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Greetings!
I hope this newsletter finds you all settling into the new school year, and enjoying this gorgeous Connecticut weather. We have all sorts of new things happening at Musicmakers that you'll read about in this newsletter.
As a parent to 2 budding musicians (ages 6 and 10) myself, I understand fully what it is like to juggle school, commitments, practice, housework, not to mention career! It is definitely a challenge, but one well worth it. There is no greater investment than the time, energy, and money we put into our children's development. No investment comes near it in terms of long-term reach and fulfillment. See this month's featured article The Magic Formula to learn more about how to set up your children for success.
Please also read on for important information on all of our programs!
Enjoy the newsletter...if you should have any questions or comments, please let me know!
At your service always,
Paula Penna, MMed., BMus.
Director, MusicMakers Academy
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October Mu$ic Money Activity:
Fall for Halloween--Spooky Sounds Month!
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Congratulations to all of you who participated in the September Bring a Friend Month! We gave out over $2000 in Music Money in September, and made some very nice new friends!
In October we will discover how to make "Spooky Sounds" with our instruments or voice! Complete any or all of the following activities:
1. Find out how your instrument is made. Show and explain how you can use it to make spooky sounds.
2. Most Halloween and "spooky" music is written using the Minor scales. Your teacher will show you what that means, and you will play an ear training game where you will identify minor sounds and major sounds.
3. Write your own song for Halloween! Play it for your teacher.
Each task is worth $25 in Mu$ic Money. Complete all three tasks for a bonus $25!
Remember to complete the form at the bottom of this newsletter and have your teacher sign it, then return to the office in the black mailbox next to the office door.
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Mini-MusicMakers Music Pups Expands!
Birth-5 Family Style Music Classes
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Our Fall Lion Collection classes are now underway! We have classes in Manchester, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, and West Hartford now! In addition we have teamed up with the Green Street Arts Center (part of Wesleyan University) in Middletown! We are providing their Music Pups class (called Music Alive!) there on Saturday mornings. We are also providing the Sound Habits/Sound Beginnings keyboard class there, as well! You are always welcome to visit a class for free at any of our locations. Please see below for the Free Class Pass coupon. Visit our website at http://www.musicmakersacademy.com for more information and to register online. The best compliments are your referrals! Refer someone to our Mini-MusicMakers classes and receive a $10 credit when they register! Need to schedule a makeup or absence? Please remember to log on to the music class website...it's convenient, fast, and easy and you won't have to wait for our business hours to take care of it! Your username is your phone number; password is your last name.
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| Things to Do Around Town This Month (and beyond!) |
Want to excite and motivate your child (or yourself!) to practice more? Make it relevant by exposing them to live musical performances on instruments and voice.
Hartford offers a bustling arts scene, and lots and lots of musical performances, activities, exhibits, shows, and special events for kids.
The best site to start with when trying to find something musical to do with your family is the Greater Hartford Arts Council at http://www.letsgoarts.org. You will find a calendar and links on their page.
Making it a habit to attend live music programs will make a big difference in the student's motivation to practice, enjoy and live music!
--Thank you to teacher Maria Yates for the tip on this website! |
| Sound Beginnings Recitals! |
Our Sound Beginnings Keyboard Classes, a parent/child partnered class for children ages 4-6 is well underway! We are in Book 1/CD 1 and learning our basics.
The 10-week recitals will be held as following:
Tuesday night 6pm class recital--November 13th
Saturday morning 11:15am recital--December 1st
These first recitals are very informal and just allow everyone to get used to the idea of playing in front of their peers.
Please bring a small snack to share after the recital. See your teachers, Miss Rebecca Francis and Miss Janice Bishop for questions. |
| Master Classes and Parent Workshops November 16-17
Private Lessons--All Ages! |
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The Voice Master Class will be held on Friday, November 16th from 6pm-8pm. All instrumental Master Classes will be held throughout the day on Saturday, November 17th.
Please sign up for your preferred class time on our bulletin board. If you are a lessons at home student, you may email Tina directly at tina@musicmakersacademy.com
Your master classes are an integral part of our Comprehensive Music Learning approach and are already included in your tuition. Please don't miss them! Most classes are between 1 hour 15 minutes long and 2 hours long. Students play for each other informally and learn how to critique each others' playing, as well as gain insight from the faculty members on how they can improve. At the end, students play games to win prizes!
Attendance at master classes is worth $200 in Mu$ic Money! If the parents attend the parent workshop, the students get another $200 in Mu$ic Money!
Parent Workshops are held at the same time as your child's master class. These are very informative, and Paula will work with you on how to help your child to get the most of lessons, practice, building a routine, understanding the big picture, and anything else you would like to know more about (using your computer to help with music lessons, etc). You also have the opportunity to talk with the other parents and give each other wonderful ideas! | |
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The MusicMakers Academy is in it's 10 year of providing comprehensive music instruction to our community. Our teachers are all degreed professionals who love to work with children and families.
Please let us know how we can be of better service to you!
Sincerely,
Paula Penna
MusicMakers Academy
"Your referrals are our greatest compliment!"
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| Featured Article |
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The "Magic Formula"
by Paula Penna, MMEd., BMus.
WOW!!!!
What if I told you that I could give you a "magic" formula for your children to be highly successful and HAPPY in their lives?
Using this formula would result in your child:
- Scoring much higher on the SAT exam
- Staying away from alchol, drugs, and substance abuse
- Winning academic prizes such as the prestigious Westinghouse Award in math and science.
- Getting into better colleges..on scholarships!
- Earning more money in their lifetime
- Enjoying a more fulfilling career
- Having more successful personal and business relationships
- Raising their own children (and their children's children) to have all of the above, too
Now, that's a pretty potent formula, if you ask me. Certainly, one from which I want my own children to benefit! What is that "Magic" formula? Actively participating in music through the study of an instrument!
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New Feature!
Used Instrument
and
Sheet Music
Exchange
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Do you have a used instrument or used sheet music that you no longer want?
Do you need to buy an instrument, but not sure where to start?
You are welcome to put up a flyer on our bulletin board at MusicMakers!
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Practice Tip
of
the Month
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Learning to quickly and accurately identify the musical notes in your music is like learning the alphabet...it is a building block needed in order to be a proficient reader!
Drilling the notes can be a boring and tedious task for most music students.
Why not make it fun?
Try these games:
- Practice your song from the last note, backwards to the first note. Identify each note by singing out loud as you play
- Go on to the MusicMakers website and use our online practice games! You can find the link on the home page!
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