Contact Info

Email andrea.schofie@gmail.com

Tuesday 13 December 2011

Christmas recital

What a fantastic job everyone did playing in the studio recital last night!  I was so proud of you all for your courage, concentration, and conduct.  I received many compliments on your playing.  Thank you for a great concert and a terrific semester.  We will start our winter semester on January 11.

Have a  very merry Christmas!

Wednesday 9 November 2011

Practice Tips and Upcoming Events

 Practising Tips:

Things are sounding so good! Please practise page 9 in your books this week, especially Good King Wenceslas.  Also try playing Jolly Old Saint Nicolas on page 10, and Jingle Bells on page 12.

Aim for long notes that float on one stream of air.  Don't stop your air between notes, simply interrupt the airflow with your tongue!

Check that your posture is correct.  Lengthen your spine and keep both feet flat on the floor.

Are the corners of your mouth firm?  Don't let your lips stick out.

If a line is frustrating you, take a deep breath, then break it down into manageable amounts.  First, only clap the rhythm while counting "1,2,3,4"  Next, say and "ghost play" the notes (no sound from the instrument--just use your fingers.  Then SLOWLY play through the line and speed up gradually as you are able.

For each selection that you play, decide which bar is the trickiest.  Practise only those 4 notes until you can play them well. Then play the whole line.


Upcoming Events

Monday, December 12 from 6:15 to 7:30 is our studio recital.  This will be held at the Gordon Snow Recreation Centre.

Thursday, December 15 at 11:00 at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium is the Nutcracker ballet.  Reply to the email from Louise for ordering tickets.

Sunday 23 October 2011

October 23 Update

Hi, everyone,

I am so proud of how well everyone is doing after only 3 band rehearsals!  I want to encourage you to keep chugging along! There is a lot to put together when playing a wind instrument, and I admire your accomplishment and perseverance. You are learning to read music (a whole new language), how to sit and hold an instrument, where to put your fingers for each note, how to blow enough air into your instrument, how to train your embouchure muscles...and to do it all while watching and counting with my beat! 

This week is Hallowe'en Dress-Up Week at Joyful Sounds Music Studio.  As an optional activity, anyone wanting to wear a costume to band practice may do so.  Siblings are welcome to participate, too :-)  The room is quite warm, so I recommend light-weight costumes or layers. 
Happy practising!
Andrea

Tuesday 4 October 2011

Rehearsal Tomorrow

I'm looking forward to rehearsal at 1:00 tomorrow.  Please note the change of location: Joyful Sounds Music Studio at 3108, Highway #2 in Fall River.  Bring your instrument (and reeds, if applicable), method book (Standard of Excellence Book 1), and a folding stand.

If you don't yet have all your equipment, please come anyway.  We'd be happy to have you sit in and to discuss your plans for or questions about band!

Thursday 29 September 2011

LOWER fees!

Hello Homeschooling Families,

We are happy to announce that our Concert Band idea is coming to fruition! The other exciting news is that we have managed to reduce the cost SIGNIFICANTLY, which we hope will help all of you be able to join us.

Here are the details:
Homeschool Concert Band – for students and parents alike (ages 8 and up)
When: Wednesdays, 1-2pm starting next Wednesday, OCTOBER 5th
Where: Joyful Sounds Music Studio, 3108 Hwy #2 Fall River, NS
Who: Andrea Schofield will teach and conduct this wonderful group. Andrea comes to us with an abundance of community band experience
Cost: 10 weeks of lessons for the Fall; $80 for first family member, $60 for second, $200 total for three or more family members!
Additional Costs: Instrument Rental (if needed), folding stand and method book

We are only able to take a small number in this first Fall term – 10-12 participants. Over half the spaces have already been claimed, so act quickly!

Please contact Andrea Schofield at andrea.schofie@gmail.com or the studio at 576-3339 to register today.

Please note that all participants should come to the first practice next Wednesday with their instrument and method book ready. If Andrea has not yet assigned an instrument, please discuss this with her before making any rental purchases.

For those families already signed up, Andrea will be in touch following this notice with more details needed.

Musically Yours,

Louise MacDonald, Maestro Educator & Studio Owner

Joyful Sounds offers Kindermusik, Piano, Guitar and Fiddle lessons for all ages
Proudly ranked among the top 5% of Kindermusik Studios worldwide

Description: Joyful Sounds logo full rgb (640x405)

Area Developer Kindermusik Canada-East
lmacdonald@kindermusik.com

Thursday 1 September 2011

Starting Up

Mark Wednesday, September 14 on your calendar!  We will be helping students choose instruments between 1:00 and 2:00 at the Joyful Sounds Music Studio 3108, Hwy #2, Fall River.  Please note this is not the usual meeting location.

Rehearsals will begin on Wednesday September 21 at the Gordon Snow Community Centre.

Friday 5 August 2011

Information and Registration Meeting

Come on out for an information session! Louise MacDonald and Andrea Schofield would love to tell you about the band and answer your questions. We will also accept registrations.  We will meet at the Joyful Sounds Music Studio at 3108, Highway #2, Fall River, on Monday, August 15 at 7:00 p.m.

http://www.joyfulsounds.ca

Thursday 21 July 2011

Conferences

I had a great time in June attending the HEMS conference for homeschooling families. Todd Wilson was a dynamic speaker who encouraged us all to persevere in this home-centered journey and to treasure the moments we have with our children.

It was also a fantastic opportunity to talk with other families about this new endeavor on which I am embarking: a concert band for homeschooling families!  I have missed the dynamics of a community band and was encouraged that there are others who are equally excited about being a part of one.

This month, I attended a Kindermusik Conference in Halifax. I enjoyed talking--and singing-- with dedicated and qualified educators from Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Ontario.  I was energised and inspired to find new ways of connecting with families as I share in their greatest adventure: parenting!

Monday 20 June 2011

Beginnings

Beginnings are so full of excitement, anticipation, and possibility.  As I begin organising a concert band for homeschoolers in HRM, I am so excited about the journey ahead.  I am most excited thinking of the families I will meet and of how they will bless and enrich my life. I am also excited to think of the relationships that will develop or deepen between band members, of the fun times we will share, of the rewards we will experience for our diligence, commitment, and--yes--hard work work.  Who is willing to join me on this new adventure?