We had some GREAT March performance classes before MAP! All of the students have clearly been practicing hard and making noticeable improvement - way to go, students!
During our performances, students were reminded to do the THREE B's - BOW (announce piece and composer), BENCH (take time to adjust as needed), and BREATHE (2x, to calm yourself and focus)! Practice doing these at home! The students and I shared some tips for staying focused - like "Don't think about each note, think of the bigger sections instead." "Think of the mood or story you want people to hear!" "Practice performing in front of others." "Record yourself and listen back." "Practice a lot!"
MAP/WSMTA THIS SUNDAY AND MONDAY
As you know, our WSMTA Honors Competition and MAP/Adjudications will take place this Sunday and Monday at St. Martin's University (see schedule on website). Please:
1. Come 10-15 min early to give yourself enough time to get situated.
2. Park in Visitor Lot N (near Marcus Pavilion in order to avoid a ticket.
3. Bring your music, and dress neatly, nails trimmed. No photocopies (I will bring originals).
4. Do the Three B’s before starting your piece (see above).
5. Be ready to ask questions of our Visiting Artist - this is your chance!
I am so happy to hear how everyone is sounding, and it will be a wonderful MAP!
TECHNIQUE PIANO CHALLENGE
Lastly, we have a new piano challenge for our next group class - "The Technique Challenge"! Our April 24 Group Class will once again feature the Scale Olympics, so this challenge will motivate students to prepare for this, as well as our National Guild Auditions in June. Each student will practice technique *at their own level* for a certain number of minutes during practice. For example, an Elementary level student would practice 5-finger or 1-octave scales, chords, etc for 4 minutes, while a Prep level student would do 4-octave scales, chords, etc, for 12 min. Follow instructions on the sheet, and there will be a prize! There are 22+ practice ideas listed on the sheet.
Good luck to everyone, and let me know if you have any questions!