Break is over! A new semester has begun! One of my goals as I start each new semester is to return to a “balanced” curriculum. I find that the END of a typical semester is full of performance-oriented teaching. Lesson time is consumed with fine-tuning repertoire and preparing for recitals, concerts and recording projects. For most students, the BEGINNING of a new semester does not bring with it those same … Continue reading
It’s the last week of the semester! The downtown holiday program has been performed! Wonderful Christmas music has been shared in group lessons! The last recordings for each student’s Christmas CD have been made, colorful covers added, and CDs placed under the Christmas tree ready for pick-up! We have just one lesson left before a two-week break, just enough time to accomplish….. hmmm, what are … Continue reading
As I was working on planning rhythm and movement activities for group lessons this month, I had the idea to tweak my usual (rather ho-hum) rhythmic dictation sheets and add a holiday theme: Both of these songs use half, quarter and pairs of eighth notes. In We Wish You a Merry Christmas, students only choose between quarter and eighth notes. In Up on the … Continue reading