Author: Audrey

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Studio Blog Challenge #1

At our recital back in January we had a fun drawing near the end of our show – each student put their name in one of four bags and a name was drawn from each bag by one of our young audience members. The winners each received a music bag as well as a few books or sheets at their musical level.

In the spirit of such fun – we will be beginning a series of challenges on our blog. They will be posted randomly and without warning. The first student to email, text, call, or otherwise contact Audrey with the correct answer to the “Studio Blog Challenge” will receive a free book or sheet from a selection of our current studio stock.

Rules are simple: First correct answer from someone currently enrolled in the studio = Winner. It does not matter how you arrived at the answer, as long as it is complete and correct. Maybe you know it, maybe you googled it, maybe you asked Grandma – it doesn’t matter. The winning answer will be posted in the comment section of the Challenge posting.

Our first challenge: Explain the joke

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Celebration Recital

This Saturday, at 3:00 p.m. Audrey’s Piano Studio will be participating in Robert M Sides Family Music Center’s first ever series of Celebration Recitals, to be held in the BonTon Court at the Arnot Mall (near Ruby Tuesdays).

Area piano teachers and their students will be brought together for two musical programs (the second program begins at 4:30), to be followed at 6:00 by Mary Olson’s Flash Band, who will be performing from the following Film Favorites – 2001: A Space Odyssey, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, The Muppets, Hunger Games and Pirates of the Caribbean.

For a list of our participants and the songs they will be performing, visit the link found under Current Events.

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February Makeup Class

February Makeup Class

This week the game of choice was Musopoly, a fun board game where we sharpen our skills with tempos, ear training, rhythms, note names, musical terms and even performance. It was the boys vs. girls. It was neck-n-neck all night, but in the end the boys took the lead by just one beat… Good job, everyone!

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Winter Makeup Class

Wow – we are getting quite a snow day today! In light of that, as well as sickness, and the upcoming performance for some at the mall in just over a week – we’ve scheduled a Makeup/Performance Class this Monday, February 10 at 5:00 p.m. for one hour. The following reminders are from our policy page:

Make-Up Lessons
It is our policy to close the studio four weeks during the year, with notice, and these closings are not paid for by the student and will not be rescheduled or made up. Make-up Classes may be scheduled occasionally due to inclement weather and/or upcoming events. Any student may attend. These group lessons will be one hour in length and will be spent working together on theory, rhythm skills, ensemble playing, as well as performance training. Other topics will be covered, depending on the needs of the group as a whole.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Audrey so she can add you to the class. There will be more classes scheduled as winter progresses.

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Solo, Duet, Trio, etc.

On some recent paperwork sent home, I had mentioned the word “ensemble”, and had several people confused. By definition an ensemble is “a group of soloists singing or playing together”, and I used the term rather than speaking of our “duets”, as duet implies two people and I realized that some students were in larger groups (ensembles) of three, four, and sometimes five or more players. Anyway . . . I thought about this while viewing the following chart and thought it might be a helpful definition of each grouping. But mostly, I’m posting it to humor myself. 🙂
Han Solo Duet Trio Quartet Choir

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Robert M Sides Celebration Recital

Robert M Sides is hosting a free Musical Recital in the Bon-Ton Court on Saturday, February 15, beginning at 3:00 p.m. They are encouraging all forms of musical talent – both instrumental and vocal, as well as varied ensemble performances. We have all been invited to participate.

I am currently taking names of the students who would like to participate in the February 15 show. But keep in mind that there will be two more concerts – April 12 and June 21. Each student is welcome to play in any or all of these recitals.

The program will be very flexible. There is no need to state the piece you wish to play until the day of the show (though I’m sure we’ll have some idea what you will choose). There is also no need to memorize the piece (though many of you already have several memorized pieces to choose from). You can’t go wrong!

Another fun thing: You may want to take along your duet or recital buddy – even if it’s your Grandmother! Or even if you have a buddy that plays a different instrument, or wants to sing. If you want to team up with someone, talk to them about attending as well and let me know.

Each student can play one solo and can play additional pieces if they are duets or ensembles.

Please mark your calendars for February 15 at 3:00 p.m. and know that “applications” will be coming home after recital (Jan 21/22/23). I MUST hear back the following week (Jan 28/29/30), as we must have our names registered by February 1.

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Music Bingo!

Tonight six students attendend our final performance class. Each was able to play their memorized solos as well as their duet or ensemble. Afterwards, we enjoyed a game a Music BINGO!

Performance Class
Performance Class

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Recital Details 2.0

With our show a few weeks away (JANUARY 18 – 3:00 p.m.), I wanted to send more details. Directions to the Deane Center in Wellsboro have been posted on the blog, complete with an image of the building for easy navigation to the Grand Community Room.

10:00 a.m. REHEARSAL
We will all meet at the Deane Center for rehearsal. If you prefer to wear your street clothes, that’s fine, but be sure to pack everything you will need for your formal attire, including your shoes! We will be rehearsing the following in sequence: Curtain Call, Duets/Ensembles, followed by Solos (beginning with the youngest). Once your solos have been played, you are free to break for hair/lunch unless we have determined more duet/ensemble rehearsal is needed with your group.

10:30 a.m. Hair Stylist on duty
Some have expressed an interest in getting a quick updo for the show. If you would like to use our stylist ($10-$15 plus tip), please make that known to me as soon as possible. You may need to come already curled/straightened as desired and you also need to provide me with an idea of what you are hoping to get within the next two weeks. We will be able to accommodate some curling/straitening with our additional volunteer, but time may be of the essence.

12:00 p.m. LUNCH BREAK
For many of you, especially the younger ones, you will be able to break earlier.
PLAN TO RETURN DRESSED BY 1:30 p.m. You may dress at the Deane Center, but please allow time for that.

1:30 p.m. INDIVIDUAL PORTRAITS
You will soon be receiving your portrait order form. Please fill it out ahead of time and bring the form, along with your payment, on recital day. Individual portraits will be taken from 1:30 – 2:00 p.m. This year with a new photographer and a new venue, so portraits will be fresh and exciting! Photos will be taken in quick succession, so PLEASE DO NOT BE LATE. Please call my cell if necessary (number above).

2:00 p.m. GROUP PHOTO
PLEASE plan to have each student ready by 2:00 for the group photo which is to be TAKEN promptly at 2:15. If someone is late, it will hold up the group and get in the way of us resetting the room and welcoming our guests.

REFRESHMENTS
As is our custom, we will be providing refreshments at intermission for everyone who will be attending. If each family could make an item to share, we will be able to accommodate the 100+? who will be attending. As in years past, it would be nice to have an assortment of sweets, deviled eggs, meat/cheese, vegies, etc. plus a beverage, if possible. I will be providing coffee and water, along with plates, cups and napkins. Please plan on something that’s “finger food” and won’t require silverware.

RECITAL SEATING
During the recital program, each student will begin in the back of the room with me. Unless they have something else coming up, they will complete their solos or duet and come to sit with you. Please make sure that your child knows where you are sitting and leave a seat available for them (perhaps near the end of the row). This way, they can enjoy the rest of the program with their family.

DRESS Preferably (but within reason): coat/vest and tie for gentlemen, dresses for ladies and dress shoes for all.

If you have any questions/concerns regarding our rehearsal or recital, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I realize it can sound a bit daunting, especially if this is your first recital.

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Directions to the Deane Center

This is a reminder that we had a venue change for our upcoming recital. The Deane Center is located at the Corner of Main Street and Central Avenue in Wellsboro. For those unfamiliar with the area – the Deane Center shares a block with Citizens and Northern Bank and the Native Bagel. Limited parking is available behind the Deane Center and in the bank parking lot (Water/Crafton Streets). Otherwise, you will find both town lots and on street parking. Please remember to feed the meter.

I have provided a map of the Deane Center below so you can navigate your way to the Grand Community Room. Enter the Deane Center on Main Street. You will find the elevator on your right (just past the stores on either side of the lobby). Once you have arrived on the second floor, follow the map below. Turn left off the elevator and immediately left down the hallway. Deane Center Map
Deane Center for the Performing Arts
Grand Community Room
104 Main St, Wellsboro, PA 16901

Saturday, January 18, 2014
3:00 p.m. Showtime

Remember: There is no admission fee for our recital. The public is welcome – please invite all your family and friends!