Laura's Blog

     I hear this question a lot! The answer is, the sooner the better.

     Children who begin preschool music programs can jumpstart building their foundations of music making. When a child is old enough to read -- and has more developed motor skills -- private music lessons are an excellent option. Private music lessons offer each child the opportunity to receive weekly instruction from a qualified teacher.

      Beginning a lifetime of music making does not have to begin quite so early. Many adult students, who have started music lessons later in life, are some of the most enthusiastic students. One adult said, “I am really glad that I decided to take lessons-- even at this age--because I enjoy music so much!”  Age is really not an issue, so much as the desire to learn. Regardless of age, if you are able to enjoy listening to music, then you are able to enjoy making music.

       To ensure the best musical experience for your child, register for lessons with a qualified teacher, such as a member of The Parkland Music Teachers’ Association (PMTA), because of their commitment to providing excellent music instruction.

       You can experience the many benefits of making music. Register your child with a qualified teacher today. For more information on qualified teachers in your area, contact any member of the Parkland Music Teachers’ Association. 

     Since 1990, the Parkland Music Teachers’ Association (PMTA), a local non-profit organization, has been an integral part of the local music community.

     PMTA meets on a monthly basis to share new teaching ideas, host workshops, perform for each other, and to organize community events, such as the annual February Fantasy concert, the Parkland Music Festival, and the Gala concert.

     PMTA offers networking, support and professional development activities to local music teachers. Professional development activities include an annual music festival, workshops and concerts.

     The February Fantasy concert is a delightful musical variety concert. PMTA members have the opportunity to “strut their stuff” alongside special guests at this annual festival fundraiser.

      More than 150 talented local musicians are showcased in the Parkland Music Festival, which takes place annually in March. The festival is non-competitive, except for the popular recital classes, where scholarships are awarded for outstanding musicianship. The highlight of the festival weekend is the Gala concert, which showcases many of the most memorable festival performances.

      If you are a music teacher, please consider joining us for our first PMTA meeting on Friday, Sept. 19 at 10 am. For the location of the meeting or more info, please email Laura.

      We wish all music teachers a creative and enjoyable year of teaching!          

How do students overcome recital nervousness? One of my students said, "I don't get nervous. I just get up and perform. Playing for other recitals has helped, but after speaking in front of my whole school, I think I can perform anywhere now!" She is fortunate, as most students get a little nervous about performing.  

Interestingly, after many years of performing, I still do get a little performance anxiety. One of my relaxation techniques is to focus on communicating the emotional aspects of the music to my audience. Another is to keep rehearsing and rehearsing, as there is no substitute for hard work! An integral part of my preparation process involves marking scores. For example, I circle difficult fingering, dynamics, articulations, key (and meter) changes, and so forth. 

Whether your students gravitate toward the stage or shy away from it, getting them to perform on a regular basis will help them become better performers. And it should help them overcome some of their performance anxiety. Have them "allow" the music to flow and prepare well. Then everyone can sit back, relax, and enjoy their music recitals!     

On April 18, 2008, my piano teaching colleague, Lois Rogers will be giving an informative workshop which focuses on teaching students how to practice! The title of her workshop is Practicing for Success. Lois will not only discuss ways to help students practice, but she plans to bring at least one of her students along to demonstrate the ways she teaches students how to practice. 

Lois began piano lessons at an early age, studying with teachers (who were pupils of distinguished Edmonton piano teacher, Madame LeSaunier). She was only 13 years old when she completed her Grade 10 Royal Conservatory piano exam and later completed her A.R.C.T.  Lois also earned a B. Ed. in Business and Physical Education from the U of Alberta in Edmonton. During her college years, she directed and acted in a musical theatre group called the Jubilaires. After university, Lois taught for many years at the Memorial Composite High School in Stony Plain, where she spent 14 of those years working with their award winning choral program. After 15 years, Lois continues to maintain a successful piano studio in Spruce Grove.     

The topic of Practicing for Success is of interest, not only for studio piano teachers, but for all studio and school music teachers. Advanced students, who are considering teaching music lessons, will also benefit from this workshop, which takes place at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Stony Plain, Alberta on April 18, 2008 from 9 am until 12 noon. The cost is $10 per person, (except for members of the Parkland Music Teachers' Association, who, because they are hosting and sponsoring this workshop, are not required to pay a fee).  

As some of you already know, my website was a birthday gift from my husband, Gehres Weed, who is a computer programmer. The site has only been available for the last few years, but I've had so much fun with it. And so can you!

Do you have any unique abilities? Think about the things that others say about you. Do they say, "Oh, you should go to Murray, because he is the very best accountant I know?" Or are you known for coaching sports, grooming dogs or teaching music lessons? Why not let others know what you do? The key is really to focus on your uniqueness. For me, composing and arranging music in unique ways has always been my passion! People have also commented that they enjoy listening to and playing my music. So, it was easy for me to know what the contents would be for my own website. And, in addition to having fun with my website,  I have also made some extra money from selling my original compositions and arrangements, which includes my book, All Keyed Up! It's Christmas!  

So, if you'd like to have your own website, make your dream a reality by going to the following address:  konbriosoftware          

     On behalf of the Parkland Music Teachers’ Association, I invite you to attend the Gala concert on Sunday, March 16, 7 pm at Horizon Stage. The Gala concert features scholarship winners from the 17th annual Parkland Music Festival, as well as other memorable performances. Representatives from local business and service organizations will be on hand to present their music scholarships.

     Approximately thirty two talented pianists, singers and flautists (ages 6-90) will perform an eclectic mix of classical, jazz, country, sacred and popular musical styles.      

     Janelle Weed, an editor for the Castle Rock Research Corporation, will be the Master of Ceremonies.     

     The Gala concert is free of charge, thanks to generous donations by local business and service organizations.

     The Parkland Music Teachers’ Association extends a warm invitation to the public to attend the February Fantasy concert on Friday, February 22, 7 pm at Horizon Stage. Now in its sixth season, the concert features a variety of musical talent from local music teachers and special guests. This year’s guest performer is Edmonton harpist, Hannah Elossais. A former Parkland Music Festival scholarship winner, Hannah has delighted Alberta audiences with her lovely harp playing! Local speaker, Dr. Roy Dyke reprises his role as Master of Ceremonies.  

      Local pianists, Carrie McCaffrey and Joanne Johnston, will begin the concert with the piano duet, No Commercial Interruptions, which is a medley of The Winds of War and the theme from the television series, St. Elsewhere. Chopin’s stirring, Polonaise Militaire, will be played by pianists, Joanne Peterson and Joleen Bryant. Singer, Tim Platten and pianist, Laura Weed, will present a rousing rendition of You Raise Me Up. Pianists, Erin Iampen and Carmen Kulak, will play popular composer, Christopher Norton’s Meditation. A trio of toe tapping tunes will be performed by fiddler, Laura Weed, and pianist, Joanne Peterson. Angela Wight, will play the lovely piano solo, You’re Beautiful. Cathy Gomes will play one folk song, All Through the Night, and two hymns, Onward Christian Soldiers and Holy, Holy, Holy on her French horn, accompanied by Laura Weed.     

     Singer, Dori Whyte and pianist, Carmen Kulak, will delight the audience with the Broadway show tune, Show Me! Composer, Laura Weed will premiere her lively piano solo, The Chase. Pianist, Carmen Kulak will perform the first movement of a Beethoven sonata, followed by a comedy piano duet by Laura Weed and Joanne Peterson. Vocalists, Dori Whyte and Joanne Peterson, accompanied by Carmen Kulak, will also perform an upbeat song about friendship. We can only hope that Alida Tigchelaar’s piano solo, To Spring by Grieg, will have a favorable, warming effect on Mother Nature! Arranger, Laura Weed presents Hallelujah (from Shrek) by Canadian songwriter, Leonard Cohen, Hedwig’s Theme (from the Harry Potter movies), Gladiator Theme, and Seasons of Love, from Broadway’s Rent. Singer/guitarist, Barry McCaffrey joins his wife, pianist, Carrie for a beautiful version of the classic song, Shenandoah. Last on the program is guest harpist, Hannah Elossais, who will perform three selections, Peaceful Tide, Loch Tay Boat Song and Little Fountain.       

      As an added treat for the audience, complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be served following the concert. The February Fantasy concert is a fundraiser for the Parkland Music Festival, held in March in Stony Plain. For tickets, contact any PMTA member, or Horizon Stage Box Office.

The Parkland Music Festival entry deadline has been extended until Monday, February 4 (postmarked). If you play the piano, flute or sing, the festival offers solo, duet and trio classes in a variety of genres, such as classical, Canadian composer, sacred, popular, country, jazz, and musical theatre.

The festival, now in its 17th year, takes place on March 14 and 15 at two venues in Stony Plain. (In its banner year, the festival accommodated six adjudicators and 250 entrants!) If you have a yen for a challenge, the festival also has competitive classes, which offer cash scholarships from $40 to $100. Scholarship monies are donated by local businesses, community organizations, and by the PMTA, who will be presenting a festival fundraiser, called the February Fantasy concert, at Horizon Stage at 7 pm on February 22.  Scholarship recipients (as well as some of the more memorable performers) will be featured in the annual Gala concert at Horizon Stage at 7 pm on March 16.

For students taking Royal Conservatory or Canada Conservatory exams, the festival is a great way for students to get valuable feedback from adjudicators before those exams!

The festival is open to anyone, ages 6 to adult. For a syllabus and entry forms, please phone Nicola at 962-3536 or Laura at 962-6705.

One of my New Year's resolutions for 2008 is to complete the Dale Wheeler workshop series, (which I began several months ago). Instead of writing only the sixth (and final) article, I have decided to include the entire workshop in one article! His excellent (and well attended!) APTA (Alberta Piano Teachers' Association) sponsored workshop, held in Stony Plain, Alberta, was entitled, Spring Tune Up: Self Evaluation Guidelines for your Studios. The workshop focus was on improving our 1) teaching environments, 2) lesson policies, 3) problem solving, and 4) teaching styles.   

Our teaching environments can be improved by adding colorful paintings (or posters) and decorative rugs, better lighting, tuning our pianos, and by reorganizing our studios. For those who don’t already have one, Dr. Wheeler suggested getting an answering machine to minimize interruptions during lessons.

Our lesson policies can be improved by making them more clear and concise. 

Our problem solving can be improved by teaching students more detailed information about each score.  We can also demonstrate more often during the lesson and ask students leading questions (rather than just talking about concepts). Other areas for improvement include giving students just the right amount of assignments and discussing short and/or long term goals with them.    

Our teaching styles can be improved by varying our voice inflections when we speak, avoiding the use of annoying mannerisms, and by varying the adjectives we use when we praise students (instead of just saying, “Good” or “OK”) And, of course there’s plenty of room for improvement in how we “pace” our lessons! We can improve our overall teaching by networking with other teachers, buying books on the art of teaching, attending conferences and workshops, and, (for brave piano teachers!), videotaping our lessons.     

During the workshop, Dr. Wheeler kept asking us, “What will you do to improve your teaching?” Most of us mentioned small changes, like adding a light on top of the piano or reorganizing our studios. (I have reorganized my reward stickers in separate Ziploc bags). Even small changes can make a difference!    

So, what will you do to improve your teaching?

     One of my New Year's resolutions for 2008 is to write more articles in my blog (and to complete this six part series based on a day long piano teaching workshop given by Dr. Dale Wheeler last year for members of the Parkland Music Teachers' Association (and other Alberta teachers) in Stony Plain. The workshop was graciously sponsored by the Alberta Piano Teachers' Association). This part of the music workshop focuses on watching students as well as the more difficult (but revealing!) task of watching how we teach.

     Dr. Wheeler asked us piano teachers to think about the way we speak during our lessons. Of course, using a variety of voice inflections is far more interesting than merely droning on and on. He also cautioned teachers not to talk too much during lessons, to allow students plenty of performance time! When giving praise to students, he suggested varying the adjectives we use to describe how they are doing. For example, saying "Good job!" every single time a student performs well is not terribly motivating for the student. But, if teachers mix things up a little by saying things like "You're catching on!" or "Better!" or "I really liked how you improved ____________this week" (Fill in the blank with anything you notice which has improved, such as posture, hand position changes, phrasing, fingering, dynamics, articulations and so forth, students feel special. And they take comfort in knowing that you're really paying attention to what they're doing!

      "How many of you notice the wrists and the shoulders of your piano students as they play?" Dr. Wheeler asked. Nearly every teacher in the room raised their hands. Correct posture is so important to good playing, that we are very aware of it. Beginning students, in particular, tend to let their wrists fall. To correct this, I had one of my students draw a picture of her hands (using the proper curved position). Because her drawing was a constant and, more importantly personal reminder for her to hold her hands correctly, it eliminated her bad habit. Raising the shoulders creates tension in the body and is to be avoided. As we have to be careful about touching students these days, teachers can ask permission to move student shoulders down, demonstrate the correct position, or tell students to keep their shoulders relaxed. Part of the "shoulder" problem is that we say to students "Hold your wrists up", so students want to hold their shoulders up, too. Raising the shoulders, it is a bad habit, so it is important to correct this early in a piano student's education.

     Dr. Wheeler asked us piano teachers to consider our rapport with students, specifically whether we act too much like a friend or whether we're too strict. Most of us felt that we were somewhere inbetween those two extremes. Are students anxious or excited about lessons? Students are quite excited when they start lessons, but they are definitely anxious about taking exams! It is interesting to note that, generally, the more a student performs in recitals, the less anxious they become about them. Do students watch the clock or do you pace your lessons well? Pacing lessons usually improves with teaching experience, but this is an important area for all of us to consider.

     In conclusion, Dr. Wheeler left us with a wonderful thought. He said, "Yes, there are teachers whose students win concerto competitions, festival awards and top exam marks. But these are not necessarily the best teachers. (A few teachers looked absolutely stunned by this remark!) The most important thing is that your students show marked improvement. Most of our students are not little Mozart prodigies, because we teach mostly average students. While gifted students generally do well with most any teacher, remember that it is harder to teach average students than gifted students! I repeat, the most important thing is that your students show marked improvement." After he said this, I thought back to what one of my very best teachers said to me (when I deserved it!) during my lessons (Her students did also win concerto competitions, festival awards and top exam marks), "Ah, Laura, you're making progress!" (i.e. showing improvement) Now, after years of teaching, I am filled with gratitude, because I realize that, she not only helped me to learn, but she also showed me how to teach.