Looking Back on My Music Student Incentive Program

This past school year, I made some changes to my student incentive program. Then, to wrap up the year, I decided to throw a Top Dog Party which was open to all students. It's a busy time of year, so there was a small turnout. However, everyone who came had a great time.

Over snacks, four of my students and I chatted about the recent flooding in Southern Alberta. The three who had never been to the Calgary Stampede were concerned that the event would be cancelled due to the flooding.

My other student and I took turns telling them about what they can see at the Stampede. I also showed them some photos and video clips.

Then, it was time to get to business. Maestro and I proceeded to award the Top Dog prizes for the following:

• Most Gigs: Winning student performed 43 times (at least, that's the number of recorded performances)

• Technique Savvy: Two sisters tied at knowing and mastering 43 technical elements (e.g. scales, chords, arpeggios, progressions)

• Music Mastery & Music Maestro: One student mastered 40 songs and completed 18 extra projects and tasks (e.g. recital helper, worked ahead, improvised and/or composed)

Each student received a jumbo cute cat or dog mug.

We wrapped up by playing several rounds of Scattergories. Now, you may ask why we didn't play Music Bingo, charades or another music game. My students were curious about the game, plain and simple.

In the end, it wound up being the perfect choice. By showing them to think outside the box with vocabulary,  perhaps that showed them that they can do that in other areas too, like music.

How successful was the 2013 incentive program? Overall, I'd say fairly successful - for those that used it. Not everyone participated and several forgot or misplaced their Gig Card and/or Progress Card.

In fact, I nearly had a five way tie for Music Maestro! Yes, I had that many students who showed initiative by doing something a little extra with their music.

Several of my students performed between 20 - 40 times. I don't recall performing that often when I was their age, so kudos to them!

Ditto with my Technique Savvy Sisters. Not surprisingly, these two were also the most prepared for their piano examination earlier this month.

My last Top Dog is a beginner student. With him snagging two titles, I'd say that he's got a pretty solid foundation of practicing. His progress has been steady, which I attribute to to the discipline he gets through homeschooling and martial arts.

If anything, I'll make some minor tweaks to the program. I'll ask for some feedback when the students come for their summer flex and/or group class.

Rhona-Mae Arca Named Tech Teacher of the Year

It's official, I've been named Tech Teacher of the Year by Roland Canada, Conservatory Canada and Music for Young Children. Click here for the official press release.

Applicants had to submit a three-minute clip describing how digital technology is used in their music studio, as well as how digital technology impacts their students as well as themselves. Here is my submission:

This announcement comes on the heels of my latest music and technology project. Last week, my students and I prepared, recorded and submitted videos for Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir 4.0 - Bliss. A record number of over 8,200 videos from nearly 6,000 singers and 100 countries were submitted. Some of my students and I even helped out on  tech support during the final days prior to the submission deadline.

Thank you so much to the sponsors: Roland Canada, Conservatory Canada and Music for Young Children for this opportunity. Hats off to my fellow teachers who also made a submission as they are also leaders in working technology into music education.

See you all in Halifax!

Incorporating Music Theory into a Student Request

One of my students has been on my case for weeks, if not months for sheet music from the Bionicle Heroes video game. He even researched information about composer Ian Livingstone to include in my year-end studio recital. I could not find any sheet music in my travels, so I decided to contact the video game composer and inquire. Ian informed me that he didn't have sheet music for Bionicle Heroes. However, he did send me sheet music for No Adrenaline, a piece he dedicated to his son who has the genetic condition CAH - Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.

My intermediate and advanced students jumped on the opportunity to play it. However, my "Bionicles" student is only in Grade 1 piano. I was thinking of making a Big Notes arrangement but something stopped me.

This particular student is has rhythm and detail issues. His theory book? Doesn't always make it to lessons.

On a lark, I decided to get my student to write out his own arrangement. He's starting to get that key and time signatures are important and that if he transcribes notes on a different line, it completely changes the sound:

I emailed this photo to Ian Livingstone. My student was shocked. Ian thought the music theory project idea was "fantastic".

Singing with My Students in Virtual Choir 4.0

When composer/conductor Eric Whitacre launched Virtual Choir 4.0 a few weeks ago, I'm sure I wasn't the only music teacher in the world to say, "Oh no! This couldn't have come at a worse time!" Music festivals, recitals, exams, putting together the registration package for next year, etc. etc. - there is a LOT on our plates right now (our counterparts in the school system would undoubtedly agree). In fact, I was rather grumpy about not having time to practice Bliss. Thankfully, Team Eric have prepared a lot of support materials. I have been listening to the practice tracks on a regular basis - it keeps me calm while I deal with the icky administrative tasks of running your own business. I am quite relieved that the Bliss is easier than Water Night (although, I do love Water Night to bits).

When six of my piano students stepped forward to say, "I'd like to sing in Virtual Choir" this year, the opportunist within me got excited. For my students, this is a great learning opportunity: in terms of music technology, ear training, expression, speed learning, etc. etc. For me, their lessons ARE my practice time.

As soon as they said "yes", I sent their families the Underage Consent Form (if applicable) and encouraged them to join the Virtual Choir Community. Together, with their parents, they could read up on how to practice, download the practice tracks and ask questions. One of my students has been spending quite a bit of time on the forums so I've been directing my other students to ask HIM questions.

Last week, I coached my students on the trouble spots. It really helps that they are singing parts that are in my vocal range. This week, we're working on pitch, breathing and pronunciation. After working through it at a lesson today, I feel hopeful that I can record at least one track ahead of my students.

This Friday, we are going to have a studio Virtual Choir rehearsal. Staggered breathing will make much more sense to them when we work as a group. As well, they will have an opportunity to watch the conductor videos together and ask questions.

I can also share with them this little demo that fellow Virtual Choir members put together by randomly selecting 44 members of VC4 who have already submitted their videos:

Afterwards, they will take turns recording in my special Virtual Choir recording booth:

Since our time-frame is extremely short (we must submit our tracks before June 10), we have to go with the best of three takes, a far cry from my Virtual Choir recording experience last year. Everyone is bringing non-dairy food to share as we'll be cutting into dinnertime. Their parents get to hang out with us if they'd like (or just curl up on my waiting room couch with a book).

Perhaps in July, when Virtual Choir 4.0 is unveiled at the Coronation Festival’s Gala performances for Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth, we can have a VC4 party.

Learning to Perform Well While Terrified

Whether you're performing for grandma or the entire school, an examiner or the entire church congregation, stage fright happens. Your heart beats a little faster, your breath becomes more shallow. Maybe your hands get a little trembly.

It happens to everyone - even the pros! Check out some of these quotes:

“The terror of performing never goes away. Instead, you get very, very comfortable being terrified.”

~ Eric Whitacre, composer, conductor, 5th member of Depeche Mode ~

"I have had a very difficult time with stage fright; it undermines your well-being and peace of mind, and it can also threaten your livelihood."

~ Renee Fleming, soprano ~

"Because you get very nervous, sweetheart, you have to get this spot right 11 times out of 10 at home so that you can get it right 10 times out of 10 on stage."

~ Irina Ginzburg, piano teacher, pianist (to me) ~

So what's a musician to do? Well, as my one teacher, Irina Ginzburg was getting at, you need to know your music well. So well that your nerves can't get in the way. That means, you need to practice mindfully.

Another thing I've learned is that, it's not all about you. When people are listening, they are listening to the music. To the soundscape you are creating. Unless you're making weird faces and gestures, or wearing something distracting, they're really not focusing on you as much as you think they are. So don't worry about whether they thought "Oh dear, she messed up in Bar 23." Most likely, they don't even know. Depending on the performance setting, they really don't care about that "blip". If they don't care about it, then you shouldn't stress out over it.

Here's another point that I cannot stress enough: practice performing. At university, I was performing nearly every week. Our practice rooms had windows in them, so anyone could peek in and listen to you. I learned to manage my nerves then.

Now, I play in a church choir. I alternate with another pianist/conductor so we're "on" nearly every week in one way or another. Once, I had my hands in the wrong starting position for a part of the Mass. No big deal, I just calmly moved my hands to the correct position and the choir carried on. When hymns are changed at the last minute, I wind up chording and sightreading. Another time, I messed up cuing in the choir so we all fumbled a bit until we found our way. It was one of those funny stage moments, so I bent over laughing, while one hand continued to conduct.

Sometimes, I botch chords. Sometimes, my improv doesn't sound so pretty. So what? The choir and the congregation are still singing. I just have to join in on the next bar. Next time will be different.

Now, if I only played at church once every two months or so, then I'd feel a bit more pressure. However, because I play or conduct on a regular basis, blips here and there aren't a big deal. The more you perform, the more you learn how to handle your nerves.

The music goes on, there simply isn't any time to obsess about it. Just do the best that you can in that moment - be present in that moment - and move on.

Here are some articles with tips on how to deal with stage fright:

What Every Musician Should Know About Stage Fright

Becoming a Confident Performer

Blocked by Performance Anxiety

How to Deal with Stage Fright