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Teaching Piano Students How to Practice
It is that time of year when piano studios are waking up from the summer slumber. A key to success is teaching students how to practice. In fact, I think this is one of the most important things we teach students as this skill can be transferred to all areas of life. As you teach […]
Florence Foster Jenkins Movie
I am disappointed that the Hays AMC Theatre is not showing the Florence Foster Jenkins movie featuring Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant, and Simon Helberg. The movie opened this weekend. I was first introduced to her voice by my college roommate, Tracy Russell. It made me smile and laugh big time — in fact I don’t […]
Why I Love What I Do — Chamber Singer Jumpstart
Josh Tanguay of Clinical Associates of Hays led a two day team building workshop with the HHS Chamber Singers. Monday, Josh led the 28 students from experiencing frustration as a member of a dysfunctional team to experiencing the essential ingredients in a functional team. The importance of individual leadership, working together, and focusing on a […]
Monday Begins Chamber Singers Jumpstart Rehearsals…let the singing begin.
Everyone Sang BY SIEGFRIED SASSOON Everyone suddenly burst out singing; And I was filled with such delight As prisoned birds must find in freedom, Winging wildly across the white Orchards and dark-green fields; on – on – and out of sight. Everyone’s voice was suddenly lifted; And beauty came like the setting sun: My heart […]
You Can Store Your Steinway at My House Anytime
This guy sells used Steinway pianos. But instead of displaying them in a showroom, he finds volunteers to house the instruments in their homes or offices while he looks for a buyer. Check out the short interview.
Morten Lauridsen — An American Mystic
“A Mystic,” that is how musicologist Nick Strimple described composer Morten Lauridsen. The 2014 movie, Shining Night, is a window into the life of this American composer. Shining Night looks at Lauridsen’s relationship to art, nature, spirituality, and his love of poetry. The movie takes you to a cabin on Waldron Island and reveals deep […]
Jephtha This Weekend – Ad Astra Music Festival
The Ad Astra Music Festival concludes a very enjoyable 2016 season with the presentation of Handel’s Jephtha. Come and enjoy this suspenseful drama sung by the Ad Astra Chamber Choir and Festival Orchestra with some fantastic soloist. It will be presented two times this weekend.
Beethoven Portrait and an Old Piano
Another use for that old piano — Art! We took some tools like axes, hammers and saws, and invited a pianist to play one last song with that piano. During the pianist’s play, we took a piano apart. After five minutes it was impossible to play, because piano fell down. It was a little bit […]
Matlock Music Works Products Launch
I thought that finding sheet music online would be quick and easy, but I was wrong. I spend hours looking for the right piece of music in the right key for my students and then there is the process of getting the students to the right spot to purchase and download their music. I have become affiliated with several companies in order to simplify your search. Check out the Matlock Music Works Products Page or click on link below. (more…)
The Classical Music Scene is Changing — Ad Astra Music Festival in Russell, Kansas
While in Russell today working on a noisy piano pedal at the Deines Cultural Center, I had some extra time and walked down to a local coffee shop. There sat John Bitsas Ad Astra Young Artist bass-baritone who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Simpson College. John was there interviewing […]