Blog archives for November, 2008

Although younger than other Music Arts instructors, the music school’s latest addition to the faculty is brimming with talent, enthusiasm and playing experience.

Don Childress

Don Childress, who sports the nickname “Duck,” recently graduated from Bearden High School and has as his life’s goal to be a professional musician and teacher.

A guitarist who’s familiar with a wide range of music styles, Don especially enjoys rock, jazz, bluegrass, country and blues. He’s lead guitarist and vocalist for two Knoxville bands and keeps busy performing.

Don’s hope, in teaching, is to pass along his love of music. “I think it’s good to pass music around and share it with everybody,” he emphasizes. “Everyone deserves a chance to learn.” He doesn’t put age limits on the students he’ll accept.

At lessons with new students, Don prefers to first see what they already know. He thinks it’s important to also find out what their goals are. Do they want to learn just chords, or learn to read melodies? “If they can sit still for scales and music theory, I’d be happy to help them with that, too” he grins.

As a musician who loves his guitar and making music, Don was inspired to play guitar because his father had a guitar. “Dad taught me some chords, and it was ‘away we go’ from then on,” Don says, adding “The bottom line is that I always want my students to have fun. If they’re not having fun, then they’re wasting their time and their money.”

William Mason

William Mason, student of Jeanine Lafitte Wilkinson, at the 2008 E.T.S.B.O.A Junior Orchestra Clinic at Carson Newman College. William placed thirteenth in the cello auditions and was principal cellist in the Red Orchestra. Congratulations William!

The checks are still coming in, and thanks to all of you who have already donated to the Music Arts Fund.

If you haven’t but would still like to help support our Scholarships and other special programs, please include something extra with your Winter Quarter payment! We know times are tough but we’ll take any amount, no matter how small.

Remember a minimum of $25 will get your name on our recital programs as a Patron. There are also categories for Benefactor and Mentor, and if you give $200 or more, you’ll be a Grantor!

Since we’re a non-profit, anything you give is tax deductible.

Prior to the beginning of each quarter, your instructors estimate the number of lessons they’ll give.

If you miss a couple of lessons or have extras during the quarter, don’t panic! We’ll make sure that things come out right at the end of the quarter. We rarely adjust bills in the middle of a quarter – who knows what will happen next week? A makeup lesson, perhaps?

If you discover you’ll be missing a number of lessons, contact our office and we can put you on “hold.”

But remember – if we don’t know about it and don’t get your payment, you’ll probably get hit with the late fee!

Your music school recently held an Open House at Roane State Community College to celebrate the award of grants from the Tennessee Arts Commission, through the Knoxville Arts and Culture Alliance and the Tennessee Arts Commission, with the other half through the generosity of our local WalMart.

The first part of the program featured a performance by instructors David King (clarinet, sax and flute) and Preston Davis (upright bass and bass guitar) built around their presentation for the upcoming school visits.

Instructors Harold Nagge and Robert Alfonso, with their acoustic guitars, along with Rudolph Nemeth (piano) providing a background rhythm section, joined in a jam session to end all jam sessions. Fantastic.

… included Linden, Glenwood, Woodland and Willowbrook third and fourth grades. After one demonstration, an enthusiastic Linden fourth grader told his mom: “The presentation was awesome because of all the different instruments, and they all sounded cool.”

The kids also learned a lot about how instruments worked, their ranges, what they’re made of, and how to choose an instrument that’s right for them.

Many more photos from the school visits can be seen by reviewing the Summer ‘08 Newsletter.

Professor Romeo Fracalanza

Sadly, Romeo passed away on July 3. He had been a patient at NHC and prior to that, at a local nursing home, where he kept his piano in his room and continued to enjoy it for some time.

Romeo was a gentle, exceptional person. Born in Venice, Italy, he earned his doctorate in music and spent perhaps a decade as the chief organist at the largest church in San Paulo, Brazil. He and his wife, who predeceased him, lived in Sarnia, Ontario; Rochester, N.Y.; and Port Huron, Mich., before moving to Oak Ridge many years ago to be near their daughter Liz Herbes and her family.

The Professor’s family has requested that donations in his honor be given to the Music Arts Scholarship Fund, and we’ve already gotten several, including some from his past friends and neighbors in Michigan. Feel free to add your name to this list.

Do you have a copy of the Music Arts Student Guide? All that information about free lessons and prompt payment discounts is part of the guide. Ask your instructor for a copy or check it online in ‘Activities.’

One of our favorite groups, the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra (KJO), has announed its 2008-2009 season! Tickets are now on sale.

The season includes:

• September 23, 8 pm, Ray Charles Birthday Celebration starring saxophonist/vocalist Maceo Parker;
• December 15, A Swingin’ Christmas;
• February 17, an Evening with a Legend, starring Gerald Wilson
• April 8, a Tribute to Miles Davis, starring Terell Stafford

Season ticket holders enjoy a 25% discount (one show for free) plus priority seating consideration. More info at www.knoxjazz.org.

Auditions for the 2007-08 Knoxville Youth Jazz Orchestra will be held on Sunday, October 21st at 1pm at the University of Tennessee School of Music, 1741 Volunteer Blvd. in Knoxville.

Saxophones, trumpets, trombones, pianists, bassists, guitarists and drummers should check www.knoxjazz.org/kyjo.html to download the music for your instrument.

Unfortunately, summer vacation fun can lead to a break from practicing. Here are some tips (contributed by a parent!) to help you get back on track:

• Always schedule your practice time
• Practice every day, even if you can just find a few minutes
• Find a quiet place away from distractions
• Practice slowly and thoughtfully
• Spend most of your time on your newer and more difficult work
• Don’t whine! Just get to work
• Don’t practice when you are tired
• Listen to music recordings every day
• Sing the notes first, then play
• Set goals, and don’t give up!

Music Arts Fund Drive: Having a great time stuffing envelopes and joking around are Music Arts instructors, from left, Preston Davis, Ilia Steinschneider, Robert Alfonso, Board member Joan Martin (behind Alfonso); instructor Lucie Novoveska, Board president Gerald Scott, and instructors Eric Sampsel and Beth Sampsel

A Stuffing Party for the annual fund drive mailing was held on July 26th. Board members, instructors, and their guests stuffed over 2,000 envelopes and saved Music Arts a bundle in fees. Many thanks for your help, stuffers!

Will you consider sharing your love of music with a less fortunate student? Give a few bucks to our fund. Each year, Music Arts holds the Fund Drive, which allows us to make sure that all young students can afford lessons.

We’ll accept any amount, large or small. But a donation of at least $25 will get your name listed on the backs of our programs. Larger donations will be cheerfully accepted.

It’s easy – just add whatever sum you wish to your next payment to us, and enclose a note letting us know that you’re helping.

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