In two weeks, MTMS will have a lobby recital during lesson times.
Your recital audience will be who you invite with you during your regular lesson time, as well as whomever is generally there (with their audience). So bring Grandma and your other siblings to see your student show off their hard work.
This performance will not take longer than the usual lesson, and your student will have time to check in with their teacher as well.
Virtual students will be given a zoom link and that link may be shared with whomever you would invite to a recital.
Some songs stick in your head like nothing else – and Encanto brought most of us a new one this month. No, I’m not going to talk about it.
My kids play that song and many others in the morning before school. Sometimes it causes fights because one of them is not sharing the choices. They both take music lessons, and they each have a game called My Singing Monsters which is a pretty cool way to get involved with music. Their other extracurriculars (dance and gymnastics) also involve music.
Occasionally fights break out in the car over my choices of music, but I’m driving and I don’t think I should be distracted, so if it isn’t my music that day, the radio goes off and we chat. I also play some music at home, and it is wonderful to have that outlet.
Deep thoughts: Where are we sharing the music? What are we teaching our kids about the music? When my daughter first started playing the violin, she had no idea what to do with practice time. She felt much better when I got out my guitar to play with her a little. My friend also played the cello with her over zoom in the early pandemic days.
Anything you can do to foster that love of music will stick with your kids for their lifetimes. My mother played trumpet, and I loved to listen to her play. My kids enjoy listening to me.
P.S. It’s the end of January. Have you checked in on your goals for the year? Do they need to change? I’m reviewing mine today to make sure I’m on track.
Often at MTMS this time of year we try to do a recital. We have worked to switch it up between in-person gatherings and YouTube playlists. Right now the COVID numbers are too high to plan for it, and we will give you a month’s notice when it is time.
For the first time, we’re going to attempt a more COVID-friendly recital. Over a full week, at your lesson time, you will perform in the lobby for your family and the other participants at that time. A few extra may come as well, like grandparents or siblings. Most of the people there will be people who are already there – and I’ve seen this work very well at my son’s dance studio.
If there’s time left over, the students will have a debrief with their teachers – we always want to improve on what we’ve done and also reinforce the best parts of what our students do.
Whether your students have school or not, we’re open for lessons today. If you’re not, try to get a little extra practice in, even if it is playing something you like for fun. If you are, you’re probably learning more about Martin Luther King, Jr and we hope you enjoy the day.
I appreciate this King quote. There is a good feeling to doing what is right, even if it means practicing an instrument you want to play. I’ll be practicing guitar this afternoon; it’s been too long since I played. Don’t be afraid to share your King quotes today, and we’d love to hear what you practiced, too.
Composition: New Year, New Lab Stations! We will be focusing on video games! Listen to some of your favorite video game soundtracks and try to make some of your own! If you have any questions please feel free to ask a lab attendant.
Music History: Let’s learn about video game music! It’s some of the most famous music of all time! Listen to some famous music and read about the history! If you have any questions, please ask a lab attendant!
For our young students: This month, there are brand new coloring pages for our young students! We also have a fun and colorful new game, Blob Opera, where students can drag blobs to make different notes! This teaches them about harmonies and how notes interact.
