Exam times for the forthcoming sessions are below. All the appointments for this exam session have now been published. The venue is Stanley Palace, Watergate Street, Chester. Times are as follows:

(Weds 17th March, 2010)

LILLY 16:40
LAUREN 16:52

(Fri 26th March, 2010)

ALICE 14:15
RUTH 14:27
TOM 14:39

(Mon 29th March, 2010)

DOMINIC 9:30
DANIEL 9:40
FILIPA 9:50
TOM 10:00
IZZIE 10:10
LIZZIE 10:20

Best of luck in your exams!

Because of the way it works, it is testing typing skills as well as note naming skills but it is still a valuable freely available resource. The addition of tenor and alto clefs mean that it is good practise for pianists studying for grade 5 theory who need to get a bit of experience at reading these clefs and otherwise wouldn’t get the chance.

Music Match (below) looks quite interesting though once you have worked out the note it is also testing ICT co-ordination besides piano skills.

Music Match

Click here to play this game

'African Dance' by Oliver

This term, the piano concert will again be taking place at All Saint’s Church, Hoole on Saturday 13th March, 2010 starting at 2pm.

We will be supporting the recently formed ‘Friends of Kampala Music School‘ to further sponsor an African piano student, suggested donations of £3 per audience member.

Download Poster

The 9th Edition of my piano teaching newsletter has been published and will be distributed at lessons over the next couple of weeks. If you cannot wait until then, the print edition of the newsletter should be visible below:
Piano Tuition Newsletter – January 2010

The words are by the American, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The composition came about late in 2008 as a result of an annual competition organised by The Longfellow Chorus promoting the poetry of their founder. Graeme Hopson, the composer of this setting was a finalist in the competition with this work.

The score is available direct from the composer or from SibeliusMusic.com

The snowfall motif in the piano accompaniment delicately flutters throughout the snowflakes’ journey described in the lyrics until the ‘troubled sky reveals the grief it feels’. The harmony takes an anguished turn at this point as the heart rate of the choir members increases whilst the parts get a little more challenging to pitch! Effervescent tranquillity returns along with the carefree snowflake motif as the third verse draws to a close with whispered revelations to wood and field.

Exam results have arrived and I’m pleased to say that I’ll have certificates to present at the next concert. Well done to all the students who took exams this time as everyone passed (two with merits). It is also time to announce the top piano points results for the Winter Term 2009:

1. Mollie from St. Oswald’s – 49 points
2. Laura from St. Oswald’s – 46 points
3. Alice and Charlie from Tattenhall Park – 45 points

Over half of my students have achieved the target number of points required so will be received a certificate at the beginning of next term.

Many thanks for all the cards, presents and good wishes. Have a great holiday and keep up the practise. Lessons start again on the week beginning Monday 4th January unless otherwise arranged.