McLelland Piano Studio's
Optional Saturday Group
Theory & Performance Classes
Upcoming Classes ...
Saturday, September 5, 2009
LOCATION: Hoover Studio
9:30-10:30 am - due to Labor day weekend and low attendance there will be NO 9:30 class for September.
10:45-11:45 a.m. - Combined Class -- For September, ALL pre-college students attend the 10:45 class.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
LOCATION: Hoover Studio
9:30-10:30 am: Isabella, Sean, Raven, Kennedy, Eric, Sam, Allison, Alaina, Rose, Robyn, Sarah
10:45-11:45 am: Lily, Anja, Kendall, Momo, Mimi, Mina, Ryan, Garrison, Alex, Evelyn, Kate, Rachel, Jade
Saturday, October 24, 2009 = Spooktacular (Concertos 'n Costumes)
LOCATION: Hoover Studio - 6 PM
*Sunday, November 8, 2009 (*Moved from Sat. due to teaching conflict in Atlanta)
LOCATION: Independent Presbyterian Church, 3100 Highland Avenue, Birmingham, AL 35205 -- ROOM 305 (upstairs, 3rd/top floor)
1:30-2:30 pm: Isabella, Sean, Raven, Kennedy, Eric, Sam, Allison, Alaina, Rose, Robyn, Sarah
2:30-3:30 pm: Lily, Anja, Kendall, Momo, Mimi, Mina, Ryan, Garrison, Alex, Evelyn, Kate, Rachel, Jade
November 21, 2009, 2 PM - Piano-Caroling at Nursing Home (Fair Haven Assisted Living) (Play Hymns and Carols)
December 5, 2009, 3:30-4:00 PM: Piano-Caroling at Galleria Mall (Wynfrey Hotel Lobby) (Play carols only)
December 19, 2009, 6:30-7:00 PM: Piano-Caroling at Galleria Mall (Wynfrey Hotel Lobby) (Play carols only)
No Key Classes December or January
Saturday, February 6, 2010
LOCATION: Hoover Studio
9:30-10:30 am: Isabella, Sean, Raven, Kennedy, Eric, Sam, Allison, Alaina, Rose, Robyn, Sarah
10:45-11:45 am: Lily, Anja, Kendall, Momo, Mimi, Mina, Ryan, Garrison, Alex, Evelyn, Kate, Rachel, Jade
1:00-2:00 PM: Lakeside Symposiums (special workshops on piano technic, ergonomic motion, Taubman Approach and other topics for teachers and late-intermediate through advanced adult pianists)
Saturday, March 6, 2010
LOCATION: Hoover Studio
9:30-10:30 am: Isabella, Sean, Raven, Kennedy, Eric, Sam, Allison, Alaina, Rose, Robyn, Sarah
10:45-11:45 am: Lily, Anja, Kendall, Momo, Mimi, Mina, Ryan, Garrison, Alex, Evelyn, Kate, Rachel, Jade
1:00-2:00 PM: Lakeside Symposiums (special workshops on piano technic, ergonomic motion, Taubman Approach and other topics for teachers and late-intermediate through advanced adult pianists)
WHICH CLASS SHOULD YOU ATTEND?
Students are grouped according to age and level of advancement. Please see your recommended class time above.
DO PARENTS ATTEND CLASSES?
Only students attend group classes. Parents may wait outside in the car during the classes. Siblings, friends who are not enrolled in piano studies may not attend class.
WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING TO CLASS?
Please bring your assignment binder notebook AND the music score(s) for music you will be playing in class, (if you plan to perform).
WHAT SHOULD YOU WEAR?
Dress is casual.
CLASS OBJECTIVES?
These special sessions foster fellowship among students and provide the highly motivated music student with an even more intensive music education than is available through the traditional curriculum.
These special classes afford students avenues to:
•Broaden your musical experience – study all aspects of musicianship in greater depth and detail
•Receive additional instruction in music theory, notation, ear-training
•Improve keyboard theory and technic skills
•Build confidence and develop strong performance and listening skills
•Foster fellowship among students and avoid the feeling of isolation which can result from private study alone – enjoy performing with peers through piano ensemble opportunities
•Receive added motivation and incentive
•Get an edge in piano festivals
Music History and Piano Literature - A section of each class will focus on a different historical era, discussing the composers and musical styles of the time and viewing historic recordings of great pianists and musicians. By being exposed to a wide range of repertoire, students broaden their understanding of piano literature.
Improve keyboard theory, notation, ear-training and technic. The regular group interaction helps to motivate students as they participate in special group theory and ear-training drills and games.
Foster fellowship and receive motivation. As educators have known for years, students can learn a tremendous amount from observing and helping each other.
Build confidence and develop strong performance and listening skills. The small-group settings offer a supportive atmosphere as students perform with and for their peers. The class members nurture each others’ self confidence by being a sympathetic audience. Students explore the many aspects of performing such as: overcoming stage fright, memorization, technique, interpretation and development of concentration skills. These group classes can help students have happy, successful experiences at other events such as the annual spring studio recital or Christmas at the Mall.
Ensembles
The classes provide opportunities for piano students to participate in ensembles through piano duets and duos and other chamber groups. Through ensemble playing, students can develop strong sight-reading skills and the ability to play rhythmically – to keep the beat going. Later in life, most pianists will be called upon to work in some sort of an ensemble situation. Some may accompany a singer or instrumentalist, or perhaps they will be asked to perform with their school jazz bands, orchestras and choirs. Many students have gone on to perform with other musicians in their church or at weddings, and even in small bands and chamber groups. Nothing prepares a pianist for these ensemble experiences better than piano duet or duo playing.
