Summer Music Programs around Alberta

Parents, if you're looking for a summer activity for the young artist in your life, check out some of these summer music programs throughout Alberta:

1. Calgary Arts Summer School Association: Now in its thirteenth year, CASSA is enjoying steady growth and a long list of happy campers. The Piano Camp is fully booked but there are still spaces available in the Musical Theatre Showtime; Music, Drama, Movement & Art; Music Theory Workshop and Piano Pedagogy Workshop.

2. Mount Royal College - The Conservatory: The Conservatory is offering: a Drumset Educational Program, Head Start Band Program, Intermediate Band Program, Kodaly Musicianship, Morningside Music Bridge, Music with Your Baby, Organ Academy International Summer School, Summer Jazz Workshop and Summer String Academy.

3. University of Lethbridge: Summer programs offered in Kindermusik, Drama, Art and more!

4. Red Deer College: RDC offers MusiCamp Alberta, for students age 10 and up. Students can experience fiddling, piano, choir, band, Adult Concert Band and musical theatre.

5. Macewan College: offers summer workshops in music, art and new media.

If you hear of any arts related summer programs that you think should be added to the list, please let me know.

(c) 2006 by Musespeak(tm), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved.

Terrific Thursday Link #4

Sorry, I just noticed that there was no fun link last week. Life is really chaotic around here. I'd give you the list but that would take too long. And frankly, one spinning head is enough in this world. Let's just say that I, like my colleagues are eagerly awaiting the end of June (23 sleeps).

Here, check out this link - Music Tech Teacher - Piano Key Words Quiz. Yes, it's another note naming site and yes, it's deliberate. Teachers get cranky when students are still struggling with note names after a year (or more) of lessons. They also get cranky when students refuse to fix rhythm and notes in songs they've had all year and when they refuse to read directions or insist on pounding the bejeebers out of the keys. But let's save that rant for another day, shall we? (c) 2006 by Musespeak(tm), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved.

So you want to be a consultant...

There are all sorts of consultants in the world - from accountants to lawyers and from corporate writers to artists. Yes, even music teachers and freelance musicians can fit into this category.

This month, my marketing friend Andrea set up a new consulting blog - Consultant Journal. I peeked at some of the articles, which are pretty useful. There's an article on Work from Home Scams and one on what steps to take when you begin consulting. I liked the article on gadgets consultants can't live without.

Check it out when you have a chance.

(c) 2006 by Musespeak(tm), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved.

Summertime for Music Teachers

Most students take the summer off from music lessons. Only a small handful commit to summer lessons (to prepare for a summer exam, personal interest/motivation or parental interest/motivation). For example, I'm going from 40 students in the school year to about five for July. Where does that leave the private music teacher come summertime? Some teachers are able to take the entire summer off. From what I can tell, it's those who have a growing brood of children and a husband with a steady income and/or an established studio with no or little business debt. These folk are able to put away some money throughout the school year.

On the other hand, teachers with a relatively young studio, who have bought a house, got married and/or started a family recently do not have that luxury. Nor do teachers who wracked up some debt before starting a business (and just continued to add to it) or those who are married to someone who's also self-employed. For those of us in this category, there are but two options - run up the lines of credit a bit more (IF there's room) or get a job.

I had a wonderful interview with a temporary office staffing agency this week called OfficeJobs.com . A friend recommended it to me (her husband is the website guy). Part of me is cringing at the thought of re-entering the corporate world but another part of me is looking forward to doing something different. Give me some data entry, where I don't have to think too hard. Surround me with adults all day for a change. That's fine by me. I like my students but a change in environment is refreshing.

It'll be different from being an employee. Temps can avoid office politics, don't stay in one place too long and aren't usually given a lot of responsibility.

The change of scenery will be good. (c) 2006 by Musespeak(tm), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved.

Springtime Recital Musings

My student that is scheduled at this time is M.I.A. so I thought I'd take the opportunity to muse on my studio recital, held on Sunday. It was mostly a blur, although I remember snippets quite vividly:

• Two young students became confused over the concert program. There were a few program changes, which threw them into a panic. They came running up to me during a performance in a tizzy. I had to sit with them to calm them down.

• One young student had the crowd in the palm of his hand while he performed the James Bond theme. I saw heads bopping in time to the music and parents smiling. It was clear to many that he enjoyed being on stage and enjoyed the music.

• One young girl who stomped up the stage and then did an adorable curtsey.

• A few parents smiling (some out of sheer pleasure while others in sheer puzzlement) over a student who performed to a Technobeat accompaniment on CD.

• One adult student who had a rough performance but returned afterwards to play through.

• One student nailed her rhythm troublespots in a piece she has been struggling with for most of the year.

I did wind up performing by memory. It was my first public performance of Andaluza. There were a few odd notes and I got the rhythm mixed up in a few places, but I negotiated them smoothly. It still sounded like a Spanish dance. Memorizing the patterns and chords helped immensely.

I believe that most people miss the glitches, if handled right. Studying Iaido certainly helps as I don't think I flinched when something went off track.

I've come a long way since being the performer who always choked on stage. I hope that inspires some of my more timid students. If I could transform from an uncontrollable bundle of nerves to someone who can fake it through trouble spots, so can they.

At a teachers' meeting yesterday, several of us were discussing recital etiquette. I do have some recital etiquette pointers on my student/parent section on my website however, my colleagues and I agreed yesterday that this is an area to be explained for EACH performance to ensure that the performers have the least amount of distractions.

Here is an article on recital etiquette.

(c) 2006 by Musespeak(tm), Calgary, AB Canada. All rights reserved.