Music Arts Update

Matthew Wilkinson joins Music Arts Faculty

Matthew Wilkinson, member of the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra and Principal Cellist of the Symphony of the Mountains in Kingsport, as well as a Knoxville Symphony on-call member, has joined Music Arts and is now giving lessons.

Matt’s wife, Jeanine Lafitte Wilkinson, has been a member of the Music Arts faculty for a number of years, and when her schedule no longer allowed her to accept new students, Matt was the obvious answer.

According to Matthew, cello runs in his family in more than his connection with Jeanine. His mother was professional cellist, and started Matt with cello lessons at age 4, playing a 1/10 size instrument. He says that this has instilled cello playing into his lifestyle and feels that this is what he was raised to do. And he loves it, and the sound of the instrument, pointing out that he can play some of the greatest music ever written, as well as traveling and performing with different people.

As well as his orchestra jobs, his busy schedule includes teaching orchestra at Karns, with three hour-long orchestra classes every day. He’s also an assistant conductor for the Knoxville Youth Symphony.

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from the University of Oregon, as well as a Master’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Tennessee, Matt is very qualified. He accepts students as young as 4^th or 5^th grade.

What does he look for in a student? Primarily, a willingness to learn, to accept new ideas. He adds that it helps if they have a passion for music, that they want to play for some reason. He admires students who practice, and points out that progress is determined more by how a student practices, rather than how long. He’d rather see a student practice for one hour, efficiently, than just coast along through a four hour session.

Needless to say, he’ll be more than willing to help his students learn to put their practice time to the best use.

Every now and then we get enthusiastic notes of praise from students, and we’d like to share some of these with you from time to time.

In today’s contribution, an adult student says she realizes that she enjoys and appreciates piano lessons much more than she would have as a child. Read on ….

“My husband gave me six music lessons as a Christmas gift this year. This was a wonderful surprise and something that I have wanted to do for quite a long time. I’m sure learning to play the piano would have been easier 60 years ago, but at age 65 I can honestly say that I enjoy and appreciate these lessons much more than I would have as a child.

“Fortunately, Mr. Nemeth is a very, very patient teacher! At the end of four lessons, I feel as though I am trying to pat my head and rub my stomach at the same time while my brain tries to decipher a foreign language. But I am enjoying it enormously.

“I also bought a Yamaha digital piano and am enjoying that as well. I’m glad you mentioned the possibility of that type of piano to my husband since we didn’t know that this as an option. The fact that it can be used with headphones is a very good idea since it take me forever to learn the most simple item.

“I would absolutely like to continue these lessons. What is the usual arrangement for paying for them? I will happily send you a check if you let me know the preferred time period that it should cover.

“Thanks again for your help in arranging a wonderful Christmas gift this year.”

Our director, Nancy England, says:

We have a relatively large number of adult students, not only in piano, but also voice, violin, guitar, trumpet and other instruments. Many people agree that while it’s easier to learn a new skill while a child, that debit is replaced by enthusiasm and desire to practice.

Michael Raines, Melanie Fann, Matthias Brown, Peter Podar, Kelsey Ridenour, Meagan Kessell and Alex Sample, students of Nemeth; and Mayuri Jagadish, Kris Sammons and Emily Cottrell, students of Lisa Griggs

Piano students of Rudolph Nemeth and vocal students of Lisa Griggs appeared in a Music Arts recital on Sunday, February 7. The event, which started at 2 pm, took place at the West Village Christian Church on Robertsville Road.

Performing were Michael Raines, Melanie Fann, Matthias Brown, Peter Podar, Kelsey Ridenour, Meagan Kessell and Alex Sample, students of Nemeth; and Mayuri Jagadish, Kris Sammons and Emily Cottrell, students of Lisa Griggs.

An intermission quiz, titled “What’s that Sound,” asked students to identify a wide range of instruments, and correct answers were rewarded with small prizes. In addition, Kelsey Ridenour won a Music Arts sheet music bag, and Alex Sample won a flying disk.

Hosts for the reception following the well-attended performance were Karen Earle and Kris Sammons.

Music Arts, formed in 1983, with a faculty of twenty professional musicians, offers instruction in band and orchestral instruments, piano, voice, guitar and mandolin. The school presents frequent recitals so students can perform when they’re at their peak. A nonprofit organization, the school offers scholarships to qualifying students of all ages.

Front, l to r: Josie Flickenger, Abby Laymance, Grace Crowe, Mary Grace Hagemeyer; Middle: Christopher Friend, Justin Kidder (slightly behind), Anna Flickenger, Julianna Romanoski, Emily Parsons, Beth Thew; Back: Instructors Rudolph Nemeth, Francine Britto, Frank Layton, students Jonathan Markley, Jacob Pieper

Taking part in a Music Arts recital on Sunday, December 6, 2009, were students of Francine Britto, Rudolph Nemeth, Frank Layton and Ilia Steinschneider.

Appearing were Christopher Friend, Julianna Romanoski, Grace Crowe, Abby Laymance, Josie Flickenger, Mary Grace Hagemeyer, Justin Kidder and Anna Flickenger, piano students of Britto; and Emily Parsons, piano student of Nemeth; Jonathan Markley, voice student of Layton; Jacob Pierper, trumpet student of Layton; and Beth Thew, violin student of Steinschneider.

December 6, 2009 reception

An Intermission Quiz focused on Music Theory, with emphasis on the Circle of Fifths, and students correctly answering the questions were rewarded with small prizes. The recital was held at 2 pm at the West Village Christian Church on Robertsville Road, and was followed by a reception hosted by Margaret Thew and Loretta Friend.

Music Arts is a nonprofit community music school with two dozen instructors in band and orchestral instruments, voice, piano, guitar and mandolin. Formed in 1983, the school offers scholarships to students who might not otherwise be able to afford lessons.

Mary Grace Hagemeyer and Josie Flickenger relax at the piano after the recital

Lisa Griggs

by Lisa Griggs

From the student’s point of view, the idea of performing in a recital can be rather daunting. However, there are good reasons why instructors encourage students to perform.

Performing helps overcome fear. The fear of the unknown is very powerful. If a student regularly avoids recitals, this fear can build up far beyond proportion. The positive experience of “making it through” a recital builds confidence and helps students of all ages gain poise.

Think about all the situations in life where it’s a big advantage to be able to appear poised in front of groups. Music Arts recitals are fairly small and very supportive. Here’s a wonderful place to practice these skills!

Instructors send a vote of confidence to students just by telling them that they are ready to perform. Students achieve a sense of closure and accomplishment when the instructor says he or she is ready for an audience.

“What if I make a mistake?!!” the student asks. One of my vocal teachers asked all her students, “What will you do when you make a mistake?” While all of us may approach a performance with the hope of perfection, sometimes we make mistakes. Life is like that. We need to learn how to handle mistakes.

If you’re a student and haven’t been in a recital recently, ask your instructor. Parents, encourage your children to participate. If they’re afraid, let them know that action cures fear! By performing, they’ll find out that it isn’t difficult to do, and what’s more important: it really does get easier as they continue to participate.

We know that parents like to see their children in recitals. Among other things, this gives the folks physical proof that their money is well spent. It also indicates to them whether the instructor feels that the child is making headway. If the student appears in recitals, progress is being made in the lessons, and the proof is obvious.

Lisa Griggs, a very popular vocal instructor with Music Arts for many years, performs regularly and remembers her own jitters as a young student.

The Music Arts Drop Box

That bird that ate the house is still there, but we promise he/she won’t attack you if you’d like to drop off your payment in our Drop Box at our book-keeping office at director Nancy England’s home on the corner of West Outer Drive and Mississippi Avenue (driveway off Mississippi) in Oak Ridge. If you want to leave cash, call ahead (865-482-5614) to make sure we can be there to give you a receipt!

It’s time for a reminder about how you can earn credits and discounts on your Music Arts bill.

If you refer a new student (whose family hasn’t studied with us in the past four years) to any of our Music Arts instructors, you’ll earn one free lesson for every full quarter that the new student completes – up to two years! This could translate into 8 free lessons for you. Think of it – refer a dozen students and you’re Home Free for two years, no matter what your instructor’s rates are.

Pay your bill by the actual due date (the 5th of the month or posted by the 3rd) during the year, starting with Fall Quarter, and you’ll be eligible for a 10% discount on continuing Summer Quarter lessons. But remember that any payment received after the 18th (posted after the 16th) will earn you something, too – a late charge!

This information (and more) is in the Music Arts Student Guide. If you don’t have one, please ask your instructor for a copy. You may review the information in the Student Guide on credits and discounts at http://musicartsschool.org/html/studentguide2.html#Doyougivediscounts.

October 15th Recital

Our recitals are not grueling marathons! They’re designed to last about one hour, with smaller audiences. Everyone loves the Intermission Quiz, where students are rewarded with mystery prizes for correct answers to musical questions. Let your instructor know that you’d like to be included. And if you’re not quiiiiiite sure about appearing in one, come and be part of the audience. It should reassure you that we don’t make people miserable!

These students of Rudolph Nemeth, Ilia Steinscheider and Lois White were in our October 15, 2009 recital, and they seemed to have survived it!

Pictured are:

• Front row, left to right:  Madison Valentine, Mason Valentine, Claire Gibson, Matthias Brown, Peter Podak.
• Top two rows taken as one, left to right:  Meagan Kessell, Alyssa McCartt, Amy Douglas, Jessica Herwig, Catherine Albert, Alex Sample (in back), Rachel Sammons, Grace Magness, Melanie Fann.

If you’ve been to our website, www.MusicArtsSchool.org, you may have noticed that many of our instructors have “testimonials” written by their students.

We’d like up update these website pages, and would like to hear from you. What wonderful qualities does he or she have that might make you want to recommend your instructor to your friends? Write to us and let us know, are maybe your entry will be featured on your instructor’s website page (complete with photo, of course!).

How’d you like a free lesson every now and then?

Nothing to it.  You can be part of our “Advertising!”   Refer a new student and for every full quarter that student completes, you’ll earn one free lesson!  Better yet, that single referral “Bonus Lesson” award can last as long as two full years!   Check it out further in our Student Guide at www.MusicArtsSchool.org, under “Activities.”  Look for the heading “Do you give Discounts?“ 

One of our referring students recently received a free Bonus Lesson deducted from her bill, and when she mailed her payment in, she wrote “WooHoo!  Thx!” 

And how about 10 % off your Summer Quarter lessons?

While you’re checking out the Bonus Lesson awards, perhaps the Prompt Payment Reward will catch your eye.  Starting each Fall Quarter, make sure all your payments are in our hands on time — postmarked by the 3rd of the month or drop box deposited by the 5th — and you’ll get a whopping 10% discount on your continuing Summer Quarter lessons.

Sure, you can wait to post your payment until the end of our “Grace Period” – by the 16th or hand-delivered by the 18th.  But do the math – isn’t that 10% worth getting it in on time?  Especially if you wait a little bit too long and get hit with the $4 late Fee?

Auditions for the 2009-2010 Knoxville Jazz Youth Orchestra will be held on Wednesday, September 23 at 7pm at the University of Tennessee School of Music. Saxophonist Alan Wyatt will conduct the band this year, with support from various members of the KJO.

Audition requirements and directions are posted at the website: http://www.knoxjazz.org

Follow the “Youth Band” link on the left hand side of the page. Audition materials may be downloaded directly from this page.

Auditions are open to students from grades 9 – 12. The group will rehearse each Wednesday evening at 7pm at the UT School of Music and will perform several concerts throughout the school year.

The KYJO is looking for people who play the following instruments:

• Alto saxophone
• Tenor saxophone
• Baritone saxophone
• Trumpet
• Trombone
• Piano
• Guitar
• Bass
• Drum set
• Vocals

For audition preparation tips visit Musicians’ Corner at the Oak Ridge Youth Symphony Orchestra website: oryso.org

Please consider adding a few dollars to your next payment to help support our scholarship fund. We have a number of kids needing some assistance paying for lessons, and every dollar helps! This is a good deed that can make an impact, and it helps our local economy, too!

Music Arts Fund Drive Mailing

Piano instructor Rudolph Nemeth, foreground, along with Music Arts president Gerald Scott, vocal instructor Lisa Griggs, and trumpet instructor Warren Clark, help put the annual Fund Drive mailing together.  They’re counting on your generosity, along with other residents and businesses in Oak Ridge, to help make sure that scholarships are available.

A donation of $25 will list you as a Patron on our recital programs.  Giving $50 to $99 makes you a Benefactor, with Mentor at $100 to $199, and $200 or more puts you on top as a Grantor.

And don’t forget – we’re a government registered nonprofit.  Your donation is fully Tax Deductible!