Don't Forget!

Tots and Tunes is at Chick-Fil-A Kid's Night TONIGHT from 5-8 pm. Kid's Meals are 99 cents and there will be tons of music and fun to boot! Join me at the Mt. Juliet Providence location for this terrific event!

Tomorrow, Wednesday March 26th, I'll be at the Thompson Lane Library for a Kindermusik Story Time. See you at 10:30 AM with bells on!

Making music matter,
jg

Who needs the Primer Level anyway!

There are moments in teaching that sometimes can leave one smiling from ear to ear. I had one of those moments recently. A sweet piano student of mine who has been with me for over a year now has made a regular effort to inquire about the next level books he will be using... "What color are they?" "What are the songs?" "How many of your other students are in those books," and on and on. Well, two weeks ago I assigned him the last songs in his Primer Level informing him that if he came in prepared the following week - and ONLY if he came in prepared - he would be able to take home his new red, Level One books with him. So, after a week in between lessons, it hadn't really occurred to me the significance of that night he walked into my home. He was taking deep breaths, ran down to the music room, began tinkering around anxiously on the keyboard, and I suppose I was still oblivious as to why. After he made a comment about being nervous, I finally asked him to explain his slightly odd behavior. He quickly reminded me that was the night I had promised him his year-long wish to move up a level if he had put good effort into his practicing that week. So, he played selection one for me... and passed (HUGE sigh from him). Selection two went beautifully and he gratefully put a sticker at the top of the page. Finally, the last assignment was up - the only thing that kept him from achieving his long-awaited rite of passage. He mumbled a bit to himself, as if talking his fingers into sure success, put his hands up on the keyboard with confidence, straightened his posture... and played with ease. When he finished, he turned to me with raised eyebrows as if to ask, "Well?" As soon as I shook my head in affirmation he threw his arms straight up in the air, eyes to the ceiling, and I believe I may have heard "Eye of the Tiger" or some other Rocky-themed tune playing in the background. A small, Primer-Level-piano-player of a boy turned Level-One- Maestro within seconds. He rushed up to tell my husband he did it - he had advanced on to a higher order, then skipped out my door to bask in his self-induced success. He owned that accomplishment and had worked hard to get it. Whether or not he'll ever be a professional musician matters not to me. What matters most is that he set a goal, he made a path, and he followed it to the end... it doesn't get any better than that!

Making music matter,
jg