Piano Notes – Studio December Newsletter 2012
Congratulations
Congratulations to all the students that participated in the CAPMT Solo and Ensemble Auditions and MTAC Sonata/Sonatina Festival. Our studio was hugely represented, and scored 100% success rate! Everyone from our studio that participated received the highest scores. Trophies will be presented at our holiday recital.
Studio Holiday Recital
Don’t forget that our holiday recital is on Sunday December 16, from 2-4pm at the Temecula Public Library on Pauba Road. 37 students will be performing holiday music as well as classical selections. This year, I have made sure that no one plays the same holiday music, so you will not hear Jingle Bells or Silent Night 5 times! This means that a big selection of holiday music will be presented. You are welcome to invite all of your friends and family! You are also invited to come even if you are not performing this time, so you can see what these recitals are like and hopefully join us next time! Here is a list of just some of the music you will hear:
Jingle Bells
Silent Night
Angels We have Heard on High
Away in a Manger
Deck the Halls
12 Days of Christmas
We Three Kings
Jolly Old Saint Nicolas
Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer
Come Little Children
Go Tell It On The Mountain
Feliz Navidad
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
O Little TOwn of Bethlehem
Hark, The Herald Angels Sing
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
Blue Christmas
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
I Saw Three Ships
What Child is This
First Noel
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Light One Candle
Oh Christmas Tree
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
The Holly and The Ivy
Nutcracker Suite
As announced in our September group class, there will be an artwork contest. All students can bring an artwork/drawing that is music related, and we will get the audience to vote for one winner. The winner will receive a special prize. Students who are interested may also like to consider entering the 2013 Music in Art Youth Competition (examples of past winning artworks can be viewed here).
Student Activities
Now is time to think about what activities you would like to participate in the next semester. There are so many performance and testing opportunities throughout the year, that it is impossible for me to remind everyone of the deadlines. All costs include registration fees and required music and are payable to me (for all of these events, the teacher is required to write one check to cover all students). Please read the following carefully, and let me know which ones you are interested in.
CAPMT Student Evaluations
When: March 16, 2013
What: This is a California Association of Professional Music Teachers statewide comprehensive music test that involves technique, repertoire, theory, ear training, and sight reading. It is similar to the Music Teachers Association of California Certificate of Merit program, but slightly less well known and more encouraging in nature. Students are evaluated before a judge, and receive a written report and trophy.
Cost: $30
Who should participate: I recommend this program for students that have had at least one year of study. Previous audition experience is not required. The test is held locally in Murrieta/Temecula area.
Studio requirements: Due to the many components of this kind of test, students at level 3 or above need to have 45 min weekly lessons, so we have time to cover the required technique, repertoire, ear training, sight reading, and music theory. If you are not sure what level you are, please email me.
Registration: Email me and pay the registration fee before December 15.
National Piano Guild Auditions
When: May/June/July – specific date will only be assigned once I submit all registrations. There are two testing centers close to us – Temecula and San Marcos. The Temecula center usually holds the auditions in late May-early June, while the one in San Marcos occurs in early July. You must be prepared to go to the audition during normal school hours, as weekend times are highly sought after and not guaranteed.
What: This is a nationwide test. Students are evaluated before a judge, and receive a written report and pin. This test is based on technique and repertoire – there is no theory component, and ear training and sight reading are optional. Students prepare 1-20 memorized pieces. I usually recommend a minimum of 10 pieces (National Program). More advanced students can prepare 15-20 pieces (International Program). There are also specialized programs for Bach and Sonatinas (the entire program is Bach or Sonatina movements), and successful students can apply for a special plaque (additional fee).
Cost: $45 for State program, $50 for National program, $60 for International program, additional $20 for specialized program plaque if you are successful.
Who should participate: I recommend this program for everyone. It sets a very clear goal for each student (set number of memorized pieces), and we can focus solely on technique and repertoire. Although the study of music theory is very important, I usually like to focus on technique and performance skills in the early years of piano study, so students are competent performers first. From experience, students can pick up formal music theory very quickly, once their performance level is at a certain standard. All students are sort of learning music theory anyways, just by playing varied repertoire, and it is easier for students to do written theory when they can refer specific names/symbols/concepts to actual music they have played, instead of vice versa. This program is recognized nationwide. Last year 23 students from our studio participated – read about it here.
Studio requirements: students who are at intermediate levels or above and wish to do the National/International program need to have 45 min weekly lessons.
Registration: Email me before December 15 if you are interested, and I will send you a form to sign and confirm your level/program.
Carnegie Hall Royal Conservatory Achievement Program
When: May 13-June 2, 2013
What: This is a new testing program launched in 2012. I wrote about it in the September newsletter. If anyone is interested to do the summer session in 2013, I need confirmation by December 15. The nearest testing center is most likely going to be Riverside (the Temecula center was cancelled for the winter 2012 session due to insufficient registration).
