Public Invited to Participate in Piano Workshop Week

The public is invited to attend and participate in the Concord Community Music School’s annual Piano Workshop Week, December 8-12, at the Music School, 23 Wall Street, in downtown Concord. Faculty from the School’s Piano Department will give workshops on a variety of topics including musical expression, sightreading, and performance techniques. The workshops will also include opportunities for pianists to explore other musical forms, in an African drumming session and an open rehearsal of the Purple Finches children’s chorus. All workshops are free and open to the public.

Monday, December 8

Performance Class, 4:00-4:50 p.m.
with Catharine Dornin
Get that piece performance-ready! Play for fellow pianists and get individualized coaching. For early intermediate to early advanced students.

Are You Listening? 4:00-4:50 p.m.
with Abigail Charbeneau
What’s the music telling you? Learn how you can bring musical expression into your playing from the start, rather than get tied up with the notes. Play a work in progress to explore the possibilities. Ages 8 and up.

Purple Finches Rehearsal, 4:30-6:00 p.m.
with Maria Isaak
Observe a rehearsal of the Purple Finches chorus as they prepare for their upcoming performance at the Capitol Center.

Advanced Performance Class, 5:00-6:00 p.m.
with Gregg Pauley
Take your music to the next level! Students will perform and be coached on their pieces.

Problem Solving for Adult Pianists, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
with Kathryn Southworth
Discover new practicing strategies, ask your burning questions, and share your piano playing challenges in a supportive atmosphere.

Tuesday, December 9

Nervous Nellies, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
with Abigail Charbeneau
Leave those performance jitters behind. Experience playing for one another in a supportive small group setting (no observers).

Name that Tune, 4:00- 4:50 p.m.
with Jacqueline Morin
Explore musical time periods, composers, and repertoire! All information will be presented in an accessible manner before we play “Name That Tune.” Ages 6-8.

African Drumming, 4:00-4:50 p.m.
with Lindsey and Grace Schust
Experience the rhythm, energy, and community of African drumming and singing. All ages welcome.

RCM/MDP Ear Training, Prep A, B, 5:00-5:50 p.m.
with Rebecca Herst
Express tunes through solfege to hear playbacks; identify intervals and rhythmsby sight and sound. For students preparing for the RCM exams and anyone else who would like to participate. Prep Levels A/B.

Advanced Performance Class, 5:00- 6:00 p.m.
with Peggy Senter
Take your music to the next level! Students will perform and be coached on their pieces.

Wednesday, December 10

Playing By Ear, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
with Peggy Senter
Are you a “reading pianist” who thinks playing by ear is magical and mysterious? Learn some basic techniques that will demystify the process of playing simple tunes by ear. For ages 12 and up.

Drawn to the Music, Grades K-3, 4:00-4:50 p.m.
with Cathy Kaplan
Create musical works of art! Make a music-inspired art piece for the NH Philharmonic’s collaborative arts concert. Your art will be entered into a contest to be featured at the Drawn to the Music concert in March 2015. Grades K - 3.

Integrated Arts Workshop, 4:00-4:50 p.m.
with Catharine Dornin
Participating in the December 18 Integrated Arts Recital? Bring your piece and your art or written work! You’ll get coaching on their music, and have the chance to talk about your companion piece.

Name that Tune, 4:00-4:50 p.m.
with Jacqueline Morin
Explore musical time periods, composers, and repertoire! All information will be presented in an accessible manner before we play “Name That Tune.” Ages 9-11.

Monster Duet Sightreading, Levels 4-6, 4:00-4:50 p.m.
with Anita Yu
Upgrade your sightreading skills! Learn to follow the music while playing with others, and keep going no matter what else happens. Levels 4-6 (RCM).

Drawn to the Music, 5:00-5:50 p.m.
with Cathy Kaplan
Create musical works of art! Make a music-inspired art piece for the NH Philharmonic’s collaborative arts concert. Your art will be entered into a contest to be featured at the Drawn to the Music concert in March 2015. Grades 4 - 6.

RCM/MDP Ear Training, Levels 5-7, 5:00-5:50 p.m.
with Anita Yu
Ear training boot camp! Drill a variety of rhythm combinations, identify intervals and chords, and find out how to hear playbacks more effectively. Levels 5-7.

RCM/MDP Ear Training, Levels 1, 2, 5:00-5:50 p.m.
with Rebecca Herst
Express tunes through solfege to hear playbacks; identify intervals and rhythmsby sight and sound. For students preparing for the RCM exams and anyone else who would like to participate. Levels 1-2.

Thursday, December 11

Are You Listening? 4:00-4:50 p.m.
with Abigail Charbeneau
What’s the music telling you? Learn how you can bring musical expression into your playing from the start, rather than get tied up with the notes. Play a work in progress to explore the possibilities. Ages 8 and up.

Monster Duet Sightreading, Levels 7-10, 4:00-4:50 p.m.
with Anita Yu
Upgrade your sightreading skills! Learn to follow the music while playing with others, and keep going no matter what else happens. Levels 7-10 (RCM).

RCM/MDP Ear Training, Levels 3, 4, 4:00-4:50 p.m.
with Rebecca Herst
Express tunes through solfege to hear playbacks; identify intervals and rhythms by sight and sound. For students preparing for the RCM exams and anyone else who would like to participate. Levels 3- 4.

RCM/MDP Ear Training, Levels 8-10, 5:00-5:50 p.m.
with Anita Yu
Ear training boot camp! Drill a variety of rhythm combinations, identify intervals and chords, and find out how to hear playbacks more effectively. Levels 8-10.

Memorization for Everyone! 6:00-7:00 p.m.
with Kathryn Southworth
Intimidated by the idea of memorization? Explore a few ways to memorize piano music, whether for performance or just to be musically prepared. For high school and adult students.

Friday, December 12

Name that Tune, 4:00-4:50 p.m.
with Jacqueline Morin
Explore musical time periods, composers, and repertoire! All information will be presented in an accessible manner before we play “Name That Tune.” Ages 12-14.