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Category: MTMS Blog Posts

  • The Music is the Thing

    When most people think about music lessons, they envision groups or single person lessons of softly played Bach or Beethoven, even Tchaikovsky and Chopin. Maybe throw in some Mozart or Wagner. If the teacher or the student is really ambitious, they might attempt Rachmaninoff, Brahms and Liszt.

    Music teachers have shifted to a more interesting take on learning music. Today’s kids don’t want to learn classical music (at least I never did as a teenager; although I have an appreciation for it now) and musicians like Lindsey Stirling and the 2 Cellos are making more current music popular are typical classical instruments.

    Instead of focusing on classical music, students can examine a broad range of choices. Everything from rock and roll to country to video games. The use of more enticing music means a student is more interested in practicing and playing.

    By giving students options for their music, teachers have opened a whole door into not only new students, but new avenues for expression.

  • Interview with a Student: Arianna

    I recently sat down with Arianna, a student and lab attendant here at MTMS who began lessons in 2011 when she was just 7 years old. She is a pianist who has participated in many performance opportunities and ensemble classes in her time here. I asked her what some of her favorite memories are from over the years. “Definitely the great teachers I have had. They helped me with both the technique and artistry components of piano playing. I also had a lot of fun with my band, Gum!”

    I remember Arianna telling me from the time she was 11 years old that she wanted to work here one day. It’s easy to see the love she has for music and learning. I asked her about the impact that this school has had on her. “I have learned a lot about music theory from the computer lab. Learning how chords work helps me understand harmonies when I’m playing in an ensemble. I have also learned over time in my lessons how to really play musically, not just how to play the notes.”

    We hired Arianna as one of our computer lab attendants in December 2017. When I asked her about the opportunities MTMS has provided her with, she said that getting hired here was definitely the biggest. But she also told me that she really learned how to express herself here. Through all her recitals and performances over the years, we have watched Arianna grow as a musician. “Music has become a really big part of my life,” she said to me. “I think it really has shaped who I have become as a person.”

    We want to hear from you too! Post a review on Google or our Facebook page to tell us what MTMS means to you.

    Musically,
    Katie Ball, Lab Lead

  • 12 Days of Christmas: “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”

    This one is my gift to all of you. 🙂 The song was originally by sung Judy Garland in “Meet Me in St. Louie”. Whenever I sing a Christmas set list, I close with this song, featuring simple solo vocals and acoustic guitar.

    Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
    Have yourself a merry little Christmas
    Let your heart be light
    From now on, our troubles will be out of sight

    Have yourself a merry little Christmas
    Make the yuletide gay
    From now on, our troubles will be far away

    Here we are, as in olden days
    Happy golden days of yore
    Faithful friends who are dear to us
    Gather near to us once more

    Through the years we all will be together
    If the fates allow
    Hang a shining star upon the highest bow
    And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

    Enjoy.

  • 12 Days of Christmas: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” by Jack Johnson

    This is a simple arrangement of Rudolph played on a lead guitar, an acoustic guitar, and some quiet percussion, featuring a head-nodding accent on beats 2 and 4. But the best part of the song is the extra verse at the end, where the reindeer actually apologize to poor Rudy.

    Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer

    Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
    Had a very shiny nose
    And if you ever saw it
    You would even say it glows

    All of the other reindeer
    Used to laugh and call him names
    They never let poor Rudolph
    Join in any reindeer games

    Then one foggy Christmas eve
    Santa came to say:
    “Rudolph with your nose so bright
    Won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?”

    Then how the reindeer loved him
    As they shouted out with glee
    “Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
    you’ll go down in history.”

    Well Rudolph he didn’t go for that
    He said “I see through your silly games”
    How could you look me in the face
    When only yesterday you called me names?

    Well all of the other reindeers, man,
    well they sure did feel ashamed,
    “Rudolph you know we’re sorry,
    we’re truly gonna try to change.”

    Enjoy:

  • 12 Days of Christmas: “O Holy Night” by BarlowGirl

    Chick rock! This three-sister band is awesome to watch at a live concert, because they rotate instruments and all play everything with equal proficiency. They use a lot of synthesizer to create the orchestral sound in addition to the drums, driving rock guitar, bass, and amazing vocal harmonies. I love how the piece alternates from calm to crazy and back to calm, such as the riffs at 1:34, 1:55, etc. They’re queens of incredible harmonies, like the floating descant at 2:00 and the rich alto at 2:37.

    O Holy Night

    O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
    It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.
    Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
    Till He appear’d and the soul felt its worth.
    A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
    For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

    Fall on your knees! O, hear the angel voices!
    O night divine, O night when Christ was born,

    Truly He taught us to love one another,
    His law is love and His gospel is peace.
    Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother,
    And in His name all oppression shall cease.
    Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
    Let all within us praise His holy name.

    Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
    His power and glory evermore proclaim.

    Fall on your knees! O, hear the angel voices!
    O night divine, O night when Christ was born,
    O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

    Enjoy: