What makes a great music school

As we transition from a private guitar studio to the St. Joseph Arts Academy, we are thinking a lot about what it really takes to make a really great school of music. While our emphasis has been guitar, we are dedicated to promoting music education and the arts in our entire community.

We want music to be an important part in the lives of players of all ages. You are never too young or too old to pursue the benefits of music for yourself. Or to encourage in the lives of your loved ones.

We want the reputation of being a great (and trusted) school of music.

Here are few historical facts to back that up…

• Tested – Our teaching methods and materials have been used by 1000’s of students from the youngest beginners to College music programs to Adult professionals and hobbyists. We continually seek to refine and streamline our teaching process towards the maximum impact for our students in the shortest amount of time possible.

• Established – Our studio has been continuously and successfully operating in St. Joseph, MO since 1993 and in Atchison KS since 1996. We’ve maintained a full roster of students and a waiting list simply on our reputation and word of mouth referrals. Now, as we grow our business and advertise in more markets, the St. Joseph Arts Academy is the fastest growing school of music in Northwest Missouri.

• Proven – Our students have gone on to graduate from conservatory programs, own music stores, win scholarships, receive awards, win Missouri All-state Jazz Guitar seats, be invited to perform at Music Festivals, give regular recitals, lead professional bands, study abroad, compose and record their own music and some have gone on to work at Gibson Guitars, Musician’s Friend and in professional recording studios. Not all our students are expected to become professionals but we teach them all with the same expectation of musical growth, accomplishment and that they be good people too!

• Industry-leading – We have been the go-to source for amateur and serious guitar instruction in Northwest Mo for over 2 decades. By leading the college guitar programs in our area, we’ve directly influenced all aspiring professional guitarists in the region and beyond. We regularly present topics and coach students as a guest clinicians for guitar festivals, concert and clinics at other schools across the US as well as the “Red Socks and Guitar” Festival in Chartres, France.

• Secure – We are proactive about protecting all our students and their personal information. We will never sell or share your name, email or more private information with out your consent. All billing is kept private and secure in our system. We will soon be offering direct withdrawal payments from checking or credit cards to offer our families another level of convenience and security.

• Widespread – Well, not exactly. Our methods our proprietary and the level of attention to individualized instruction makes us a standout in the market place. We simply don’t do whatever everyone else does. We focus on the needs of the individual or the ensemble to maximize and inspire growth and goal accomplishment.

• Accepted – Our studio is accepted and participates fully as a productive music school in our community. We are a resource to musician and teacher throughout the region. We work hard to build and maintain musical relationships with other top studios, venues, retail and education businesses and organizations. We know everybody! And they know us.

• Easy – It’s easy to sign up and get started with your music lessons quickly. Just call the studio (816-974-7656) or email Jason (jason@stjosephartsacademy.com) to set up a day and time. We’ll establish a course of action to complete your goals or put you on the best possible learning path based on your age and interests. Lessons are Month to Month and we can work with your schedule.

• Discounted – Our studio regularly offers discounts and rewards to our students on registration fees, lessons, books, materials and other tools like strings, tuners and metronomes. By taking part in our referral, student of the month, evaluative and other music contests, students win FREE lessons, gift cards, certificates, trophies, medals, pins and other prizes.

• Everyone – Simply put, music is for everyone. We think everyone should play. Music is a big part of what makes us human. AND music has benefits for us all. No matter how young. No matter how old. I’ve heard people say “I think I’m tone deaf.” Let me tell you… that is not true. There is no such thing as “Tone Deafness”. If there were you wouldn’t be able to tell a dog’s bark from a car horn. Even professionals have had their own struggles in music that they have overcome. No matter where we are… We can all grow, we can all become better. Becoming stronger musicians makes us stronger in so many other ways. It makes us stronger in dealing with so many challenges that life can throw at us. It’s important. And it’s for everyone.

• Experienced – Jason Riley has over 25 years experience teaching in a private studio teacher, as a clinician and as adjunct professor of guitar at the college level. He’s also a professional performing musician with his own bands and as a sideman in many, many more. Jason has toured, performed, written and recorded with diverse acts in rock, jazz, classical, blues, bluegrass, country, prog and musical comedy.

• Certified – We are the only guitar instruction in the area that is trained and certified to teach young children through the Suzuki Guitar Method. Organizations include the Suzuki Association of the Americas, Music Teachers National Association and our local, St. Joseph Area Music Teachers Association.

• Efficient – Our teaching methods and practice strategies make your time spent learning music extremely efficient. We know time is our most valuable resource and that our students are eager to make progress as fast as possible. Part of what we do is teaching the efficient use of practice time and time management skills to reap the greatest rewards.

• Simple – Just because something is simple doesn’t mean that it’s “easy”. Simplicity is key. It can be very challenging to perform simple tasks well. These are the steps we take to mastery. Simple steps, done well and repeated toward you musical goal.

• Guaranteed – We stand by our students all along the way. Your satisfaction, enjoyment and progress is our most important mission. Learning music isn’t always easy. It’s not always super fun. Often it’s hard work. But it’s worth it. We’ll be with you through the good times and the tough times too.

• Public – Our studio is open to all beginning and advancing musicians regardless of creed, race, religion, age, sex or musical preference. We are here to build our community and to make our city and region a better place to live… through music! Everyone is welcome and welcomed here.

http://www.jasonriley.com
https://stjosephartsacademy.com
http://www.socajukebox.com

Music Students in Recital

We had a great recital this month with the other studios from SJAMTA. Piano, strings, acoustic and electric guitar all on the same bill!

Proud of the hard work these students put in to have a great performance. Thanks to the moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas and family friends who came out to show their support.

Guitar Performances featured…

Jaden G. – Waltz (B. Calatayud)
Alex P. – Flamenco Study (Trad.)
Breckin J. – Lighly Row (Folk Song)
&
Dylan M. – Steady Hands (F. Longay)

Good work, everybody!

Evaluative Auditions are Arp. 22 with the next recital on Arp. 23 at 2pm. Honors Recital is at 330 at First Presbyterian in St. Joseph.

Great Piano Teachers in St. Joseph

There are many talented and qualified piano teachers in our area.

We should ask more specifically about the kind of music you are interested in.

Based on your desire to get the positive benefits of music for your mind/body and making productive use of your downtime, you might be open to all styles.

Most teachers would encourage musical literacy through traditional styles like classical, folk and popular songs.

If you were very interested in just playing by ear, music theory, jazz or improvisation, we know the specialists who do that too.

It’s all who you know… and we know ’em!

Locally, we have the St. Joseph Area Music Teachers Association and they have a list of member teachers there too.

http://www.stjoemusicteachers.org/roster-of-members.html

I teach guitar for MWSU and benedictine college. If you are looking for a professor from one of the campuses, they may have some availability too.

Don’t hesitate to drop us a note or call anytime if you have trouble finding what you need. Playing music is a great pastime.. and we are here to help you find the best teacher FOR YOU.

So let us be a resource for you…
www.stjosephartsacademy.com

The Write Notes – March Newsletter


MUSIC LESSONS NEAR YOU!
2509 Ashland Ave.
St. Joseph MO 64506 (816) 974 – SOLO (7656)

Page 1
MU Guitar Day
“Life Again” Shawn Minter
Page 2
#1 Choice for Music Lessons! Do Dogs Have a Favorite Kind of Music
Page 3
6 Tools that Boost your Guitar Playing
Coleman Hawkins Blues Festival

(816) 974 -SOLO (7656) www.stjosephartsacademy.com

SEE WHAT’S INSIDE THIS ISSUE

MUSIC LESSONS NEAR YOU!
2509 Ashland Ave.
St. Joseph MO 64506

We’ve been invited to teach at the MU Guitar Day. Friday, April 14 – University of MO – Columbia Campus.
Any students or families who wish to attend or participate, just let Jason know and we’ll get you the additional info.

St. Joseph Arts Academy 2509 Ashland Ave
St. Joseph, MO 64506 (816) 974 -SOLO (7656) stjosephsartsacademy.com info@stjosephartsacademy.com

Guitar Day at University of Missouri – Columbia
INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Student of the Month – Alevia B.
Check out Alevia’s incredible Valentine’s Day Box! She put a lot of work into it building it to scale! Way to go, Alevia!

This Month’s Newsletter:
• How Does The Summer Work?
• Students of the Month:
• Welcome Our New Students!
• Refer A Friend And Get Two Free Lessons! • MU Guitar Day
• Upcoming Recitals

Life Again
Last year, we made an amazing debut record with an amazing Christian vocalist and good friend, Shawn Minter.
The album should be available later this month and features familiar, uplifting hits in gospel, contemporary christian and christian rock.

St. Joseph ARTS Academy
The Academy would like to welcome our newest students…

Ashlyn F.
Christian G.

Important Dates

Upcoming Recitals and Family Friendly Shows!

Mar. 12 – Student Recital, 2pm. Potter Fine Arts Rm 112, MWSU campus
Apr. 1 – Music at the Mansion, Wyeth-Tootle Mansion
April 7 – Charles Iner, Senior Guitar Recital, 4pm. O’Malley/McAllister, Benedictine College Atchison KS April 14 – MU Guitar Day. University of Missouri – Columbia.
Apr. 22 – Evaluative Auditions – MWSU All Day
Apr. 23 – Student Recital, 2pm Potter Fine Arts Rm 112, MWSU campus
Apr. 23 – Honor’s Recital, 330pm, First Presbyterian Church
Coleman Hawkins Blues Festival – We are very excited to announce that Academy Students have been invited to perform a special set for the Coleman Hawkins Blues Festival in St. Joseph, Sept. 9 at 2pm.

MARCH NEWSLETTER

6 Tools that Boost your Guitar Playing
1) Time to practice – Want to get better at playing guitar? Practice. But, who has time for that, you might say? Well, we really make time for the things that we want to do. We make it a priority in our daily life so that it becomes part of our routine, a habit and part of who we are.

For example, I consider myself a practicing musician. Why? Because I practice. I like to practice. It’s weird, I know but I do. So I do it a lot. A little everyday usually. The days I sleep and the days I eat. As the Rolling Stones said, “time is on my side”. Yes, it is! Make time to do the thing you love. Use that time effectively and on purpose. To be most effective with your time, you’ll need a…
2) Timer – A little clock. A stop watch. An app on your smart device. The stove or the microwave. I like those cute little egg timers from the kitchen. I used to have one that looked like a tomato. I broke it from practicing so much. That’s a great goal. Wear out your timer. Use it often. The timer helps make the most use of your time. Treat the time the way they do in sports. The clock counts down, the game is played, full tilt competition, everyone trying to do their best and gather the most points for their team (unlike golf which takes a lot of time and the goal is the fewest points) and then the buzzer goes off and the game is over. (also, no buzzer in golf!)

You’ve worked very hard, doing your very best for a certain amount of time. 2 minutes, 5 or 10 or 20 or whatever it is. The timer forces you to hang in there until the time is up and also forces you to move on to the next event. You can’t just sit around playing scales all day and expect to be a musical master. Do a few minutes of scales and move on to reading or chords or that difficult piece or 100 other things. By using the timer you will be making a conscious decision the make the highest and best use of your time.

Continued at…

https://jasonriley.com/uncategorized/6-tools-that-boost-your-guitar-playing/

How Does The Summer Work?

In February, we our residential studio almost filled to capacity.
If you’ve tried to make a schedule change you’ve seen first hand how full things are at the Academy.
Each Spring I often get asked these questions:
Q. “How do lessons work in the summer?”
A. The Academy is open year round, and we do not close during the summer.
Q. Do a lot of students quit during the summer?
A. For the past 5 years, we have grown in enrollment each June by 10%. Some students withdraw but we get a huge influx of students in June and many continue into the Fall. With the past recession, the number of students traveling in the summer and withdrawing for vacations has hit record lowsQ. If we withdraw for the summer, can we keep our spot for Fall?
A. Lessons are first come first serve, so if you withdraw for the summer, we cannot guarantee that we will have a spot for you in the Fall as we will open the spot to new students .
The big question for all parents and students to consider is:
Do you want to stay with the same teacher in the Fall?
If the answer is YES there are 2 ways to do this:
1. Take advantage of our summer make up lessons
We realize that some of you will go on vacation for a portion of the summer. By signing up for the summer make ups, you can make up 6 of your lessons and keep the same teacher and spot for Fall.
2. Sub lease your spot to a family or friend.
You can send a family member or friend in your place for the dates you will miss. Just let the of studio know who is coming in your place and when. Make sure that they reimburse you directly for the lessons.
If you are taking summer lessons and need a specific time for Fall, please contact me around late July and I will do my best to accommodate you.
Each September, I get calls from students who have been with us for years, but withdrew for the summer. They want to return to the same teacher, day and time, but the spot has been filled by another student.
If you LOVE your teacher, keep your spot by using the summer make ups or sub lease your spot.
If you have any questions, please call the studio (816) 974-7656.

WASHINGTON – Do dogs have a favorite kind of music? A new study suggests they do.
Researchers from the Scottish SPCA and the University of Glasgow played a variety of genres of music — soft rock, Motown, pop, reggae and classical — for dogs at a shelter in Dumbarton, Scotland, and tracked their heart rates and
behavior, the BBC reports.
Overall, the dogs’ two favorite genres were reggae and soft rock
— perhaps good advice for what to leave on when leaving your four-footed friends alone at home.

http://www.jasonriley.com
https://stjosephartsacademy.com
http://www.socajukebox.com

St. Joseph Arts Academy – Student of the Month

We are celebrating our students each and every month with a Student of the Month Award.

Awards will be based on musical activity, accomplishment, attendance, referrals, citizenship, community action and special projects.

Our March “Student of the Month” is…

Alevia B.!!!


Alevia recently participated in the Monster Concert but she also worked for hours on this Valentine’s Day Box!

It’s a scale model of a guitar right down to the tuning pegs, sound hole and bridge. I think you could practically tune it up and play it! Really proud of her hard work and craft abilities. Thanks for bringing a little music to the Valentine’s holiday, Alevia!

We’ll help her celebrate with an iTunes gift card!

To be considered for Student of the Month, be sure to talk to your teacher about all your musical and extracurricular activities, share pictures and refer your fellow musicians to the academy.

SJAMTA March Recital

The St. Joseph Area Music Teachers Association is hosting it’s March recital this week.

Sunday, March 12
2pm
Room 112
Potter Fine Arts Bldg.
MWSU

Students from a variety of studios in our area will perform on piano, guitar, voice and strings.

It’s free and open to friends and family of performing students.

Always a great time. Thanks to all the teachers and parents for encouraging these advancing musicians

http://www.stjoemusicteachers.org/

http://www.jasonriley.com
https://stjosephartsacademy.com
http://www.socajukebox.com

Lessons on all Fretted Instruments

Don’t Fret!

I wondered where this phrase originated? We all know that it basically means “don’t worry” but does it have anything to do with playing a fretted instrument?

Yes and No.

Originally, Fretting had to do with eating or gnawing away at something. As in a small creature chewing away at almost anything. So anytime anything would kind of dig into something else and begin to wear it down or wear it away it was ‘fretting’.

The frets on our instruments are actually dug into our fretboards which includes a little chewing away of some wood there. Players might also dig into their instruments in obsessive ways in performance and practice. We go to the “woodshed” or “woodshed” as in kind of chewing away at our instrument.

Makes sense.

At the academy, we specialize in teaching fretted instruments in a variety of styles.

Acoustic and Electric Guitar
Electric Bass
Ukelele
Mandolin
Banjo
Lap Dulcimer

If you are a new or advancing musician on any of these instruments, we are the right school for you.
For more information, Request INFO or drop Jason a note a jason@stjosephartsacademy.com

Van Cliburn Piano Competition at the Movies

For our piano playing friends…

2017 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition
Every four years, the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition brings the world’s best pianists to Fort Worth, TX to compete for the coveted Cliburn gold medal. For the first time in its history, the seventeen day competition will culminate on the big screen with concerto performances by six finalists accompanied by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and Maestro Leonard Slatkin.

The Boston Globe once called The Cliburn “a cross between the Miss America Pageant, the Olympic Games, the Academy Awards, and the Pulitzer Prize.”

Don’t miss the stunning conclusion of this major American cultural event LIVE in select cinemas nationwide. Plus, catch an exclusive interview with Maestro Leonard Slatkin and other classical music VIPs.

For Tickets… (Click Me)

http://www.jasonriley.com
https://stjosephartsacademy.com
http://www.socajukebox.com

Music Lessons, Guitar Lessons, Piano Lessons in St. Joseph MO