Keys & Strings Music Studio

Recital is a time to share all your musicians hard work.  Sure, it can be stressful.....even a bit scary.  But that's OK.    We want to have our musicians get out of their 'comfort zone'.  Not just in their musical lives, but in their every day lives.  Experiencing new things helps us grow!   So, here are some pointers and information regarding our upcoming recital.  Recital Guest fees are now due, and can be made to Ms. Sandie.  Guest fees cover the donation to the venue, program printing and insurance fees.   It will be held on June 14th.    There will be two recitals.  Your musician will have a solo in only one of the recitals.    On May 20th we will post the programs in the waiting room.  Please come in and read the postings to find out which program your musician is in.  As we are five teachers strong now, this is the most time effective way we can get the information to you (just like a sports roster or a musical part audition listing!).  Thank you fo

Please take a moment and watch this video of a young musician...... You might have had lots of different thoughts going through your mind as you watched.  Some pitches were off.  Her rhythm was stalled.  She herself made a face at the end of the song. That's not what I saw.  I saw a student who has struggled to read music while playing keep her eyes on the page more than her violin. I saw a student start to recognize when to use her fourth finger.  Was it in pitch all the time?  No.  But she saw when she should use it, and she tried. I saw a violin start to fall and this young lady lifted it back up without my reminder. I corrected her once.  Later in the song she made a mistake and self corrected, without my reminder. I saw a musician.  I am quite proud of this young lady. Taking lessons does not a musician make.  Following and retaining directions does. Ms. Sandie

A great big thank you to Carrie S Moore, home-schooling parent of 5 children plus the caregiver to darling husband Nate, a favorite dog and dozens of chickens. When our daughter showed interest in learning to play the violin we realized that seeking outside lessons was about putting our faith and trust in an expert of that instrument.  Though my husband has a substantial background in music, he isn't knowledgable in this particular instrument, so we put our trust in Ms. Sandie. We went in realizing that our  daughter wasn't going to be an expert of the instrume nt over night, but that it would take time for her to be proficient at the instrument. As a homeschooling mother of five, I know that practice makes perfect. Just as you need to practice your math facts to master them, so you need to practice your instrument to master it. Allowing our child to struggle in its challenges,

A thirty year dream for my students was realized today.   A wonderful family at the studio clued me in to the news that their church (St. Peters of Cheshire CT) was looking to give away their Baby Grand.  I have been actively looking for the last 3 years.  We have played some beautiful looking one's that sounded awful.  This one has been well loved, but still sounds lovely.   We plan on having it refinished. Great big shout out to McCabe Movers of Southington CT.  This is the second big move they have done for me.  Very qualified and cordial company.  I am looking forward to lots of solo recitals and grand performances to come.  Cannot wait to see my accompanists face tomorrow when he walks in for ensemble rehearsal.

Not many people can say they love what they do.  99.9% of the time I cannot wait to get to the studio.  That other .1% is usually stressful days such as pre recital, pre Rock N Bows, creating a program list.  Not bad odds of having a great day. In the past week (August 11-15) I hosted my seventh annual Rock N Bows Intensive.  16 violins, 2 cellos, 1 viola, 5 guitars, 1 bass, drummer and keyboardist.  Special flute member and a vocalist too! I don't do this alone mind you.   The bass player and two guitarists are teachers and pro musicians.  RNB has progressed to the level it has become because of all of their input and expertise. We had a planned set list for months.  I started to give some of the students the sheet music about four weeks prior as this music was harder than previous years.  Enter Sandman, Don't Fear the Reaper, I Love Rock N Roll, Wonderwall, The Big Bang, Satisfaction, Applause, The Fox. We had to make changes, add solos, do improvisation when some

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Recital News to Know June 22, 2014 Church of the Resurrection, Pond Hill Road Wallingford Arrive between 12:30 and 12:40.    We will start promptly at 12:45 If you need to reach Ms. Sandie for an emergency situation do so via email keysandstringsmusicstudio@gmail.com Do NOT call the studio number, email will go directly to her cell phone. Musicians will sit in the far left rows starting in the first row. Graduating Seniors and their guests have been reserved the front center row.  A sign will be posted on their row. Please have your musician bring their instrument (string musicians only), music if needed, a stand if in ensemble. Please wear something nice.  No jeans/shorts/tshirts/sweatshirts/sneakers please. Please be a respectful audience.  You want people to listen, cheer and clap for you.  Please do the same for our other musicians.  We ask that you do your best to be engaged for the entire event.  A message for a parent to be shared wi