Chelmsford Competitive Festival

This year the syllabus is not available online...However l have a PDF copy from the committee. If you would like a copy, email me. I will also be giving pupils photocopies in their lessons this week and next. Parents are responsible for entering their children for the relevant classes and the closing date is Sat 21st Sept and the piano classes are on Sat 16th Nov. The website has now been updated and has more information: http://www.chelmsfordcompetitivefestival.org/

New term's lesson start dates etc.

Hi everyone, I hope that you have enjoyed our lovely un-typical British summer and are refreshed and ready to begin piano lessons again. As I am out and about presenting for ABRSM, start times are slightly staggered and are as follows:

Moulsham High School pupils: start on Tues 17th Sept

Cathedral Primary School pupils: start on Wed 18th Sept (except Y5s who are away)

Private pupils: start on Mon 9th, Wed 11th,Thurs 12th, Tues 17th September.

Adult piano pupils: I will email you re individual times.

If you are due to take a grade exam this term remember to bring the fee. Also, if you have a burning desire to perform a piece (or two), check out the Chelmsford Competitive Festival of Music and Drama syllabus- available from Daces Music Shop. We will discuss exams, competitions and future directions in all lessons.

I have some exciting ideas and challenges for you this year so keep an eye on this blog. I am looking forward to seeing you all again and hearing you play- remember your music!

Diploma congratulations!

Congratulations to Liz Seward who has passed her Dip ABRSM in Piano Teaching. This diploma involved a piece of written work on an area of piano teaching, playing and explaining how to teach grade 6 pieces, a Quick Study at sight of grade 6 standard and a Viva Voce on just about every aspect of the written work and teaching! Liz did really well and is going from strength to strength as a teacher.

Congratulations also to Josephine Southon who has passed her DipLCM in piano performing. Josie managed this at the same time as taking her A levels and passing her grade 8 flute! She intends to go to university to study music.
Performing diplomas are professional qualifications and although they are a possible next step after grade 8, they are a significant step up and include a 15-20 mins programme of performing, a written programme, a viva vice and a quick study or sight reading. Teaching, conducting and accompanying diplomas are also available. Any diploma entails a serious commitment in time, practising and preparation. Josie has done seriously well!

End of year round-up and exam congratulations!

Congratulations to Daisy, Leo, Elinor and Ben who took their Prep Tests and ABRSM Grade exams. Daisy and Leo had lovely Prep test reports and got them presented in The Cathedral School Achievers' Assembly last week. Elinor achieved a high merit for her grade 4  and Ben got a distinction for his. Hooray all round. If you want to know more about ABRSM exams click on this link: http://gb.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/#

Well done to all of you who have played, progressed, performed and enjoyed your piano playing this year. Do look at the previous post on Holiday Piano Ideas and have a think about what you would like to achieve next year.

Many thanks for all the lovely comments, cards and presents you have given me but especially thanks for making my job such fun! Have a great summer.

Holiday Piano Ideas!

Holiday Piano Ideas! for when you are bored or just want to explore music and the piano a little bit more.

·        Play a concert; choose an easy piece, a well-known piece and a fun piece. You can invite family and friends and design and print a programme for it.

·        Find out about one of your favourite composers. Write a potted biography of them and include: their dates of birth and death, where they lived, 3 interesting facts (did they like a certain food, have red hair etc), what kind of music they wrote, what instruments they wrote for or why you like their music.

·        Try some of the ideas here: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3DHQxvhiWDfVGFoWHNQVnFuWkE/edit

·        Look ahead and try the next pieces in your book, listen to them on Spotify or YouTube and Do It Yourself!

·        Try getting ahead with music theory- look on my Pinterest Boards for games to help with this: http://pinterest.com/fionalau/boards/

 

·        Find a piano playing friend and play some easy peasy duets with them

·        Teach your parents or your younger brothers and sisters an easy tune from your first books.

·        Go to a concert- there are some Proms for children and some free ones!

·        Try a new instrument- recorder is cheap and easy.

·        Compose a tune for piano based on one of your favourite pieces.

·        Find some new cool piano apps, try them out and come back and tell me all about them.

·        Teach yourself to play a favourite TV or film theme tune by ear, or crack Happy Birthday!

·        Video yourself playing a piece and upload it to YouTube or send it to me and I will put it on my blog!

·        Visit somewhere musical in the holidays- Handel House in London or a famous concert hall, write a newspaper style report or blog about it.(send it to me and I will put it on my blog)

·        Enjoy your Summer!

A huge thank you!

A huge thank you to everyone who performed last night on piano, harp, cornet, flute, clarinet, violin or voice. You all did very well and I enjoyed hearing you play. Thank you as well to parents, grandparents, siblings and friends who accompanied, encouraged practice and delivered everyone to lessons and rehearsals.
Our hosts, The Salvation Army, were very impressed and asked if they could invite the older members of their congregation next time, so let me know what you think about that. More people to applaud sounds good to me but have a think and tell me your thoughts.
Once again thank you for a lovely summer's evening of music.

Summer Piano and Instrumental Concert

Concert Details:

On: Friday 21st June
At: The Salvation Army Hall, Baddow Road, Chelmsford (parking available nearby in The Meadows car park)
Time: 7.30-9pm
Admission: £1 per non-playing adult, 50p per non-playing child

All welcome, including performers families, and past and present pupils.

If you haven't yet confirmed that you are playing, please ring or email me asap so that I can finalise the programme.
On the day: remember your music, wear what feels reasonably smart and comfortable and enjoy playing the lovely Kawai grand piano and the great acoustic. I look forward to hearing you play!