Happy Birthday Issue 7 to our September students! Mark Your Calendars! NOTES & PHRASES September 2017

A Publication of Music Makers of Western Springs 9/2 Emily D. 9/18 Jason S. SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PIANO MONTH!

9/2 Joseph J. 9/20 Angelina B. 9/2 ...... National Tailgating Day

9/2 Brendan L. 9/20 Samantha R. 9/4 ...... LABOR DAY (Studio CLOSED) MMT Presents: MMT Presents ...... p. 1 9/4 Abigail B. 9/22 PJ D. 9/6 ...... Read A Book Day Kiddie Korner ...... p. 1 9/5 Mark M. 9/22 Sophia T. 9/8 ...... Stand Up to Cancer Day 9/9 Raina G. 9/22 Claire W. Choosing an Instrument ...... p. 2 9/11 ...... Patriot Day & 9/10 Adrianna V. 9/23 Regan O. Welcome to New Students ...... p. 3 National Day of Service and Remembrance 9/11 Erin H. 9/24 Joshua L. Teacher Feature ...... p. 3 9/19 ...... Talk Like a Pirate Day

9/12 Josephine D. 9/25 Lylah B. A Note from the Directors ...... p. 3 9/20 ...... Singin’ in the Rain AUDITIONS 9/12 Juliet D. 9/27 Kennedy C. st Birthday Wishes ...... p. 4 9/17 Samantha H. 9/28 Julia S. 9/27 ..... Madagascar/Singin’ in the Rain 1 Rehearsal 9/30 ...... National Chewing Gum Day Upcoming Events ...... p. 4

For more information, call us at 708-246-8222 or How to Prepare for Auditions visit us at www.musicmakerstudio.com! Kiddie Korner Last month, we announced that our fall musical production for 3rd – 8th grades would What Am I? be Singin’ in the Rain Jr. It seems that this I can be electric but I’m not a car musical, based on the classic movie of the I get carried in a case but I’m not a cellphone same name, and dubbed “The Greatest Movie I have a neck but I don’t wear a scarf Musical of All Time”, has sparked a lot of I have strings but I’m not a tennis racket excitement! Slots are filling fast, so be sure to I’m a but I’m not a piano 4211 Grand Ave 2nd Floor sign up soon! Western Springs, IL 60558

ph 708-246-8222 Auditions are for casting purposes only.

[email protected] Please register for the show online or via

www.musicmakerstudio.com phone for so that you can be added to our !! A email communication list for the show. We will be sending out information soon with What do you get when you put a instructions for Wednesday, September 20th radio in the fridge? (Audition Day)! Please prepare 16-32 measures of a song from a Broadway musical (preferred) or a Disney movie. Bring sheet music for the accompanist, and RELAX! We can’t wait to hear

you sing!

! Tunes Cool

Have a joke/riddle to submit? Email us at: [email protected] Page | 4 Page | 1 312

Helping Your Child Choose the Right Instrument TEACHER FEATURE

Originally posted on PBSParents.com Music Makers of Western Springs is pleased to By Dr. Robert A. Cutietta Please join us in welcoming our new highlight Ben Lansing! and returning students who have Ben Lansing began playing recently joined us for lessons! EVERYONE WINS with Our Finding the right instrument for your child is a difficult but important factor in guitar at fourteen, influenced your child’s continued musical success. Forcing a child to play an instrument by various rock and metal rarely leads to the love of music making we want. Here are some components Ryan S. Ellen H. bands of the day. Taking NEW REFERRAL PROGRAM! to consider when helping your child choose the right instrument. Neeve O. Jacob T. lessons in Memphis with a local blues , he learned early The first thing to consider is your child’s age. If your child is younger than six, Grace M. Caroline L. on the importance of tone, make sure you understand the purpose behind playing an instrument at such Daniel M. Lilah D. rhythm, and groove. That first a young age and acknowledge the physical limitations of a child that young. Wolfgang B. Maria Z. teacher taught him how to Piano and are the most popular instruments for children under six improvise and play slide guitar, because they help build a foundation for your child to choose a different Greta B. Lara M. which has become a dominant instrument at a later age, should they want to do so. Tyler C. Chris J. aspect of his playing and a specialized aspect of hi s teaching. The violin is a smart choice because the instrument can be manufactured in particularly small sizes, making it easier for younger Angelina B. Mac H. Another unique element of Ben's playing style is his use of hybrid children to handle. Although instruments like the guitar are also available in smaller sizes, the violin is advantageous in its lack of Reese E. Connor W. picking (incorporating both a pick and fingers simultaneously). This or keys, allowing your child to focus solely on the sounds produced. In addition, this helps kids learn to play in tune, and the bowing of versatile picking technique allows for sounds and note the right hand teaches the concept of musical phrasing. Both of these skills are the foundation for playing most other instruments. Carla R. Eliza E. combinations not possible with pick or fingers alone. Ben has Molly J. Richard E. Although a child doesn’t control the tune or pitch of the keys on a piano and there is no “bowing” skill necessary, the piano has its own played in many bands, both live and on studio recordings. These advantages. For example, playing the piano allows musicians to play both the melody and harmony simultaneously, thus teaching Leo M. Ruslan H. bands range in style from rock, blues, country, folk, funk, fusion, important perceptual and musical skills. The piano also provides a visual representation of music that is essential to understanding Mohamed E. Oresta H. traditional and free jazz, to many types of "world" music. His music theory. In summary, choosing either of these introductory instruments is a wise decision for young children. Jaden C. Avery N. ability to play traditional West African guitar styles has lead to performances with international artists, and he has toured Europe As children get older, some will move on and experiment with other instruments. With age comes the physical strength required to Julian C. Katie T. play brass instruments, woodwinds, or larger string instruments. It’s important to make sure that your child and his instrument are and America playing American roots music. physically similar in size. For example, although there are exceptions, a child with small hands might have difficulty with the string bass Jalen C. or even the piano, which a child with large hands or awkward fine motor skills might have trouble with an instrument such as the Ben teaches electric, acoustic, slide, and fretless guitar, bass, mandolin or oboe. One test of matching physicality should be whether your child enjoys holding the instrument or if it’s overpowering ukulele, mandolin, dobro, lap steel, and banjo. He is available to and limiting to him; while this seems like common sense, it is often ignored because children imagine themselves playing the teach on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Call us today to instrument before they even hold one. Sometimes the desire to play a certain instrument can trump the limitations; however, it’s schedule with Ben! better to start with an instrument more compatible with your child’s body. Another important factor in choosing the right instrument is the sound of the instrument and how it’s produced. If your child doesn’t like the sound that an oboe makes, they won’t enjoy playing the oboe. Similarly, if your child doesn’t like the way the sound of a trumpet is made (by blowing) they A Note from the Directors Dr. Robert A. Cutietta is the won’t enjoy playing the trumpet. These are extremely important considerations because there will Dean of the University of be little motivation to practice, your child might resent the instrument (or playing music in general) Southern California Thornton and the sound and way of playing aren’t attributes that “grow on you.” This may seem obvious to As we begin a new school year, we would like to take this time to recognize our own School of Music. He is the author of “Raising Musical parents, but be aware that some teachers or bandleaders might encourage your child to play an faculty here at Music Makers of Western Springs. We feel that one of the main reasons Kids” and a popular speaker instrument they don’t like because the band “needs” another bassoon or French horn. we are a National Award-Winning Music School is because of our amazing faculty! All whose areas of expertise One of the most potentially defeating aspects of choosing an instrument is its “social image,” include the middle-school of our faculty members hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in some type of Music meaning kids will choose the instrument they perceive as the “coolest” even if that instrument learner, choral education, Studies, and many have higher degrees and/or great outside experience with local or learning theories and the seems like a bad fit. For some, this will lead them to their life’s instrument (as happened for me with psychology of music. the electric bass) but for others it will be a dead end because the “coolness” factor often clashes touring bands, recording artists, etc. Additionally, he is a highly with the previously mentioned considerations. You can’t ignore your child’s preconceived notions of regarded musician and an instrument (or themselves playing it), but you should temper that with the reality of the other educator with extensive factors. We are very proud of the positive feedback we receive from families about our faculty, knowledge about the full and we invite you to continue sharing your success stories with us! Feel free to e-mail range of musical talent There is no greater joy than finding “your” instrument. I believe this is a cornerstone of future nationally as well as success. Keeping an open mind (both you and your child) and following these common-sense rules Izzy and Adrienne anytime at [email protected] to share your feedback! internationally. will serve as the stepping-stones to the perfect match of child and instrument. v Jeremy & Gwen Michor We have published this article before in a previous newsletter, but with so many children coming back to lessons or starting lessons for the first time now that school has started again we feel it is worthy of repeating. If you are on the fence about which Studio Owners Page | 2 instrument to choose, we encourage you to take advantage of our “trial” lessons. Trial lessons only cost $38.00 for a 30-minute lesson. You are not charged an enrollment fee while participating in a trial period. Call 708-246-8222 for more information! Page | 3