Keys & Strings Music Studio

Today's the big day. I never sleep well on 'Recital Eve'. Where'd the stands go, who took the pedal? We forgot to get the programs done? (Promise, they are done, and they are bigger than ever!) Recital to me is so many different things. I always have flashbacks to four years ago when I was so afraid it was my last recital with my 'kids'. Or the triumph of three years ago (I'm still here!). I remember Jay M's first recital, with his crouch like bow and huge smile. Jillian's realization that she did a GREAT job and then how it was even better for me when she invited me to her Christmas Pagent and she played the organ just a few short months later. Or the time Rachel stopped half way through....the entire time I was thinking that has the phrasing but doesn't sound exactly right............and she FLIPPED THE PAPER from top to bottom. Oh how we all laughed on that one. In my mind, there are 130 different stories just like this one. I have been blesse

I'm looking forward to this coming week's Performance Master Classes. I sense that alot of of parents and students alike are curious, a bit nervous even. This I hope will be a fun and educational experience for all involved. Even the most seasoned performers can learn something new. For the newer students, this is a good test run for recital coming up on the 12th. We will observe some educators playing some very...VERY interesting solos. Perhaps their clothing will be....unusual. Perhaps their posture will be way off base. Or maybe they just make a huge mistake. We're are going to have some laughs, and make some observations. And then the same instructor is going to play again. And then let the audience know if he or she made a mistake or not. Perhaps another educator will point it out...............or perhaps that performance will be picture perfect. Then the students will all get a turn to show 'their stuff' too. And we will all learn from each other. In between w

What should your smart move be this week? Sign the kids up for music lessons! A study of older adults has found that years of childhood music lessons could pay serious dividends later on my fending off age-related cognitive decline.

** Featured Team ** Keys & Strings We are so pleased that we were able to sponsor a team this year. Please give them a round of applause this season!

It's spring! Time for baseball, softball, easter egg hunts, dance recitals, prepping for music recitals, graduations and family trips. I thought I would share with you an economists view about music lessons, particularly missed lessons. She herself is a Suzuki parent, whose children took private instruction when she wrote this article. Thank you Vicky, for allowing us to share this. Make-up Music Lessons from an Economist's Point of View By Vicky Barham, Ph. D. I'm a parent of children enrolled in Suzuki music lessons. I'd like to explain to other parents why I feel - quite strongly, actually - that it is unreasonable of we parents to expect our teachers to make up lessons we miss, even if I know as well as they do just how expensive lessons are, and, equally importantly, how important that weekly contact is with the teacher to keeping practising ticking along smoothly. I think that it is natural for we parents to share the point of view that students should have their

Ricky B recently placed 3rd in the Pinewood Derby and is Moving on to Compete in the district pinewood event. Ricky is in 1st grade and lives with his Mom and Dad in Wallingford. He is an avid Sponge Bob, Batman, Superman and Spiderman fan, and also please a Mean Piano. Congratulations Ricky!

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!