Keys & Strings Music Studio

Today was an exciting morning! Four of our students entered the music competition at the 49th annual Irish Feis held in North Haven. Competitors came from all over the state of Connecticut and areas of NY State. The music instruments featured were fiddle, tin whistle, flute and accordion as well as voice. David Caldarella, in his first ever music competition took 1st place in his category of studying less than 3 years. What's exciting is he made a last minute change this morning to play a different piece than planned. His enthusiasm paid off! Also in her first competition, Rita Sherban put alot of effort into her Reel. Look at the smile on her face! She placed first in her category of studying over three years. Bridget Ruiz entered the music feis for her second year of competition (she took 1st place in her age category last year) This year she placed 2nd, in a more advanced category, and playing two contrasting dances in the key of D Major. Great job! Here she is, holding her trop

As I feel that many people feel the word 'practice' has a negative connotation, I like to use the phrase 'music making at home' with my students and families. Even with this positive spin, I am continually met with 'I don't have time to practice'. It's an epidemic ! Rather than make students feel more guilty or unhappy with themselves or me, I thought we'd start a dialogue among all music families to see how they fit it into their life. My suggestion is always 'grazing'. Play one or two pieces several times in little segments of time. Before the bus comes (if you are an early riser) Right when you get home from school. Again while Mom or Dad make dinner. It's easy to get 15 - 30 minutes in a day if you break it down. Please share with us how you fit it in!

For 2 hours, 22 fiddlers ranging in age from 6 years to 50+ learned how to play true fiddle style by ear with Donna Hebert. It was an amazing good time. More videos and photos to be posted soon!

This event was a blast!

If you would prefer to register online, just visit http://kindermusikwithsandieseptember2010.eventbrite.com/

Welcome to the official First entry of our Keys & Strings Music Studio Blog dedicated to our private lesson and ensemble students. If you are still a Kindermusik member we still have our Kindermusik blog too! This Keys & Strings Blog will be specifically for our older students. Fiddle, violin, viola, piano, voice, theory, ensemble, performance and masterclass students should make it a point to visit at least once a week to be in the know! We also are maintaining a new facebook page just for you as well, please visit and like us on facebook! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wallingford-CT/Keys-and-Strings-Music-Studio/145667162121232?ref=sgm We'll be uploading videos, pics and weekly 'notes' of interest, so stay tuned! (pun intended)