, so I will need t-shirt sizes soon, you can email them to me at hillarylefay@gmail.com.
I wanted to give everyone an update on what the group classes are up to. If you or your child are not already enrolled in a group class, I highly recommend it. They help to develop part of a student’s musical ability that is separate from playing as an individual. Plus, the classes are all really fun, I absolutely love teaching them! Let me know if you would like to join us.
Orchestra: The orchestra has a bass, cellos, violins, and piano playing in it. They are currently playing a star wars medley, “Into the West”, and “Ode to Joy”. They are also learning how to improv using the D Major scale. Some amazing combinations have started to emerge!
Pre-school: This class of 2-5 year olds learned about the guitar this week. They got to play them and learned the the g major chord! They also learned about the quarter rest, adding it to their knowledge of note values and counting.
Guitar: The notes on the D string were the challenge for the guitar class this week. They have E, B, and G pretty smooth. They are sounding great as a group and we will add more chords to their arsenal next week.
Chorus: “Mad World” has the 6-14 year olds sounding very serious and beautiful. Then they easily break out in dance to “Shout”! Their ears are being developed to hear the intervals in music, so we do a lot of listening games and then apply it to their warm ups. This group energizes every Wednesday!
Friday band: Every Friday morning I prepare for the influx of adults ready to work and play. They practice hard throughout the week to get “Ring of Fire” and “Like a Rolling Stone” up to speed. I make sure they are learning plenty of music theory as we go along, and they sound fantastic.
Just a few weeks ago we rocked out the Highland Oaks nursing home. It is a tradition that I love revisiting. The residents always enjoy the students’ performances, and the mingling and chatting that happens afterwards. This year I was able to show off the work of the group classes as well as many talented individuals. The orchestra opened the afternoon with “Jingle Bell Boogie” I have a lot of talent in that little group, which will be expanding this semester. I also enjoyed being able to combine the different groups to perform with each other. So, the Friday morning band accompanied both a solo vocalist and my chorus. Then the group guitar class finished off with the chorus singing “Rocking around the Christmas Tree”
In between all of the group performances were many amazing soloists and duets. Some were new students, some veterans to performing. Thanks to all the performers, parents, grandparents, and family who support these performances and lessons. It is a pleasure to teach and encourage all year. Then to witness the performances is a reward itself.
Check out a snippet of “Jingle Bell Rock” with chorus and band. This was recorded on a phone and turned out pretty well. However, in 2016 we will be adding digital audio and video to our studio and I am excited about the future quality of what we will be able to share.