Music

Duets, Trios, and Quartets...Oh My!

Duets, Trios, and Quartets...Oh My!

By Kate MacKenzie

This is an exciting time to be apart of the AWSOM family!  In July we rolled out our official Chamber Ensemble Program, which gives our students the opportunity to make music with other students! The possible instrument combinations are endless, and the music written for these groups is quite fun! Each chamber music ensemble will meet once a week with their coach (one of AWSOM's awesome teachers). It is a great way to meet other like-minded musicians, make some fantastic music, and learn in a group atmosphere! 

Developing Sight-Reading Skills

Developing Sight-Reading Skills

By John Hart

Sight-reading, also called a prima vista (Italian meaning "at first sight"), is the reading and performing of a piece of music or song in music notation that the performer has not seen before.   (Once a student has played through a piece several times, it can no longer be counted as sight-reading practice.)

The Music of the Suffrage Movement

The Music of the Suffrage Movement

By Kate MacKenzie

In light of today’s political climate, I’m taking this opportunity to examine the music used in protests throughout history, specifically the music from the woman’s marches during the Suffrage Movement. Suffragists used adapted tunes from soldier’s marches, popular songs, familiar hymns, and some even composed new music just for the occasion. Women activists were not as widespread or supported. Those who had the courage to speak up over their injustices faced sometimes very serious consequences. 

New Teaching Internship Program

New Teaching Internship Program

By Nathan Straub

The Andrew White School of Music is proud to announce the addition of a Teaching Internship Program to our services. Internships provide valuable experience for aspiring music teachers while providing AWSOM students with the same quality of lessons you have come expect from AWSOM.

Jumping Into Multiple Instruments

 

We are privileged to live in a part of the world where learning an instrument is an easily accessible and enjoyable thing we can take part in. Growing up I often thought, I wonder what it’s like to play this instrument, or that instrument, and while my parents afforded me the opportunity with many instruments there’s still more I want to learn! 

 

Spontaneous Improvisation

n my January 2016 blog, “Discovering Your Musical Purpose”, I wrote:  

 “As a long-time music teacher and performer, I believe that a well-rounded musician needs to be able to do the following:

  1. Sight-read scores written with standard musical notation.
  2. Improvise spontaneously using chord progressions.
  3. Accompany a singer or solo instrument (using a keyboard) from a score that uses only a melody, lyrics, and chord symbols.”  

TOP 5 Ways to ALWAYS Pass an Exam

TOP 5 Ways to ALWAYS Pass an Exam

One of our outstanding 12 year old piano students is about to take his Grade 7 on the piano. Andrew Shi, has taken his top 5 tips and formulated them into an excellent blog to help all current and future exam students know how to best prepare when taking a music exam! Well done on this great post Andrew!

Adding Power to Music

By Dr. Kate McKenzie

Like many, last night I was glued to the TV watching The Oscars, and my favorite aspect of the award show is always the music. Even after years of studying, practicing, thinking, living and breathing music, I still am in complete awe over how powerful of a role music plays in telling a story.

Discovering Your Musical Purpose

By John Hart

Whether you want to start a new instrument, reengage or simply continue on with your current instrument, it’s good to take a moment to consider your purpose for taking lessons.  Dream a little! What is it that you want to be able to do with your music?  In time, who would you like to be playing for?  Are you interested in learning how to improvise on an instrument, or do you prefer to stick with written notes?

 As a long-time music teacher and performer, I believe that a well-rounded musician needs to be able to do the following:

  1. Sight-read scores written with standard musical notation.
  2. Improvise spontaneously using chord progressions.
  3. Accompany a singer or solo instrument (using a keyboard) from a score that uses only a melody, lyrics, and chord symbols.  

In my next 3 blog articles, I will address each of the topics listed above:  sight-reading, improvising, and accompanying.