Music Olympics!

On the evening of February 13, 2014 the young Music Olympians gathered at the office of Christina's Piano Program to participate in our first ever Music Olympics.  They proudly carried their music torches down the hallway to the conference center where they participated  in games of musical skill such as rhythm clapping, music bean bag tic-tac-toe, mini-keyboard key identification, musical board games, and fly swatter flash cards.  The Music Olympians were awarded medals, prizes, and candy.  Great fun was had by all!  If you missed this round of Music Olympics we may have a summer event which will be open to elementary school age students in their first 1-3 years of study.

Happy New Year

I have a feeling that 2014 will be a great year.  I am the type of person who likes to make New Year's Resolutions and then re-evaluate the resolutions each month.  It is amazing what we can accomplish when we aspire to higher goals.  This is the year I would like to purchase a grand piano.  This has been a lifelong dream for me and now I see this goal is within reach.  My first step is to shop around and gather facts.  I have visited a few piano stores and Sioux Falls main store is Schoppert's Piano Gallery located in the Schmitt Music building near 41st and Cliff Ave.  Here are some of the pianos in the running.

1.  Kawai RX-1

 
2.  Boston (a division of Steinway) GP-156 PE or GP-163PE  
The Boston grand piano offers a larger soundboard in comparison to other pianos of the same length, due to its innovative “wide tail” design. This wider construction of the case means that a 5’ 10” Boston grand has the same soundboard area as a typical 6’ 2” grand piano, creating the power, richness, and feel of playing a much larger piano.

These piano are at Schoppert's Piano Gallery and if you are in the neighborhood, you could stop by and try out the pianos and give me your opinion.  

Also in the running is a newly restored 1914 Steinway Model M Grand Piano.  This piano is at a store located out of state.  

Of course it is always fun to dream and Steinway pushes the limits of creativity with their collection of  art case and limited edition pianos.  Here is my favorite:

The  Rhapsody!  Isn't it amazing!

 

Winter Recital Saturday December 14, 3:30pm

The Winter Recital is fast approaching!  I hope all of my students are preparing for the recital by practicing their recital piece(s) each day.  The recital is this Saturday Dember 14 at 3:30pm at Dow Rummel Village in the chapel.  The chapel at Dow Rummel has a beautiful, well maintained, Steinway grand piano.  I feel that this is one of the best pianos in Sioux Falls!   Dow Rummel is located in the northern part of Sioux Falls near Russell and West.

Whether your child has played in several piano recitals or if this will be their first piano recital please take a moment to review the following:

1.  Please arrive 15-20 minutes early.  If you are not sure where Dow Rummel is located please ask, and also leave early on Saturday so that you will not be rushed.

2.  Please bring your music!  While many students will have their music memorized, some students may be playing duets or feel more comfortable with the music on the stand.  I ask that everyone bring their music to the recital.

3.  As a matter of respect, please plan on attending the entire recital.  The recital should last 45 minutes to an hour.  All students have worked diligently this semester and this is their time to shine. Students may sit with their families during the recital.  If you have a younger child who starts crying or likes to run around please take them to the hallway outside of the chapel.  Also, remember to silence your cell phones.

4.  When it is your child's turn to play at the recital they will make their way towards the piano as the previous student has taken a bow and is leaving the piano.  Each student should adjust the piano bench so that they are not too close or too far away from the piano.  After they sit down they should take a moment to think about tempo and dynamics and the first few measures of their piece.  After their performance they will take a bow and return to their seat.  We will go through this sequence and bowing at an upcoming piano lesson.

5.  After the recital there will be an opportunity to take pictures by the piano and we will have cookies and punch in the foyer.  If you would like to bring cookies for the recital please email me at christinaspianoprogram@gmail.com and let me know how many (dozen) you would like to bring.

6.  Along with the families and friends of my piano students, the residents of Dow Rummel are also invited to attend our recital. 

November Updates:

There will be no lessons Friday November  8 and Saturday November 9.  I am attending the South Dakota Music Teachers Association state conference in Brookings.  On Friday I will attend professional development workshops and Saturday I will be assisting with competitions.  

There will be no lessons for Thanksgiving Break November 26 – 30. 

Our end of the year recital will be Saturday December 14 in the Chapel at Dow Rummel.  Look for more details soon!

Our spring semester begins January 6 and spring events include the Sioux Falls Area Music Teacher Association (SFAMTA) All-Boy Recital in February.  The SFAMTA piano festival in mid-March, and the Grant Piano Competition for cash prizes in mid-March as well.  Let me know if your child is interested in participating in any of these events.

I am also considering hosting a piano game day or piano party over the February break.  I would like to get small groups of students together who are of the same level and about the same age for an hour to two hours of piano and music games.  Please let me know if your child(ren) would be interested.

Spring Recital Time!

Our Spring Recital will be here before we know it!  I hope all of my students are preparing for the recital by practicing their recital piece(s) each day.  The recitals will be May 11 and May 18 at 3:30pm at Dow Rummel Village in the chapel.  If you are unsure, please check with me as to the date of your child's recital.  The chapel at Dow Rummel has a beautiful, well maintained, Steinway grand piano.  I feel that this is one of the best pianos in Sioux Falls!   Dow Rummel is located in the northern part of Sioux Falls near Russell and West.

Whether your child has played in several piano recitals or if this will be their first piano recital please take a moment to review the following:

1.  Please arrive 15-20 minutes early.  If you are not sure where Dow Rummel is located please ask, and also leave early on Saturday so that you will not be rushed.

2.  Please bring your music!  While many students will have their music memorized, some students may be playing duets or feel more comfortable with the music on the stand.  I ask that everyone bring their music to the recital.

3.  As a matter of respect, please plan on attending the entire recital.  The recital should last 30 to 45 minutes.  All students have worked diligently this semester and this is their time to shine. Students may sit with their families during the recital.  If you have a younger child who starts crying or likes to run around please take them to the hallway outside of the chapel.  Also, remember to silence your cell phones.

4.  When it is your child's turn to play at the recital they will make their way towards the piano as the previous student has taken a bow and is leaving the piano.  Each student should adjust the piano bench so that they are not too close or too far away from the piano.  After they sit down they should take a moment to think about tempo and dynamics and the first few measures of their piece.  After their performance they will take a bow and return to their seat.  We will go through this sequence and bowing at an upcoming piano lesson.

5.  After the recital there will be an opportunity to take pictures by the piano and we will have cookies and punch in the foyer.  If you would like to bring cookies for the recital please email me at christinaspianoprogram@gmail.com and let me know how many (dozen) you would like to bring.

6.  Along with the families and friends of my piano students, the residents of Dow Rummel are also invited to attend our recital.  

If you have any questions please feel free to email, text, or call me! 

Thursday April 11

We normally follow the policy of the Sioux Falls School District, but if your lesson is normally on Thursdays I would be happy to teach lessons tonight (as long as the weather holds and we have power). Please email me at christinaspianoprogram@gmail.com concerning your decision.  If you decide not to attend piano tonight, the lesson will be made up at a later date or credited to your summer or fall tuition.

No Lessons Wednesday April 10 due to weather

Because there is no school today in Sioux Falls (Wednesday April 10, 2013), piano lessons are cancelled this evening. Stay warm and stay safe out there!