2008 July « piano with nicole

Archive for July, 2008

our piano retreat

{ July 14, 2008 @ 2:49 am } · { piano lessons }
{ } · { Leave a Comment }

Here are some photos from the piano retreat I held Saturday at Garten’s Music. We had a lot of fun, and I’ve already had requests to do it again! A complete schedule of our activities is below.

rhythm workshop

treasure hunting

we made origami pianos!

obligatory silly photo

Piano Retreat

a fun and educational day for students in grades 2 through 6

Saturday, July 12 • 1:00 to 5:00 • Cost: $10

The retreat includes these activities:

Rhythm workshop — students will refine their rhythm skills with hands-on percussion instruments including finger cymbals, African drums, irish whistle, and accordion

Students will perform their piano pieces for one another in a Master Class

A music treasure hunt with maps, clues, and a hidden treasure

Presentations on classical composers and on the history of the piano

Collaborative improvisations — the students work as a team to create music together

Music performed by Nicole for the students during snacktime

Music theory games and more!

•

We will meet in the organ classroom (back of the store, by the music books) at Garten’s Music.

If you are interested in attending, you must RSVP with Nicole by June 21st.

_________________________________________________________________

Piano Retreat Schedule

1:00-1:15 Introductions. Students play the “interview game” which helps them get to know one another a bit.

1:15-1:45 Collaborative piece. Together we will choose a theme for our piece, and each student will compose and play their own part in a piano ensemble. If there is enough time, we will also record the piece.

1:45-2:15 Rhythm workshop. We will review basic rhythm values using percussion instruments, gradually increasing in difficulty, and then create a percussion orchestra.

2:15-2:25 Break. Restrooms, drinks, etc.

2:25-2:45 Piano Master Class. Each student performs a piece they have been studying in their lessons and receives a constructive critique from Nicole.

2:45- 3:10 “Expressions” game. The students break into teams to play a game that teaches musical expressivity–mood, emotion, atmosphere.

3:10-3:30 Snacks. The students enjoy treats and visiting with one another while Nicole performs a “mini-recital” for them.

3:30-4:00 History of the Piano Presentation . The students learn about the invention and evolution of the piano, and complete coloring pages and worksheets to go along with the presentation.

4:00-4:30 Composers Presentation. We will learn about some famous composers’ lives and listen to some of their masterpieces. We will also create drawings to go with the pieces, to represent the different kinds of sounds and instruments we hear.

4:30-4:45 Music Treasure Hunt. The students will have clues based on the new things they learned throughout the day and will work together in teams to decipher the riddles, figure out the treasure map, and find the treasure hidden somewhere in the building.

4:45-5:00 Theory games (if time) and wrapping up.