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.

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

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.

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!

Recital Details 1.0

22nd Annual Recital

FREE ADMISSION – the Public is Welcome!
PLEASE: Tell EVERYONE you know
Saturday, January 18, 2014 – 3:00 p.m.
Deane Center for the Performing Arts
104 Main St, Wellsboro, PA

The following is the student schedule at the Deane Center on the day of the show

  • 10:00 a.m. Rehearsal
  • By Noon Break for lunch
  • 1:30 p.m. Student Portraits – http://momentsbyjlynn.zenfolio.com
  • 2:00 p.m. Group Portrait
  • 2:20 p.m. Chair Setup
  • 3:00 p.m. Piano Recital Begins
  • 5:00 p.m. Clean up

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

REFRESHMENTS Each family is requested to bring something (finger food and a drink) to share for intermission.

Deane PianoThank you so much for all your support! “Piano Parents” deserve much credit for what their child is able to accomplish. Your encouragement and time are of utmost importance and I thank you for it! As always, let’s give these hard-working students something to look forward to. Our recital is the “World Series” of piano. Who would practice anything without a game once in awhile?

I look forward to our big event with eager anticipation! Thanks again for the privilege of teaching your son/daughter to play.

November Make-Up Class

November 4 Class
November 4 Class
For this month’s class we had three attendees. First, they performed all their recital solos, then we had fun dancing the Cha-Cha Slide and lastly, we wrapped it up with a game of Musopoly where the girls just barely beat the boy.

Hopefully we’ll have more join us for our December Classes – the 9th and the 30th.

Bryan, Rebekah, Kyra & Speck
Bryan, Rebekah, Kyra & Speck

Candle Sale PRIZES

Grace - Our Top Seller won a gift certificate
Grace - Our Top Seller . . . won a gift certificate
Nine participating students helped to raise money, not only to help defray the costs associated with our upcoming recital, but also to earn extra piano music of their choosing! Each student earned from one to three books and/or two to six pieces of sheet music. Our top sellers earned other prizes as well.

Thanks to all for your participation!

Recital Countdown Begins!!

One of last year's duet performances
One of last year's duet performances
It’s just 14 weeks until the big day! But to put things into better perspective, we would like to be RECITAL READY in 10 weeks. Why so early? A few reasons: First, everyone will be missing two (if not three) lessons in December. Second, do you REALLY want to practice hard over holiday break? I don’t imagine so. Lastly, it will give us all peace of mind knowing that when we return in January for those last two or three lessons, we’re simply going to be putting finishing touches on our pieces, not still be struggling through new sections of them.

  • The studio will be CLOSED December 17/18/19 (3 of 4 for 2013)
  • The studio will be CLOSED December 24/25/26 (4 of 4 for 2013)
  • The studio will be OPEN Dec 31/Jan 1/Jan 2

The concern is that some may not wish to come over the New Years Day holiday. With that in mind – plan ahead now to see if we can make other arrangements for that week. I would be happy to schedule your lesson on Tuesday/Wednesday OR even Thursday should you prefer it to your normal lesson time that week. Spots will be given out on a first come/first serve basis. The other option would be to attend the makeup class that week.

  • One Hour Makeup/Performance Classes:
  • Monday, November 4 at 4:00 p.m.
  • Monday, December 9 at 4:00 p.m.
  • Monday, December 30 at 4:00 p.m.

You need not have missed a lesson to attend a Makeup/Performance Class. ALL are encouraged to attend. PLEASE R.S.V.P. for Classes. If there are enough participants to warrant it, we will break the group into smaller classes.

Keep in mind that we are hoping to have duet/ensemble rehearsals throughout November and December. It’s possible to do these at the Performance Classes above if your duet partner is also able to attend. We will also attempt to schedule a few rehearsals during actual lesson time, having partners meet during the other’s lesson time. I’ll be in touch about that.

DUET/ENSEMBLE GOAL: Have piece ready and schedule first practice by early-November. Attempt to schedule at least two more rehearsals before holiday break.
(Yes, I know some of you don’t have your duets yet – we’ll work that out THIS WEEK)

SOLO GOAL: Be recital-ready by the week of December 10/11/12

Last year's Makeup/Performance Class
Last year's Makeup/Performance Class