Here's to 2017!

2017.  It's here.  Happy New Year!

2016 brought me to Frederick.  Best move.  I couldn't be happier.  One advantage that I did not anticipate was joining the Frederick County Music Teachers Association.  Through the FCMTA, my local students have performed in 2 recitals, one at Halloween, and one just last week.  My current student base is still small.  The 2 recitals exposed my students to a larger audience.  And they did so well.  I was very proud of each performance.

I have always held a 12th Night Recital in January in order to encourage piano time during the holiday season.  This may be the last year I will be able to do so.  My small house will not accommodate too many students and their families.  Even last year in the old house, much larger, it was standing room only.  I had a small turnout this year, but I rate it a success.  The girls played their pieces, I had time to remind them to bow to thank their audience for attending, and then they enjoyed un-spotlighted time at the piano, paying older pieces ("Remember I played this at Halloween" and "The first piece I ever learned!") and improvising.  One parent suggested a Twinkle Twinkle duet.  I was so impressed; these 2 girls had never met each other, let alone practiced together, and yet they nailed it.

All of these performance events teach so much more than merely playing a selection of music.  Preparing for a performance requires focus, patience and time.  In this gotta-have-it-now era, learning to take time to reach a goal is an important life lesson.  They still have a lot to learn.  Don't we all?  But they did well, accepted their mistakes in stride, and are looking forward to the next time.

Wishing all far and wide a happy and successful 2017.  May we all continue to learn, accept mistakes (ours and others') in stride, and reach our goals this year.