Piano Party!
Piano Party! I decided it was time for my students to get together and just have fun with some low-stress performances and some cookies and punch. Eventually, they all ended up outside running around!
Back in the late summer, I had an idea drop into my brain, and it seemed so fitting and right that I began setting about it AT ONCE.
A party, a PIANO PARTY, just for little girls.
Here's how I framed the invitation:
"I am planning to have a Piano Party, GIRLS ONLY.
"If __________ wishes to come (and I hope she will!), then it will be a bit of performing, a couple of games, a bit of singing together, and cupcakes, cookies, and punch afterwards.
"PRETTY DRESSES encouraged!!"
That was the gist of the text invitation, dressed up with party emojis.
The Response
I HAD MASSIVE EXCITEMENT. That was really fun to see!
I've been feeling that these little girls really needed to GET TOGETHER and have fun with a group of friends and schoolmates.
They've missed out on so many things over the past few months. A regular Spring Recital, yes, but that can be a mixed experience of fearful anticipation for many children, with even a bit of dread, as we all know, so that wasn't my motivation.
Playing for peers only
But the opportunity to perform before their PEERS is a different matter... no adults, no strangers... just other little girls, ages 6 - 11. I intentionally left older students out of this invitation.
Bonuses for them and for me
As with any performance kind of venue, there were extra benefits to this party!
- More time spent polishing up their special pieces.
- The experience of gentle rebuke - "No, that piece is not ready. Sorry, you can't play that one. Maybe next time." Hahahaha - this is good for those kids who tend to set their standards LOW.
- The chance to try out their pieces in front of a low-stress audience. (There were about 5 moms in the back of the room, but they were very non-threatening!)
- Some singing together! Girls, in particular, seem to love singing in groups. The runaway favorite was, "Raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens... These are a few of my favorite things!" They all seemed to know that song from The Sound of Music.
- The chance to run around in a big room with a lot of other kids (my church, which graciously allows me to hold music events in the large auditorium).
We all need HOPE in our lives right now...
and parties, get-togethers, hugs, and SMILES from other humans lift the heart.
After snacks, cookies, punch, and post-party impromptu performances on the piano, eventually, they all ended up outside running around!
P.S. Nobody got sick!
Music for Music Teachers has other great free resources for piano teachers! Take a look:
IMSLP -This link will take you off my site, to an international library of free classical sheet music.
Studio Favorite, currently! This changes from time to time.
"Passacaglia" is based on a piece by Handel, and it is NOT found on my website.
Dianna:
Your website is a light in the darkness. THANK YOU for all you do in helping to spread the love of music. It matters!
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This book is also available from Amazon as a paperback.
This book is available as a digital download from this site. Visit this page to see some free examples from the book.
It is also available from Amazon as a paperback!
This is the perfect easy start for little pianists.
And when they start reading white-key notes on the staff, this is a fun easy resource to say each week, "Choose a new black-key song at home this week and figure it out to show me next lesson!" They will be spending more time at the piano.
A perfect read aloud storybook
for little boys or girls.
The Adventures of Tonsta highlight the travels of a very young boy with a good heart, who goes about helping folk in trouble.
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Danielle Rosa Manning:
Just wanted you to know, I downloaded your Halloween music and the kids went bonkers for it. They loved having a bunch of easy pieces they could learn en masse, and were throwing each other little Halloween music parties at home. Thanks so much!
About the Author
Hi, I'm Dana! (Say that like "Anna".) I'm the owner of Music-for-Music-Teachers.com, and a newer site, SingTheBibleStory.com.
Like some of you, I've been playing the piano since early childhood, and have added a few other instruments along the way, plus an interest in arranging and composing music.
You can find out more about me and the reason for this website at my About Me page.
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