Call Me Maybe

Confession: I dance to this song when it comes on the radio. Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" is catchy, easy to learn, and upbeat.  What I learned about the hit single this week is that kids love it.

Hey, I just met you and this is crazy, But here's my number, So call me maybe.

I took on a new student for my summer term this year (despite that fact that I'm moving) mostly because the parent's wanted their 9-year-old daughter to have a few trial lessons to see if she would be interested in pursuing the piano sometime in the future.  In planning a course of action, we decided a combined approach of learning a few familiar pieces by rote and reinforcing her rhythm and tonal reading skills would be best.  In four short lessons, we were able to work through a few chapters of The Music Tree: Part I and learn a few pieces solely by ear.

Yesterday was her last lesson.  She came in smiling and her mom said she had been picking out several new songs by ear this week and was loving really learning how to play the piano.  I used this as a jumping off point for our lesson.  "What songs have you been teaching yourself this week?" I asked.  She named a few songs I didn't recognize and then, nonchalantly, "Call Me Maybe."  "You know 'Call Me Maybe'?  Let's hear it," I said.

She hesitated at first with where to begin but with a little help, by repeating after me line-by-line, she could play the entire chorus within minutes.  A big grin flashed across her face as she began to connect what she was playing to what she knew in her head.

This is meeting a student at his/her level.  This is connecting musical study with their everyday music.  This is their familiar music.

I think sometimes I get so caught up in "teaching from the book" that I forget to draw connections to music of the everyday.  Ask your students what kind of music they listen to and you'll hear everything from "Lady Gaga" and "Justin Bieber" to "Aerosmith" and "Chicago" to "country."  Everyone comes from a different background and it is so important to teach the relevancy of music.  Music is all around us in all styles and forms.  Draw connections.  Give relevant examples.  Don't just teach songs from a book.  Teach music.

Missed Opportunities

"Our lives are defined by opportunities, even the ones we miss." - F. Scott Fitzgerald Most of the time, I'm an advocate for taking chances, trying new things, and taking advantage of any good opportunity that comes my way.  I'm still early in my career and for the most part, any experience is good experience.

But sometimes, you have to say "no" to good great opportunities in favor of something else.

Last year, I had the chance to visit a private prep school in the area.  They have beautiful facilities and an excellent fine arts program.  Walking through the halls of their new music building, I overheard an open chamber music jury (playing Beethoven's Piano Trio, Op. 1, No. 3.  Hello.), a group lesson for string players, a theory class, and a few students rehearsing on their own in the practice rooms.  I would love the opportunity to teach here , I thought to myself.  I met one of the coordinators of the music program that day and she quickly put me in touch with the director.  He had my resume and I was hopeful that a part-time position would open up within a few months.

A year later, I received an email from the program director with these words: "We are anticipating some staffing needs for the next academic year and beyond..."  This was a GREAT opportunity - one I had been waiting for for a year now - but the timing was all wrong.  I had just committed to a PhD program at Eastman and was within two weeks of giving notice to my employers.  My heart sunk.  Why couldn't this have happened last year?  Of course, I am so, so excited about the work I will be doing at Eastman next year but I hated having to turn this down.

F. Scott Fitzgerald's said, "Our lives are defined by opportunities, even the ones we miss."  Yes.  Reading these words made me rethink things.  Opportunities are turning points.  They define the path we take.  We say "yes" to some and "no" to others.  Instead of lamenting the "no's" we should feel like our "yes's" are clearer and more defined because of it.  Saying "no" to great opportunities gives us clarity for the things to which we've already said "yes."

What have you said "yes" to lately?

Music & Worship Arts Week

Last month, Steve and I flew down south for a week of music, inspiration, good company, good food, and a little R&R at Music & Worship Arts Week held at Lake Junaluska in NC. 

Music & Worship Arts Week is a time for church music directors, organists/keyboardists, choir members, instrumentalists, and more to bring their families and come together for daily worship, music-making, and inspiration.  I haven't been to Music Week in a few years and it was great to be back.

The days began with worship and then everyone split off into morning rehearsals (adult choir, chamber choir, young adult, youth, children, handbells, drama, instrumental, etc.).  Having participated in the Adult Choir and in the Chamber Choir in years past, I floated around this year so I could observe a different rehearsal each day. 

Everyone has a chance to go home for lunch before dividing up once more for afternoon activities: reading sessions, seminars, rehearsals, or a little R&R on the wide porches with rows of rocking chairs overlooking the lake.  After a break for dinner, there are concerts and other events in the evening.

There were so many offerings this year it was hard to get to everything!  I attended a reading session or seminar in every time slot all week long so I could soak up as much as possible. 

Reading sessions are a great way to hear new music and learn about emerging composers and we spent our late afternoons/evenings reviewing and sharing everything we had seen and heard during the day.  It was wonderful having a piano in the house where we were staying!

Favorite moments of the week? 

Learning about hymn harmonization in a seminar with Dean McIntyre, observing Mark Miller in rehearsal, learning a few new early childhood music activities, and soaking up this beautiful view every night with wonderful friends.

For more information on Music & Worship Arts Week, visit their website.

Brand New

What an exciting day!  I have been refining my brand, discovering my voice, and building a new website for several months now (translation: I now know waaaay more about HTML code, RSS feeds, and Wordpress than I ever thought I would need to know!).  I am so excited to finally share all of that with you today!

This is a reflection of who I am: my passions, my experiences, my personality, and my aspirations.  Thanks so much to my brother, Nicholas Garofalo for all of my new headshots and for Lara and Emily at Making Brands Happen for all of the business and branding advice!  Also, a huge thank you to Steve for the months of support, proofreading, web hosting assistance, and so much more.

Among these pages, you'll find stories about me and the work I love, details of my current and recent music projects, my philosophy of teaching, and this blog, which will focus on my work and teaching experiences.

Discovering and refining my authentic core has been a soul-searching experience and I'm so thankful for each step I've taken during the process.  Thank you for being a part of this journey and for taking the time to visit!  I hope you stay awhile!

2012 WCMW: Recap II

I’m back with part II of our 2012 WCMW Recap!  In case you missed it, our first two events of this season can be found in our 2012 WCMW: Recap I.  Picking up right where we left off last week, here is a glimpse of our third and fourth events of the season.  Enjoy! WEEK 3: Saxophone Quartet Directed by Lynn Klock Jeff Soffer, soprano saxophone Aaron Stewart, alto saxophone Anthony Cincotta, tenor saxophone Lynn Klock, baritone saxophone

WEEK 4: The Copernicus Duo Jamecyn Morey, violin David Bebe, cello

June: Getting Organized

Let me preface this first item by saying I may or may not be the girl who adds things she’s already done to her to-do list just so she can cross them off.  Even though both of these events are already over, they both happened in June so they count! Studio recital + choir program.  Steve and I had our joint studio recital on Saturday morning and everyone did such a wonderful job!  It was a cold, rainy morning in MA – perfect weather for gathering inside to hear some great music!  On Sunday afternoon, the Sanctuary Choir (my adult group) had their spring program (read more here).  Though we were missing a few of our members, it was a wonderful way to finish the choir year and it was a beautiful reflection of the “reason we sing.”

Now, to continue with the things left to do this month:

Insurance.  This is one of those “it’s so much fun being a grown-up” items.  This month, we need to meet with an agent to determine whether or not we can keep our car insurance as it is when we move, research new health plans, and figure out how to cancel our current plans.

Schedule lessons for summer term.  We have a crazy travel schedule this month so I’m taking a break between my spring and summer terms and just offering lessons during the month of July.  I’d like to have this schedule set in the next week or two so that I can be ready to start when we get back into town.

Catch up on paperwork.  There’s a stack of papers on my desk… tax documents, paycheck stubs, orientation papers for Eastman, things to be filed, things to be mailed at some point, etc.  Time to clear the clutter, get things organized, and get caught up on paperwork!

Find a new apartment.  I am so excited about this!  If you missed my post last week, Steve and I are moving back to Rochester, NY this summer so I can begin work on my PhD (yay!!).  We’ve been doing some research via Craigslist, Trulia, Apartments.com, Zillow, etc., etc. but I can’t wait to see some of these places in person in a few weeks!  This is Part I of our crazy travel plan and…

Music and Arts Week is Part II!  After a hopefully successful apartment search, we’re flying down south to spend a few days with my family and attend a week-long sacred music conference in NC.  Good music, good friends, beautiful lake, and Granny’s Chicken Palace, here we come!

Previously: May: Getting Organized April: Getting Organized March: Getting Organized

Image Credit: one of my choir members, personal, personal

Choir Concert: The Reason We Sing

Yesterday afternoon, the choir had their spring program—nine of their very favorite anthems from the past year (yes, we voted).

This year, I decided to turn it into more of a program, with narration tying everything together. It worked out perfectly—a beautiful celebration of the reasons why we sing.  Enjoy!

*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

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The Reason We Sing

Choir Program, June 2012

Narration: Each week, we gather in this place – just a room with four walls and a few doors and windows. We find rest, we learn, we encourage, and we love one another. You see, it’s not the place, it’s the people that matter. It’s not the words that are spoken or the songs that are sung, it’s the hearts that are shared in the process. Within these walls, we share, we pray, we sing, and we listen.

Anthem: “Within These Walls” (Choplin)

Narration: There comes a time for each of us when we put childish things behind us and take on the responsibilities of adulthood. However, there are moments of our lives when we find ourselves so humbled that we become filled with that childlike sense of awe and wonder. Have you been there? It’s in those moments of sweet innocence that we rediscover the simplicity of faith itself. 

Jesus loves me.

The words seem so ordinary at first but the depth and richness of this promise fill our very beings with uncompromising hope and assurance.

Jesus loves me.

This simple statement may call to mind that beloved children’s song: “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me.  Yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so.”

Anthem: “Yes, My Jesus Loves Me” (McDonald)

Narration: Can you imagine what it would have been like to meet Jesus during His time here on earth?  Perhaps you would run up to greet Him and savor every moment you could be with Him. Or perhaps you would feel overwhelmed by His presence and instead would observe things from a distance. Would you shout, “Hosanna!” or would you let others speak for you? The Scriptures tell us “If the people don’t shout, the rocks will cry out!” Let your voice be heard!

Anthem: “Ain’t No Rock Gonna Shout For Me” (Larson)

Narration: There’s something about water: calm and refreshing, powerful and strong. Spiritually speaking, water cleanses and renews us and makes us whole again. Are you weary? Are you burdened with the cares of the world? “I will give you rest,” God says. Come as you are without expectation or money or price. Just come.

Anthem: “Come to the Water” (arr. Hasseler)

Narration: Some things bring us together and some set us apart. We each have hearts that beat and hands that serve and voices with which to sing. We have eyes and ears to see and hear and communicate with one another. But what sets us apart—those things that make each of us unique—are just as important. We come from many places and backgrounds. We’ve shared a unique set of experiences. We are part of different generations and we each have varying strengths and weaknesses. Despite these things which might divide and separate us, we share a common bond of unity in Christ. United in Your spirit, Lord, we are one.

Anthem: “We Are One, Lord” (Pethel)

Narration: “I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining; and I believe in love, even when there’s no one there.  And I believe in God, even when He is silent; I believe through any trial, there is always a way.” 

These words, believed to have been written by a Jew during the Holocaust were found inscribed on a cellar wall in Cologne, Germany during World War II. Though almost 70 years old, the words still resonate with us. 

It’s a powerful statement of faith. 

Sometimes, all we can do is hope: hope for clarity, hope for resolution, hope for a better tomorrow. “May there someday be sunshine. May there someday be happiness. May there someday be love. May there someday be peace.”

Anthem: “Inscription of Hope” (Stroope), Women’s Choir

Narration: God often speaks to us in words of assurance. “I am love. I will be your strength. I am light in the darkness. I am with you always.” He comforts us when we are upset. He listens when we speak. He comes to us when we feel alone. He loves us unconditionally. He carries us when we are too weak to walk. He lights the path before us, giving us wisdom and clarity in our decision-making. 

Listen to the voice of God speaking to your heart: “I love you and you are mine.”

Anthem: “You Are Mine” (Haas)

Narration: Music. That thing which engages us, inspires us, connects us, empowers us, soothes us, and fills our spirits to the very brim, music lies within us and surrounds us in our everyday culture. The songs of the earth echo in our souls—we carry them in our hearts. In this way, music becomes a part of us. It’s a form of expression, a language that knows no bounds. When words fail, music speaks. We cannot keep it silent. And so we sing. We sing about faith and love and experiences. We sing about summer time. We sing about singing. How can we not?

Anthem: “How Can I Keep From Singing?” (arr. Courtney)

Narration: Life is not about the destination, it’s about the journey. It’s about the experiences, the joy, the sorrow, the lessons, and the people with whom we share all of these things. And so, we help those in need. We give as much as we are able. We accept help from those who care. We love one another as much as we love ourselves. Called to live as brothers and sisters in Christ, we know that true joy lies in the journey.

Anthem: “Climbin’ Up the Mountain, Children” (Shackley)

Narration written by Ashley Danyew, Copyright 2012

2012 WCMW: Recap I

Y’all, we have had SUCH a fun time planning and organizing the second season of the WCMW!  With four diverse concerts (one every weekend in May), we had a whole month of exciting chamber music right here in Westminster.  The great thing about chamber music is that it’s intimate.  It breaks down some of the barriers between performer and audience that traditional venues (auditoriums, halls) often have in place.  It allows for better communication.  In fact, the Q&A conversations with the musicians each week were some of our favorite moments! Here’s a look at the 2012 WCMW:

WEEK 1: The Samirah Evans Jazz Trio Samirah Evans, vocals Miro Sprague, piano Wayne Roberts, bass

Watch a video clip here.

WEEK 2: Community Sing Led by Dr. Susan Conkling

Watch a video clip here.

Stay tuned for part II with recaps of weeks 3 and 4!

Real Rest

Life is a balancing act – work and play, go time and sleep, time with others and time alone, etc.  Lately, I’ve been thinking about what it means to rest.  You know, really rest.

Sundays mornings are busy for us.  After warming up, double-checking all of my music, rehearsing with the choir, playing a service, saying hello to folks afterward, and putting everything away, I am ready to rest.  However, most of the time, I spend a few hours perusing Facebook, catching up on TV shows, checking Pinterest, and relishing the time to sit quietly at home.  After a little time passes, guess what?  I still feel just as ready for rest as I did when I started.  How can this be?  None of these things are really restful.  They pass the time, they’re fairly mindless, and I can sit quietly by myself while doing them but I’m fooling myself by thinking that I’m resting.

Here’s why: Real rest requires spending time on the right things – things that fill me up, inspire me, refresh me.  Less TV, more books.  Less Facebook, more time with SD.  Less time spent surfing Pinterest, more time spent seeking true inspiration.  Less time on the couch, more time outside.

Real rest is essential.  Make those moments count.

Image Credit: personal