Learning a worthwhile skill with potentially life-long benefits (like playing a musical instrument) can take a lot of effort and be a kind of marathon.
How do we actually achieve it?
Given we all have 24 hours in every day and 365 days in every year, how do we decide what to do in that time to take us to our dream?
Some of us don’t decide and perhaps by default prefer to allow life to happen around us and float along.
Whether we do or don’t is everyone’s choice.
What if though, we do decide and purposefully channel ourselves in that direction?
What if we decide to grab life by the collar and declare what we want to experience?
What if we set the intention to fully live, and have what we dream of?
The impact on our quality of life could be quite dramatic.
And, the impact on our children?
There is a school of thought that says children learn what they live.
This makes a lot of sense to me.
If a child lives in a household with parents who are making choices for their lives, setting goals and achieving them, and allowing them to witness the process and harvest of that, what impact might it have on their future?
So now, back to those pesky only 24 hours in every day.
Many of us want to cram far too much into our lives.
I am certainly guilty of that.
The fact is we can’t do everything all at once, no matter how much we might want to.
We have to learn to prioritise.
Make choices.
Declare to myself that I want this more than that.
Allow some things to go undone, untried, untested.
Say no to others and to myself when a possibility presents itself that is not aligned with how I want to experience my life and future.
Accept this offer and reject that offer. Not always easy.
When I do this, although it can be excruciating at the time, the rewards that come from it can be beautiful and bountiful!
Self-care
Self-esteem
self-knowledge
self-understanding
self-worth
self-respect
self-management
development of my character
trust in myself
For kids to navigate the ‘marathon’ they need to learn how to prioritise and stay on track.
They will be distracted by many many things along the way, just like us.
It takes time and practise to learn, and it takes a lot of effort by parents.
And it is well worth the effort.
Motivation for the child comes through witnessing the rewards gained by their parents and friends, then having the internal experience of “I WANT THAT”. Then they will be on board with the effort. Once they experience the self-respect that comes with achieving what they want (begin with smaller easier things to achieve) they will become more and more hooked on the process. It will make their life much more exciting ultimately. At least that has been my experience.
Yes some people have levels of passion and purpose and directness of vision that they are able to do this without training it seems. Other people need to work on it.
Which kind are you? Is your child the same?
How might your child be taught to prioritise appropriate to their character and abilities?
I wonder what the best version of you and your child might be?
Fascinating….
If there is something substantial to achieve to make your life come alive, then mastering the art of a priority becomes essential.

Pamela Jordon is a graduate of Qld Conservatorium of Music in Brisbane and is an experienced Teacher Mentor with a demonstrated history of working in the music industry. She is skilled in Coaching, Classroom Management, Piano, Flute, Workshop Facilitation, and Pedagogy. 

For more stories by Pamela Jordan www.PurpleTempo.com.au/blog

Piano Guild Auditions are something that we offer our piano students each spring.  Each year, I am asked by students, parents and even some teachers many questions about it.  I am always happy to answer any and all questions as I want students to make an informed decision about participating.

There is a fair amount of information available on the website and a great deal of information available in the Guild Syllabus.  However, I am going to attempt to sum up this information for students, parents and instructors here.

I have prepared students for Piano Guild for many years in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.  In Massachusetts, I was the Co-Chair of the Concord Center for a period of time before creating a Sudbury Chapter in 2017.  The Center Chairperson is responsible for securing the location of the auditions.  I have elected to host the auditions at our studio in my home.  This also means that instructors from outside of our studio are also welcome to bring their students to our audition center which does occur each year.

Students of all ages and stages may participate in the auditions.  The student may register to play one to twenty pieces for the Judge.  A student must register in advance with an instructor who is a Guild Member who submits the payment and registration card to Headquarters. Once the Guild Fee is submitted to Headquarters, it is non refundable.  If a student wishes to change the skill level or number of pieces he or she is playing, there is a $10 fee to receive an updated certificate / report card.  Headquarters will assign the dates and times that each instructor is allotted to have students perform for the Judge. The teacher is then responsible for communicating with the students and parents about the assigned dates and times.  The scheduling department at Headquarters assigns the Judge to adjudicate at a center.  The same judge cannot return to a center for three years.

According to the syllabus and website, 
"The Piano Guild, as we are called (a division of the American College of Musicians), was founded in 1929 by Dr. Irl Allison.  Since that time, the Guild has grown to more than 850 audition centers where thousands of students enroll annually in our international auditions, which are held throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Our primary function is to establish definite goals and awards--in noncompetitive auditions--for students of all levels, from the earliest beginner to the gifted prodigy. With the exception of our "special" programs, teachers have the flexibility to choose all repertoire for student auditions. Students are judged on individual merit, by a well-qualified music professional, in the areas of accuracy, continuity, phrasing, pedaling, dynamics, rhythm, tempo, tone, interpretation, style, and technique. Our purpose is to encourage growth and enjoyment through the study of piano."  

"Students are adjudicated by an international panel of judges and receive report cards, certificates, and fraternity pins. Programs are diversified to meet the needs of both students and teachers. Programs are flexible and include repertoire as well as technical goals (musicianship phases)." 

Guild offers students the opportunity to perform in front of one judge versus a large audience and or a panel of judges in a large university like setting.  Each student receives a score and comment card full of constructive feedback.  The scores are not posted or public.  Students can compete with him or herself year after year to improve the score, increase the level of difficulty of pieces and or the number of pieces performed.  This a format for students and instructors to set measurable and attainable goals each year.  I often explain this to parents and child care givers by equating this to a third party audit.  It is a platform for students to receive constructive feedback to help the student to improve.  It is a great stepping stone for students who wish to explore other graded systems, competitions and festivals.  Guild welcomes both the students who study piano for recreation and leisure as well as the students who intend to major or minor in music.

This year, I will be conducting a Piano Guild Prep workshop for our students.  Details will be in our monthly newsletters.  This workshop is designed for both students who are new to the Guild process and to students who are seasoned members.

I would be honored to answer any additional questions about Piano Guild, if I do not know the answer, I will find the answer for you.  Best wishes in your musical adventures.

Renee Bordner is the owner of Note-worthy Experiences Music Studio and became a member of the Piano Guild Hall of Fame in 2019.

Music educator and profession development specialist Michael Griffin discusses the misunderstood idea of talent, its intersection with hard work, and whether or not it is a genetic phenomenon. The "learning mindset" vs. the "talent mindset" can lead to drastically different results in students, and although each individual's perception and environment affect these outcomes, reliance on talent can lead to a decrease of effort he argues. Click here to read the full article by Michael Griffin.

For more music education and professional development please visit professional-development.com.au/

The information below contains links to websites owned and operated by third parties. These links are provided for your information and convenience only and are not an endorsement by Note-worthy Experiences of the content of such linked websites or third parties.

https://www.spencerbrookstrings.com/pages/music-festival Concord, MA, has offered string students a fantastic week of making music in an atmosphere of fun and friendship. Participants – from 2nd through 12th grade – play in small chamber music groups and also in big orchestras. 
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Sonatina http://www.sonatina.com/summersonatina.html / 1-5 weeks Bennington,VT ages 7 - 16 for piano Some of our students and / or instructors have attended some of these programs.  Contact Renee at rbordner@note-worthyexperiences.com if you wish to connect with an alumni of these programs.

Berklee https://www.berklee.edu/summer/programs (Berklee College of Music & Boston Conservatory) Many day and overnight camps for students of all ages.

New England Conservatory Jazz Lab / 1 week Boston, MA jazzlab@necmusic.edu 617-585-1335 ages 14-18 / ensemble, jams, songwriting/composition, listening, entrepreneurship, audition prep

New England Conservatory Festival Youth Orchestra / 3 weeks Boston, MA fyo@necmusic.edu ages 13-18 / intermediate to advanced-level strings, brass, winds, percussion (Not offered summer 2018)

Apple Hill Center / five 10-day sessions Nelson, NH music@applehill.org 603-847-3371 focus: chamber music workshops ages 12-79 / strings, wind, piano

Aspen Music Festival / 8 weeks (half session available) Aspen, CO asaint@aspenmusic.org 970-205-5054 ages 12-18 / all instruments

Boston University Tanglewood Institute / varies with the program from 2–8 week Lenox, MA tanglewd@bu.edu617-353-3386 ages 14-18 / all instruments

Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp / four 2-week sessions Twin Lake, MI 231-894-1966 focus: 5,300 students & 175 performances each summer in an outdoor woodsy environment grades 5-12 / all instruments

Cadenza / 5 weeks Oneonta, NY info@nysmf.org 607-267-4024 focus: many programs available including chamber music, flute institute, private instruction, jazz ages 11-15 / instrumental, guitar, piano, voice, percussion, jazz

California Summer Music / 3 weeks San Francisco, CA csm@csmusic.org 415-753-8920 focus: solo, chamber music, composition age range: 13-26 / composition, strings, piano
Camp Encore Coda / 3–6 weeks Sweden, ME jamie@encore-coda.com 207-647-3947 focus: chamber, private lessons, jazz, rock & roll, large ensembles ages 10-18 / strings, wind, brass, piano

Castleman Quartet Program / 7 weeks Fredonia, NY ccastleman22@gmail.com 585-274-1592 no age specifics given, very selective (more advanced students)—only about 40 students in entire program / violin, viola, cello

Chamber Music Institute at Holy Cross / 6 days Worcester, MA aresker@holycross.edu (508) 793-2296 For high school and college aged violinists, violists, cellists and pianists

Chautauqua Music Festival / 7 weeks Chautauqua, NY music@ciweb.org ages 17-25 / instrumental, piano, voice

Credo Oberlin Chamber Music / 3 weeks Oberlin, OH see below
Credo Prelude: Elmhurst College / 2 weeks Elmhurst, IL office@credo-music.org 440-774-3658 age 11-18 / strings, piano, chamber music

Cremona International Music Academy and Competition / 2 weeks Cremona, Italy 646-206-4024 info@internationalmusicacademics.com focus: chamber, private lessons, practice, performance, competition ages 12-18 / strings, piano

Decoda Skidmore Chamber Music Institute / 2 weeks Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY focus: chamber music ages 15+ / instrumentalists

Eastern Music Festival / 5 weeks Greensboro, NC Info@easternmusicfestival.org 877-833-6753 focus: orchestra, chamber music, private lessons ages 14-22 / orchestral instruments, piano

The Fredericksburg Brass Institute (FredBrass) / 1 week Northampton, MA ages 14-18 / brass players

Greenwood Music Camp junior & senior / 2 weeks (junior), 5 weeks (senior) Berkshires, MA debby@greenwoodmusiccamp.org 413-320-5908 ages 10-13 (junior), 13-18 (senior) / all instruments
Heifetz / 6 weeks Staunton, VA office@heifetzinstitute.org 540-907-4446 ages 13-27 / violin, viola, cello

Indiana University Summer Piano Academy / 3 weeks Bloomington, IN karmtayl@indiana.edu 812-336-4465 focus: piano

Indiana University Summer String Academy / 4 weeks Bloomington, IN musicsp@indiana.edu 812-855-6025 focus: chamber, private lessons, practice grades 7-12 (piano), ages 12-18 (strings) / strings, piano
International Institute for Young Musicians / one 3-week session; two 2-week sessions Lawrence, KS info@iiym.com 949-584-5709 focus: Student takes 2 classes 3 times a week; private lessons twice a week; 3 hours practice per day; recitals and community performances. ages 12-23 / piano

International Summer Music Academy “ Music in Regensburg” / 2 weeks Regensburg, Germany aiokheles@comcast.net focus: chamber, private lessons, practice, performance ages 12-18 / strings, piano

Interlochen / various programs, various lengths Interlochen, MI admission@interlochen.org 800-681-5912 or 231-276-7472 focus: many programs—band, brass, choir, music composition, orchestra, percussion, strings, voice, woodwinds grades 3-12 / strings, voice, brass/percussion, composition, piano

Killington Music Festival / 5 weeks Rutland, VT kmfest@sover.net 802-773-4003 focus: chamber music, private lesson, practice ages 14-23 / violin, viola, cello, piano
Kinhaven Junior & Senior / 2 weeks (junior), 6 weeks (senior) Weston, VT kinhavenmusic@aol.com 610-868-9200 focus: orchestra, chamber music, private lesson, practice grades 4-7 (junior), ages 13-18 (senior) / orchestral instruments, piano

Luzerne Music Camp junior & senior sessions 4 weeks (2 week option available for junior) (6-8 week sessions available) New York, NY info@luzernemusic.org 518-696-2771 ages 10-14 (junior), 15-18 (senior) / strings, piano, winds, brass, percussion

Meadowmount / 7 weeks Westport, NY admissions@meadowmount.com 518-962-2400 violin, viola, cello, piano
Music at Menlo: Young Performers Program (day/boarding options) / 3 weeks Atherton, CA edward@musicatmenlo.org 650-330-2030 focus: chamber ages 9-18 / intermediate, pre-conservatory, and early-conservatory-level pianists, violinists, violists, cellists

Music on the Hill (day) / 3.5 weeks Belmont, MA moth@powersmusic.org 617-484-4696 focus: chamber music ages 9-14 / all instruments

Musica Mundi / 2 weeks Waterloo, Belgium info@musicamundi.org 32-0-2-652-0101 focus: chamber ages 10-18 / chamber music

Narnia Festival / 2 weeks Narni, Italy NarniaArtsAcademy@gmail.com +39 0744 403132 instrumentalists, singers, dancers, composition, performance, conducting, language www.narniafestival.it

New England Music Camp / 7 weeks (half session available) Sidney, ME info@nemusiccamp.com 914-498-6143 focus: strings, winds brass, percussion, piano, guitar, voice, musical theatre
Oberlin Baroque Performance Institute / 2 weeks Oberlin, OH summer@oberlin.edu 440-775-8044 focus: baroque chamber music, use of baroque instruments, 1 college music credit available grades 9-12 / voice, strings, piano, winds

The Perlman Music Program / 7 weeks Shelter Island Heights, NY info@perlmanmusicprogram.org 212-721-8769 focus: chamber, private lessons, masterclasses, practice, 38 exceptionally gifted students are accepted each summer ages 12-18 / strings

Point Counterpoint "Prelude," / 1 week Sessions #1–3 / 3, 3, and 2 weeks Young Artists Program / 5 weeks Leicester, VT pointcp@gmail.com 267-886-5359 (Oct-Apr) 802-247-8467 (May-Sept) focus: chamber music, private lessons, practice, music theory ages 8-13 (prelude), ages 11-17 (sessions #1, 3), grades 9-12 (session #2, young artists program) / violin, viola, cello, piano

Rivers Summer Youth Programs / 1 week Weston, MA d.tierney@rivers.org 339-686-2293 Summer Music at Rivers junior & senior sessions (day) / 2 week sessions focus: chamber music, jazz, improvisation, ear training jazz instruments ages 8-18 (Youth Orchestras), grades 2-6 (junior), grades 7-12 (senior) / all instruments

Rocky Ridge Music Center / 4 weeks Estes Park, CO rrmc@rockyridge.org 970-586-4031 focus: 2 private lessons per week, orchestra, chamber, master classes, practice ages 15-24 / all instruments

Sewanee Summer Music Center / 4 weeks Sewanee, TN ssmf@sewanee.edu 931-598-1225 focus: orchestra, chamber music, private lessons, practice ages 15-23 / all instruments

Sing this Summer / 1 week Amherst, MA singthissummer@gmail.com ages 7-18 / voice, choir, musical theatre, also have strings program

Walden School Music Camp / 5 weeks Dublin, NH students@waldenschool.org 415-648-4710 ages 9-18 / composers, strings, guitar, voice

Yellow Barn Young Artists Program / 2.5 weeks Putney, VT daniel@yellowbarn.org 802-387-6637 ages 13-20 / strings, winds, piano, composition

Youth and Muse / 1–3 weeks Boston, MA yohei@youthandmuse.com 617-939-4495 Focus: Every student will have an opportunity to play a concerto with orchestra, and selected students will appear in a concerto concert as soloist. Ages 12-18 / strings, winds, piano

As the end of the year approaches, we at Note-worthy Experiences would like to celebrate some of the wonderful events that we have hosted in the past year. From recitals to open houses to parent appreciation night, the studio has provided events for each and everyone participating in the studio whether students, caregivers, or teachers. 

In the Spring of 2018, we hosted our very first Scholarship Competition. There were twelve competitors in the first round and four in the final round. Daniel Dickson's student Catie Seidel, the final winner, took away the cash prize of $250.

In May 2018, the studio hosted its very first Honors Recital, where older, more advanced students were able to showcase their skills among their peers. Performers varied in age from 10 to 17, and styles varied from classical to pop. Students performed on piano, viola, drums, and voice, and students were able to both see their peers perform and learn from them in the performance environment. The studio took to opportunity to celebrate graduating seniors that were moving on the continue their education elsewhere. 

Throughout the year, the studio took performers to nursing homes and assisted living facilities to both give the students performance experience and the inmates the gift of free live music performances. Every assisted living facility recital was standing room only! 

Every spring, the studio hosts a musical instrument petting zoo open to the public, where anyone can come to explore and play on musical instruments. This event was very successful in 2018 and many current students kindled a new interest in beginning lessons on new instruments. This is a great opportunity to learn about less common instruments. 

At the beginning of December 2018, Note-worthy hosted its largest ever winter recital weekend, with six recitals over two days, over 130 students, and over 260 pieces performed. The annual winter recital is the largest event of the year and the 2018 winter recital was an enormous success. 

These are just a few highlights of the wide variety of events that Note-worthy offers. We look forward to what 2019 will have in store for the studio!  

Note-worthy Experiences has announced its second annual Scholarship competition. The competition is open to all MetroWest students ages 9-17, all instruments. The competition will consist of two rounds, the first will be a recorded round in which the student will submit two pieces of contrasting style. The second round will be live performances by four students selected by a panel of judges, based on the submitted recordings. The prize for the winner is a $250 cash prize.

Last year’s winner was Catie Siedel, a piano student of Dr. Daniel Dickson. Catie was also featured in GetLocalMA magazine shortly after winning the competition. Read more about her here. She was one of four finalists to perform in front of panel of Note-worthy judges of various backgrounds. The four finalists performed a variety of pieces of all styles from Bach Preludes to Beach Buggy Boogie by Martha Mier. 

The competition is an excellent opportunity for students not only to prepare a piece for a formal performance, but also to receive a variety of feedback on their progress. A teacher’s feedback is incredibly valuable to a student, and receiving feedback from others is just as valuable to the teacher and the student.

Please see the flyer below for more information on the competition:



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I'll let you in on a secret: I was absolutely one of these kids. Each week, my mom would drag me to my piano lesson, where my teacher would glare at me in disappointment because, again, I didn't practice. Maybe one song really spoke to me, and I got good at that one. But the scales, technique exercises, and that really challenging one? Often, no. 

I understand her approach; she had a disciplined method that worked for many of her students and she stuck by it. Unfortunately, I was just one of those kids with which it didn't really work. I needed a more emotional and creative approach;  I needed to first love the music I was playing.  I was not really a "10 minutes a day, every day" kind of kid; I did better with less structure. I would go days without practicing (worrying my mother endlessly), but then spend an hour listening, singing, and playing dress-up to all kinds of music in our CD collection. As much as it probably drove my parents crazy, I'm grateful they let me find my own way in piano through various creative expressions. It was through these processes I found the spark to love some of my songs in piano and want to play them. 

As you can guess, finding that spark in students can be a real challenge sometimes. My work in private teaching has shown me that the best way to help kids develop a healthy practice habit is to first identify what motivates them naturally.  This is where parents' input is invaluable to me. Does your student really enjoy movement? Singing? Patterns? Problem solving? Poetry? Composing? Something else? Let's find a way to build on those natural motivators in their music learning! Below are some ideas. 

Find your student's motivators! 

• Are they wiggly? Try playing the music in the recordings (download the "PA Player App" for Piano Adventures series books) and have them move, clap, or make up a dance routine to the song. 
• Do they enjoy math and/or patterns? Have them identify patterns on the piano and/or in the music (1. "Are there measures that repeat throughout the piece?" 2. "Where are all the "C's, or "A's in the song?")  
• Are they visual? Have them draw a picture of the music they are learning. Flip to a new song and ask them to identify 5 things they notice about the piece without even having played it before. Or, try these cool flashcards and add a few every day to your pile. Makes for a fun pre-dinner activity! 
• Do they love competition? Have them play their song with either a metronome or the PA Player App and increase the tempo each time to see if they can keep up!  
• Do they really like words? Have them listen to the recording and memorize the lyrics. See if they can learn to play and sing along together. Bonus points if they write their own lyrics!
• Do they noodle around on the piano a lot? Ask them to compose a song for you, or another family member. Grandparents especially love to get new compositions :) 
• Do they like to sing? In addition to learning the words to their piano song, encourage them to sing another song they enjoy. If there's one they can't get out of their head from the radio or a movie, let me know! I can look for a score online. 
• Do they love to perform? Consider having a weekly or monthly home "concert series" where they prepare a song or two from their lessons to share with you all. Dimming the house lights, printing small programs, or hanging a small curtain for a "stage" are totally encouraged! 

All of these motivators can help tap into your student's natural love for learning, which can translate into good piano practice habits. Knowing what makes your student 'tick' is a great first step. ​

Jessica is a voice and piano instructor for Note-worthy Experiences. To learn more about Jess, please visit her Teacher Page. 

Note-worthy has hosted an annual winter recital for the past eleven years, since the studio began in 2007. The first recital was a small affair in a local church in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Eight students performed. Last year, the studio hosted four recitals in one day to accommodate the over 150 students that performed. The Winter recital is the climax of the studio's year, not only because it showcases the skills and hard work of the students, but because it brings the studio together. Students meet other students of their teachers. Teachers meet and network with other teachers. Parents meet other studio parents and see their students perform. They are all brought together to celebrate the musical achievement of their students and children.

It’s 8:30 AM on the morning of the recitals and the venue is already buzzing with activity. Teachers have arrived to help set up for a day filled with musical performances from instruments from piano to voice to electric guitar. Students begin to trickle in. A family carries in an entire drum set. A teacher is testing an amp. The nervous energy is tangible as the student performers take their places. The teachers, and guests settle in to enjoy the performances. The final performer takes their bow, and Renee hands out trophies and medals to the students, giddy with excitement and adrenaline. A relieved an excited aura replaces the nervous energy. The venue begins to clear only as the performers for the next recital arrive, and the cycle repeats three more times before all 150 students have performed, culminating months of practice and preparation.

A six-year old approaches the piano, apprehensive, wary of the unfamiliar keys of a new instrument. His teacher rises to help him but he has already begun his performance of Frosty the Snowman. Finishing, he jumps from his seat and runs forward to hug his family. Little does he realize that his first ever performance has been a success. The recital photographer captures the moment before the child runs back to his seat.

The audience sits in quiet as the drum set is erected. Murmurs float through the crowd; no one knows whether or not they are allowed to talk. They jump in unison as Imagine Dragons “Believe” blares from the speaker, a stark contrast to the amiable piano piece of the previous performance. Heads start to bob as the piece continues. Cheers ring through the clapping on completion. “That was awesome,” whispers a guest. “I was expecting to be bored, but this is great.”

Note-worthy’s Winter Recital is gives students the chance to showcase their hard work and vast variety of skills. It gives them the chance to create memories of success and the motivation to continue their hard work. But most importantly, it brings together a community of young musicians to share their love of music.

Our 2018 Winter Holiday Recitals will be held at St. Anne in the Fields, Lincoln on Friday, December 7, and Saturday, December 8, 2018. The registration fee is $40. We do not charge guests for tickets, and students may invite an unlimited number of guests.

Registration will close after November 5th. Students will be assigned to specific recital times.  The Friday evening recital will be reserved for our older and more advanced students if they choose to participate in that recital.

To register, please contact Renee at rbordner@note-worthyexperiences.com, or speak with your instructor. 

Rachel Stroia is the Office Manager at Note-worthy Experiences Music Studio. In addition to working at Note-worthy, she is a student at Suffolk University and enjoys reading, baking, and hiking.

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