Hoping to keep you more up to date on our upcoming, family-friendly performances in the area. Actually, they are all family-friendly but some venues are 21 and over.
Tonight (Monday, Feb. 27), I’ll be performing a very special solo for the “Backstories” artist series at the East Hills Public Library. This is MY library! They’ve got a really nice concert hall space in the lower level. It’s Free and open to the public. Music starts at 7 and shouldn’t last longer than 60 minutes.
More ahead…
Saturday, April 1 – Music at the Mansion – Wyeth Tootle Mansion. Music starts at 2pm and runs through the day.
Friday, April 7 – Charles Iner Senior Recital – Benedictine College, O’Malley McAllister Theater, 4pm.
Friday, April, 14 – University of Missouri, Columbia Guitar Day – MU, Columbia MO. All day.
Friday, July 7 – Sounds of Summer, Coleman Hawkins Gazebo, 6pm
Friday July 14 – Sounds of Summer, Coleman Hawkins Gazebo, 6pm
Saturday July 15 – Amelia Earhart Festival – Atchison KS
St. Joseph Area Music Teachers Association Recital Dates…
Sunday, March 12 – Potter Fine Arts, MWSU, Room 112. 2pm
Saturday, April 22 – Evaluative performances, Potter Fine Arts, MWSU
Sunday April 23 – Potter Fine Arts, MWSU, Room 112. 2pm
Our students work very hard all year long. They study musical exercises on their instruments. They work their technique and musicianship through weekly assignments of scales, chords, sight reading and repertoire.
As teachers, we make a plan for them and help them set goals to succeed. Musical progress translates to success in so many other areas of life. We build in expectations and accountability.
Besides just expecting advancing musicians to practice and show up prepared for lessons every week, we expect that they will share that music with others. That they actually PLAY music. Stretch their abilities, build confidence in themselves and have a great time. The sharing of music is important. Probably the most important.
College level students are required to take assessments every semester called a “Jury”. Sounds intimidating and it can be. No one has went to jail yet as far as I know! Students are “judged” or rather assessed on their specific abilities as they apply to their level of play and their experience.
High School students get this opportunity through their school districts and even at the state level during the contest season. Contests are usually held just once per year and generally in the spring time.
Musicians are evaluated on different criteria of their performances. Examples might include…
Performing music in different styles (one Baroque, one jazz)
Memorization
Sight-reading
Scales
Theory
Tone (quality of sound)
Expression (use of dynamics or qualities of musical expression)
Technique
These are concepts that instructors, judges and audiences use in “grading” or fully appreciating musical performances.
It should be noted that we’ll have our own tastes or levels of sensitivity in regards to these concepts. Each listener has their own unique predisposition to what they like, what they don’t like, what they are familiar or unfamiliar with.
It’s great to get the impressions of others about our playing. Especially those that come from knowledgeable and encouraging sources.
Assessments and Contests are not really about competition. They are an important way we can get some feedback (students and teachers) about what is working and what might areas of weakness.
We are all trying to grow, to play better and hopefully become all that we can be. Evaluatives help us to celebrate our potential, show us places to keep working, reward us, correct us and encourage us as a musical community.
The next available Evaluations in our area will be… Saturday, April 22, 2017
Missouri Western State University
Talk to your teacher or instructor now about your student participating.
It’s a great thing to work towards and we all get extremely valuable feedback to take us to the next level.
Last week, I attended the FAI conference in Kansas City. Music, music, music! And it’s all very high quality. Artists from all over the world descend on KC to present their music in over 2000 showcases, take part in panel discussions, meet, greet and jam late into the evening. 10am-4am everyday. 4am!
This post will be like my personal diary, a log (a blog?) about my experience and what I considered the real highlights.
This was my 3rd year to attend to the conference. I try to participate fully. I’ve had official showcases with Maria the Mexican as well as private show cases under my own name and jammed with friends like Under The Big Oak Tree in theirs.
This was my first year to volunteer. In addition to my mission of meeting and hanging out with musicians, taking classes and basically finding out what everyone is doing, my duties included – recycling, floor rover and door monitor. Being a volunteer was a great benefit in being there. People ask you stuff, you see almost everyone at least walking by at some point, you get to hang out at different rooms and hear the music going on there.
People start to recognize you, it’s easy to get a conversation going, etc. I really wished I had known to volunteer in that first year. I think I would have made connections earlier on and would know even more of the regulars there.
It’s an exhausting few days. My dear sweet father-in-law did put me up in KC so I didn’t have to drive back and forth from St. Joe. I’m not to proud to say, I did sleep a few hours in the car one early morning. Trying to make the most of it takes a lot of energy and stamina. I wasn’t about to wimp out. But I thought about it.
Folk Alliance International Conference
Kansas City MO – Feb 15-19, 2017
Westin Crown Center & Sheraton Hotels
Mud stomp Records and KC Music Collective rooms. Private showcases are held on the 5-7 floors of the Westin. They run from mid afternoon to 4am everyday. Every room on those floors is hosted by an individual or organization that presents artists and their music. These private showcases are a huge part of the culture at FA. I was able to get to most of the rooms and see a ton of acts (I hope I got photos of almost everyone). The Oklahoma room has been a darling of the conference in years past, I spent a lot of time there this year and did see some great Okie acts. I’ve got to say though that the KC Music Collective and the Mud Stomp records (also a KC based label) were the top rooms this year. High quality and variety of acts and proper midwestern hospitality. Both were great rooms to hear new acts and still see old friends. It’s hard for local musicians to hang out because everyone is playing at the same time. This is a huge benefit to taking part in the conference. The ability to hang with your peers.
Beppe Gambetta and Cécile Doo-Kingué classes There is a music camp associated and promoted heavily through the FAI. A big effort is made to pass along artistic traditions and musical ideas to the next generation. As a teacher and player, I always love the camp and have seen many great artists there.
I was able to take two courses with Italian flat picking superstar, Beppe Gambetta. He is a true expert in the style and personally knows the fathers of the genre. He was a great teacher and a saintly type fellow. Awesome to hear him talk and watch him play up close. His showcase was a highlight for me and his wife even gave up her seat for me. Now that’s chivalry in reverse. Sweet couple with hearts for music and the guitar. Gratsi and Ciao’s all around.
I sort of wandered in to Cécile’s class which was supposed to be about cool licks and such. She had them in a deep bag that’s for sure. She took time to get to know us and let everyone play. It was tremendous fun. We talked some to to just find out how this amazing lady learned to do what she does. It’s a great story. I was especially captured by her “stand and deliver” approach and her love of tradition.
The session got pretty heavy. I think we were all in tears at some point. Perhaps a lack of sleep. Her playing and her spirit really moved us all. I hope I’ll see her again soon.
Sideman class – So mostly I like to play with others. I’ve played the sideman role in almost every band I’ve ever been in. I’d like to think I know something about it. It was great to get the perspective of others in the same role.
This was a panel discussion dedicated to the art of the sideman. All had slightly different interpretations based on their roles as violists, guitarists, multi-instrumentalist or even tour support. Their advise… build relationships, be proactive, meet those 2 guys in LA that know everybody, make your approach, drop messages and email management.
My favorite idea was this band that specialized in backing other artists. The sentimentals with Jacob Chand Lundry are a professional backing band. They add value to your name while you are touring in europe and contribute to ways of cutting costs on the road. The biggest advice I saw was that it was important to take a leap, make a shift, go to school, do something to put yourself in front of the artists you want to work with. Formal strategies? Not so much. Make your Lobby call on the road, be a good hang and play great seemed to be on the bill.
Creative business models Another panel but for more festival promoters. Interesting though.
Expo Vendors from all over the country including labels, musician and touring services, managers and agents as well as musical products and instruments. I personally know the guys at CD Baby, talked to the nice people at DR strings and Tree House drums. I bought some gifts for the family here too! Thought it was very cool that one local venue, The Dubliner was hosting a booth. Out to grab some touring national acts on their way through KC and promoting all the great music they have going on there.
Silent Auction Lots of neat stuff to bid on. Art, instruments, autographed posters. I did not win. But I think you have to bid.
Performers (and friends) in Action
Paula Cole was the MC for the FAI Awards Ceremony.
Kris Kristopherson! Big stars all around but I didn’t see all of ’em.
Megan Mullally (Will and Grace, Children’s Hospital) brought a little funny. She’s a singer and player and I really hated to miss her showcases. The volunteer must be responsible to his post.
David Amram – Lifetime Achievement Award. I love David. This guy is the living history of so many genres in the last century. Jazz, classical, folk and world. I took his class last year, got hang with him and saw him this year again. He’s 86. I saw him on the jam floor at about 1 in the morning with his hands full of percussion and flutes. He wouldn’t let me help him carry anything. When he came back by he was wearing a cowboy hat. Perhaps a gift from the Okies.
Kris presenting for the amazing Malvina Reynolds!
Bruce Cockburn! People’s Voice Award. 1st ever recipient.
Betse & Clarke (and Red) – Brushy Creek at Benton’s.
Calvin Arsenia (virtualist, singer, harpist from KC) and my man, Rick! ‘Round Midnight! Thanks men.
Jeff and Erin (Victor & Penny) at Benton’s. There’s Rick again and multi-instrumentalist (saint) Kyle Dahlquist.
Creative Business Models Panel
Drums for your feet. And cool Socks at the Expo!
Sideman Panel. Encouraging info if you are sick of your band leader!
Silas Lowe and Crew. A highlight. Saw many performances of these guys. All incredible writers and players from TX.
Pushing Chain. Great duo, vocals and songs.
Rebekah Roland Trio. These guys were from AZ but on a grant to write songs about the Homestead Grassland Prairie Grass near Beatrice NE. Thank you for your work, guys. Cool set.
Raven & Red (and Cole). Mitchell and Cole are bros. from Atlanta with Brittany from Pennsylvania but all in Nashville now. Saw them several times. So great and such sweet people. Amazing originals and traditional Irish tunes. I want to be their friend.
My New Car! Just kidding.
Took a break for some tacos and to sneak out to the best place in KC for Jazz. The Green Lady Lounge. Ken Lovern, Brian Baggett, Kevin Frazee and the incomparable, Danny Embry made for “Guitar Elation”. I could have stayed and been very happy for another 3 hours. KC really has the best musicians. In case you didn’t know it.
Singing the hits they wrote for Don Henley and James Taylor! Kortchmar, Postell and Navarro brought the Dirty Laundy and New York Minute (oo oo ooh). Tried to help Danny later find a 9 volt battery. Alas…
Garrett Labeau was a last minute reschedule. I’m so glad I caught them. One of my favorites of the whole fest! I want to be their friends too.
Matt the Electrician! Not what I expected. Everybody else knew him but this was my first exposure. The vocal harmonies with his female backers was angelic and one-of-a-kind.
Ross/Wahlsteen/Graham. I really wanted to see this guitar centric, new acoustic guitar heroes, trio. Very cool. AND I got to interrupt there lunch later. Thanks guys. And thanks Allan.
The only one of these I saw all week. Double neck Sho-Bud with 8 pedals and four knee levers. Thanks to the Woody Pines for bringing it. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable talking about it. Great playing and great set.
Woody Pines in action.
Real nice pitch considering it’s a stick, a string and a washtub. You got to put a hole in the tub though.
The real deal in the Local 1000 room.
The Sons of Town Hall. Cool act. I really wanted this guys hat. I was them crossing via duct on foot but in full costume and took a better picture than this. Fun stuff and a great concept.
Lots of times… we just jam and play, talk and tell lies in the lobby.
Beppe! Intro to Flatpicking. I know what a pick is but still…
Don’t nobody sound good without this guy. My homey, Shawn Poores and crew keep it sound real nice for all the performers.
Oklahoma Room. Guess where these guys were from? Really great.
Jonathan Byrd and the Pickup Cowboys. One of my favorites. This really knocked me out with the performance and the songs. I got to meet the sideman, Johhny over a quick Scotch between sets. I asked him his many secrets including his great singing, guitar playing as well as being a “saw” virtuoso. “Just something I picked up” he said. His theatrical training really applies well here and he’s an amazing musician. I want him in my band! Top 5 this weekend, at least.
You are able to get a songwriter’s critique. Brutally honest. Which I suppose is what you want.
“Who are you and what band are you in?” Aw… Our girl, Hope Dunbar of Utica, NE killing it with an award for lyrics from Songwriters Magazine. In a round robin, song circle here with the great, RJ Cowdery.
Top 5. The Way Down Wanderers. I want to be in there band but I don’t think I could hang. They’ve got big things ahead and a great thing going.
Let me in! I’m legit.
KC, you’re on to us. SOLD OUT.
Ok… let’s jam some more.
Washington Park Place. Keeping the pre-show tally as a Volunteer.
Korby Lerner had a great band, great songs and an educationally encouraging name.
I met Bob McWilliams! My hero from KS public Radio. Also… a native St. Joey.
KC native, Jeff Black had a great set of music AND one of the best showcase attendances of the night.
John McCutcheon. Incredible. The most incredible hammered dulcimer I have ever heard played. Incredible all the way around. Did I mention the incredibility?
Molksy’s Mountain Drifters were the deal. Powerful trio, virtuosity, singing and amazing repertoire.
Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards. Female string quartet AND they sing 4 part AND they write. Beautiful and nothing like it. Come on?
Radio Free Honduras! Perhaps my very favorite. Definitely top 5. I was disappointed with the numbers at their showcase. A lot of folks really missed something special. I sought them out over and over again.
Making Movies in the Carnaval Room. I’ve got to say.. whoa. I missed there special presentation ahead of Billy Bragg but heard many people say how great it was.
Tony Furtado looks like a demon with a cello banjo in this pic but he’s really very nice. He is a demon on those strings in many ways. I got to say hello and had looked forward to seeing him up close and personal. Great set.
Beppe! en showcase. His lovely wife gave me her spot so I could have a good view. Great view! And glad to see Jonathan Byrd and the Pickup Cowboy sneak their way in.
These are my peeps. Under the Big Oak Tree. Just great two years ago. Truly exceptional now and better each time I see them. I always see something new in the playing and the compositions. Great showing guys!
Free Radio Honduras in a private showcase. I’ve never seen somebody break a thumb pick but Charlie did it right in front of me (on a nylon string guitar!)
I didn’t see any steel pans at the conference. These guys aren’t exactly what I’d consider Folkies anyway. I had to take a day out on Saturday to hit it with Soca Jukebox at the Voodoo Lounge for a special VIP party. Later, we played a benefit for Parents of Children with Special Needs from KC.
Slam Poetry! With a harp…
The Pretend Sweethearts from Atlanta. Met these guys last year and it was just hugs all around. amazing to hear them.
Free Radio Honduras! Couldn’t get enough.
Brody Buster. The KC harmonica prodigy and recent winner of the International Blues Competition as a solo artist really delivered. Smart, intense, unique. KC baby.
Trying hard not to miss Under The Big Oak Tree.
Lance Canales has become a steady friend at the FAI. MtM played a show with him a couple of years ago, we’ve crossed paths and he’s a solid dude. His music is aggressive and frankly, terrifying. It’s no wonder why people are drawn to his music or that he is a star at the conference. This is a solo showcase but his band is something special too.
Endless fun in the Mud Stomp Room!
Did I mention endless fun in the Mud Stomp Room? It was a dance party with OSOG from Israel at the end of a long day.
Love this Bro and Sis team. She writes the music, he builds the guitars!
Chris and Havila Bruder and co. LOVE!
Harpist, Ruth Acuff and Kristen from UTBOT… just chilling’.
Ain’t No Party Like a Mud Stomp Party!
Fado Portuguese with Ensemble Iberia in the KC Music Collective room. This show was a real standout of the entire conference. And filled with friends!
Ramy Essam from Egypt was the real deal. Here he is with Calvin Arcenia from KC in the Music Collective room. Another real standout. This was a special place to be. So glad they let me in.
Chris Meck, no guilty birds but a whole lot of handsome.
Mark Manning AND Chris Hagrarian! KC in the house.
No fun for anyone.
Steve Poltz leaping chairs and stages. One of my favs from last year too
The Center State! So great to see our own St. Joseph artists making an incredible showing. Great music and performance, sound and creativity. Way to go, St. Joe! And they were on hand for a lot of the conference too.
Cécile and los chicos making memories. What a spirit and her blues broke our hearts into two pieces at least.
Beppe and los piasanos! Class on the masters of Flatpicking. Truly great.
This was the final event for me at the FAI this year. I did talk Bill into taking me out for beer! Thank you, Bill.
Performance Highlights I saw a lot of music but a little disclaimer… for every cool thing I heard, I missed 10 other cool acts. These are the ones that fell into my proximity, that I searched out, that surprised, inspired or called to something in my heart.
Free Radio Honduras
Brody Buster
Beppe Gambetta
Don Ross, Walsteen and swede, allan agent
Garrett Labeau
Silas Lowe/Sophia Johnson
Matt The Electrician
Way Down Wanderers
Johnathan Byrd and the Pickup Cowboy Johnny
Son of Town Hall – took photo on bridge
Korby Lenker
Jeff Black
Portuguese Fado w/ Ensemble Iberica
Dance in the Mud stomp room with OSOG
Under the Big Oak Tree
Tony Furtado
The Good friends I Found at FAI (and new friends too)
Don Simon of Mud Stomp Records
Drew and Bri of Pretend Sweethearts
Tieann from AZ
Jeremy and co. from Center State
Fran from Concerts in your home
Mary Flower
Jenny Tonyes from the FA
Emily White
Jeff and Erin from Victor and Penny
Lance Canales
Rick from VP and Calvin Arsenia
Madalen O’Regan
Paul and Crew from volunteers
Ramy Essam
David Hakan
Beau and Jordan from Iberia
David Amram
Kris Kristopherson
Megan Mullally
Paula ColeHarp kid
Rebekah Roland Trio
Clarke, Betse and Red (Brushy creek)
Tim Huggins, Chris Robely (Plus Chris’s mom and daughter! So awesome to meet the family in KC.)
Chuck Mitchell
Kim at DR Strings
Chris and Havilla Bruder
Raven and Red – Mitchell, Brittany and Cole
Allan with RGW
OJT
Woody Pines
Smitty
Bob McWilliams
Jason and Mary from Wichita
Tina
Bob Walkenhorst
Bliss Hippy from MO
There is a lot to take away from a conference like this.
I’m grateful that it is my own backyard in KCMO.
People travel from all over the world to participate here. I personally met artists from Australia, Sweden, Canada, Germany, Egypt, Israel, Ireland, Africa, Native America and many of the states in our union.
Everyone got a pocket US constitution!
For the most part, it was very friendly and supportive. There are some artists with egos and strong personalities that keep them from associating well with folks who might be supportive like tech, organization and base volunteers. I did feel some slight discrimination from some folks who saw me first as a grunt in the trenches (who are needed) vs. an artist on the stage (who are needed).
I was very happy and humbly grateful to be able to serve this year. I didn’t see everyone I wanted to hear.
There were many pleasant surprises. It’s an amazing event to have in KC. We’ll get one more year of FAI here. Then to Montreal… Then…?
I hope the KC community has proven itself and will pull out every stop to get the conference back home again for another 5 years after that.
Sincere thanks to the artists and contributors that I met this week in KC. You are an inspiration. Your collective energy is tangible and we need more of that everywhere.
Our island rock band, Soca Jukebox played a very special event last weekend. It was for a group that’s very near to our own hearts, commitments and values.
This was our second opportunity to perform for the families at Parenting Children with Special Needs in Kansas City.
A truly amazing night to see whole families on the dance floor. Parents and kids dancing together, blowing off some steam, celebrating and having a wonderful time together.
People share their lives, their gifts and their challenges in making a better world for their families and for those of others. I was extremely moved and impressed by all that I saw there. It was an honor to be a part of a special night for this amazing group of people. Grateful everyday for the health of my own children.
God makes us all different. All special. And we are here to support one another and to lift each other up.
We’ve seen this in our own lives. I’m very proud of the Soca J boys for their good hearts and ever-willingness to jump in to help those in need. (even if they only need a great party!)
Ever wonder what actually goes on in a guitar lesson?
I’ve had lot of guitar lessons and I’ve also given thousands of them, probably 10’s of thousands.
On a one-on-one level, every student is different and so each lesson will be tailored to their levels, abilities and sensibilities. On a more general scale, there are certain things all guitar teachers are working with their students every week.
Different teachers present different styles, approaches and methods based on the way they play, their own experiences in music and their unique personality. It’s important that student and teacher be able to relate to each other, be able to communicate and have mutual respect and understanding about what is taking place. The goal is to learn to play the instrument but it should be enjoyable as well as challenging. The best teachers have a deep understanding for these values and practice them in their lessons.
Lessons usually run 30 minutes at most studios but some run on the 40 and 45 minute mark. Advanced and serious students should be taking at least an hour lesson every week. Daily practice should reflect a similar amount of time every day if not more to truly be successful. It takes time to learn an instrument. Time spent every day working things out as well as weeks, months and years of allowing the music to seep more deeply into our system.
As the Rolling Stones would say “Time is on my side” or our side as students and teachers. “Yes, it is!”
A regular lesson would follow certain routines based on the goals of the teacher and student. You might work differently if you are preparing for a recital than when you’ve just completed a performance. You 100th lesson will be different than your 1st one. While working the fundamentals is appropriate to all levels, more advanced students tend to get more mentoring or coaching vs. outright explanation.
Here’s a basic outline for a 30 minute lesson in our studio…
The student arrives (on time) and we greet each other. We make a little light conversation and see what’s happening in their lives this week. How have you been? How was that test? How was your trip? etc.
Then we Tune! A musician has got to be in tune and guitarists are always tuning.
Next we’ll do some physical warm-ups or exercises. We want to get the hands going, get all the engines firing together and address any stress or discomfort. We aim to find the easiest, tension-free approaches to playing the instrument. This is called good technique. We commit to it very early and in every lesson.
Then, we might work on sharpening our musical tools. This is usually in the form of working scales, chords, rhythms, ear-training, basic melodies and musicianship topics.
We spend a specific amount of time on each topic and we use a timer to keep us focused. A lesson is basically a guided practice session and is a great example for how the student should be working on their own.
We then work our sight-reading skills at the edge of the students reading ability. They work through specific method books to make them literate musicians. Music is a language and I want our students to be able to read it. I don’t force adult students to learn to read traditional notation though they will almost all learn to read tablature, chord symbols and basic rhythms.
Lastly, we work on specific pieces, tunes or songs. Our goal is to help the student build a repertoire that can be performed anywhere and anytime. If I meet a student 25 years down the road, I’ll expect that we can play some music together because we share possibly hundreds of pieces in our repertoire. Any one piece would take a focussed practice time of 2-20 minutes. Here we are mastering movements in music through perfect repetitions. This is not sight-reading. We identify problem areas and we set about doing the work to solve the problem.
Proper practicing is not easy and it doesn’t sound great. It sounds bad a lot of the time. We practice the things that are difficult for us. We stretch ourselves. Just playing what we can already play easily is not practice. That’s playing! And we should do lots of that too. Being able to play is the whole point. It’s the icing AND the cake. It’s what we’ve been working towards.
There isn’t any end to such work. Practice is the work. A lesson is personal time with a master teacher who can save you time, monitor progress, help you set goals, look out for your physical safety (physical damage to ligaments and tendons is very real and a lifelong affliction, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc.), motivate and inspire us.
Reviewing what has happened in each lesson is very important. This stuff all goes by very fast and we are super concentrated in the lesson. It can be easy to forget what we just did or what new thing we just learned. I always like to have the student re-iterate to me what we’ve done and what I expect them to work on in the coming week. I also write specific assignments into a daily assignment sheet that they can follow everyday during practice time.
Lessons are a real time and financial commitment. We work hard, we move quickly and we do our best in every moment. We are training our minds and bodies to perform, understand and appreciate one of our greatest human gifts. We share that gift with our students so they can share it with others. To me, that’s a blessing.
Thank you for letting us work with the musicians in your life.
Jason Riley
I’m a hustling musician and family man. I love to learn, play, share and encourage others in music. We’ve got some cool bands (including Soca Jukebox) and I am the director of the St. Joseph Arts Academy. This is my Blog!
There are a couple of more opportunities to perform in recitals this spring.
Also note the Evaluative Audition available to our students on April 22. (more info below or at the St. Joe Music Teachers Website.
March 12 – SJAMTA Recital – MWSU 2pm
March 6-10, Benedictine College Spring Break
March 13-17, MWSU Spring Break
March 22 – Midterm Grades Due – MWSU
April 16 – Guitar Day at University of Missouri, Columbia
April 22 – Evaluative Auditions
April 23 – SJAMTA Recital – MWSU 2pm, Honors Recital 330pm First Presbyterian Church
June 12-16, Academy Summer Break
Evaluative Auditions
Students will perform for a judge and receive written comments; some students will be selected to perform in the Honors Recital the following day! Each student will perform
• Scales and technique (see the guidelines below for requirements)
• Two memorized solos
• Sight-reading
After performing students will take a written theory test.
Mini-lessons
Students may choose to participate in a mini-lesson instead of auditioning. This is a great way to get a fresh perspective from an expert teacher!
At the mini-lessons, students will perform two pieces. They are not required to play scales, do sight-reading, or take the theory test. They will not receive written comments or be selected to perform in the Honors Recital.
If you’ve tried to make a schedule change or been in the parking lot recently 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?”
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. We enrolled 20 students last June. With the last recession, the number of students travelling in the summer and withdrawing for vacations has hit record lows.
Q. How full is the Academy?
As of today we are at 96% capacity, and many teachers are sold out between the hours of 3:00-8:30 p.m.
We are currently searching for and interviewing new teachers for the Academy.
Q. 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:
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.
It’s very easy to do:
Check off the dates that you want to come for your make ups on the form that was mailed to your home and return to the of ce. If you don’t know the dates yet, you can turn it in anytime during the summer. GET A HEAD START!: You can start making up lessons for the summer in advance starting March 12.
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 office 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 me at 816-974-7656.
Today is the anniversary of the Beatles’ performance on the Ed Sullivan Show. Their first appearance on American television is now a historical event. But, when it happened in 1964 it just blew everything up.
The look, the sound and the personalities of the band members obviously resonated with the American youth of the time. Not to mention, the great songs.
Following this important introduction, the course of popular music was forever changed. Young people started buying guitars, learning about music and making it for themselves with other like-minded friends.
The Beatles definitely left a legacy with the music they made in the 10 years they were together.
I believe one of their greatest contributions was the inspiration they gave to young people. To learn to play. To write a song. To start a band. To reach for your dreams.
If the band had done nothing else, that’s a great gift.
Thank you for inspiring and encouraging the young people (and the young at heart) in your life to play. Commend them for their efforts. Give them the tools and education they need to be the best they can be.
There are countless well-known musicians who credit John, Paul, George and Ringo for inspiring them to start playing. And for showing them what might be possible when you work towards your dream.
Jason Riley
I’m a working musician and family man. I love to learn, play, share and encourage others in music. We’ve got some cool bands (including Soca Jukebox) and I am the director of the St. Joseph Arts Academy. This is my Blog! www.jasonriley.com www.stjosephartsacademy.com
One of the ways that this Studio is able to grow is by enrolling great students JUST LIKE YOU.
Please consider referring your friends or family members to the Studio.
We greatly appreciate your referral!
Refer a Friend & get TWO FREE lessons!
If you have a friend who might like to take lessons, if you refer them to the Academy and they take 1 month of lessons, we’ll give you TWO lessons for free!
It’s very easy to refer someone. Just drop an email to info@stjosephartsacademy.com, Subject:refer a friend, type in your name, their name and their e-mail address and we’ll take care of the rest! There’s no maximum to the amount of free lessons that you can receive!
I love books of all kinds. Books about education, spirituality, business and marketing, everything by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. and especially guitar books.
I’ve amassed a real library of music and guitar books over the years. I work in them, use them, read and re-read them and suggest them to students. This is a very abbreviated list of the more intermediate to advanced books that all guitarists should consider for their own collections. In no particular order…
Top 10 Guitar Books
The Advancing Guitarist – Mick Goodrick
Pumping Nylon – Scott Tenant
Library of Guitar Classics – Amsco Publishing
Sight Reading for the Classical Guitar – Robert Benedict
The Real Book – Hal Leonard Publishing
The Solo Lute Works of Johann Sebastian Bach – Frank Koonce
Suzuki Guitar Method
Royal Conservatory Guitar Series
The Guitar in History and Performance Practice – Anthony Glise
The Big Book of Jazz Guitar – Mark Dziuba
Hoping to keep you more up to date on our upcoming, family-friendly performances in the area. Actually, they are all family-friendly but some venues are 21 and over.
