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!