Category: Performances

Performances, Resources

Making Grab Bag Gifts for Music Students

Joy Morin

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Need ideas for what to give all your music students this year for Christmas or to reward them after a performance?  Trying to stay within a budget?  How about making grab bags full of music goodies! Your students are bound to be thrilled with this music-themed gift.

First, buy a package of cellophane favor bags – music-themed ones if you can. They are usually located in the party favors/decorations section at the store. Dollar stores often carry them as well. A good deal will cost from $1.00 to $3.50 for a package of 20 bags. If you cannot find favor bags, you can also use small gift bags – but it will probably cost you a little more.   Continue reading “Making Grab Bag Gifts for Music Students” →

Motivation, Performances, Practicing

Music + Imagination

Joy Morin

I often have students’ parents and grandparents tell me that they wish they had kept taking piano lessons.  I use this to encourage my current students, and tell them that it’s a gift to be able to sit down at an instrument and create music — a gift that can provide great pleasure to oneself and others.

Why do so many students quit?  I mean, I realize that it might not be feasible for everyone to take lessons for their whole life (although wouldn’t that be amazing?!), but still, why do so many people regret that they didn’t continue their lessons longer while they were young?   Continue reading “Music + Imagination” →
Performances

Program Notes from 2009

Joy Morin

My senior recital was last night!  Let me tell you, it feels GREAT to have that accomplishment behind me!  

Here’s the program notes:

Prelude & Fugue in C minor, from Book II WTC (BWV 871)………J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
Piano Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Op. 31 No. 2 “Tempest”………..Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
     Largo – Allegro
     Adagio
     Allegretto
Performances

Program Notes from 2008

Joy Morin

I’ve been working on the program notes for my senior recital, which is coming up….and thought I’d look up my program notes from my junior recital last year!  They’re kind of fun to read.

Für Alina…………………………………………Arvo Pärt (1935-present)       

Préludes, Book I……………………………Claude Debussy (1862-1918)

…La danse de Puck

…Minstrels

Continue reading “Program Notes from 2008” →

Performances, Practicing

Accuracy vs. Musicality

Joy Morin

There are many performers who I consider to have amazing accuracy of notes, but minimal musicality….others who hit many wrong notes, but have AMAZING musicality.  The greatest performers, I think, are those who manage to do both successfully.  But if I had to choose between one extreme or another, I would choose the musicality over the note accuracy, hands down.  

I tend to fall in the latter category.  I wish I could play more accurately more consistently…but to tell you the truth, I’m far more concerned with playing musically.   Continue reading “Accuracy vs. Musicality” →

Announcements, Group Classes, Performances

Recital Preparation

Joy Morin

My students are currently preparing for our studio piano recital in May.  They are all doing great.  I was doing some brainstorming (which can be dangerous), and decided to hold a “practice recital” the weekend before the actual recital.  I envisioned all my students cramming into my music room, listening to each other playing their pieces, and then leading discussion about various aspects of performing.  Afterwards, we would play a round or two of Music Bingo.  🙂   Continue reading “Recital Preparation” →

Announcements, Performances, Practicing

Reflections upon Interpretation

Joy Morin

Yesterday at a piano lesson, my student kept saying how she wasn’t sure “what to do in this section.” Although I wasn’t completely sure what she was feeling, I think she was saying that she sometimes wonders how she can make decisions about how to play a particular piece / passage musically. We were working on a Chopin Nocturne, and the main concept I was trying to communicate to her was to allow the RH melody to dictate some push and pull of the tempo, rather than allowing the LH accompaniment to metronomically determine the tempo. Continue reading “Reflections upon Interpretation” →

Memorization, Motivation, Performances

Benefits of Holding a Piano Studio Recital

Joy Morin

Recitals are an important part of having a piano studio.  Performing is a important skill for any pianist.  Despite the hard work involved, in the long run, the students find it a rewarding activity.

Benefits of having a recital include:

  1. Parents enjoy hearing the progress their student(s) are making under your instruction.  Grandparents and parents love attending these performances and getting pictures/video recordings of their child’s performance (esp. when it’s their first).  There’s something special about watching your child all dressed up and playing a special piece for an audience onstage.   Continue reading “Benefits of Holding a Piano Studio Recital” →