W.O. Smith Music School http://www.wosmith.org We transform lives through music. Tue, 15 May 2012 21:15:38 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Camp BackBeat Audition Results http://www.wosmith.org/community/1210 http://www.wosmith.org/community/1210#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 20:04:31 +0000 Alex http://www.wosmith.org/?p=1210 Here are the participants in this year’s Camp BackBeat at W.O. Smith:

Christian Balderas Keyboard
Brandon Barrios Drums
Kristyn Burke Drums
Hadari DaSilva Drums
Shannon Davies Keyboard
Dana Gipson Guitar
Zachary Knight Bass Guitar
Kourtney Knoch Guitar
Ladarius Moore Keyboard
Cedarius Moseley Drums
Estella Moss Keyboard
Antonio Onwu Guitar
Brian Oregel Drums
Diyahna Poe Voice
Khalil Poore Guitar / Voice
Alex Puckett Voice
Chloe Randle Guitar
Marlesa Sims Voice
Lanei Spight Voice
Rachel Sprandel Guitar
Rodney Swanson Bass Guitar
Destini Thompson Keyboard / Voice
Ruben Torres Guitar
Congrats to all who auditioned!
]]> http://www.wosmith.org/community/1210/feed 0 Solo Competition Winners http://www.wosmith.org/community/1206 http://www.wosmith.org/community/1206#comments Sat, 28 Apr 2012 13:32:37 +0000 Alex http://www.wosmith.org/?p=1206 2012 W.O. Smith Music School Solo Competition Winners

Overall Winner: Juan Pablo Muñoz

Piano I: Ana Hererra

Woodwind & Brass: Katie Rust

Strings & Guitar/Bass: Antonio Thai

Drums: Evan Lomax

Honorable Mention: Khalil Poore

Congrats to all who participated in the most competitive Solo Competition in W.O. Smith history. We heard truly outstanding playing!

 

]]> http://www.wosmith.org/community/1206/feed 0 Solo Competition Finalists http://www.wosmith.org/students-and-parents/1199 http://www.wosmith.org/students-and-parents/1199#comments Sat, 21 Apr 2012 17:48:16 +0000 Laurel http://www.wosmith.org/?p=1199 2012 SOLO COMPETITION FINALISTS

Piano I

Karol Guerra

Terrika Henderson

Amber Herrera

Ana Herrera

Destini Thompson

Piano II 

Andi Adiguna

Esther Jibes

Gloria Lomax

Juan Munoz

String & Guitar

Jennipher Chung

Khalil Poore

Juliet Rainey

Anthonio Thai

Sabrina Thompson

Woodwind & Brass

Joshua Borlay

Skyler Findley

Katie Rust

Jazmon Tate

Drums

Evan Lomax

 

The final round will be help Friday, April 27.  Bravo to all!

]]> http://www.wosmith.org/students-and-parents/1199/feed 0 April Newsletter http://www.wosmith.org/community/1193 http://www.wosmith.org/community/1193#comments Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:28:18 +0000 Alex http://www.wosmith.org/?p=1193
Spring Break

       OPEN:
Saturday, March 31
     CLOSED:
Monday, April 2
Tuesday, April 3
Wednesday, April 4
Thursday, April 5
Saturday, April 7
Open Monday, April 9
All lessons will meet as scheduled on this date.
Although MNPS will be closed, W.O. Smith will be open. All lessons will meet as scheduled on this date. However, Voices chorus will not meet, and Select Singers chorus will meet at 3:45 pm. Questions about your student in chorus? Email Lynn.
Student Recital
Monday, April 23, 6:45pm • Woods Recital Hall
This will be our last informal student recital of the year. If your child’s been wanting to play, this is the last shot! A signup sheet will be at the front desk after Spring Break.
Performance Evaluations
May 14 – 19 • during usual lesson time
Students enrolled in private lessons will play a few short selections of music they have been studying for a panel of teachers including their own. Some students may have their evaluations earlier than May 14 due to teacher scheduling. Questions? Ask Alex.
Camp BackBeat

Audition Signup: April 10 – May 3
Auditions: May 11
Camp: June 25-30
W.O. Smith is launching this brand new day camp at the building this summer for students who play guitar, bass, piano, and drums and those who sing interested in learning rock, pop, blues, funk, folk, and more. Students will be in a band, learn their favorite songs, write their own, and work with great local musicians. Audition materials are at the front desk.
A student is eligible if he or she is age 9-18 and finishes the spring semester in private lessons with an A or B. Admittance is based on auditions, and the camp fee is $10.
Resident Summer Camp (Ages 12-18)
Registration: Now – April 19
Camp Dates: June 11-16
W.O. Smith Resident Camp is hosted at Hillmont Camp and Retreat Center in White Bluff. The camp offers a weeklong musical experience to 80 current W.O. Smith students led by a world-class staff.
A student is eligible if he or she is age 12-18 and finishes the spring semester in private lessons with a performance evaluation grade of an A or B.
The camp fee is $25. Registration is first-come, first-served and must be completed by a parent/guardian at the front desk.
Day Camp (Ages 8-11)
Registration: Now – April 19
Camp Session 1: July 9-13, Session 2: July 16-20
W.O. Smith is hosting two 5-day day camps this year for the first time. These camps will give students the opportunity to enjoy a week of music class, singing, basic percussion, games, field trips, concerts, and some surprises!
A student is eligible if he or she is age 8-11 and
  • has finished or will finish Musical Beginnings.
  • has finished or will finish Basic Musicianship. OR
  • finishes the spring semester in private lessons with an A or B.
The camp fee is $10. Registration is based on a lottery and must be completed by a parent/guardian at the front desk.
]]> http://www.wosmith.org/community/1193/feed 0 April Happenings http://www.wosmith.org/community/1190 http://www.wosmith.org/community/1190#comments Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:25:08 +0000 Alex http://www.wosmith.org/?p=1190
Solo Competition
Signups: Now to March 29
Prelims: April 14-19
Finals: April 27

Last chance to sign up! Encourage your students to participate in our annual solo competition. Students of all ages and experience are welcome. Teachers must sign up students at the front desk. For a walkthrough about the competition, click here. Questions? Ask Alex.
Spring Break
       OPEN:
Saturday, March 31
     CLOSED:
Monday, April 2
Tuesday, April 3
Wednesday, April 4
Thursday, April 5
Saturday, April 7
Please mark your calendars for our Spring Break dates. As a reminder, we keep an up-to-date calendar on our website. You can even subscribe and easily include it in whichever calendar program you prefer. Note that although MNPS is closed April 9, we are in session.
Inspire Teaching • A Choral Perspective
Monday, April 9 from 9am to 5pm • Woods Hall

Special Guest Clinician Nancy Boone Allsbrook will lead two choir reading sessions, three workshops, and a masterclass with the MET singers and W.O. Smith Select Singers. For more information and registration, click here.
Student Recital
Monday, April 23 at 6:45pm • Woods Hall

This will be our last informal recital of the year. If you have students who’ve wanted to play but hadn’t had the chance, this is the one. As usual, a signup sheet will be at the front desk.
AND BEYOND…
Performance Evaluations
May 14 to May 19

 

It’s never too early to start thinking about the end of the year here at W.O. Smith. I’ll be emailing out some more information, but feel free to click here for a primer on evaluations here at W.O. Smith.
One Note One Neighborhood Recital
Tuesday, May 1 • Woods Hall
Join us for our inaugural ONON Recital. ONON students, teachers, and parents are encouraged to attend, and all are welcome.
]]> http://www.wosmith.org/community/1190/feed 0 Spring Performance Evaluations http://www.wosmith.org/community/1187 http://www.wosmith.org/community/1187#comments Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:08:36 +0000 Alex http://www.wosmith.org/?p=1187 Performance Evaluations will be held May 14th through May 19th during your normal teaching time.

Q: Okay great so what are they?

A: Juries, basically. Students should prepare one or two pieces/exercises (no more than 3 minutes) to play for a panel of teachers including yourself.

Q: Does that mean I won’t have a lesson with my student that week?

A: Correct. The week prior to evaluations will be your last lesson with your students. You should use that time to ensure they feel comfortable with their music and the procedure for the evaluation.

Q: When do I show up on evaluation day?

A: At your normal lesson time. We’ll give you some materials (clipboard, evaluation forms, pen) at the front desk, send you into your designated panel room, and you’ll stay for your normal length of time (usually an hour).

Q: What exactly should my students play?

A: The evaluation should simply be a reflection of what you’ve been working on this semester. If you teach a beginning level pianist, a Faber line or two is just fine. If you have a high school clarinetist, a few scales and an excerpt would do. The evaluation shouldn’t exceed 3 minutes.

Q: I just remembered you mentioned evaluation forms. Tell me about those.

A: When you check in, we’ll give you three white sheets per student:

  • Performance Evaluation form (to evaluate the student’s actual performance)
    • should result in a letter grade based on several factors listed on the form
  • Semester Evaluation form (to evaluate the student’s semester at-large)
    • should result in a letter grade based on a rubric on the form
  • Student Self-Evaluation form (for the student to evaluate his or her own semester)
    • hand this to the student on his or her way out, and tell them to give it to someone at the front desk

The forms combine objective and subjective evaluation and are fairly self-explanatory. You won’t have any problems.

Q: Do I have to evaluate other teachers’ students?

A: Yep! And it’s fun! You’ll evaluate other students on colored sheets.

Q: How do I know how to evaluate them?

A: The teachers on your panel should ask the students how long they’ve been studying, how old they are, et cetera. You’ll also have an opportunity to discretely ask that student’s teacher what to expect. You’ll have a good idea of what kind of student you’ve just heard.

Q: Oops, I just realized I won’t be in town that week. What now?

A: Take a deep breath. Everything’s fine. Just email me, and we’ll arrange for you and your students to complete your evaluation early.

Q: Okay this was all really helpful, but I have another question.

A: No problem, just shoot me an email.

]]> http://www.wosmith.org/community/1187/feed 0 Solo Competition http://www.wosmith.org/students-and-parents/1163 http://www.wosmith.org/students-and-parents/1163#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 23:12:54 +0000 Alex http://www.wosmith.org/?p=1163 Students of all ages and experience are encouraged to participate in our annual Solo Competition. It’s a opportunity for students to develop and work towards a goal. Each division winner gets a cash prize and the chance to play on our Honors Recital in May. I’ve put together a walkthrough for students who decide they’d like to participate.

Solo Competition Walkthrough

I just registered for the Solo Competition! Now what do I do?

Practice, prepare, and get ready to perform your solo piece for a staff member the week of April 14 during your normal lesson time, in your normal lesson room. This is your “prelim audition.”

So there’s another audition after this one?

We’ll post the finalists on our website and at the school, and if you see your name, you’ll come back on Friday, April 27 anytime between 4:00 and 6:00pm and play in Woods Hall for a panel of judges. This is your “final audition.” This audition may be played with accompaniment if you wish.

Who will I be competing against?

You! You want to do the best you’ve ever done. But there are six official divisions: Piano (Beg.), Piano (Int./Adv.), Strings & Guitar, Woodwind & Brass, and Voice.

What happens if I win?

We’ll post the finalists on our website and at the school. Each division winner wins 100 bucks and the overall winner wins 250 bucks! You’ll also get to play on this year’s Honors Recital on Friday, May 18!

]]> http://www.wosmith.org/students-and-parents/1163/feed 0 Las Vegas + Crown Council http://www.wosmith.org/students-and-parents/1157 http://www.wosmith.org/students-and-parents/1157#comments Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:37:03 +0000 Alex http://www.wosmith.org/?p=1157 In January, Dr. Dennis Wells and the Crown Council invited a group of students, Jonah, and myself to Las Vegas to represent W.O. Smith Music School as an organization benefitting this year from Smiles for Life. The whole experience was a blast, and we can’t thank Dr. Wells, the Crown Council, and Smiles for Life enough for their generosity and hospitality.

Jonah spoke briefly about the school and presented Dr. Wells with a token of our appreciation, and four W.O. Smith students and I performed a couple tunes. I had the pleasure of coaching these girls through “Lean On Me” and a song that Marlesa Sims, a student, wrote for the school (we’re calling it the “W.O. Smith Anthem”). They were total pros through the whole process. Here are some videos and pictures to prove it. Enjoy!

]]> http://www.wosmith.org/students-and-parents/1157/feed 0 March Newsletter http://www.wosmith.org/students-and-parents/1144 http://www.wosmith.org/students-and-parents/1144#comments Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:45:30 +0000 Alex http://www.wosmith.org/?p=1144 Resident Summer Camp (Ages 12-18)
Registration: March 12 – April 19
Camp: June 11 – 16
W.O. Smith Resident Camp is hosted at Hillmont Camp and Retreat Center in White Bluff. The camp offers a weeklong musical experience to 80 current W.O. Smith students led by a world-class staff.
A student is eligible if he or she is age 12-18 and finishes the spring semester in private lessons with a performance evaluation grade of an A or B. The camp fee is $25, and registration is first-come first-served.
Day Camp (Ages 8-11)
Registration: March 12 – April 19
Camp Session 1: July 9-13 • Session 2: July 16-20
W.O. Smith is hosting two 5-day camps this year for the first time. These camps will give students the opportunity to enjoy a week of music class, singing, games, field trips, concerts, and some surprises!
A student is eligible if he or she is age 8-11 and

  • has finished Musical Beginnings or will finish it this semester.
  • has finished Basic Musicianship or will finish it this semester. OR
  • finishes the spring semester in private lessons with an A or B.

The camp fee is $10, and registration is first-come, first-served. 30 spots are available each week.
Camp BackBeat
Audition Signup: April 10 – May 3
Auditions: May 11
Camp: June 25-30
W.O. Smith is launching this brand new camp this summer for students who play guitar, bass, piano, and drums and those who sing interested in learning rock, pop, blues, funk, folk, and more. Students will be in a band, learn their favorite songs, write their own, and work with great local musicians.
A student is eligible if he or she is age 9-18 and finishes the spring semester in private lessons with an A or B. Admittance is based on auditions, and the camp fee is $10.
Closed Thursday, March 8
No lessons or classes will meet on this date.
Spring Break
OPEN:
Saturday, March 30
CLOSED:
Monday, April 2
Tuesday, April 3
Wednesday, April 4
Thursday, April 5
Saturday, April 7
Solo Competition
Registration: March 1-29
All students are encouraged to participate in our annual solo competition. Begin thinking about a piece you’d like to play and tell your teacher you’re interested. Oh yeah: there are cash awards!
Student Recital
Tuesday, March 20, 7:00pm • Woods Recital Hall
You know the drill! This is a chance for students to play for family and friends in a relaxed setting.

]]> http://www.wosmith.org/students-and-parents/1144/feed 0 Closed Jan. 12 http://www.wosmith.org/students-and-parents/1133 http://www.wosmith.org/students-and-parents/1133#comments Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:12:29 +0000 Alex http://www.wosmith.org/?p=1133 Unfortunately, all lessons are cancelled today. MNPS has cancelled all after-school activities, so we must cancel as well. Thanks for understanding.

]]> http://www.wosmith.org/students-and-parents/1133/feed 0