Anna Cannon Music Studio Newsletter
Term One 2010
Welcome back everyone
I hope you all enjoyed your summer holidays. It didn’t feel much like summer at times with excessive rain, hail storms and wind. I trust you have made the most of your break.
Term Dates
There will be some small disruptions to music lessons this term. Firstly on a personal note, by son Joshua’s baby (Damien) is due to arrive early February. Hopefully this won’t cause too much of an intrusion, but in the case of an emergency I will have to be on hand. Thank you for your understanding.
Many of you will be aware that in 2009 I studied for my Performing Speech and Drama LTCL exam with Trinity Guildhall. I am very pleased to be able to tell you that I passed that exam. This exam has three components ( I have passed one) and to complete it I must participate in productions and present an extensive thesis as well as sit a theoretical exam. In term one I am involved with Shakespeare in the Dark. I will not be teaching the week the show is on. (15 – 19 February) Please write this date in your diary. Lessons will start earlier to compensate and in term two we have eleven weeks (you will only be charged for ten) so this will ensure everyone has their ten weeks of lessons. Lesson consistency is important and I will do my best not to allow my involvement in productions to be intrusive. Some students may be affected the week before production, but I will let those of you affected know in due course. Be assured I will make sure you all have your allocated lessons. If there any queries, please feel free to email me.
PLEASE PUT THESE DATES IN YOUR DIARY
Monday Students
Start 25 January – End 29 March. ( 9 weeks plus 1 week
from term 2 extra – 10 weeks total.)
Tuesday Students
Start Tuesday 26 January – End March 30th. ( 9 weeks plus 1 week
from term 2 extra – 10 weeks total.)
Wednesday Students
Start Wednesday 20 January – End 31 March. ( 9 weeks plus 1 week
from term 2 extra – 10 weeks total.)
Evening Students only
Wednesday 27 January – End 31 March. ( 9 weeks plus 1 week
from term 2 extra – 10 weeks total.)
Day time Students only.
PLEASE NOTICE THE DIFFERENT DATES FOR DAY AND
NIGHT APPOINTMENTS.
Thursday Students
Start Thursday 28 January – End Thursday 1 April. ( 9 weeks plus 1 week
from term 2 extra – 10 weeks total.)
Friday Students
Start Friday 22 January - End Friday 26 March 9 weeks plus 1 week
from term 2 extra – 10 weeks total.)
Rescheduling
My policy remains the same; due to classes being full and long hours worked,
lessons may not be rescheduled.
Lessons may be swapped however, and you may email me to see if I have any
cancellations. If I have any
cancellations I will be happy to let you have that lesson time.
It always pays to ask and let me know in advance if you can’t attend your
lessons as this may benefit someone else.
MAD CLASSES –
MUSIC AND DRAMA FOR 8 – 12 YEARS OLD
Increase your child’s confidence with :
Drama activities.
Plays and Music
Poetry and Stories
Improvisation and Drama Games
FEES
$112.50 Per Term plus any material costs
Once children are established, it will be possible to sit Trinity Speech and Drama exams.
In term one we will be putting on a play, learning two poems, working on our singing and acting skills and generally having a lot of fun!
Numbers will be limited for this class which will run on Saturday morning from 10 am to 11 am during the school term. Please register your interest as soon as possible. Please make your friends aware of this class. Thank you for your support!
To register email me:
MUSIC 4 ME
4 – 7 Years Old
(Small group)
Learn recorder, singing, music and movement and drama.
There are limited places in this group which runs on a Monday afternoon between 3.30 and 4.30 during the school term.
Cost $112.50 per term including GST.
Material costs extra.
Account Payment
If you wish to pay your account by automatic payment please contact me. Accounts are due for payment at the beginning of term. I am flexible about payments so please approach me if you need to make partial or weekly payments at the beginning of the year.
Tea Break
Due to an increase in student numbers I am teaching for a longer period during the day. I now have facilities to make a cup of tea in the studio, so please understand that occasionally I may have to stop for a moment to make a cup of tea and have a snack. This short break will not disturb your lesson. Thank you for your understanding.
Highlights of 2009
There were some great moments in 2009. Many children and adults passed their exams. Some children and parents gave freely of their time to entertain others in the various rest homes and clubs around Invercargill. Well done for sharing your music with others.
Our concert was a great success and I am planning another exciting event for 2010.
Both parents and children enjoyed the end of year bbq. The children had a great time playing games and having lolly scrambles. The adults were lucky enough to have a few minutes reprieve. It was a great end to a lovely year of music.
We busked at the Warehouse for the SPCA. This is something we could do again if anyone is interested. A donation of money and cat food was made to Invercargill SPCA. I anyone wants to donate cat food regularly, Rachel, one of my students mothers works at the SPCA and lives just around the corner from me, so feel free to leave cat food at the studio.
Exams
I only have dates for
May Series Closes February 22nd
Aug/Sept Series Closes May 22nd
November Series Closes August 22nd
December Series Closes September 22n
There has been little change to the costs of exams. For more information go to:
As soon as dates are available for Rock school and Trinity Guildhall I will post them on the internet.
Please indicate at your earliest
convenience if your child would like to do a practical or theory exam.
Your choices are Trinity,
Exam Preparation Form
I have created a form to assess readiness for exams. It is quite common for students to underestimate how much work is required for a practical exam and how high the standard is to pass. To ensure that both student and teacher are not unduly stressed during the exam preparation time, this form should help assess a student’s readiness to sit. Please feel free to discuss this further. This may mean a delay in sitting an exam if I feel a student is really not ready yet. The student also may take the option of waiting till the next opportunity so that he or she really feels ready. Email me if you would like a copy of the form.
Progress Report
Some students will have a progress report sheet in their individual folders. When they come for lessons they should find their folder (on the book shelf) and get it ready. They should put their practice schedule inside it for me to look at. (Chocolate fish for those who regularly practice during the term.) Parents can look at these anytime to ascertain how their child is progressing. You may also arrange to speak to me or email me anytime you have questions or concerns about your child’s progress.
Practice
I have done quite a lot of research in the past eighteen months, and everything always points back to one critical factor – PRACTICE. It makes a huge difference to your child’s development. If you are an adult learning you are probably already very aware of this.
For young children beginning lessons start with ten minutes and over time build up to twenty minutes at least five times a week. For children who have been learning for some time, build from the twenty minutes slowly; say adding a minute extra each week. For those undertaking exams you will need specific guidance relevant to you personally so please speak to me about this.
Relaxation CD
I am in the process of making a relaxation CD for adult learners. Hopefully this will be available soon.
Aural
I am also working on an aural resource for beginner students. This should be available soon. The cost is included in your studio fee.
Parking
Please be considerate of the neighbors. When possible park in my driveway. There is room for several cars if you park thoughtfully. Please do not park across the mailboxes as my neighbors drive through here to retrieve their mail. Thank you.
Concert – Drama and Music Production
There are exciting developments underway for the concert. This year I would like to incorporate drama into our concert. Students will still perform their pieces but it will be part of a drama that is telling a story. At this stage I think it will be the Phantom of the Music Studio. Should you like a part (not playing music) please contact me. I may need some adult help as well so any volunteers would be welcome. More news will follow.
Could all students think about what they might like to play for the concert? I will need these choices as soon as possible so I can incorporate them into the story line (which I will be writing). If you have any choices ready now just email me. (If you have friends who would like to be on the concert mailing list please email me their email details – we love a big audience)
Exam congratulations
Well done
Mike Robbie G3
Vivian Christey G3
Joshua Hart Junior
Jack Ritchie Junior
Ben Crossley Pritchard Preliminary
Hilary Strang G4
Brittany Christey G6
Luke Dawson G1
Congratulations also to
Certificates will be handed out at our annual concerts.
I am looking forward to seeing you all again.
Kind regards
Anna Cannon – Music Teacher