HI

 

I know I was bad at posting during Christmas but it could not be helped with the Mass schedule and all.  I am back now.

 

Hinckley Music Teacher

Hi

 

Any of you out there in a church choir?  What do you feel about instrumentalists and singers who just join the church choir to sing for Christmas or Easter?  I do not like it at all.  We practice and sing all year round and then we get these guests who come in during these times of the year that I had mentioned, only to be critical about our efforts.  I am not saying that we are the greatest choir in the world, but I am saying for what we do have in membership year round we do pretty well.  I especially do not care for those music majors who come in assuming none of us know anything about music and we do not know waht we are doing.  Last night at choir practice was such a case.  There was this first year college student who was very critical of us all evening.  I asked her where she was studying music, I was impressed and then she told me that her minor was in music;  that really chapped me some.  I did not say a word all evening.  Come Lent I will say that we should not allow guests join us and I am not alone.

 

Hinckley Music Teacher

Hi

 

I am so proud of my three children because for the first time they were in a Christmas program at a nursing home yesterday afternoon with myself as one of the instrumentalists.

 

Hinckley Music Teacher

HI

 

I was wondering how other music teachers promote their lessons studios?

 

Hinckley Music Teacher

Hi

 

I had a really great teaching day on Wednesday.  Every student I had got a real grasp on what I was attempting to convey to them during their lesson with me.

 

Hinckley Music Teacher

Every year, around this time I go back and review all the basics of the instruments I play.  Then I select pieces that I have been avoiding and also memorize pieces.

 

Hinckley Music Teacher

Hi

 

I just spent the most relaxing morning I have ever had in a very long time listening to the Classical Christmas Music Station on Sirius RAdio.  I loved it.

 

HInckley Music Teacher

Hi

 

Today I played three different stringed instruments at one Mass for the first time ever: the classical guitar, the violin and the viola.

 

 

Hinckley Music Teacher

 

What is your favorite Christmas song?  I have two: Silent Night and I'll Be Home For Christmas.

 

Hinckley Music Teacher

HI

 

There is nothing musical about the amount of snow we are getting in North East Ohio today.  Also, do not sing I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas anytime soon.

 

Hinckley Music Teacher

Hi

 

I am often asked by students and non students what instrument I like to play the most.  I really do not have an answer because the instruments I do play appeal to me for different reasons.  The one instrument that I am in most awe of is the voice.  Of all the muscial instruments in the world it is the most abstract, versatile and colorful.

 

Hinckley Music Teacher

Hi

 I just finished listening to the CD by Los Lonley Boys entitled 'Sacred'.  It is a great blend of Texas Blues, Rock, Soul, Funk, Hip Hop, Salsa, and Tejano music.  It uses English and Spanish words the way most Latinos use them in daily life and it is a true representation of the three worlds we live in today: Mexicano, American and Chicano/Tejano.  This band goes two steps beyond Santana and one step ahead of Los Lobos as far as showing Mexican life in the United States as one of fusing cultures together.  If you are not Latino I encourage you to give this band a try. Hinckley Music Teacher

Hi

 

When your kids take music lessons do not feel guilty about having your kids practice everyday between 20 and 30 minutes as part of their daily routine no matter how busy your family is.  If you give allowances at your house then make it an activity apart of the list of reponsibilities that earn their money.  For younger students entice with a goal oriented little prize at the end of the week of daily practice.  You are not bribiing your child, what you are doing is teaching them that being reponsible and organized results in achievement and success in the long term and at times that comes with material gain.