C h r i s t i n e J o h a n n s e n F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H a u d i t i o n s...

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1 C h r i s t i n e J o h a n n s e n F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H The Tracking Device Each semester, I attempt to reinvigorate the piano lesson experience with some new goal or strategy. This time, it is the Practice Chart Book. Last semester, I introduced the "Student/Parent Practice Contract." Now it is called "Student/Parent/Teacher Practice Expectations," and it is part of the new practice chart book. (Idealist met realist.) My ideas and strategies are not new. Teachers of all disciplines require students to show their work--- in a reading log, a sloppy copy, a tediously elaborate numbers display. The first week of lessons I proudly handed out the books, put each students name onto the cover and neatly completed the weekly assignment portion of the chart. The second week began with my first student forgetting her practice chart book at home and my second student, although she brought the practice book to the lesson, left it completely empty! Hmmm. I am usually grateful that I do not have to hand out grades. What to do? By the end of the second week, about 75% of my students were onboard and working successfully with their practice chart books. I realize that not every student will fit comfortably into what I have devised as the ideal practice tracking device, but practice is too important to neglect. So, my latest amendment: practice your entire assignment for four days, marking it correctly in your practice chart book, and I will give you a "dum dum" lollipop at your lesson. If one student sits down at the piano one time extra for that lollipop, it will be worth it. (But maybe next time I'll offer "smarties.") a u d i t i o n s... * Piano Guild Auditions: The National Guild of Piano Teachers, NGPT, has been providing non-competitive auditions for students since As stated on their website: "Our primary function is to establish definite goals and awards in noncompetitive auditions for students of all levels, from the earliest beginner to the gifted prodigy. Students are judged on individual merit, by a well-qualified music professional. Our purpose is to encourage growth and enjoyment through the study of piano." * NYSSMA Auditions are sponsored by the New York state public schools. This audition is not competitive for piano, but even Level One pieces require skill and focus and students must be willing to work hard and practice consistently if they want to score well. * District 4 Auditions are sponsored by the New York Music Teachers Association, District 4. The requirements for these auditions are more strict than those of the Guild or NYSSMA. Students must be prepared well in advance with their program, be able to play confidently and under pressure and be able to handle critiques as well as compliments. Performers who receive grades of 90 points or higher (out of 100) are invited to perform their best piece in the NYSMTA District 4 Concerts May 20 at Westchester Conservatory. L i t t l e H o u s e P i a n o S t u d i o, , c h r i s j. r a g g m a i l. c o m, l i t t l e h o u s e p i a n o s t u d i o. c o m

2 CONGRATULATIONS! To the private students who took on the challenge of the Musicianship Festival In November 2012, twentytwo private students from Little House Piano Studio participated in a greaded written and aural music theory exam sponsored by District 4 of NYSMTA*. MUSICIANSHIP- artistry in performing music. The term "musicianship" refers to the entire musical knowledge of a musician. Not just their ability to play an instrument, but to understand the many intricacies of written notation and thereby bring a more intelligent and informed interpretation to their performance. Students of Little House Piano Studio, in combination with students of other New York State Music Teachers Association, District 4 music teachers, are in the process of composing their own works. These works will be published and performed by the composers themselves at a public concert on May 20, 2012, 4 pm, at Westchester Conservatory. Students will be presented with their own copy of the publication at the performance. Many students have discovered a real talent for composing and all students enjoy the creative process. Composing is empowering. After studying the works of so many other composers, they are now completely in charge of every detail of their piece. Only they decide if the piece should be loud, fast, short, soft, slow, accented or slurred. Participants earn five points toward a District 4 trophy for composing a piece and another two points for performing their composition at the Young Originals Concert.* And all students earned points toward their NYSMTA District 4 trophies.* *District 4 (an affiliate of New York State Music Teachers' Association) has a points award program in which students earn points for participation in different District activities. Twenty points earns students a small trophy, 40 points slightly larger, 60 points larger still, and on it goes. Little House Piano Studio, 144 Drewville Rd., Carmel, NY chris.rage@gmail.com littlehousepianostudio.com

3 FEBRUARY: 2/11, Saturday Composition Class, pm 2/20-2/24 Winter Recess, no classes MARCH: 3/10, Saturday PERFORMANCE CLASS #1, 10-1 pm 3/31, Saturday PERFORMANCE CLASS #2, 10-1 pm APRIL: 4/3-4/5 POUGHKEEPSIE PIANO GUILD AUDITIONS Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center Vassar St., Poughkeepsie, NY, /14 PERFORMANCE CLASS #3, 10-1 pm 4/25 Young Originals Submissions Due 4/27-4/28 NYSSMA ZONE 10 (Putnam Students) Rombout Middle School 84 Matteawan Rd, Beacon, NY MAY: 5/6, Sunday NYSMTA, District 4 Auditions Westchester Conservatory 216 Central Avenue, White Plains, NY /12-18 CONNECTICUT PIANO GUILD AUDITIONS The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 16 Sawmill Rd., Newtown, CT /18-5/19 NYSSMA ZONE 11 (Westchester Students) Lakeland High School 1349 E. Main St., Shrub Oak /20, Sunday NYSMTA, District 4:Audition Concerts "YOUNG ORIGINALS" CONCERT, 4 PM Westchester Conservatory 216 Central Avenue, White Plains, NY /30 Memorial Day no lessons JUNE: 6/2, Saturday SPRING CONCERT St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 2 pm 331 Route 100, Somers, NY /5-6/11 Last lessons of the Spring Semester L i t t l e H o u s e P i a n o S t u d i o, , c h r i s j. r a g g m a i l. c o m, l i t t l e h o u s e p i a n o s t u d i o. c o m

4 Look who got a new Piano!!! Why is winter is a good time to have your piano serviced? C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s t o t h e B a r o n e F a m i l y! Above, Ralph (left), Eden and Marcus Barone sit in front of their gorgeous, new, Ritmuller, baby grand piano. There is no doubt in my mind that this instrument has enlivened the Barone household and has been helping Ralph, Eden and Marcus become better pianists- - I see the proof every week at their lessons. All three children started lessons this past Fall. At the start, as they were "testing the piano- lesson water," they practiced on a tiny keyboard. Now they have the privilege of working on an instrument that encourages practice as it responds to every musical nuance they bring to their playing. The dry air of winter causes wood shrinkage. Because a piano is primarily constructed of wood, this affects all parts of the piano. The soundboard shrinks causing a lowering of pitch. The action screws that secure the hammers and other parts loosen and need to be tightened. The tuning pins that hold the strings can loosen and need to be driven further into the pinblock to tighten them. Using a humidifier in the piano room will help alleviate some of these problems, but only if the room humidity can be kept above 30%. A hygrometer (similar to a thermometer but measures humidity) can be purchased at most hardware stores for under $15. I have found that they tend to show a higher than actual humidity reading so take that into consideration when using one. See you soon-- your local piano technician Stuart Leven , stuartlevin1@gmail.com Little House Piano Studio, 144 Drewville Rd., Carmel, NY chris.rage@gmail.com littlehousepianostudio.com

5 "Music Makers at the Keyboard" "Music Makers" classes enjoy a lot of singing and playing (and not just keyboard playing either). Most recently, we have focused quite a bit on tonic and dominant chords. Students are learning to harmonize the songs they can by we listening to reinforcement which chord Asalready adults, play unless have the best with or the notes of the melody. ofsounds music notation written instructions, we usually do not trust our ear and therefore, are not confident that we are correct. These children will not students have thatare problem. The aural skills these developing will stay with them forever. They will always trust their ear, even after they learn to read and perform from written notation. THANK YOU MUSIKGARTEN!! To my Private Studio: Marcus Barone Nathanael George Rebecca Horan Richard Purdy Simon Rubini To my "Music Makers" classes: Chance Figueroa Little House Piano Studio, 144 Drewville Rd., Carmel, NY chris.rage@gmail.com littlehousepianostudio.com

6 Christine Johannsen 144 Drewville Rd., Carmel, NY 10512

7 COME SING WITH US FOR EASTER! All children, ages 7-16, are invited to join us. Rehearsals are 9:00-9:45 am each Sunday. We sing at nine services throughout the year. Services are from 10-11:15 am. Christmas and Easter service times vary. Contact: Christine Johannsen, St. Andrew's Music Director, or