Great Job at Cumberland Point

I'm so proud of the six students who were able to play in our fall piano recital! The other 5 really missed out, so we'll have to do this type of recital again sometime.

This year, we decided to have our recital at Cumberland Point, a local nursing home. This was just a fantastic opportunity for everyone, encouraging the idea of using your talents to serve others. Christmas is a perfect time to do that, and the residents at Cumberland absolutely loved the recital. In fact, I was held up for quite a bit after the recital so they could all tell me!!

Each of the students introduced themselves and played two pieces: one of their favorites from the semester, and one Christmas tune. After everyone was finished, we walked around to greet the residents and hand them all a Christmas card. The residents were absolutely thrilled by this and it was a great start to their Christmas season. I talked to a few who didn't think they'd be getting any visitors at Christmas, so this just made their day.

I'm so proud of my students, and I really think they learned some unique lessons at this recital. They learned that it's okay to make a mistake or two in a performance because playing piano is not about perfection, but enjoyment....I think the residents at Cumberland gave them a totally new perspective by showing how much they enjoyed the music. My hope is that they will grow more in their personal enjoyment of music as a result of seeing how much others enjoy it when they play.

The students also learned that playing piano shouldn't always be centered around winning awards and medals, but about serving. Music can cheer up anyone's day, and these students proved that on Thursday night at the nursing home.

Two more weeks of lessons, and then it's CHRISTMAS BREAK!!! Bring on the Christmas carols!

AIM Success!!

November 21st's AIM Festival has come and gone and I couldn't be more proud of my students who participated! I currently have 7 well deserved certificates and medals sitting on our dining room table waiting to be awarded!

Congratulations to Rebekah, Gage, Courtney, Andrew, Jane, Miriam, and Sam on a job well done! You worked hard and it paid off.

Each student was tested in their keyboard technique skills, aural theory, written theory, sightplaying, and repertoire, and all received excellent reviews from the judges. They will receive the judge's comment sheets from each of these areas, along with the certificate and medal.

I believe playing in the AIM Festival was an invaluable experience for everyone, and look forward to entering again next fall. What was your favorite part about the event? Comments welcome! Congratulations again!!!!

Wabash Valley Youth Symphony

The WVYS is opening it's tenth season with an autumn concert on November 22nd at 7:30 at the Long Center in Lafayette. This is a FREE concert and open to the public.

From the director, Zachary Carrettin:

We’re very excited to feature special guest pianist Ian Hobson in Mozart's piano concerto K. 414. Ian Hobson is a musician of tremendous versatility who has earned an international reputation as a pianist, conductor, and educator. Working with an artist such as Ian Hobson provides the students with an exceptional experience and important musical challenge.

Born in Wolverhampton, England, Hobson studied music at the Royal Academy of Music and Cambridge University in England, and at Yale University in the United States. His international career was launched in 1981 when he won First Prize at the Leeds International Piano Competition, having already garnered silver medals at both the Artur Rubinstein and Vienna-Beethoven competitions.

The students will also be performing Mendelssohn Sinfonia No.10 for strings and Brahms Symphony No. 2.

I have a few piano students and other friends who play in this orchestra, so come on out and support our young musicians of Lafayette! Your sure to hear some beautiful orchestral music.

Lafayette Symphony Orchestra

The LSO is performing their annual Keller Concert on Saturday, November 21st at 7:30. This will take place at the Long Center for the Performing Arts. If you didn't receive this already at your lesson, I've got some vouchers for discounted tickets to this concert! Tickets will only be $5 if you bring the coupon, and you can get up to 4 tickets per coupon.

The concert features Christopher Park on piano, Sarah Leeper with voice, and Lydia Umlauf on violin. It should be a great time, so come on out to the concert after the AIM festival!

AIM Performance Times

I'm excited that 8 out of 11 of my students are performing in the AIM festival this year on November 21st! We only have about 1 or 2 lessons before the big day, so keep working hard! I received everyone's performance times in the mail last week, and have been giving them out this week. If you don't know your performance time or if you have questions about it, please let me know A.S.A.P!! Remember to be there about 10 minutes early with all your music.

Preparations are underway and I'm confident that everyone will do a fantastic job!

Plan to attend our fall recital!

Where?

George Davis Manor
1051 Cumberland Ave.
West Lafayette, IN 47906

When?

Thursday, December 3rd
Arrive at 6:30, recital begins at 7:00
We'll be done by 7:45

Why?

To perform what you've worked so hard on, and to give the residents a special treat as Christmas approaches! The will be encouraged :)

What should I play?

Each student will play two pieces: one holiday tune, and one other favorite piece from your lessons this semester. Music does NOT need to be memorized, but is encouraged. I can help you pick your pieces in the coming weeks.

What should I bring?

Each student should bring 1 or 2 handmade Christmas cards to give to the residents. After our recital, we will have some time to greet the residents and encourage them with a card!

Questions?

Ask away! janetwhipple@comcast.net

Jeremy Denk Masterclass and Concert

On Saturday, October 24th from 5:00-7:00 p.m., pianist Jeremy Denk will be doing a masterclass with a few area students. It will take place at First Baptist Church at 7th and North Streets in Lafayette. (across from the Wells Center). There's plenty of parking in the lot at the back of the church, and the program is free and co-sponsored by TMTA and Purdue Convocations. You'll learn a lot, and get to see and hear this wonderful pianist and his thoughts on performing. An opportunity to attend something like this is pretty rare, so plan to come!

Wondering what a masterclass is? It's when a highly esteemed (in other words, an expert!!) pianist/teacher comes to listen to students perform some music. Then, in effect, he teaches a piano lesson in front of the audience. It is insightful not only to the student performing, but also to the audience as they can learn techniques for their own playing, as well as listen to music from the artist himself.

Then, on Sunday, October 25th, Jeremy Denk will be performing at 3:00 at the Loeb Playhouse at Purdue University. He will be performing pieces that celebrate the 200th birthday of Frederic Chopin. According to Purdue Convocations, “Denk’s program will examine some of Chopin’s most significant compositions as well as the extraordinary impact these works have had on the ensuing repertoire of the piano.” Click on Purdue Convocations for more information and ticket prices or call the Purdue Box Office for tickets (494-3933).

Students of any age and level will not want to miss either of these events!

Halloween Pops Concert - October 18th

Just letting you know of a great opportunity to enjoy some quality music in Lafayette. On October 18th at 2:30 p.m., the Purdue Philharmonic Orchestra is performing a Halloween Pops Concert at the Long Center. This event is sure to be fun, and it is FREE!!

Fall Recital - input needed!!!

I'm in the midst of planning our fall recital, and we're going to do something a little bit different this year. I'd love for the students to learn the importance of using their talents for others, and I can't think of a better way to do that then for them to perform for the elderly at a nursing home. George Davis Manor in West Lafayette would LOVE to hear the students play and have given me three dates to work with. Here's where YOU come in! Let me know which of the three dates would absolutely NOT work for you. We need everyone to be there and participate!

Thurdsay night, December 3rd

Sunday afternoon, December 13th

Saturday morning/afternoon December 19th

I'm really looking forward to this opportunity! This will be a laid back recital in which students can play one or two pieces each: something they've been working on throughout the semester, as well as a holiday tune. Students can also choose to play from memory or with their music! It should be a great time and hopefully an encouragement to the folks in the nursing home.

AIM Registration

By now, you all should've received the AIM Registration form at your lessons. Don't forget, I need to have those mailed to the committee by October 24th, so you need to get them to me no later than October 15th!

Like I said earlier, AIM is one of my very favorite events of the year because it is so well-rounded. We all excel in certain areas of music, and possibly struggle in others, so this is a great event for anyone to succeed in. Each student plays 2 pieces, one of them from memory. They'll also need to prepare a technique study and technique skills (scales, arpeggios....it varies according to level), and be ready for a short theory and sightreading test. Sign up as soon as possible so we can have everything ready in plenty of time!

AIM Festival - Achievement in Music

Ready for our first performance of the year?!! The annual AIM festival is coming soon on November 21st, so check your binders for registration information next week! This event is put on by the Indiana Music Teachers Association, and more specifically, our local group, Tippecanoe Music Teachers Association. This is probably my favorite event of the whole year! Any student can participate and the experience is very rewarding. You'll come out with some great evaluations, certificates, and even a medal (if you practice, of course)! Here's a description straight from the manual:

The AIM Festival presents a unique opportunity for the students. It is a non-competitive event that allows almost any child to participate. Compared to other piano events, participating students received a much greater quantity of feedback from several different evaluators. Along with theory, students received written comments in the areas of repertoire, technique, sight-playing and keyboard skills. The evaluation scale (excellent, good, satisfactory, or needs work) places focus both on positive support and precise constructive criticism. This event provides reinforcement to the students for the essential study of comprehensive musicianship.

There are twelve levels in the AIM program and students can be entered at the level in which they currently are working. All students should be prepared in all areas of the AIM program, which include aural and written theroy, repertoire, technique/keyboard skills, and sight-playing.

The students participating should plan to be there for approximately one or two hours that day. The exact time will be determined after registrations are turned in and scheduled. The student' schedule will include assignment to different rooms.

I look forward to the next couple of months as we prepare for this great performance opportunity. Questions? Leave one in the comment section at the end of this post!

Welcome!

Welcome to the new studio blog! I hope this will be a great tool for my students and their parents to keep up to date on the happenings in piano lessons. The site is still under construction, but keep your eyes out for some new pages that will be added including: events, calendar, and tuition information.