| Latest Press | |
Are Uke Crazy?!?
If you haven't heard, many people are pretty crazy about ukuleles these days. In fact, many music stores are having a hard time getting enough of them to sell! So, what's behind the sudden surge in people learning to play the ukulele? Some experts believe it's because the price of the instrument is affordable during a time when the economy is tough, while others believe it has to do with the portability of the small four-string, Hawaiian guitar-like instrument. With less than a hundred dollars in your pocket and a little bit of practice, you could be part of this craze, too! Besides, rumor has it that you can't play a ukulele without smiling (just look at the kid in the picture above...looks like he's rockin')!
Buying a Legacy (and I'm not talking about Harley Davidson)
Last week a big change took place in the music industry. If you're a drummer (of any sort), you've probably heard of Vic Firth and Zildjian, the former a renowned drumstick manufacturer and the latter a well-respected cymbal producer. What you may not have known is on December 20, 2010, Zildjian announced that they were merging with Vic Firth. According to Mr. Vic Firth himself, president of the drumstick manufacturer, "Our businesses share common values, a passion for manufacturing, and a similar approach to how we do business. This union represents a unique opportunity to leverage our respective leadership positions in the drumstick and cymbal categories." As for the rest of us, we'll keep thanking them for the excellent products they manufacture!
In Our Next Issue...
While you're busy reading this Ezine, several Samuel Music employees will be flying to Anaheim, California, to meet with vendors and manufacturers in an attempt to find new products, new ideas, and more information about the instruments you play! So, stay tuned (pun intended)! We should have lots of new product information to share with you next month!!
Do you "like" us?
If you haven't "liked" us on Facebook yet, be sure to get on it! Why? Well, let's just say we give away FREE items and run FUN contests on our Facebook page. Who doesn't like things that are FREE and FUN?!? |
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 New Year = New Resolutions! Tired of running on a treadmill every January only to hop off of it by February? Time to try something new! This year, resolve to stop dreaming about the instrument you've always wanted to play and start doing it! At Samuel Music, we offer a variety of music lessons. So, if your Christmas carols didn't sound quite as nice as you thought they would or if your little drummer boy was a bit off beat this holiday season, try a few lessons! Next year, you'll be looking forward to hearing holiday music!
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| Giggin' Bands in Your Area | |
1/08/11 - Get Shorty at Luke's Bar & Grill in Altamont, IL - 9 pm
1/08/11 - Achtung Baby (A Tribute to U2) at Canopy Club in Champaign, IL - 7:30 pm
1/11/11 - The Piano Man at Canopy Club in Champaign, IL - time TBA
1/15/11 - Get Shorty at Johnny's Bar & Grill in Effingham, IL - 9 pm
1/15/11 - Goodbye Fairbanks at Mike N' Molly's in Champaign, IL - 10 pm
1/15/11 - Verdict at Canopy Club in Champaign, IL - time TBA
1/17/11 - Cody Canada & The Departed at Canopy Club in Champaign, IL - 7 pm
1/21/11 - The BluPrint at Marly's Pub in Springfield, IL - 10 pm
1/22/11 - Jet W. Lee at Mike N' Molly's in Champaign, IL - 10 pm
Every Tuesday - Texas Rangers at Marly's Pub in Springfield, IL, - 9 pm |
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 | TEACHERS & TAXES! |
 The federal government may call their income tax form a 1040EZ, but it's not quite as easy as the name implies! Yes, it's January, and although we here at Samuel Music are winding down from the Christmas season, everyone at home is beginning to get tax forms in the mail. Are you a teacher? Have you ever wondered if you qualify for deductions because you're a teacher? If you answered 'yes' to both of these questions, then we have a workshop for you! At 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 19, join Marsha Pederson, a CPA from Kemper CPA Group LLP, along with other area teachers to determine deductions you may qualify for and to ask questions about how teaching and taxes are related. The workshop will take place in our Effingham location (registration begins at 9:45 a.m.). Oh, and don't worry, it's FREE!!!
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They're Going to State
(and we'll be there, too)!
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It's a big deal when a sports team makes it to the state playoffs, but at Samuel Music, it's an even bigger deal when area students qualify for the Illinois Music Educator's Association (IMEA) All-State Band and Chorus! After arduous practice and performing in front of judges, only a select number of students get the opportunity to spend time rehearsing and playing/singing a concert with some of the best junior high and high school musicians in the area. This year's All-State Conference will be held from January 26-January 29 at the Peoria, IL, Civic Center.
CONGRATULATIONS to all students who will be attending the conference and THANK YOU to all area band directors for supporting our future musicians!
If you, or someone you know, will be in attendance at the conference, be sure to stop by our booth! We'll be there supporting you and your efforts! |
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Previously Played Pianos | |
Who wants to get out of the house during the cold winter months only to trample through the wet snow and slick streets to look at a piano? Not you? We didn't think so...and we knew that! Instead, you can access our previously owned piano gallery online! Whether you're
interested in pictures, the features of a piano, or have questions about pianos, this site can be your guide. So, grab your blanket, sit by the fire, make some hot chocolate, and click here to do some browsing! Think of it as window shopping without the boots, hats, gloves, scarves, and ice scrapers! Sounds easy? It is!
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 | Changing Times | With the start of the new year, we're changing our store hours! As of January 1, 2011, store hours for every location will be as follows:
Monday through Thursday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
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Whether you're a beginner, gigger, weekend warrior, or professional musician, we thank you for business and for sharing your talents with those in our community. Hats off to a new year and a prosperous 2011!
Liz Emmerich
Samuel Music Company |
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