What are the group classes up to?

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.
 

Getting in the swing

I never really forget how much I love what I do, and yet, I sometimes find myself reminded with how much I love my job and feel lucky to have it.
This week was the first week of group classes for the Fall.  In chorus, the kids are learning “Stuck in the Middle” so that they can sing it with the adult band class at Autumn Leaf.  It is so fun watching them learn.  They start with the melody and words, but are quickly understanding the harmonies and sound great!  They also picked out the Christmas songs to prepare for this year, and they got “Up on the Housetop” going with a few tricks up their sleeves.  This group works hard with warm ups and 3 and 4 part harmonies, but they are smiling and having a blast while doing it!
The adults are learning improv through chord theory, and I think everyone will be impressed when they hear what they are doing.  My Monday night orchestra is going to do similar work, but with a different variety of instruments.  It is now more an orchestra/band.  We started with “Into the West” from Lord of the Rings, and we are adding “Enter Sandman” by Metallica next! It will be a cool, eclectic mix.
It’s not to late to jump in on the group classes.  I can catch you up outside of class if you need it.  So, try Orchestra/Band on Mondays at 7:30, beginning guitar on Tuesdays at 6:15, Chorus on Wednesdays at 6:30 or Band on Fridays at 9:15 am.  There might also be a kid’s music class forming during the day for 3-8 year olds, if you would be interested, let me know and I will get it organized!

ALF Street Performances

As we approach the time for the Autumn Leaf Festival in Clarion, my students are all reviewing and refining their repertoires to be ready for some public performances.  Last year, we were given the opportunity to perform along the route for the 5K. So, as runners worked hard they had some musical entertainment along the way.  We will do the same this year, as long as the weather cooperates!
I have also added more performances to the schedule.  During the week of the festival, we will be performing on the sidewalk downtown.  Students will take shifts playing songs  for the entertainment of the public.
So, the schedule from September 28th-Oct. 1st will be different than the usual.  I am aiming to be downtown during the dinner hours, so, if your usual lesson time is in the evening, you can plan on doing it on Main Street!  If your lesson is in the afternoon or later in the evening, you can let me know what time would be best for you to be downtown instead.  You can come one day for 15 minutes, or every day for an hour!  I will have a sign up sheet in the music room to get everyone organized, or feel free to message me with good times.
This is a great opportunity for all students, not only for the experience, but the preparation of refining a repertoire is a great exercise.  I look forward to seeing everyone out there!

No Comments

Categories: Uncategorized

Tags: