Idea Share #12 was filled with fabulous ideas and encouragement! And the “Inventive New Music for Building Confidence” webinar was filled with new music and resources from Wendy Stevens, Jason Sifford, and Diane Hidy. There were fantastic questions during our Q&A, some wonderful responses to our Idea Share questions, and we all had a wonderful time!
If you missed the webinar, we introduced inventive music that spans every level, from early elementary to mid-intermediate:
- Three new Color of Music Rote and Reading® pieces (these ones are late elementary, perfect for teens and adults!)
- A new Exploring Beautiful Places set with three pieces (another late elementary set that teens and adults absolutely love)
- Night Song, a black key piece that is mature and includes an optional teacher duet
- A Little Fuzzies Valentine piece: Box of Chocolates!
- Pot o’ Gold, another Little Fuzzies Adventure perfect for St. Patrick’s Day!
- New Black Key Smart Scales from Diane Hidy!
- Dancing Away, a new intermediate series from Jason Sifford that features gorgeous pieces inspired by dance.
- A continuing education workshop: “Teaching Teens: What Researchers, Therapists, and Teens Wish You Knew”
We are so thankful for each of you in our ComposeCreate community that came to the event and your willingness to share!
A New Recital Idea – Art and Music from ComposeCreate Teacher Valerie Alfonso
During the Idea Share question about connecting art and music, we talked about a recital idea from ComposeCreate teacher Valerie Alfonso. Valerie created an “Art & Music Recital” that featured art installations (poems, paintings, sculptures, etc.) from each of her students that corresponded with their performance piece. It’s a fresh, unique idea that Valerie says really didn’t take a lot of extra effort or work on her end, and helped her get to know her students so much better! You can read all about her fabulous idea here.
Here were the Idea Share #12 questions:
Idea Share #12 Question 1: What are you excited about as you start teaching in 2024?
These were some of my favorite responses at the webinar. But there are lots more suggestions and answers in the downloadable PDF that will fill you with great ideas!
- Debbie: The new scale reference sheets! I’ve been using a combination of resources and don’t need to any more! Thank you, Diane!
- Alyssa: I’m excited to set up my studio properly this time, policies and recitals and all!
- Robin: A new practice incentive using the Achievement cards, yay! Also, seeing my students again after a few weeks off. Many of them groaned and were sad to have a break.
Idea Share #12 Question 2: Have you ever connected art with music? If so, tell us how!
Here are three responses I loved (and want to use myself this year)! The PDF has so many fantastic ideas – I am so impressed at the creativity of ComposeCreate teachers!
- Sheila: I had an Art and Artistry recital a few years ago. Younger students drew pictures about their music. Intermediate and above students played music inspired by art. All the artwork was projected as they played.
- Andrew: One great idea is to grid an A5 picture of a composer and cut up each piece. Give each student a small section to colour in but they don’t see the others. When you get them back from different students tape them together and hang on your studio wall. Students can then find the bit they coloured in to see how it contributed to the whole picture.
- Dianne: Yes, when we study the different periods of music I include artists as well as composers. We study the art and see what pieces might make a good background piece for that art piece. I have also had students illustrate pieces by comic strip panels.
Thank you to everyone who attended the webinar and watched the replay! And a big thank you to the teachers who submitted their ideas. We are so thankful to be in a community of teachers who are willing to share their ideas and tips so that we can all thrive. These Idea Shares are downloaded by hundreds of teachers, and serve as a big source of inspiration and help! Let us know in the comments if you have other ideas to add!
What’s a Piano Teaching Idea Share?
If this is your first time reading about our Idea Share, here’s a quick overview:
During the webinar, we ask teachers to answer a question that we think would benefit all piano teachers. After receiving answers from both webinar sessions, we compile them all into a free downloadable PDF so that you have access to ideas from the entire ComposeCreate piano teaching community!
Idea Shares 1-11 can be found here:
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #1- Encouraging books, creative ideas, injecting energy, online games
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #2 – How teachers are lightening their load
- Rhythm Idea Share #3 – Teaching rhythm
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #4 – Gadgets and gizmos, lifesaving ideas, marketing ideas
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #5 – Taking care of yourself and Energizing Ideas
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #6 – What are you excited about and Best Marketing Tips
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #7 – Student holiday gift suggestions and Making the holidays less stressful
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #8 – What new things are you doing and Adding a Composer of the Month to your studio
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #9 – How does surprise enhance students’ learning?
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #10 – How would you introduce this piece to students?
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #11 – How can we make holiday recitals easier?
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