Concert thank you.

Thank you to everyone who took part and to the family and friends who supported them. Everyone performed well and it was a great evening. Many thanks to The Salvation Army for hosting us again. I would love to make a collage of photos of the night so if you have photos that you are happy to share, do send them to me. Also, to the award winners, a photo of you with your trophy would be great.

New ABRSM Piano Syllabus 2017-18

On July 7th the new ABRSM piano syllabus for 2017-18 comes out. The current syllabus is still valid for the Spring 2017 session as there is an overlap. The new pieces can be ordered here: 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=abrsm+piano+2017&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=43425959331&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9025409957257086944&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=t&ref=pd_sl_57ixcjmvgm_b

Or via www.musicroom, James Dace of Chelmsford or direct from ABRSM.

Summer Piano Ideas 2016

Summer Piano Ideas.

·        Play a concert; choose an easy piece, a well-known piece and a fun piece. You can invite family and friends and design and print a programme for it.

·        Find out about one of your favourite composers. Write a potted biography of them.

·        Learn a piece you haven’t played before- surprise me!

·         Compose your own simple piece, it can be long or short, you can write it down or memorise it. Give it a name and play it at our next lesson.

·        Find a piano playing friend or family member and play some easy peasy duets with them.

·        Teach your parents or your younger brothers and sisters an easy tune from your first books.

·        Go to a concert and write down what instruments you see.

·        Find some new piano apps, try them out and come back and tell me all about them.

·        Teach yourself to play a favourite TV or film theme tune by ear, or learn Happy Birthday!

·        Video yourself playing a piece and upload it to YouTube or send it to me and I will put it on my blog!

·        Watch the Piano Guys on Youtube with your parents.

·        Play the piano every time you are wearing your pyjamas!

·        With your parents, listen to a piece of music on the computer or tablet, by Beethoven, Schumann, Liszt and Rachmaninoff. Circle your favourites.

·        Go to a Prom!

·        Visit Handel and Hendrix House, Brook St London www.handelhendrix.org

·        Enjoy your summer!

 

Mrs Lau Summer 2016

Tonight's concert!

Here are the trophies and the programme for tonight's concert. See you at The Salvation Army Hall 7.30pm

Concert Advice!

So the programme has been finalised and you/your child is practising like mad! What else can you do to ensure an enjoyable performance? Here is some useful advice:

What to wear? Wear something smart ( it gives a sense of occasion ) but comfortable. Consider pedalling when you choose your footwear; trainers and platforms don't usually work well and a small heel is good. My usual advice is no football kits and no tiaras- something in between!

Practise? Yes do keep practising every day but also practise performing i.e. playing in front of someone supportive, keeping going no matter what, putting in every bit of expression, keeping concentrating to the end.

Remember to: take your music and get there a few minutes early in order to try out the piano.

Nervous? We all feel nervous; old, young, experienced, new to piano playing. Don't let the negative thoughts in but replace them with positive ones, breathe deeply and smile- it really does work, focus on playing each bar and phrase as musically as possible. If something goes wrong (and it probably will)  keep going as that is most important.

Enjoy it! Music is fun and enjoyable. Come and enjoy playing and listening to the other pianists and then relax with family and friends afterwards. 

List of performers ( so far ) at the concert on Fri 24th June Salvation Army Hall

Alice

Charlie

Zoe

Anna

Samuel I

Alexia

George

Joely

Oliver RP

Ethan

Max RP

Oliver W

Tricia

Jennifer

Rebecca

Bethany

Elinor L

Fionn

Isobel

Points Mean Prizes Trophy Winners.

This is a list of those who have already reached 50 points and will therefore be presented with a trophy at the concert and presentation evening on Friday 24th June at The Salvation Army Hall, 7.30.

If you haven't already let me know, can you please tell me if your child will be attending?

MHS pupils

Samuel Irven

Alexia Deighton

Private pupils

Charlie Field

Tricia

Anna Howell

Amelia Wilson

Oliver Wilson

Hannah Spry ( online pupil )

Zoe

Elinor

Cathedral Primary School pupils

Fionn Crickett

Joely Lee

George Cairns

William Michael

Eleanor Tuck

Oliver R-P

Ethan Wiltshire

Max R-P

Points Mean Prizes update.

There are two more weeks to gain 50 points and get a trophy at the concert on Friday 24th June!

Summer Concert info.

Hooray it’s time for another concert! 

 

Pupil Summer Concert and Awards Presentations at The Salvation Army Hall, Baddow Road, Friday 24^th June 7.30-9pm

 

The evening will take the form of a concert followed by awards for those who have won trophies on the Points Mean Prizes scheme, and for the 1^st time, special awards for those who have been outstanding pupils this year.

Even if you are not picked to play you may be collecting a trophy or a special award, so do come.

 

I organise these pupil concerts in order to give pupils a chance to perform in supportive surroundings to family and friends. They are always most enjoyable and I look forward to them tremendously.

 

The hall is quite large and the piano is a grand. This can be a little intimidating so if you want to arrive early (from 7pm onwards) to settle in and try the piano out, that is fine.

 

If you/your child just want to come along and listen in order to get a feel for a pupil concert that is fine.

 

I try to make these occasions as informal as possible but sometimes we performers can get a little over-wrought! If your child decides he/she doesn’t want to play on the night, that’s fine.

 

Playing in front of an audience is a very scary thing to do (or adults and children) so please can I ask you to read and abide by these guidelines for supportive concert behaviour. If you are bringing family and friends can you make sure that they know this too:

 

1.      Parents are responsible for their children’s behaviour.

2.      Show respect for each performer by staying in your seats during the performances, keeping quiet and by applauding at the end.

3.      Only video / take photos of your own child’s performance.

 

I would love to hear…………………… play..............................................piece.

 

RSVP on the tear off slip below/ tel / email:

Fiona Lau (01245 262269/07776195307, fionavalerielau@hotmail.com)

 

……………………………………………………………………………….........................

 

I/ my child……………………………will/will not be able to play.

 

Signed…………………………………………………