Musical Chairs has been busy!  Check out our Fall Newsletter for the latest updates, programs, new instructor information and our full FALL CALENDAR OF EVENTS so you can plan ahead and reserve your spot now!

Questions?  Contact us at play@musicalchairsstudio.com

We will take your children back in time to the 1600’s where they will experience the Baroque period of music, "meet" composers from the era as well as be immersed in the culture, art, politics and lifestyle of that time in history.  A fun filled class - not to be missed!

Saturday, August 14th from 9:30 - 11:30
2136 W Wilson studio
Cost: $25 per child Ages 5-12
RSVP by August 12 th
play@musicalchairsstudio.com

Help your children with practice at home!    Musical Chairs will host monthly classes for parents of music students to give you just enough information to be dangerous.  It is well known that when parents become actively involved in children's practice routines, the time is far more productive.  Children make faster progress and get more from their music lessons.  We would like to help you learn some basic music concepts that will enable you to help with practice at home. 

$20.00 per session.  RSVP required.  Email play@musicalchairsstudio.com  or register online at Musical Chairs Studio

Fall sessions will be held from 7-8 pm on:

Thursday, September 23
Tuesday, October 19
Wednesday, November 10
Monday, December 6

In August, we are offering:
 
"Master the Masters" movie night on August 6th from 6:30 - 9:00

Live a day in the Baroque Period master class on August 14th from 9:30 - 11:30

Intro to Brass Instruments Master Class on August 16th from 6:00 - 7:30

New schedules for Step the Beat and Create the Beat Music Fundamentals classes are now posted for the Fall semester beginning September 13th.  Space will be limited in these classes so register now!

Visit our Website at Musical Chairs Studio under Current Programs for complete listings and to register online.  

Today I told a reluctant performer that when she plays at the recital on Monday, I will be the proudest person in the house....and I meant it!  Her drive and focus continually amaze me.  When she openly admitted to severe stage fright a few months ago, we decided to take the recital one step at a time.  On Monday, she will perform with her father right beside her accompanying on guitar.  What a better way to experience stage freight - next to your rock solid foundation!  Kudos to you my dear student and all the rest of you who are working so hard and preparing for great performances! 

In our continual effort to provide the highest quality of music education for all ages, Musical Chairs is proud to annouce the addition of three key teaching resources.  Visit our website for complete instructor bios, classes and program offerings!
 

As the voice of a parent, I want to share that you're not alone in having children who push back about music lessons this time of the year.  Hang in there.  My own children are resisting lessons and practice!  

My advice?  Keep it light - resist pushing too hard.  Children are tired of structure right now and are feeling generally burned out.   I choose this time to switch up the music lesson routine a bit.  The goal is not to stop lessons entirely over the summer. Parents, you'll hate me for saying this...but if you are committed to music being part of your child's life - its a year round activity.  Music is like a foreign language.  When you cease the weekly exposure over an extended time, children take enormous steps backwards.  Many of them never get back into it because its too discouraging to relearn what they know they learned before.  I encourage you to resist this approach.  Rather, work with your instructor to create a less routine program in the summer..one with flexibility....that is less rigid and just keeps your child interested in music.  We all need a change now and then. 

Don't get me wrong, breaks are important and every student should take a break periodically.  I am encouraging 3 weeks off over the summer whether all at once or one week at a time.  The other weeks, we'll be playing music and having fun at it.  No Summertime "blues" allowed around here!

Musical Chairs is hosting their annual "spring" recitals June 21, 22, 28 and 29th at Queen of Angels Church from 7:00 - 8:00 pm.  If you'd like to inspire your child to learn an instrument, this is a great venue.  Each day will host a different line up of students.  We will have a fabulous mix of music including piano, trumpet, guitar, violin, drums, voice and instrument ensembles.  All are welcome. Admission is free. 

Summer Programs are now available Online!

The youngest beginners will discover their love of music through STEP THE BEAT and TRY AN INSTRUMENT.

Private lessons and Ensemble classes are available for children ready to learn a specific instrument.  Does your child play in the band or orchestra?  Don't let them lose their edge this summer.  We have instructors in Trumpet, Clarinet, Saxophone, Drums and Violin to keep them fresh and making progress over the summer months.

And...you're never too old!  Adult classes are available in the above instruments as well as Guitar, Piano and Voice. Adults enjoy private and group lessons as well as regular "get togethers" to perform for each other and enjoy refreshments and musical camaraderie.

Instructor bios, testimonials and detailed course descriptions are available on line. www.musicalchairsstudio.com  or email us at play@musicalchairsstudio.com.

Parents, toss those DS's and buy your kids an IPod!  Don't equate IPods with hand held games.  One leads to mindless predisposition to premature arthritis!  The other provides young minds and ears with the lifelong gift of listening. 

Listening is a huge component to musical training.  If you want your child to be a musician, teach them to listen at the earliest of ages. Take it one step further and listen with them!  Encourage them to tap the beat while they are listening, hear the rhythm and the different instruments.  Engage in a discussion about what the music makes them feel...think about.  Learning to hear music is an important first step to understanding how it is constructed and in motivating them to want to play it themselves! 

In our house, we have a few rules.  First, we control WHEN they listen. We believe IPods should not be the means for tuning out the family.  Our kids don't walk through the house with plugs in their ears.  They are meant for quiet time, down time - not for blocking out social interaction.  Second we control WHAT they are listening to.  I strongly encourage this for as long as you can yield this power.  Let them pick a few artists of their own, but from there...choose some great ones and vary the styles so they are exposed to more than what they readily hear on the radio.  Here are a few artists/composers from the 20th Century that you might overlook - all are considered to be musical geniuses. 

George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Glenn Gould, Igor Stravinsky, Oscar Hammerstein, Art Tatum,  Carl Stalling, Quincy Jones, Charlie Parker,  The Beatles, Rachmaninoff, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Led Zeppelin, Benny Goodman
Happy Listening!