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Greetings!
Welcome to the HALFWAY point in the Fall semester! Our semester started the day after Labor Day and ends on January 26th. The Spring semester starts on January 27th! Can you believe how quickly time flies?
And, welcome to all of our new students: Kaila, Joann, Cynthia, Amy, Megan, Emily. And, our students from Simsbury's Emek Shalom Early Childhood Center, Mother Goose Nursery School, and Middletown's Music Alive/Mini-MusicMakers classes!
The Most Exciting News is that we are MOVING!!!!! See the article "MusicMakers is Moving" in this newsletter.
Believe it or not, we are already beginning to register for the Spring semester!
And, don't miss out on our popular Performing Arts Workshops (camps, really) in February! We'll be registering for those shortly.
Enjoy the newsletter. It is full of important information, so please grab a beverage, relax, and read. Let me know if you have any questions, comments, or ideas!
And, if you know of someone (friend, family member, neighbor, hairdresser, pediatrician, teacher, workout partner, coworker) who could benefit from the information here, please feel free to forward this email (see below).
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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Master Classes and Parent Workshops
November 16-17
Private Lessons--All Ages! |
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. Parents: Don't forget to sign up for the Parent Workshops, held at the same time as your child's master class. Please take this 10 second survey: SURVEY
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.comNeed the schedule of master class day? Please click here: Master Class Info
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!
The Music Store will be open during master classes! Bring your Music Money with you and redeem for cool toys and books!
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! |
November Mu$ic Money Activity:
Let's Give Thanks!
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Congratulations to all of you who participated in the October Music Money activity! It was wonderfully spooky around MusicMakers hearing all of your spooky sounds and compositions!
For November, Let's Give Thanks by completing the following:
1. Write a letter to your parents telling them why you are thankful for music. Younger children who cannot yet write may tell their parents why they are thankful, what they like, and what they enjoy the most about it.
2. Write a letter to your private music teacher telling them why you are thankful for your lessons, for your teacher, and your music.
3. Write a letter to your music teacher at school telling them why you like music, what your favorite activities are, and what you like about them. We will collect these and send them as a gift to your teacher!
Each activity is worth $25 Music Money! Complete all 3 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
December "Rainbow" classes!
Winter "Bunny" classes just a "hop" away!
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Mini-MusicMakers Music Pups is a FUN, family style music and movement class for children ages 0-5 with their caregiver. Not only is it fun, but it provides a great foundation for children to build up their musical aptitude and brain development, all while bonding with mom or dad! Our Fall Lion Collection classes are coming to an end, but there are Rainbows and Bunnies just around the corner! See our website for details on Rainbow session classes this December, as well as our Winter bunny sessions which begins in January. Classes are now held in Manchester, South Windsor, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Simsbury, and Middletown (new!)! Please Note: Middletown is not offering Winter Bunny. If you would like to take Bunny, please register at one of our other locations. You can now register online for your classes (only for Manchester, Rocky Hill, and South Windsor). Click HERE to register online using either a credit card or check online. You can also register over the phone by calling us at 860-646-3096. Simsbury and West Hartford classes should register by calling the JCC (info on our website at the link above). Middletown students should register through the Green Street Arts Center (info on our website at the link above). 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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Musical Things to Do:
NY Philharmonic Young People's Concerts!
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 New York City is only a few hours away, and houses one of the world's greatest orchestras in history: the NY Philharmonic.
For 83 years the NYPhil has been offering the Young People's Concerts on Saturday mornings for children ages 5-12 and their families. For many years it was hosted by Leonard Bernstein. This season is Music 4 Power of Music series: Music 4 Dance, Music 4 Song, Music 4 Story, Music 4 Imagination.
November 10th starts this season with Music 4 Dance, and it is a lively 60 minute interactive program where children and adults will explore rhythm. Before concert time, you can explore the Philharmonic Kidzone, where kids can play instruments, games, and learn about sound hands-on. Check out the kidzone online at: http://www.nyphilkids.org
From the http://www.nyphil.org website:
"It's all around you. You're surrounded by the building blocks of music:
the rhythm of your heartbeat, the melody of a songbird, the
kaleidoscope of sounds from soft to loud and high to low that fill life
in the city. In the hands of a talented composer, though, something
mysterious happens: these building blocks become glorious music. Music is motion. Find out how rhythm and pulse get us all
moving, with music from Dvorak and Bach to Bernstein, Ravel, and Derek
Bermel."
Making it a habit to attend music programs will make a big difference in the student's motivation to practice, enjoy and live music!
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| 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 27th
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. | |
FREE
Class
Pass
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Mini-MusicMakers Music Pups
Laugh! Play! Sing! Dance! Chant! Tickle! Hug! Learn!These are only some of the things you'll be doing with your child at our Mini-MusicMakers Music Pups Classes! We are SO sure you'll love it, that we invite you to try out a class for FREE! For classes currently being offered, please see our registration website at http://www.themusicclass.com.Please call the ofice at 860-646-3096 or email paulap@musicmakersacademy.com to schedule your visit. Please note that we limit visitors per class so we are not overcrowded, so call now to make your plans. For more information on our Mini-MusicMakers program, including virtual classes you can view online, samples of our music, pictures please visit the MusicMakers Academy website at http://www.musicmakersacademy.com. Please present this coupon when you attend your free class, and feel free to forward this email to a friend, using the link below!
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MINI-MUSICMAKERS MUSIC PUPS!
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November
Mu$ic
Money
Form
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Student Name: __________________________________________
Teacher Name: ___________________________________________
Date: __________________________
Activities completed (teacher sign next to those completed):
$25 Write a letter to your school music teacher ____________________
$25 Write a letter to your MusicMakers teacher ___________________________________
$25 Write a letter to your parents __________________________________
$25 Did you complete all three activities? YES NO
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Offer Expires: December 1, 2007
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The MusicMakers Academy is a division of MusicMakers, LLC, a company devoted to the advancement of music education as an art, craft and science and to the continuing training and promotion of professional music educators. The MusicMakers Academy provides lessons, classes, workshops, parent education classes, and school programs. We are in our 10th 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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MusicMakers is Moving
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INTRODUCING:
MusicMakers Academy
at
The Victorian
Our NEW HOME will be at 517 Hartford Road. It is a beautiful, large 1905 Victorian home! We have respectfully named it "The Victorian." Our studios will be significantly bigger, more soundproof, with more classroom space and office space, as well.
We will be moving in on or around December 1st. I am very busy this month preparing the home for your arrival. I cannot wait to welcome you there!
This move allows us to expand all of our programs, add new faculty, and provide new programs and classes to accomodate all of your needs.
Here's a preview of what is to come:
Performing Arts camps will be indoor/outdoor, using our new campus of over 1 acre of land. We will be adding in an art component, as well. We will have separate camps for tweens and teens, too!
Lessons will integrate more computer technology
Parents and students will have access to snacks and drinks in our kitchen.
While waiting for your child, you may wish to lounge on our wraparound porch, or out back in the gazebo near the waterfall and pond. We will have two levels of waiting areas inside, as well.
We will be fully Wi-Fi capable, so you can be productive while waiting for your lessons.
More recitals will be inhouse, in our elegant Grand Room.
The grandroom and kitchen will be available for small, elegant holiday and office parties. Need music? Just ask!
We'll keep you updated on the move!
If you are interested in helping with fix ups, aesthetics, etc, please let Paula know. We can sure use your help!
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| Featured Article |
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Have an Attitude of Gratitude!
by Paula Penna, MMEd., BMus.
During the month of November, I encourage you to try this exercise. You can't help but feel happier, better organized, and calmer.
Here is the exercise: Every morning upon awaking, ignoring the calls and pleas for "mommmmmyyyyy!" for just a minute, think of 3 things for which you are grateful. Smile, even if you force yourself! (Smiling has the physical affect of making you feel happier!) The cool thing is this: once you think of 3 things, you'll think of 20 others. It's magical.
This is not an easy world through which to navigate, and in my opinion we need as many coping tools as possible. As parents who are actively involved in our children's education, we can't help but feel overwhelmed, especially during the holiday season, as we try to keep on top of school, music lessons, sports, and all the other things which bid for our time.By managing yourself, and taking care of YOUR needs, you are better able to take care of the needs of those you love and whom depend on you. It's like what they say about oxygen masks on an airplane: put your own mask on first, and then help your child. Reversing that step can be fatal. Same with music lessons: by managing yourself first, you wil be better able to help your child take advantage of all of the life skills that the study of music affords:
Time management Perseverence
Goal setting/achieving
Discipline
Love of beauty
Coping skills
Organization
Ability to discern beauty
Recognize opposing viewpoints
The list can go on forever. Music is one of the rare, if not the ONLY, disciplines which takes us across so many journeys, all intertwined. And, at the same time we are creating beauty in a way that has never been done on earth before--we all bring our own touch to the instruments, our own fingerprint.
I am grateful for you, my students, and you...the parents of my students. For, through you I see the beauty of the world, the love of your children, the humanity, and the Attitude of Gratitude!
Thank you and have a Happy Thanksgiving!
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Instrument Exchange
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Kawai Piano: full upright, tuxedo black, 75th anniv. edition. Paid over $5000k. Asking $3500. Email Marge: marge.jordan@sbcglobal.net
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Do you have a musical item for sale? Please click on on this link to submit your item for inclusion in next month's newsletter:
Submit a listing
Items can be instruments, sheet music, books, accessories such as benches, music stands, metronomes, or even mp3 players, sound recorders, etc.
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| Quick Links |
Need an old coupon, free pass to class, or website link? View our new Email Archives! Click here
Register Now
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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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