No lessons at MHS on Tues 1st Oct

MHS is closed on Tuesday because of strike action, and so l will not be teaching there on that day. Lessons will be made up at the end of term. Keep practising and playing!

Thirty Piece Challenge!

This year l have decided to take the idea of my esteemed Australian colleague, the teacher and composer,Elissa Milne,and issue all my pupils with the 30 piece challenge! This is to take place over the academic year from September 2013 toJuly  2014.

The challenge is to learn, and play to me over the year,30 pieces. For this you will get a gold medal. 25 pieces will earn a silver medal and 20 pieces will achieve a bronze medal. The pieces can be chosen by me or you, but have to be approved by me and then passed by me.

They can be in a variety of styles and the level of difficulty music can vary. This is an approximate guide of the levels likely to be acceptable:

Beginner pupils can include any pieces from pre-reading to Prep Test level

Prep Test pupils can include any pieces from beginner stave pieces to grade 1level

Grade 1 pupils can include any pieces from Prep Test to Grade 2 level

Grade 2 pupils can include any pieces from Prep Test to Grade 3 level

Grade 3 pupils can include any pieces from Grade 1 to Grade 4 level

Grade 4 pupils can include any pieces from Grade 2 to Grade 5 level

Grade 5 pupils can include any pieces from Grade 3 to Grade 6 level

Grade 6, 7 and 8 pupils can include any pieces from Grade 4 upwards!

So if you are working towards your grade 4, you might enjoy playing some Pam Wedgwood pieces, some pieces from your earlier tutor books, some Christmas carols, as well as your grade 4 pieces. You might even like to have a stab at some pieces that have been set for Grade 5!

The pieces can be solos, duets, Christmas songs, hymns, competition pieces and exam pieces. We will keep a list in your practice diary and l will be happy to lend you some of my music books. Have a good look at home as well and see what music you can find or ask your family what they have. You can also find music on the Internet or swop music with your friends. Be creative! 

This is a great way to discover new styles, composers and pieces and to improve your sight reading. You can also get a medal, will get a mention at the summer concert and be listed on this blog and on my website! Have a think and we will talk about it at your next lesson.

What did you do in the summer holidays?

Several pupils did music related activities during our lovely summer months and so I thought I would share some of them here.
Jennifer and Rebecca went to the Handel House Museum, Brook St, London. This is the actual house Handel lived in and the house is recreated as it would have been then, complete with harpsichords, manuscripts and artefacts.They had fun trying on some typical costumes of Georgian England.

 

Many of you took school music exams and did well! Here's a photo of Sophia celebrating her fabulous GCSE results.

Some of you even managed to keep practising during the holidays! Here's Amelia and Oliver playing their piano.

Chelmsford Competitive Festival

This year the syllabus is not available online...However l have a PDF copy from the committee. If you would like a copy, email me. I will also be giving pupils photocopies in their lessons this week and next. Parents are responsible for entering their children for the relevant classes and the closing date is Sat 21st Sept and the piano classes are on Sat 16th Nov. The website has now been updated and has more information: http://www.chelmsfordcompetitivefestival.org/

New term's lesson start dates etc.

Hi everyone, I hope that you have enjoyed our lovely un-typical British summer and are refreshed and ready to begin piano lessons again. As I am out and about presenting for ABRSM, start times are slightly staggered and are as follows:

Moulsham High School pupils: start on Tues 17th Sept

Cathedral Primary School pupils: start on Wed 18th Sept (except Y5s who are away)

Private pupils: start on Mon 9th, Wed 11th,Thurs 12th, Tues 17th September.

Adult piano pupils: I will email you re individual times.

If you are due to take a grade exam this term remember to bring the fee. Also, if you have a burning desire to perform a piece (or two), check out the Chelmsford Competitive Festival of Music and Drama syllabus- available from Daces Music Shop. We will discuss exams, competitions and future directions in all lessons.

I have some exciting ideas and challenges for you this year so keep an eye on this blog. I am looking forward to seeing you all again and hearing you play- remember your music!