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Daily Listening Assignments ~ June 26, 2020

Pictures at an Exhibition is a suite of ten pieces (plus a recurring, varied Promenade) composed for the piano by Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky in 1874. The suite is Mussorgsky’s most famous piano composition and has become a showpiece for virtuoso pianists. It has become further known through various orchestrations and arrangements produced by other musicians and composers, with Maurice…

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New Book: Later Gator and the Time Travel Tunes

  An Early Level 1 Piano Book For End-Of-Year Success In Later Gator and the Time Travel Tunes, a lonely alligator stumbles upon a squeaky duck and suddenly finds himself zipping through time on a wild and hilarious adventure. From dinosaur stomping grounds to medieval castles, ancient Egyptian pyramids to Viking voyages, your students will tag along with Gator while reinforcing key piano…

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In Memory of Ben Dobey, OrganMaster

I’ve recently started playing the organ a bit at my church again. I started playing piano-organ duets with a friend and people were so glad to hear the organ again that the Director of Music asked me to play for final hymns and such. So, I dusted off my old Organmaster shoes and started practicing again. I was thinking back to how I got my start with organ – we have 2 now in the O’Connor Music…

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In Memory of Bob Chiralo, OrganMaster

From https://pendernews.org/2013/04/12/bob-chiralo-organmaster/ I’ve been thinking a bit about shoes lately, specifically organ shoes. Many people probably don’t know that organists usually use special shoes to help them play the pedals on an organ. When I’m learning a new piece, I play barefoot to help feel where my feet should go but when playing in church I always have my Organmaster shoes…

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National Ukulele Day

  Not only is it Groundhog Day but it is also National Ukulele Day! The ukulele is a four-stringed instrument that has its origins in Portugal, but was adapted by Hawaiians in the 19th Century. Its size can vary, with the larger instruments producing deeper tones. The ukulele became particularly popular in Hawaii during the reign of King Kalākaua, who incorporated the instrument into performances…

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Composers - G

Goodman Benny Goodman was essentially the pioneer of swing. The jazz clarinetist and bandleader re-wrote the book on jazz music by speeding up the tempo and placing accents and emphasis on notes between the beats, earning him the nickname “the King of Swing”. Not only was he a world-class clarinetist, responsible for reviving the popularity of the instrument, but also an excellent arranger and…

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Today is a Snow Day!

No lessons today due to the snowy weather. Keep practicing! Those using Piano Maestro may find a new assignment for today 🙂

[oconnormusicstudio]

Today is a Snow Day!

No lessons today due to the snowy weather. Keep practicing! Those using Piano Maestro may find a new assignment for today 🙂

[oconnormusicstudio]

Under His Wings

Pan Am Flight 103 Memorial Cairn On December 21 at 1:30PM, the Pender UMC Choir traditionally sang for the Pan Am Flight 103 (Lockerbie) Memorial Service at Arlington National Cemetery. One of the songs we sang at this service – “Under His Wings” – was composed in memory of the victims.  It can be heard in the videos below. On June 20, 2022, a Memorial Concert was held for long-time choir member,…

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Dr. Maurice Hinson

  I have always respected Dr. Hinson’s work and his music.  So much so that I went to Connecticut to take a class on Piano Pedagogy with him several years ago.  I have also attended several local piano teacher workshops with him.  At one of them, he claimed to remember me from that Connecticut class.  Whether true or not, I treasure that comment and the signature on a piano book he gave me. We…

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Today is World Pianist Day!

World Pianist Day, celebrated on November 8, is a symphony of joy for pianists and music lovers alike. It’s a day dedicated to tickling the ivories, embracing the melodies, and having a grand ol’ time celebrating the magic of the piano and the talented souls who make it sing. In the world of piano, we’re transported on a musical journey, where the notes and chords create a tapestry of emotions…

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Tonight's the Night!

Daylight Saving Time 2024 ends for the year so the clock change for the fall takes place this morning at 2 a.m. Daylight Saving Time 2024 seems overdue, but it is the same time each year. The clock changes on the first Sunday in November. Daylight Saving Time starts on the second Sunday in March each year. And, time to sing again…

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5 Things Parents Should Do Before Driving To Piano Lessons

Don’t Make Piano Lessons The Bad Guy: While not always possible, it is best if parents attempt to keep “Piano Lesson Day” as “Piano Lesson Day” only. They should avoid pulling their children away from another beloved activity, interrupting playdates, packing up from a picnic, leaving early from other extracurricular activities, and even abruptly turning off a favorite TV show. All of these…

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NEW! Bat von Flapp's Fairy Tales and Scary Tunes, V. U. Level D

Interested early-primer OCMS Students may get this (in addition to all music used for lessons) free this week and next to be ready for Halloween Bat von Flapp’s Fairy Tales and Scary Tunes, V. U. Level D will delight your young piano players with SPOOKtacular musical twists on popular fairy tales. Children using this early primer piano book will gain confidence playing with A, B, C, D, and E in…

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A Really Neat Piano

What’s so neat about the Wing and Sons Piano? Check out the five (yes, 5!) pedals. Most pianos have 3, or sometimes 2 pedals. Established in 1868, the Wing & Son Piano Company quickly became a masterclass in innovative marketing! Originally launched as Doan, Wing & Cushing, the company manufactured the usual square grand and upright pianos like many of its competitors. But in 1873, when Frank L.…

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In Memory: Richard Strauss ~ September 8, 1949

  Richard Strauss was born June 11, 1864 in Munich, Germany. He died on September 8, 1949 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. He was a German composer and conductor known for his intense emotionalism in his symphonic poems. He characterized himself as ‘composer of expression’ which is born out in his colorful orchestration. In his operas he employed Wagnerian principles of music drama, but in a…

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Today is National Read A Book Day!

Shouldn’t every day be Read a Book Day? In another of the “Who Knew” Holidays… National Read A Book Day is observed annually on September 6th. Don’t keep it to yourself.  Share the experience!  Read aloud to anyone who will listen. Reading improves memory and concentration as well as reduces stress.   Older adults who spend time reading show a slower cognitive decline and tend to participate in…