THE BEST THING I EVER DID!!

Loved our meeting today!  Some great tips were presented that helped inspire us as music teachers!! Here's a brief recap:

Dr. Lynn Dean:  Implementing the three quarters teaching schedule with 11 lessons each quarter.  It coincides with the schools, holidays, etc. And a summer quarter schedule that has 8 lessons.  Makes teaching WONDERFUL!!!  No make up of missed lessons; parents are responsible for contacting other parents to make changes for "unforeseen" conflicts.

Caroline Jennings:  Pick a Theme for Summer lessons, e.g, Sightreading Summer in the Ocean of ___________.  (I'll try to get all of her descriptive places she had on her poster...)   Had a fun and invigorating summer schedule with lots of sightreading at the beginning of each lesson, and students motivated and "pushed" to excel!

Rachel France:  Implementing motivational charts, especially for summer lessons was of great benefit.  Points were given for number of days practiced, pass off points were given for different assignments and challenges.  Another idea used is picking a theme for Recitals.  Kids can even dress up to represent their piece.

Patrice Hunt:  At the beginning of the school year, take 5 minutes to "interview" your student and find out what THEY want to be able to do with their piano skills at the end of this school year.  Take notes, and help guide them with suggestions, if they don't have any of their own.  (I emailed all of my parents and gave them a heads-up what I would be doing, and to let their child know so they could be thinking of goals.  This REALLY helped.)  I then typed up each students "Goal Sheet" and put it in a binder.  (Also, make a copy for THEIR binder!)  I open my book up once a month and ask them to evaluate their progress towards their goals.  It has been VERY beneficial


Thanks to all who came, shared ideas, and enjoyed meeting together!  See you next month!!

CHAPTER MEETINGS START UP!!!

Welcome to the 2015-2016 UMTA year!

We are excited for our first meeting, being held Tuesday, September 8th, 2015 at noon!  We will meet at the St. George Library, basement conference room.

Four teachers from our local chapter will be presenting "The Best Thing I've Ever Done!"  We will be treated to some great teaching ideas that have the potential to make YOUR studio even better!

Please join us for an hour of enjoyment, sharing, and rejuvenation!!

Questions?  Call 673-6733 or 632-6733

TIME FLIES!!!

It has been three years since we've utilized our blog!!  

Hopefully, we'll do better!!!  

Stay tuned!!

BLOG REFERENDUM. . .

Life happens...

sometimes things change...

and sometimes we need to readjust our sails.  

Working on it!!

CHAPTER MEETING

Tuesday, November 13th at noon, is our next chapter meeting!!

We are looking forward to an excellent presentation by Dr. Christian Bohnenstengel from SUU who will be presenting on accompanying. 

He will be sharing some great ideas on teaching our student's to accompany others and also tips to help improve our own skills.

We hope to see you there!!

Where: Caroline Jennings Home: 559 E 300 S #13, St. George (Caroline's Cell: eight 0 one -631-8697 if you need directions)

October Music Extravaganza!!

We had a great meeting in October! As a group, we had the chance to sight-read through several new books and newly edited collections. It was especially fun to read through some of the duets with 3 or 4 pianos playing each part!

 

In case some of you missed it, here is a list of the books we looked at and played from. There are still a few copies at The Music Store (929 Sunset Blvd) if you would like to take a look and play through them.

 

Some of the favorites of those who attended were: Northern Lights (an original collection of Romantic Scandinavian piano pieces), Blues, Jazz, Rock & Rags ( by Pixar composer, Mike Watts), and the American Popular Piano series (by Christopher Norton).

Blues, Jazz, Rock & Rags by Mike and Jennifer Watts - Book 1

Blues, Jazz, Rock & Rags by Mike and Jennifer Watts- Book 2

Northern Lights - Romantic Piano Pieces

Journey Through The Classics - Book 3

American Popular Piano Repertoire by Christopher Norton - Book 1

American Popular Piano Repertoire by Christopher Norton- Book 4

Bela Bartok for Children - Volume 1

Manhattan Swing Piano Solo by Naoko Ikeda

A Dark & Stormy Night - Faber & Faber

Tempo! Tempo! 40 Original Piano Pieces

Take A Bow! 8 Sparkling Piano Solos - Bk 2

Romantic Piano Music, Duets - 23 Pieces

Practicing The Piano

Aaron Copland Ballet Music for Piano

Astor Piazzolla - 15 Tangos & Other Pieces

 

Don't forget to attend November's Meeting! We are looking forward to an excellent presentation by Dr. Bohnenstengel from SUU who will be presenting on Accompanying.

When: November 13th, Noon

Where: Caroline Jennings Home 559 E 300 S #13

2012-2013 CALENDAR

We have a GREAT year of monthly meetings planned, and hope that everyone makes the time to come and share in the motivation that makes us better teachers!!  Even if you feel like you "know it all already," PLEASE come share your knowledge and experience with all the rest of us.  We love our association together as music teachers!!

(Time:  12:00 p.m.   Locations:  Caroline Jennings 559 East 300 South, St. George [tucked back in a small subdivision off of 300 South], The Music Store, Phoenix Plaza just off of Sunset Blvd.)

September 11th: Rachel France "Teaching the Young Beginner"
Location: Caroline Jennings

October 9th: Dr. Boehnenstengel "Accompanying"
Location: Caroline Jennings

November 13th: Reading Session "What's new in print music"
Location: The Music Store

December 11th: Dr. Timothy Francis "Modulations"
Location: Caroling Jennings

January 8th: Patrice Hunt "Becoming a NCTM, the Why and How"
Location: Caroline Jennings

February 12th: UMTA President Lois Mathews "Engaging and Appropriate Festival and Recital pieces"
Location: Caroline Jennings

March 12th: Sharing of Repertoire Lists
Location: Caroline Jennings

April 9th: Piano Technician Brittney Kirk "Maintaining and Understanding the Mechanics of Your Piano"
Location: The Music Store

May 14th: Closing Social
Location: Caroline Jennings

WELCOME 2012-2013 YEAR!!

We are excited to start a new year of enriching chapter meetings!  We will continue to hold most of our meetings at Caroline Jennings home. All meetings will be held at Noon on the second Tuesday of the month. At the first meeting in September, you will receive a list of dates and presenters for our meetings this year.

When: Tuesday, September 11th, Noon

Where: Caroline Jennings Home: 559 East 300 South #13, St. George

Presenter: Rachel France "Teaching the young beginner through singing, solfegge, dictation, reading, and transposition"