Winter Happenings in the Loft

It is time for an update.  A very wintry February has arrived, and you've all been slogging down our LONG road for lessons in 2013.  I hope you know how much I appreciate your (and your parents') efforts to make it to your lessons.

Recent Lessons in the Loft Happenings:

December:  Our recital at Lighthaven Retirement Home in Bruce Mines.  Thank you students for your admirable performances.  I know that the old piano was a challenge to orient yourselves to, but you played beautifully and brought smiles and joy to the residents.  What a great Christmas gift for them!

Olivia Lawrence, 1998 to 2013

January:  Sadly, one of our lovely kitties and mascot, Olivia, passed away.  It was a very difficult time for us.  Thank you for your kind words and sympathy following our loss.  Our other little feline, Ophelia, will still be happy to greet you when you come for lessons - if she's not napping in some secret location.  FYI, if you check out our business card, Olivia is the cat lounging on the top left corner.

February:  It's time to start thinking ahead to the Sault Ste Marie Music Festival (formerly Kiwanis Music Festival).  Do you want to participate this year?  In the next couple of weeks we'll be discussing this at your lesson and filling out registration forms.  The dates for the 2013 piano segment of the festival are April 7 - 11.

Happy (Belated) New Year everyone!  We are looking forward to some great music-making in the loft this winter and spring.

Christmas Recital

Greetings Students!

This week you should all have received a note about our Christmas recital.  This year we are going to play our Christmas pieces for the residents of Lighthaven Retirement Home in Bruce Mines.  It will be our Christmas gift to them.  

Remember to dress up or wear some festive colours, and bring your music, even if your piece is memorized.  I would also like you to show up ten to fifteen minutes early, so we can organize ourselves at the venue.
 
Thank you for the hard work you have already put into learning your pieces; keep it up!  We only have a couple of lessons left until our recital.

See you at Lighthaven on December 9th at 3:30.
 

Lessons Have Begun

Helen and Elizabeth practising their duet

Welcome back students!  I just taught my first lesson of the school year this morning, so we're officially back in business.  I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of you throughout the week.  Make sure you bring your binder with dividers and all your piano books from last year so we can have a good start.

We have plenty of space left in our teaching schedules, so spread the word by telling your friends about Lessons in the Loft.  Piano, guitar, flute and trumpet lessons are available.  See you soon!

Fall Lessons

Hello students!  I hope that you all had an amazing summer and are having a good start to the new school year.  Your music teachers are still in Scotland but will soon return and we'll contact you about starting lessons the week of Monday, September 17th.  In the mean time, please feel free to email us about your new schedule and whether or not your old lesson time will still work.  Together we'll come up with the right lesson slot for you and get back to making music!  Don't forget to do some warm-ups and enjoy playing some oldies in the mean time.  Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Summer Serenade 2012

This past Saturday evening, our Lessons in the Loft piano students performed beautifully in our annual spring recital.  The event was well attended by family and friends, and they were a very receptive, positive audience.  

Following some talented solo and duo performances of classical, traditional, and contemporary repertoire, students were awarded certificates for their year of dedication to piano lessons, and for their successful performances that evening.  Class and individual photos were taken and this was followed by a reception of cake and punch.

Thank you, students, for a great year of music!  Enjoy your summer and I look forward to our lessons together in the fall.

Recital Update

The new date has been set for Saturday, June 16th, and I'm looking forward to some entertaining and expressive performances from you all!  

Remember the following:

1.  Arrive at least ten minutes early so you can be seated, focused and ready to play when it is your turn. 

2.  Dress up for the occasion; this is a semi-formal event. 

3.  Bring your music, even if your piece is memorized. 

4.  Remember your stage manners – bow at the end of your performance.

We will be having a reception after the recital, with cake and punch.  Invite your family and friends and let's all enjoy celebrating the end of a successful year of music together!

Recital News

Some of you have been asking about the date for our end-of-year recital, and I'm sending home letters about that this week.  Our tentative date is Sunday, June 24th at 4 PM.  We'll be performing at Calvary Baptist Church again; definitely loving that new Yamaha baby grand!  Let me know if you cannot make that date.  It's important that all of you be there, so I will adjust the date accordingly.  This is one of the luxuries of having a small class.  So RSVP and keep on practicing.  I'm looking forward to a great evening of music!