Scientific Research Supports Music Study

Time Invested In Practicing Pays Off For Young Musicians, Research Shows

ScienceDaily (2008-11-05) -- A new study has found that children who study a musical instrument for at least three years outperform children with no instrumental training -- not only in tests of auditory discrimination and finger dexterity (skills honed by the study of a musical instrument), but also on tests measuring verbal ability and visual pattern completion (skills not normally associated with music). ... > read full article

TOP TEN for February 2011

#1 - Mariah 1940 points
#2 - Sam 1520 points
#3 - Andrew 1305 points
#4 - Alexandra 1215 points
#5 - Micah 1065 points
#6 - Joey 950 points
#7 - Ryan 925 points
#8 - Gavin 920 points
#9 - Holland 890 points
#10 - Julia 830 points
Remember, you can earn more than 1 composer statue! 1,000 points - 1 statue.

Top Ten Point-Scorers for January 2011

I am amazed at how many of my students are working hard for points. It really isn't super hard . . . a few magazine points, listening at the listening center . . . good practicing! You will notice that 4 of these below have reached the 1,000 point goal and are starting over (they'll receive 2 statues if they reach 1,000 twice!)

Here are the top ten for January (there are some ties!)
#1 - Mariah - 1235 points
#2 - Sam - 1220
#3 - Andrew - 1125
#4 - Alexandra - 1125
#5 - Gavin & Joey - 860
#6 - Holland - 810
#7 - Tavis - 800
#8 - Micah - 785
#9 - Ryan - 735
#10 - Lydia, Carlie, Julia - 700

Students who are around 600 points right now are "on track" for reaching the goal of 1,000 points by April 30.

Here are some ways to earn points:
- fill out assignment page completely
- meet practice goal
- exceed practice goal - for bonus points!
- do Theory book and workbook and exercise pages if assigned
- do any Bonus pages in your assignment notebook you want to do
- do Piano Explorer magazine work - it's easy to get 40 or 50 points and you can get over 100 points with just a little more work!
- listen to music provided at the Listening Center in my studio (write down what you hear and get points).

Barnes & Noble Playathon Nov. 2010

Here are a few pictures from the Barnes and Noble Playathon. Sorry I didn't take more pictures!

Theory Classes - December 2010

We had fun at Theory Class in December. A gift exchange, goodies and a game - - drawing a snowman with a blindfold on! Here are pictures of the "masterpieces"!

November TOP TEN Scoring Students

The Top Ten for November are:
1st - Andrew - 825
2nd - Mariah - 775
3rd - Alexandra - 660
4th - Ryan - 625
5th - Holland - 620
6th - Sam - 610
7th - Dylan - 580
8th - Gavin - 575
9th - Joey - 570
10th - Brian - 565

I have written your student's total score inside the front cover of his/her assingment notbook. Students should be around 500 points by now.

Magazine work is a great way to earn some points and learn some interesting facts about music. All magazine work for August, September, October, November and December magazines will be DUE at the first lesson in January, 2011. Encourage students over the holidays to try to complete some work in these magazines. It is usually pretty easy to find something to do and fun, too!

TOP TEN Students for October

Sorry I'm slow to post my Top 10 High Point Scorers for October.
It turned out to be the Top 12, because I had 2 students who I didn't see the week I added up points. When I added theirs in, they ranked in the Top Ten.
Here it is:
#1 -Andrew - 560 points
#2 - a tie: Holland and Sam - 405 points
#3 - Brian - 395 points
#4 - Mariah - 365 points
#5 - Alexandra - 355 points
#6 - Meredith - 350 points
#7 - Micah - 345 points
#8 - Ryan - 320 points
#9 - Gavin - 300 points
#10 - Joey - 295 points
#11 - David - 290 points
#12 - a tie: Carlie & James - 235 points

CONGRATULATIONS to all of you!