|
UPCOMING HOLIDAYS
|
August 22: First Day of School (OPEN)
September 5: Labor Day (CLOSED)
October 10: Indigenous Peoples/"Columbus" Day (OPEN)
October 31st: Halloween (OPEN)
November 11th:
Veteran's Day (OPEN)
November 24th-27th:
Thanksgiving Break (CLOSED) |
|
STUDIO CALENDAR
|
Proof that we inform you of all holiday closures. :)
|
|
|
|
UKULELE CLUB!
|
|
|
Monday at 8pm
|
|
SEE LIVE MUSIC
|
|
Our teachers are avid performers in the San Francisco Bay Area (and across the world)! Check them out live with their bands/ensembles at these upcoming gigs.
Thursday, August 4th: West Grand Boulevard (Anna, Mike, Adam & Craig) at Boom Boom Room in San Francisco
Friday, August 5th & Saturday, August 6th:
The UnOriginals (Timmy G) at Iron Door Saloon in Groveland
Friday, August 5th: Muncie (Anna & Mike M) at Pub Republic in Petaluma
Saturday, August 6th: Professor Jones (Anna & Mike) at Starry Plough in Berkeley
Saturday, August 12th: Dueling Guitars (Tim G) at
Pura Vida Cocina Latina in Livermore
Wednesday, August 17th: West Grand Boulevard (Anna, Craig, Adam & Mike M at Oakland City Center Concert Series)
Friday, August 19th: The UnOriginals (Tim G) at Maggie McGarry's in San Francisco
Saturday, August 20th: Tim G at Maria Maria in Danville
Friday, August 26th: The UnOriginals (Tim) at Meenar in Danville
Saturday, August 27th: Tim G at Maria Maria in Walnut Creek
Friday, September 2nd: West Grand Boulevard (Anna, Adam, Mike & Craig) at Off the Grid, Fort Mason in San Francisco
Friday & Saturday, September 2 & 3: The UnOriginals (Tim G) at Iron Door Saloon in Groveland
Saturday, September 3rd: Muncie (Anna) at Smiley's Schooner Saloon in Bolinas
Saturday, September 10th: Gringa @ Afternoon Patio Party at El Rio
Every Other Tuesday: The Movement Jam with Flenobo (Swen, Tim M. & Pete) at The Legionnaire in Oakland
Every Thursday: Amethyst Bickman (Craig on keys) at Penrose in Oakland
Every Thursday: Dueling Guitars (Tim G) at Tiki Tom's in Walnut Creek
|
|
INSTRUCTORS' BANDS
|
|
(Tim & Belinda)
(Anna, drums & Craig, keys)
(Tim, guitar/vocals)
(Luna, drums)
(Judy, violin)
(Xavier, guitar/vocals)
(Judy, violin)
(Xavier & Nick, vocals & guitar)
(Anna, drums)
(Judy, violin)
(Xavier, guitar/vocals)
(Anna, drums & Mike, bass)
(Anna, drums)
(trumpet)
(Adam, bass)
(Stewart, guitar/vocals)
(Adam, bass)
(Andrew, guitar/vocals)
(Judy, violin)
(Luna, drums)
(Mario, trumpet)
(Dave Lockhart, bass)
|
|
STUDIO POLICIES
|
Are you aware of our policies? We require at least 24 hours notice of absence for offering a make-up lesson (although make-ups are NEVER guaranteed, always subject to availability). We also require 30 days written notice for stopping ongoing lessons.
|
|
|
|
 Cool greetings to you, on the final day of July!
...because we just don't need any more warmth this July. But hey, you gotta love all that extra time you have at home to practice your instrument/singing and to listen to music, since it's been basically too hot to step outside. Am I right, am I right?!
As July (and the summer of 2016) come to a close, we look ahead to one of the craziest times of the year for us all -
BACK TO SCHOOL! We realize that there can be a lot of schedule & life changes around this time, but please (before it gets too close to that first day) take a minute to plan not only your weekly music lesson, but also a daily routine of both music listening & playing. Even just 10-15 minutes a day spent with music will make a difference!
And speaking of planning ahead....
|
|
GRAB YOUR IDEAL FALL SPOTS NOW!
 If you plan to change your regularly scheduled music lesson for any reason (sports, dance, tutoring, etc.), please contact our office NOW NOW NOW! Depending on your teacher & instrument, there are a few prime after school & evening spots still open on the schedule. Please realize that we do our best to accommodate schedule change requests, but we simply cannot guarantee that we'll be able to find you a different spot in the schedule with your teacher of choice, especially with little or no notice of the change. Communication is key, people! Talk to us.
And speaking of efforts to make communication easier & more efficient...
|
|
EASY & QUICK NOTICE OF ABSENCE & CANCELLATION ONLINE FORM
 At Music Time, we like to make things easy. Maybe it's the whole keeping track of 500 students/parents & 20+ instructors, or maybe it's just because we care, but either way, YOU WIN!
Don't get me wrong, we love to hear your lovely voice on the phone and read your endearing personal emails, but please help us help you. Our new, easy, quick and colorful online form is the best best best way to officially notify us about any lessons that you will miss, or to notify us of stopping lessons altogether (but you won't need that one, right?).
PLEASE SAVE THIS LINK FOR FUTURE USE! You may also find the link on the top left side of this & future newsletters, under the "FOR CURRENT STUDENTS" section on our website, and in the email signature of any messages sent to you. Like I said, easy. So easy.
And after you notify us that you'll be gone, feel free to browse the online schedule for any available openings with your instructor. If nothing comes up in your search, try again later. The online schedule is linked directly to our front desk, updated instantly with any new changes. Calling or emailing us won't give you any more information than you can already find on your own. POWER TO THE PEOPLE!
|
FALL MUSIC FOR PRESCHOOL, T-K &
KINDERGARTNERS
Do you know of a child that would love to experience they joys of music-making? Oh wait, that's EVERY CHILD. Let's try this again - do you know any children between the ages of 3.5-6?
For young children, a fun & playful introduction to music can help foster a long, happy & fulfilling life of music-making & music appreciation. Over the years, we have also seen a much higher happiness & enjoyment rate in private lesson from those children that are fortunate enough to be introduced to the many, many joys of singing, moving & playing age-appropriate instruments at a young age, before starting lessons on any one specific instrument.
Not only will Family Music Time continue on with regular weekly classes for children 6 months - 5 years, accompanied with a grown-up (Tues, Wed & Thurs @ 11am and Thurs @ 10am), but we are launching a new group program aimed to allow young students to practice some VERY useful skills for both music & life alike.
***NEW FOR FALL 2016!***
MY MUSIC TIME - A SOUND EXPERIENCE
This weekly, 45 minute group class will use music as a tool for promoting concepts like:
- Listening
- Turn-taking
-
Creative Thinking & Improvisation
- Pattern Recognition
- Sound & Instrument Exploration
- Movement & Coordination
- Self Confidence
If you're interested, please email us at [email protected] and let us know your scheduling preference. Days & times are still in the works, so your vote counts! Tell your friends, family & neighbors.
|
Congratulations to Tyler & Annie Holm
Tyler & Annie will EACH receive (along with priceless glory and endless
bragging rights) a $30 Gift Certificate to Music Time Academy, as well as a $20 gift card to the Cinema West Theater in Livermore, and a shiny medal - can't beat that!
Instrument: Guitar (Tyler) & Piano (Annie)
Teacher:
Tim
Age: 11 (Tyler) & 9 (Annie)
Grade: 7th
School:
Christensen Middle School (Tyler), Altamont Creek Elementary (Annie)
Students Since: 2011 (Tyler) & 2012 (Annie)
Hobbies (besides practicing):
Boating & Skiing (both kids), Gymnastics (Annie), Video Games (Tyler)
For the first time ever, we are awarding Student of the Month to not just one, but TWO fantastic, standout students - Tyler & Annie Holm! Kind of like a tie, and kind of just because they have not only worked hard individually, but also collaborated together so well, we are excited for this monumental moment in Student of the Month history. We figured if they can get along well enough to play in a band together, they can get along well enough to share the honor this month, too.
Over the past 2 weeks, Tyler & Annie attended approximately 16 hours of music classes. In their 3rd year of participation in the Summer Rock Band program (in addition to regular weekly lessons & a weekly rock band throughout the school year), they joined up with Dimitri on drums. With the help of their instructor, Tim, the kids jammed out on full set's worth of hit rock tunes including: Happy by Pharrell, Sunshine of Your Love by Cream, Centuries by Fall Out Boy, Peter Gunn Theme by Henry Mancini & more. To show off their hard work, they even gave an intimate concert to a few select friends & family last Thursday afternoon here at the studio.
Although we are proud of their latest performance, it is important to note that this did not happen overnight. Tyler began guitar lessons at the age of 5, and Annie started piano at the age of 6. As his mom tells us, Tyler started out very shy and timid, but has since grown into a confident & enthusiastic musician on both the electric & acoustic guitar. Since starting lessons, Annie has taken to not only piano, but also to singing along as she plays and to playing drums. Keep on rocking, you Holmes! We look forward to the next concert!
Do you know a current Music Time Academy student with a newsworthy musical story or accomplishment from the past month that should be featured? If so, please fill out our online nomination form by following this link: STUDENT OF THE MONTH NOMINATION FORM
|
|
Teacher Feature - Adam Borden
It is our pleasure to introduce you to Adam Borden! Adam has been a regular substitute
teacher at Music Time Academy for the past couple of years, teaching lessons on Trumpet (and all winds) as well as Piano. We are thrilled to now have Adam as an official team member. He will not only be teaching students of all ages, but will also be working alongside Anna, Monica, Mike, Marc & Eric as one of our Front Desk/Administrative staff. This is your official notice of welcome, Adam!
A recent graduate of University of California Berkeley, Adam returned to school to complete his degree while simultaneously maintaining a busy gigging & teaching schedule, in addition to assisting in managing Azeeta Designs, an online jewelry business. Prior to attending UC Berkeley, Adam studied music at Diablo Valley College under the instruction of Steve Sage - a local legend, renowned as both a guitarist & educator, known especially for helping young students become professional musicians.
Like all of the best teachers and musicians around (the kind we keep on board at Music Time), Adam shares his love of music by not only educating students, but also by performing on stage as often as possible with various local ensembles. He can currently be seen & heard playing trumpet with Lost Dog Found (Winners of: 2013 Press Democrat Reader Choice, 2014 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk "Best Local Band", Live 105's Battle of the Bands, & Jango.com's #1 indie Blues Band -6 months straight), West Grand Brass Band (performing FREE live concerts every Saturday at Lake Merritt in Oakland, 11am-1pm) and Soul/R&B band, West Grand Boulevard (www.westgrandblvd.com).
For more information about our many talented and interesting instructors, please
CLICK HERE!
|
|
GO SEE LIVE MUSIC!
This month's Recommended Concert...
If you receive this newsletter, then you have shown some kind of interest in making your life (or the life of a loved one) more musical. One of the best ways to inspire a greater love and appreciation for music is to attend a live performance from skilled, passionate musicians. Here is our recommended local musical event for this month:
 WHAT:
Gov't Mule
WHERE:
Mountain Winery
WHEN:
Tuesday, August 30th @ 6pm
Rock torchbearers Gov't Mule are celebrating their 20th anniversary with an extensive tour and a series of dynamic live archival releases that highlight the group's versatility and epic, fearless live performances. No two Gov't Mule shows are alike, as the band draws on the more than 300 songs in their repertoire (and often a host of special guests) to create a unique experience each and every time. Their steadily expanding fan base knows that the Mule always has something special waiting for them. Expect the unexpected.
The deep chemistry and steely confidence shared by the quartet allow them to tackle any form of music and stamp it their own while remaining true to the spirit and intent of the original.
CAN'T MAKE THE SHOW? Then consider this recommended listening.
|
|
Thank you for your continued support in music education!
Sincerely,
Anna Cucciardo (Director) & Monica Lind (Manager)
Music Time Academy |
|
