Posts Tagged: Recitals

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.

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.