I thought I would share with you a program that several students will give this afternoon. Eight students will play for one hour. I listed the source of the music by book. This music has been favorites of the students and they have been successful with these pieces.

Mount Rainier Chapter - Washington State Music Teachers Association - Music Teachers National Association

Betty Patnude Piano Studio
Saturday, April 26th, 2008 1PM - 2PM
Van Lierop’s Bulb Farm - Puyallup, WA 98372

Presenting - First Year Students: Diane Le Rebecca Bernsen Rachel Laher Jenna Nolasko Erica O’Laughlin - Paul Robinson
5th Year Student: Keigan Dravis
7th Year Student: Maria Cruse

Prelude No 7 in B minor (Chaconne) Robert D. Vandall
Prelude No 3 in E minor Robert D. Vandall
Maria Cruse

New England Memories Gayle Kowalchyk
Autumn in Vermont
Cape Cod Spring
Summer at Newport
Keigan Dravis

Fantastic Fingers Book 1 Christopher Goldston
+ Carousel Dreams
+ Winter Waltz
+ Lotus Blossoms
Rebecca Bernson

Finger Painting Book 1 Dennis Alexander
+ Sunday Swirl
+ Ancient Dance
Rachel Laher

Finger Painting Book 1 Dennis Alexander
+ Giggle Bugs
+ Hip Hop
+ Chocolate Fudge Swirls
+ Moonfinder
Jenna Nolasco

Piano Pieces & Puzzles Music:Al Rita - Words:Dan Rita
At the Barbershop
I Love My Pets
Our Animal Friends
Diane Le

Children’s Songs
+ Round and Round the Village
+ Some Folks Do
Paul Robinson

Prelude #1 Carolyn Miller
Spanish Nocturne Kathleen Massoud
Maria Cruse

Finger Painting Book 1 Dennis Alexander
+ Pepperoni March
+ Moonfinder
Rachel Laher

Children’s Songs
+ B-I-N-G-O
+ Pop Goes the Weasel
+ The Mulberry Bush
Erica O Laughlin

Piano Pieces & Puzzles Music:Al Rita - Words:Dan Rita
Here Comes a Rainbow
I Know the Way
Diane Le

By Christopher Goldston
+ Cossack March
+ Legend of the Cherokee
+ Frontier Hoedown
Rebecca Bernson

Castle Days Kathleen Massoud
Waterfall at Midnight Mike Springer
Maria Cruse

Sakura – Cherry Blossom Song Japan
+ Hava Nagila – Let’s Be Happy Lyrics: Nathanson - Music: Idelsohn
+ Rock Around the Clock Tonight W & M: Max C. Freedman & Jimmy DeKnight
Paul Robinson

Gossamer’s Groove Mike Springer
Keigan Dravis

Chanson Nancy Faber
Under Winter Stars Frank Levin
Maria Cruse

Thank You for Listening!

Betty, do tell us how it went, and all the best to your sudents. It sounds like a lovely program.

It was very enjoyable musically as several teachers brought students from 11 to 3:00. I had the 1-2:00 slot. The day was gorgeous and sunny, the scenery, flowering trees, tulips, spring garden, paved walkways, garden seating, and a retail gift shop with daffodils and tulips for sale, along with gift ware. Vibrant and fragrant. I had 7 students and they filled the playing time between 1:00PM and 2:01PM. How is that for planning a program time?

I will have to ask the students their opinions, but there were many smiles, and 5 of them were having their first recitals. Half of my studio had other plans for the day, and a few new students have been added in the last week, so we could do this again with another "cast" this summer.

The store gave every student participant during the whole day a wrapped bouquet of daffodils, to which I added a smiley have garden stake (small)for my kids.

I will be looking at the photos and videotape tomorrow. The program was written in the topic posting. The music was chosen from music education composers and is what I use as supplemental lesson materials.

Thanks for giving good wishes, Keystring. I think everyone did very well on a piano no one had played on before. And, no one said "I played it better at home".

Oh, a dad went over to the flower counter and noticed him there checking out, and I thought, of how nice, they'll enjoy those at home today. Golly, if his son didn't hand they to me at the end of the program with the final bow. How very nice!

Betty

What a lovely way to combine the joy of music while purchasing your spring plants.

Now I'm curious, Betty, as to whether this has been an annual event that the muisc teachers/store host?

Was the piano donated for the afternoon from a local piano store or rented?

You must be enjoying your photos and video today of such a special gathering event.

I am tempted to forward this thread to a few local piano techers in my area for the hope of something like this to catch on in my area.

Bravo to all who participated.

Hi!

What a great idea! Please do tell them about it.

About twice a year we have done this as an music project "Community Performances". The same retailer, Prosser's in Tacoma, have supported us with a piano.

In the spring, we have gone to Van Lierop's bulb farm in Puyallup. The owner makes bouquets of daffodils for the participants.

We have also been other places in the Spring, including assisted living residences.

At Christmas, we have done programs also. One annual activity has been in an Art store coinciding with an activity sponsored by downtown merchants evening.

I have talked about "Community Performance" in previous postings, and about "AAA List". You might want to search the forum - (all topics/Betty Patnude) The "AAA" helps student prepare for these kinds of activities, and to get their repertoire lists maxed out. This works well also as a self motivating award to show what has been accomplished to date this year. Some teachers require that the "AAA List" be memorized, but I don't.

An observation of mine yesterday was how smiley the parents were of the "first recital" students who were there. They enjoyed seeing their piano students blooming right along with the flowers.

I will pass the Bravo on to the teachers in my chapter.

Thanks so much!

Betty

I especially liked the way you mentioned how long each performer had been studying. Those who were playing their first recital were inspired, I'm sure, by the "veteran" performers.

And like you, I do not require students to perform from memory. Many choose to do so (and receive recognition for memorization), but I've found that it makes for a more musical, enjoyable performance if students have the option of having the score available as a reference.

Thanks lalakeys,

I'm hoping they were inspired by the older kids - these first year students did their best.

I have just finished cropping the photos from the event, and starting to create an album for each student of their pictures. They will be surprised to find a photo record of their activities.

In the photos, I saw faces of the students reflecting all kinds of emotions, so I make a "portrait" of these scenes using "coloring book" and "cartoon" editing. I will save these in another album for a portrait of what happens inside the student. It is less than one second caught by the camera, but expressive of more that could be said by words.

I will try to learn how to cost these to PWF and to Learning Musician where I have a site. This is the part I hate having to learn new technic to things mechanical and cyber.

I think the student gets to decide over whether to play from memory or not. It's their "minutes of fame" (Andy Warhol) and they know what is best for them at this time. I'm glad you feel that way too.

Thanks for your interest and comment.

Betty