Wednesday, January 15, 2025 by Frances Philpot | Uncategorized

Spring 2025

Play for the composer June Armstrong 

This term, I am excited to announce that in addition to our usual method books, we will all be aiming to learn at least one piece by the composer June Armstrong. I will be talking to the children about it at the workshops on January 25^th, (thanks to those who have already signed up!) but even before then, you could start to listen to some of her compositions with your child to see which ones may appeal.

Her books are packed full of beautifully evocative sound worlds which really latch on to the imagination. You will see from the above link that there is a wide range to choose from, from complete beginner to advanced players. If you choose a piece from Alphabet, I can print it for you as I have the studio licence. Otherwise, please feel free to buy your own copy from the website, or let me know which you would like me to order for you, to benefit from a bulk order discount.

For those who would like the full experience, there is even the option of recording a performance to send to June Armstrong herself – and she will issue a certificate with personalised comments and suggestions for taking the playing a step further. So, in many ways, it is like a virtual music festival! See the title link for entry details and deadline.

Any particularly good performances will be featured on her website, alongside artwork and poetry inspired by the music…

I do hope you will encourage your budding performer to practise with the goal of a super recorded performance by the middle of March!

Listen to the pieces using these YouTube links:

Alphabet

Safari

Puffin island

Invoices for second half of Spring term

Good news! Rates for the rest of the academic year remain the same after all. Confusion arose due to a glitch in the settings of the new Cognita room hire software (relating to the 20% VAT charge), which was finally sorted this week. So, invoices for the second half of the term will be with you in the next week or so. If you wish to automate your payment, there are options to add payment details via the mymusicstaff portal, with Autopay, Google Pay and Direct debit all now supported to make payment more streamlined.

  Wednesday, January 15, 2025 by Frances Philpot | Uncategorized

JANUARY WORKSHOPS... SATURDAY 25th ... NEXT WEEK! 

Thank you to everyone for making the start of this term a really positive one. I have been impressed with how quickly we have got back into the routine, with children ready to explore music in an enthusiastic and open minded way. 

If you haven't already, please sign up your child for next week's workshops on Saturday 25th January - the perfect opportunity to come and have fun and games with piano friends and learn about how to learn music together. We will focus on the music of June Armstrong and how to create a convincing and musical performance. See separate details about the Play for the Composer project.

Remember, the workshop is included in the termly fees and is a sociable and fun opportunity for children to build on existing skills in an activity based setting. All you need to do is book your preferred time through the mms portal. Click on the calendar icon then choose to REGISTER in either the 9.15-10.30am or 11.00-12.15pm slot.

Parents are welcome to drop and go or stay and play with us. 

  Thursday, July 18, 2024 by Frances Philpot | Uncategorized

Here are next year’s Key Dates for your diary, so you have the information at your fingertips!