News from NewSongs

Dear NewSongs families
We will be OPEN next Monday during Presidents Day.
VIOLIN and VOICE students in Artist (private) lessons have Group Classes this Saturday--double check with your teacher for times and information.
PIANO EXPLORER students interested in performing in the March 5th Recitals at NewSongs, please make sure to sign up or contact Ms Amber for details (amber@elkgrovemusiclessons.com)
Piano Guild audition applications are due this month for those who are interested (see the bottom of this letter)
And we have one more NEW performance opportunity coming up on Saturday, February 26th, in just over one week!  Read on--
We have been working for several weeks to schedule a performance at Sunrise Assisted Living in Elk Grove.  We finally got it--we are inviting students who would like to perform on Saturday, February 26th at 3 pm.
Students of ALL ages, instruments and ability are invited to play for the residents, who are a very warm and receptive audience.  The hall is not too large, so it is a good opportunity for students that may be nervous about performing for a large group.  We will only be able to accommodate about 15 performers and families so please sign up at NewSongs this week or contact Ms Jan or Mr Michael and we will get your name signed up.  We will also have an "interest list" of students, regardless of if they perform this month or not, would like to perform for senior centers in the future. We will contact you first about our next scheduled performance.  Students are invited to use 3 to 4 minutes to perform, so more than one piece or song is fine, and students can work with their teacher to choose music that they feel is "ready".
We look forward to helping our students share their musical gifts with others that so appreciate them.  Remember the performance is coming up on Saturday, February 26th at 2 pm.  Sunrise Assisted living is at (6727 Laguna Park Drive Elk Grove, CA 95758).  Please remember to sign up as soon as possible!
If you take piano lessons, read on!!
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Dear Piano Families--
Spring is on its way and it is time to prepare for Piano Guild auditions!  Last year we had a disappointing experience with the Guild auditions, however I spent a good deal of time talking with the new chairperson and I am more confident that things will go smoothly this year.
The Guild Auditions consist of a program of memorized music played alone for a judge, who then gives detailed feedback on a "report card".  It is a good opportunity for students to review and show what they have accomplished this year and to hear from a person other than their teacher about what they are doing well, and ways they can improve.  Students also receive a pin and award certificate.
Our local audition times are Thursday afternoon April 28th, which gives us better time to plan ahead.  Fees for entry depend on the number of pieces in the program, but should range between about $30 and $50.  Programs can include songs that students already know and/or have memorized, as well as pieces we will learn for the auditions, and "musicianship phases"--demonstrations of skills such as playing sets of scales, chord, or exercises.
If you are interested in participating in the Guild Auditions this year please contact Mr. Michael before February 26th (michael@elkgrovemusiclessons.com) or return this letter.  We will work together to complete the next steps to register students and choose a program to begin working on!  Please let me know if you have any other questions.  I look forward to giving our students a chance to learn and grow through this experience.