2022-2023's theme is SPACE music.
We can shine like the stars!
In 2021-22, we learned food themed songs all year.
Each new song title and who performed it was added to the apron.
Miles B. learned the most and won the grand prize!
2021-2022 Sight Reading STARS
Guess I'll Go Eat Worms Party
November 23, 2021 was my first all BOYS party!
We talked about ear worms, made dirt cups and wrote our own ear worm song!
We talked about ear worms, made dirt cups and wrote our own ear worm song!
Practice Like a Pirate Video PLAYLIST: 2020-2021
Click "Watch on YouTube" so that you have access to all the videos!
2020-2021 Sight Reading Stars
2020 and 2021 Junior Music Festival Gold Cup Recipients
Due to a delay in 2020, Gold cups were not shipped until 2021. Here, we celebrate these hard workers!
Brandee Glynn- 2020 Sight Reading, 2020 Piano Duet, 2021 Piano Solo - 2nd gold cup!
Cody Glynn - 2020 Hymn Playing, 2020 Piano Solo, 2021 - Theory Exam, 2021 - Piano Duet
Julia Buss - 2020 Theory Exam, 2021 - Piano Solo
Brandee Glynn- 2020 Sight Reading, 2020 Piano Duet, 2021 Piano Solo - 2nd gold cup!
Cody Glynn - 2020 Hymn Playing, 2020 Piano Solo, 2021 - Theory Exam, 2021 - Piano Duet
Julia Buss - 2020 Theory Exam, 2021 - Piano Solo
2021 Junior Music Festival Playlist
Please NOTE: The following students are not all mine.
Check out these 2019-20 Sight Reading Stars!
Silly Songs Recital
April 1, 2020
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were not able to have our recital.
This is the piece I was going to perform, though.
This is the piece I was going to perform, though.
SWEET Sounds Valentine Recital 2020
A Spooky Recital 2019
I had never done a spooky themed recital before but it was so much fun to have students dress up and perform spooky music! The out of tune piano just added to the mood!
The DOT Party - September 23, 2019
The DOT is a book by Peter H. Reynolds (also available as a short film on Amazon Prime)
that we used as a jumping off point to talk about being afraid to start something new
or how we feel if we aren't good at something.
We performed for one another and marked the emotions that pieces made us feel.
Then we talked about motives in music and listened to Beethoven's fifth symphony
before we composed DOT-DOT-DOT DASH melodies of our own.
that we used as a jumping off point to talk about being afraid to start something new
or how we feel if we aren't good at something.
We performed for one another and marked the emotions that pieces made us feel.
Then we talked about motives in music and listened to Beethoven's fifth symphony
before we composed DOT-DOT-DOT DASH melodies of our own.
2018-2019 Winners
Congratulations to Cody G. for learning the most STATE songs!
Congratulations to Connor F. for completing the most SIGHT READING!
Congratulations to Tabor G. for learning the most PATRIOTIC songs!
Congratulations to Connor F. for completing the most SIGHT READING!
Congratulations to Tabor G. for learning the most PATRIOTIC songs!
Music Across the United States
President's Day Recital - Cottonwood Estates
Our President's Day recital helped make a very chilly day a bit warmer for the Cottonwood Estates residents.
I have really enjoyed teaching and performing patriotic songs with my students!
I have really enjoyed teaching and performing patriotic songs with my students!
Veteran's Day Recital - Litzenberg Long Term Care
We had fun sharing our patriotic and folk songs with the residents,
including my father-in-law, who thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon!
including my father-in-law, who thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon!
Patriotic Party - September 2018
This party with a patriotic theme focused on rhythm reading and composing.
We played "Freedom Frenzy" to review rhythm concepts, tapped cups to "America, the Beautiful" and composed and performed our own patriotic rhythms.
We played "Freedom Frenzy" to review rhythm concepts, tapped cups to "America, the Beautiful" and composed and performed our own patriotic rhythms.
Outstanding Supporting Actress Award - Noa Snyder as Mrs. Potts
Central City High School presented Disney's Beauty and the Beast in 2018.
Noa did a fabulous job as Mrs. Potts and was awarded an Outstanding Supporting Actress award
by the Nebraska High School Theater Academy.
Congratulations, Noa, I am so proud of you!
Noa did a fabulous job as Mrs. Potts and was awarded an Outstanding Supporting Actress award
by the Nebraska High School Theater Academy.
Congratulations, Noa, I am so proud of you!
This CHICK's Turning 50!
Our theme for 2017-2018 centered around my 50th birthday.
Students learned many of my favorite pieces to perform at a birthday celebration recital.
As part of the celebration, students earned music money and were able to purchase "chick" related items and help donate toward families around the world receiving 10 chickens to help them become self-sufficient.
Read more about it here: https://www.gobgr.org/news/chickens-a-renewable-resource/
Students learned many of my favorite pieces to perform at a birthday celebration recital.
As part of the celebration, students earned music money and were able to purchase "chick" related items and help donate toward families around the world receiving 10 chickens to help them become self-sufficient.
Read more about it here: https://www.gobgr.org/news/chickens-a-renewable-resource/
In total, we sent 400 chickens to help 40 families!
Thank you, everyone!
Highlights of the 2017-2018 School Year
Congratulations to Noah who was the ONLY student to learn all 24 of his scales this year!
Congratulations to these Super Sight Readers!
Festival Prep Party
This party was held right before Jr. Music Festival and gave students a chance to perform their festival pieces in front of an audience and work out some nerves. We also played the "Birthday Cake Race" game to review for theory tests.
Mozart's Wig: A Composer Portrait Party
This party for grades preK-5 featured my favorite composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. We did listening activities using his Variations on "Ah vous dirai-je, maman" which is the tune for "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star". We also read a portion of the book, Mozart's Wig, to learn a bit about this composer. Along with star shaped cookies and playing "Bump It" to practice naming keys or notes, we had a fun time getting to know old and new friends!
Happy Birthday, Mr. Gershwin!
This party was for grades 6-8. We celebrated George Gershwin's birthday by watching Rhapsody in Blue from Fantasia 2000. We learned about Mr. Gershwin's life, ate a giant cupcake in his honor and decorated practice helpers with this quote from Mr. Gershwin: "I didn't even start playing the piano until I was about 13 or 14. I guess I must have had a little talent or whatever-you-call-it, but I practiced regularly, and that's what counts."
That's a Wrap Movie Recital
Our recital was held at the State Theater. We had a blast sharing our movie songs on their stage!
Here are some movie themed videos made by students:
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Red Carpet Party
The Red Carpet Party was a preparation party for students who would be participating in Junior Music Festival in a few weeks. We had a "Star Wars" theme and learned a little bit about composer John Williams. During our performance time, we had "light sabers" to conduct with. (It would have been better had we not had such a sunny day!) We played a game of "Rhythm Wars" and the older students even taught the younger ones to count rhythms by using words like "Sith and Jedi".
A "Polar Express" Christmas Recital
Our Christmas recitals were traveling on the "Polar Express" to the local nursing homes on December 18, 2016. We shared a bit of movie trivia related to each Christmas song presented.
Community Care
Long Term Care
Cottonwood Estates
A "REEL" Adventure Party
This was a high energy party for grades K-5. We played Thanksgiving Day Music Bingo for some movie themed prizes. Then we learned a bit about Hans Zimmer who composed much of the music for "The Lion King". He also borrowed from Rossini's William Tell Overture for the 2013 Lone Ranger movie so we learned about Rossini and the legend of William Tell. Throw in a few instruments and some listening and you've got a "REEL" adventure!
Quiet on the Set!
This party was for grades 6-8. We learned a bit about the history of movies and watched some silent movie clips and saw how music changes film. We also learned about Alan Silvestri who composed music for "Night at the Museum". Then we had a mystery song with a spooky theme since it was near Halloween (Fossils by Camile Saint-Saens).
Behind the Scenes
This party was for High School students ONLY.
We played "Name that Movie" by listening to their theme songs.
We also learned about "Lord of the Rings"
composer Howard Shore and how he used leitmotif.
Leitmotif started with Richard Wagner
so we learned a bit about him as well.
March Music Madness Party - March 16, 2016
Highlights of this party were watching the
Harlem Globetrotters perform with STOMP
and playing Music Basketball where the
Battlin' Basses beat the Treble Tornadoes 60-58!
We also tried our hand at "Basketballs to the Beat" in the studio's first ever video!
Harlem Globetrotters perform with STOMP
and playing Music Basketball where the
Battlin' Basses beat the Treble Tornadoes 60-58!
We also tried our hand at "Basketballs to the Beat" in the studio's first ever video!
Pigskin Party - February 15, 2016
At this party we made Positive Practice Pennants,
Pigged out on nachos, and watched
"Polka Bugs Bunny" where we learned about Brahms' Hungarian Dances.
We also were "Piggy" (Picky) Proctors and gave suggestions to help students
prepare for Junior Music Festival at the end of the month.
Then we played "Pass the Pigskin" to review for our theory exams in Junior Music Festival .
The Treble Tornadoes beat the Battlin' Basses 38-34!
Pigged out on nachos, and watched
"Polka Bugs Bunny" where we learned about Brahms' Hungarian Dances.
We also were "Piggy" (Picky) Proctors and gave suggestions to help students
prepare for Junior Music Festival at the end of the month.
Then we played "Pass the Pigskin" to review for our theory exams in Junior Music Festival .
The Treble Tornadoes beat the Battlin' Basses 38-34!
Sports Themed Christmas Recitals? You bet!
December 20, 2015
Audience members were asked to identify a connection between each Christmas song and a sport.
For instance, in "O Come, All Ye Faithful"
you could talk about faithful fans or "joyful and triumphant"
ROYALS fans when they won the World Series this year!
Audience members were asked to identify a connection between each Christmas song and a sport.
For instance, in "O Come, All Ye Faithful"
you could talk about faithful fans or "joyful and triumphant"
ROYALS fans when they won the World Series this year!
Music World Series
October 20, 2015
Treble Tornadoes vs. Battlin' Basses
It was a close game but the Battlin' Basses pulled ahead to win 5-4.
It was a close game but the Battlin' Basses pulled ahead to win 5-4.
Music Makes You Smarter!
Summer 2015
During each summer lesson we learned about how music makes us "smart cookies".
We played games like "Music Mastermind" and "Don't Break the Rhythmic Ice"
and used cookies, gum and chocolate chips to help us learn musical concepts.
I really do have "The Smartest Cookies"!
We played games like "Music Mastermind" and "Don't Break the Rhythmic Ice"
and used cookies, gum and chocolate chips to help us learn musical concepts.
I really do have "The Smartest Cookies"!
Music Around the World Recital
April 26, 2015
Our theme for 2014-2015 was Music Around the World.
Each student received a passport book to "travel" to the countries their songs came from.
Awards were given for the most passport stamps, most countries visited, and Junior Music Festival achievements.
Each student received a passport book to "travel" to the countries their songs came from.
Awards were given for the most passport stamps, most countries visited, and Junior Music Festival achievements.
Lucky Leprechauns vs. Loch Ness Monsters
March 16-17, 2015
For this party, we traveled to Ireland & Scotland.
We learned a little about traditional Irish and Scottish music and instruments.
Then we practiced identifying major & minor by ear.
We did a review game, "Pot of Gold", for all level one theory concepts and played the "Loch Ness Monster Scale Game" with the major & minor pentascales we've been working on all year.
The LUCKY LEPRECHAUNS won at both parties!
We learned a little about traditional Irish and Scottish music and instruments.
Then we practiced identifying major & minor by ear.
We did a review game, "Pot of Gold", for all level one theory concepts and played the "Loch Ness Monster Scale Game" with the major & minor pentascales we've been working on all year.
The LUCKY LEPRECHAUNS won at both parties!
Chopsticks, Anyone?
February 16-17, 2015
We "traveled" to the Orient for this party. Everyone performed some version of Chopsticks, or as we learned, The Chop Waltz. We also performed the Far East Medley together and played the Japanese version of Rock, Paper, Scissors. We made origami pianos, too!
Christmas in Many Lands Recital
Cottonwood Estates
December 16, 2014
Christmas in Many Lands Recital
Litzenberg Long Term Care
December 14, 2014
I "Can-Can" You? Parties
November 24-25, 2014
This party took us to Paris where we learned about tempo
using Offenbach's Can Can and
Saint-Saens' Tortoises from Carnival of the Animals.
We played the speed limit game and ate chocolate eclair cake.
using Offenbach's Can Can and
Saint-Saens' Tortoises from Carnival of the Animals.
We played the speed limit game and ate chocolate eclair cake.
Fiesta Fun Party
October 20, 2014
We were watching a video on Caribbean music. I wish I had photos of our dancing and playing instruments to the 3-2 Cuban Salsa music!
I Scream, You Scream,
We All Scream for Ice Cream!
Summer 2014
A Medieval Tale Recital
April 28, 2014
Royal Ceremonies Parties
March 31 & April 2, 2014
LOVE - Frog Prince Style Parties
February 2014
My apologies to GRANT who missed out on the photos. He is our wonderful camera man for the video below!
"Battle for the Castle" Parties - January 2014
Knights vs. Dragons
Christmas in Camelot Recitals - December 2013
Litzenberg Long Term Care:
Central City Care Center:
Cottonwood Estates:
Fancy Fencing Master Class/ Party - November 2013
Mystery at the Castle Master Class/ Party - October 2013
Beethoven's Mystery Message: "To play a wrong note is insignificant. To play without PASSION is inexcusable!"
Once Upon a Time Master Class/ Party - August 2013
Join the Circus Recital - April 2013
Circus Party 2013
Christmas Recital 2012
Join the Circus Party - August 2012
Music Olympics - Summer 2012
Spring Recital - April 2012
Christmas Recital 2011
And some really old ones I found... Look carefully, you might recognize a face or two!
Spring Recital 2003
Christmas Recitals 2002