Archive for December, 2009

Recital 12/06/2009

♫ Sunday, December 27th, 2009

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


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Recitals – Action Cures Fear!!

♫ Sunday, December 27th, 2009

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.


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