September 6, 2024: Friday Medley!
Happy Friday!
Wow, it’s hot! The school year is off and running and schedules are settling in.
Let’s talk more about Recitals!
Performing music is one of the benefits of learning music - it allows us to apply what we’ve learned, to take pride in our work and accomplishments, to express ourselves and be creative, to gain confidence, and to have fun and enjoyment in making music!
Performing music is also one of the motivators in learning music. We want to practice and prepare our music because we want to perform and make music!
Performing music is one of the ways a solo/individual activity can become a group/social activity.
Performing music provides us opportunities to spread joy and make others happy - they get to listen to and enjoy the music we make!
We believe in performance opportunities, so we provide lots of them!
Here is an overview of some of these opportunities.
In ongoing communications we will continue to provide more details and chances to sign up, etc.
The Studio Recital - We host studio recitals at least four times a year (one per quarter). All students are invited and encouraged to perform at studio recitals, including very beginners and very advanced students and musicians. Our next studio recital is coming up on October 26, 2024. An email will be sent soon for families to sign up!
The Solo Recital for Family and Friends - We encourage students to prepare, produce, perform, and preserve in-home or in-neighborhood solo (or sibling / small group) recitals for family and friends. We offer a guide with detailed instructions and suggestions for how to put on a wonderful recital that your parents and families will cherish. It’s on our website, and printed versions are available in our school/office lobby. And your teacher will help you and give you additional ideas!
https://www.lagunaniguelschoolofmusic.com/preparing-producing-performing-solo-recital
The Concert Performance Team - Participating students perform special monthly concerts in community, residential, and health centers around Orange County. Our first concert is just around the corner, on September 15, 2024, at Trabuco Hills Post-Acute in Lake Forest.
Specialty & Themed (Auditioned) Recitals - We host recitals with a specialty or theme for students who wish to perform more, and to perform at a high level. Our next such recital will be held on January 10, 2025, and will feature students who memorize and play a complete set of music. A complete set could be defined by the composer, or be one Chapter or Part of a music book, or all the movements of a sonatina or sonata, etc. Keep a lookout for more information and how to sign up and audition.
Destination Recitals - Our first destination recital will be a day trip to the Los Angeles or San Diego area on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Subsequent destinations will include multi-day trips out of state. Our longer-term goals include arranging destination recitals to Carnegie Hall in New York, and perhaps Nashville, Tennessee, and maybe one day to Europe, Asia, and other international locations!
Exams and Honors Programs - These programs offer additional higher-intensity opportunities for students to perform their music, including for panels and judges! One of these is the Music Teacher Association of California (MTAC) Certificate of Merit (CM) program.
This year we have four students participating in
CM 2025:
Caleb K. (Level 10/Advanced)
Elliot M. (Level 6)
Eleanor M. (Level 2)
Emma L. (Level TBD)
Let’s give these students our best wishes and encouragement! They are working very hard and will experience proud rewards from their efforts!
MTAC Community Recitals - We encourage students who are ready and interested in performing for MTAC (and other music organization) community recitals and events. These are invitational only (please discuss with your teacher if you are interested in future performances).
Congratulations to student - Greyson Avila
who will be performing Arabesque No. 1 by Debussy in the MTAC Orange Coast Cities Community Recital at the Laguna Hills Community Center on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at 2:00pm.
Halloween Recital - Save the Date!
Our Halloween Recital is coming up and will be here before you know it, on Saturday, October 26, at Shepherd of the Hills UMC, 26001 Muirlands Blvd, Mission Viejo, CA 92691. We will have two performance options: 2:00 pm and 3:30 pm.
Now is the time to start thinking about and preparing Halloween music, for those who are interested! Please talk to your teachers and ask for some fun Halloween music to learn and practice that is just right for you!
An email will be sent soon asking participating students and families to sign up for the recital.
Also, we are forming a parent support group, Families Support Performers, to assist with our recitals, to be led by the La Londe Family. Look for an email inviting you to join!
We are Forming Children and Youth Choirs
We are forming two choirs, one for ages 8-12, and one for ages 13-17.
Choirs will start meeting on Saturday, September 7, 2024. Ages 8-12 from 1:00-2:00pm, and ages 13-17 from 2:30-3:30pm. Choir will follow our regular school calendar and perform at recitals, concerts, and special events.
Our vocal/choral teacher/director will be the skilled, experienced, fun, and all around wonderful Miss Kendra.
Tuition will correspond with our Black & White “Kitten on the Keys” membership pricing of $179/mo for new students. (Enrolled students who wish to participate will retain their price for life guarantee and come in at their locked-in rate.)
Please reply to this email if you are interested in joining the choir!
Did You Know…
Christmas and Holiday Music
Now is the time to start thinking about learning and preparing music for Christmas and the Holidays! Many performers and performance ensembles around the country and the world are beginning to rehearse music for the holiday season. It’s not too early to start practicing!
Musicians are lucky because we get to learn, play, and sing holiday music many more months of the year than most people do!
We will have two holiday recital date options this year: one on Wednesday, November 27, and another on Sunday, December 8. Mark your calendars and be ready to sign up for the best option for your family!
Did You Know…
We Teach Many Instruments!
We proudly offer the highest quality, healthy, and rewarding music lessons in piano, voice, guitar (acoustic, electric, and bass), ukulele, drums & percussion, strings (violin, viola, cello), wind and reed instruments (clarinet, flute, saxophone, recorder), brass instruments (trumpet, trombone, tuba/euphonium, French horn), and a few instruments you might not expect, such as mandolin and banjo! We also teach early childhood music, musical theater, acting, and voice over! And, music theory (classical and jazz), music composition, and songwriting!
And More!...
Our weekday afternoon lesson schedule is filling up. We also have availability weekends, Saturdays and Sundays, mornings, and evenings.
Participation in our weekly Music Playdates in the Parks keeps increasing!
In September we are going to add Saturday morning playdates! Some families are asking about music-themed birthday parties. If this is of interest to you, please let us know! We are considering putting together birthday party playdate packages.
https://www.lagunaniguelschoolofmusic.com/music-playdates-in-the-park-laguna-niguel
Have a magical Friday, a musical weekend, and a wonderful month of August!
Thank you,
Dennis Frayne
"Dr. Dennis"
Laguna Niguel School of Music
Dennis Frayne Music Studios
30110 Crown Valley Pkwy, Suites 105/107/108
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 844-9051 (office cell)
(949) 468-8040 (personal cell)
www.lagunaniguelschoolofmusic.com
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