Welcome, or welcome back, as the case may be! Did you know that this month was named in the Roman calendar over a thousand years ago-for a god named JANUS?  He was the god of new beginnings, and was always pictured as having 2 faces, looking forward and backward at the same time.  Maybe they needed an appointment book!

Our "new beginnings" will include a new folder, music theory, and exercise books. Your little red books will help you to keep track of your assignments, AND how much you are practicing… Our Christmas Recital went so well!  If you took any pictures you could share with me, I would sure appreciate it.  I was too busy, myself…Students performed on several instruments, and I would like to continue doing more ensemble studies. Our Talent Development Program will be auditioning new student groups for keyboard, bell chimes, guitars, strings, and harps. I am having fun planning musical adventures for us this year.  First of all, we will be studying:

January - We will start preparing for the Scale Olympics to be held during your lesson time at the beginning of March. We will also be doing chords and arpeggios. Each student will be given a list of appropriate level challenges for their instrument, and earn a trophy for musical achievement. The trophies will be presented at our Spring Recital. All music is based on a system of "keys", and the scales and chords of each key "unlock" the music!

February - We will be introducing the classical music of J.S. Bach and friends!  We will be learning more about the music that was written for the Harpsichord, Organ, Cello, Violin, Flute, and Guitar, before the Piano was even invented! Each student will be put into an ensemble in preparation for our Spring Recital. We will add an extra evening or Saturday time each week for these.

March - We will be continuing our Classical studies with J.S. Bach and friends in preparation for our Spring Recital and "Bach's Supper" on Saturday, March 27^th. Location still to be announced...

April - The Talent Development Groups will continue to rehearse for our final performances Memorial Day weekend. Soloists will also be featured.

May - will be our last month of lessons for the semester, and then there will be:

June and July -are for Summer Music Camps, with Harp Camp, Keyboard Choir Camp, String Camp, and Guitar Camp.  This is a great time to try out a new instrument for a month or two, or to work as a group with what you have already learned - to form a summer "band" or ensemble.  We will continue to offer private music lessons on all instruments, and finish our summer programs with a pool party, potluck picnic, and talent show at our neighborhood pool. This year's theme will be "American Folk Music" and we will be able to play the fiddle, dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, banjo, accordion, harmonica, washboard and spoons!

Happy New Year!  Miss Laurel