“Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?

In the lane, snow is glistening

A beautiful sight,

We’re happy tonight.

Walking in a winter wonderland.”

— Lyrics to the song “Winter Wonderland.

Have you decided on a gift for your loved ones this holiday season? students!

“Music is not just my passion, It is my companion.”

~Ronnie Milsap

It may seem like a difficult task to start a musical instrument from scratch, or pick up one that you haven’t touched in years. Yet, we hear so many stories from adults wishing they had stayed with their music lessons.  

Is it too late to pick up a musical instrument when you’re on the other side of 30? 

“I think one of the things which always is forgotten in music class,
Is the first thing you have to do as a musician,
is you have to learn how to listen.”

— Hans Zimmer

Music helps us express ourselves emotionally and creatively! Budding musicians must learn to practice by themselves but will also benefit from group and private lessons. We realize both types of lessons have numerous advantages and hope this article will help you see the benefits of both!

“The things that make you strange are the things that make you powerful.”

— Ben Platt, Tony Award Winner for Dear Evan Hansen

It is Fall. The cooler weather and the shift in schedules mean back-to-school, back-to-work schedules, and back-to-music lessons!

And Why Performance is Important For Everyone!

“I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, 
The most immediate way in which a human being can share
With another the sense of what it is to be a human being.”

— Oscar Wilde

Leading Note Music School in San Marcos is expanding by adding a "Black Box" Theatre to their school - providing more services to the community. But what exactly is a Black Box Theatre?

“If you have a Recital to do,
you have to memorize the songs.
I never use music when I do recitals.
It produces an instant barrier,
both for yourself and the audience.”

— Bryn Terfel

Recitals are a fantastic opportunity for musicians to perform with their peers, get over nerves, and play or sing a song they have been working on. Some students look forward to recitals, and some get nervous. Regardless of how students feel about them, they are always excited to take a bow after their performance.  

“I have a conviction that a few weeks spent in a well-organized summer camp may be of more value educationally than a whole year of formal school work.””

— Charles W. Eliot

Summer is just starting, and for most of us, we may look back on our endless, carefree summer days of childhood with fondness and joy. However, now that you are a parent, you may have mixed feelings about this season. How will we manage childcare while working? Are there any educational summer music activities I can put them in that are both educational and fun!

“Excellence is never an accident.
It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort,
And intelligent execution;
It represents the wise choice of many alternatives
- Choice, not chance determines your destiny.”

— Aristotle

How to Achieve Excellence

Achieving excellence is a journey. Excellence is developed over time through thoughtful and wise work and a continued passionate focus on providing non-stop services to the community. It is a result of deep soulful passion and continued performance. 

“Repetition draws us into music,
And repetition draws music into us.”

— Elizabeth Hellmuth Margulis

Music of every genre and culture employs repeated musical phrases for effect and success. So why do we love to listen to the same things over and over and again and again?

“Repetition draws us into music,
And repetition draws music into us.”

— Elizabeth Hellmuth Margulis

Music of every genre and culture employs repeated musical phrases for effect and success. So why do we love to listen to the same things over and over and again and again?

“Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere. They’re in each other all along.”

— Jalaluddin Rumi

Love is such an important emotion.  It’s hardly surprising how many songs are written on this wonderful topic. The oldest love song, "The Love Song for Shu-Sin," was written around 2000 B.C. and believed to have been recited by a bride of a Sumerian King Shu-Sin. 

“Enter this New Year with gratitude for this new chance to create your dreams.”

— Avina Celeste

Happy New Year! If you're the New Year's resolution type, you probably already have plans to purchase a gym membership, eat healthier, and perhaps like me, take the time to finish those many projects you started. In this article, we suggest some fun and attainable music lesson goals to kick off 2022!!

Why Music Is Important And Essential

During The Holiday Season

By Amber Flynn

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer

Is singing loud for all to hear."

~ Will Ferrell "Buddy The Elf."

Have you ever wondered why people like to sing and play music during the holidays? Or go caroling door-to-door together? Or why is singing a family tradition for so many cultures during the holidays? The answer is far more straightforward than you might think. 

Music brings you joy when you sing, especially when you sing with others. 

We are not saying this just because we are musicians and music teachers, but because science suggests it.  (read more)

"Music Is A Major Gift That Keeps On Giving"

~Kathy McClary

Music lessons are a phenomenal gift for anyone.  Children, spouses, friends, siblings, and even grandparents are excited and inspired when they receive the gift of Music during the holidays. When you give the gift of music education, it will lift them up and encourage them to have more joy and excitement and a renewed sense of learning something new and fun.

Music Builds Character in Children

We all know just how many toys children get for Christmas… it's a lot. And… before you know it, these gifts are forgotten about or quickly outgrown. So, instead, try giving them something they'll enjoy for years to come. Research shows life experiences provide happiness that lasts longer than possessions do. So, when you give the gift of lessons, you are gifting experiences, which is a great way to extend the season's joy all year long. So, surprise that child in your life with the gift of music lessons.

“Music isn’t just something that comforts us Or distracts us, it goes way beyond that - its an ideology.”

~Paulo Coelho

It's Fall! With additional homework and more work to do, we realize that practicing music and attending lessons could pose a challenge. To remedy this, we have our Top 5 Music "Tricks & Treats" to ensure that you and your child have a productive and musical fall season.

Below are our 5 top tricks and treat ideas to do during the school year!

1. Incorporate Music into Your Daily Routine - A Treat

My piano teacher always reminded me to "never walk past the piano without playing it. Even if it's to find middle C or to play a scale." Incorporating music into my daily routine helps me stay connected.

Practicing requires concentration and focus, and that can be very fatiguing. If you break that one hour into three 20 minute sessions, you will be more focused in each session and use your time more effectively.

2. Set Goals for Your Practice Time - A Trick… read more

"Success is not the key to happiness.  

Happiness is the key to success. 

If you love what you are doing, 

you will be successful."

~Herman Cain

Approaching music lessons with the primary goal of helping your child build character first, and then competency will provide your child with lifelong skills beyond their music lessons. Regardless of how good your child becomes at playing their instrument, the goal with lessons is to provide them the opportunities to gain experiences that learning any instrument has to offer.

Music provides undeniable social, emotional, and even physical benefits such as overcoming shyness, developing a work ethic, learning to accept criticism, installing self-confidence, relieving anxiety, and so much more.

Many studies have shown that parental support and involvement are critical factors in their music success. And a parent's attitude about how their child is progressing is also essential.

What to Do - Our Top Tips for Support

"Practice isn't the thing you do once you're good.

It's the thing you do that makes you good."

~ Malcolm Gladwell

It's already mid-summer! Sometimes, the lazy days of Summer can pose a challenge for music parents. To remedy this, we have our Top 5 Music Tips to ensure that you and your child have a fun and musical summer.

With regular school on pause, it may be challenging to encourage your child to continue practicing with their instrument. Summer practice is necessary to maintain some of the gains they have made during the school year.

There are so many fun ways to inspire summertime music-making. Below are our top ideas for children to do during the last days of Summer. 

“Ideally, the point of music is the community, not the player.  

Musicians are simply channels to link the audience 

to the music and to each other.”

~Trey Anastasio

Music encourages creative thinking, discipline, leadership, and problem-solving. It is also a medium for individual and group awareness to profoundly communicate and move individuals to raise themselves to a higher level of empathy and social understanding. 

When this awareness happens, it helps to shape how we collectively respond to the world. — Hans Christian Andersen once said, “Where words fail, music speaks.”

Private Lessons vs. Group Lessons

"There is always that one Summer that Changes You."
~ Kushandwizdom

Do you remember that Summer that changed your life? The laughter and the joy of those long Summer Days? Remember going to camp and spending the day with other kids and making fun and new memories? 

The wonderful memories, as well as friendships forged at a summer music camp, can last a lifetime. It will also provide a springboard for further development as individuals and musicians.

At summer music camps, every student enjoys the unique opportunity to collaborate with peers, gain more physical awareness and more significant stage presence by performing at camps with other musicians. They also gain a unique and deeper understanding of the symbiotic relationship found through collaborating and playing with other students in fun and exciting group activities.

Why are summer music camps the right thing for your child? 

"Sometimes you know its Time

To start something New 

and Trust the Magic of New Beginnings."

~Anonymous

Music lessons are an excellent opportunity for anyone to learn a new skill and express their creativity. The joy that comes from playing an instrument or singing is entirely worth it. 

Music lessons will take on a unique flavor for every student.  Music lessons offer numerous ways to help us express how we feel, engage with what we think, and expand what's important to us. Here are four top tips for a successful first lesson.

1. Get to know your teacher

This is a critical step. Some of us are visual learners, some aural, and some tactile.

The first lesson for any teacher is getting to know their student. The first lesson's emphasis will focus on past work, your ability level, and either your or your child's musical interest.