Category Archives: Studio News

The Studio is Getting a New Organ

Posted by MaryO on

 

January 22, this new beauty will replace the two older organs that I have now.

This Allen MDS-16 model is a two channel, internal speaker instrument. A perfect organ for a home or small church or chapel setting.

Great

8′ Diapason

8′ Rohrflote

8′ Flute Celeste II(Sw)

4′ Octave

4′ Spitzflote

2′ Super Octave

2′ Waldflote

Mixture IV

8′ Krummhorn

Chimes

Swell to Great

Swell

16′ Lieblich Gedackt

8′ Gedackt

8′ Viola

8′ Viola Celeste

4′ Spitz Prinzipal

4′ Koppel Flote

2 2/3′ Nasat

2′ Blockflote

1 3/5′ Terz

16′ Basson

8′ Trompette

4′ Clarion

Pedal

16′ Diapason

16′ Bourdon

16′ Lieblich Gedeckt (Sw)

8′ Octave

8′ Gedackt Flote

4′ Choral Bass

Mixture IV

16′ Posaune (SW)

8′ Trompete

Swell to Pedal

Great to Pedal

MIDI to Pedal

The larger organ that it’s replacing is a Yamaha that my aunt owned.  I bought that from her estate and had it shipped to me from Maine.

The smaller organ is a Hammond, owned by my mom, that came with her when she moved in with us.

NEW! Freddie’s Fun Fair

Posted by MaryO on

Susan Leigh’s other books have been a huge hit with students and I’m sure this one will be, too.  It was just published and I’ve ordered it to arrive in time for students returning after winter break.

Freddie invites you to a treble clef challenge at the fun fair! Can you beat him in events like ‘Tin Can Alley’, ‘Hook a Duck’, ‘Balloon Darts’ and more? Improve your note reading and aim for the gold medal!

The note range includes all the lines and spaces of the treble clef stave, making it ideal for instrumentalists who play the piano, flute, saxophone and more.

Puzzles include traditional fairground games like the Coconut Shy, Bumper Cars, Hoopla, Toy Grabber, Skittles and Test Your Strength. There are match ups, scrambles, mazes, and also games against the clock like Tabletop Giraffe Racing, Splash the Shark and Whack-a-monster.

Students compete against Freddie in all events until the overall winner is crowned. There are two certificates to compete for; but who will win gold or silver and become the ultimate champion of both the treble clef and the fairground?!

The Studio Has a New Piano Bench

Posted by MaryO on

I have to admit that I’m kind of a piano bench hoarder.  I save them from every piano and electric keyboard I’ve ever owned.

I was playing the grand piano the other day and noticed that the music rack was further away than it used to be.  I don’t think that the piano grew any so I must have shrunk.

I have an adjustable piano bench but it’s brown from an old baby grand I once had.  It’s also for only one person to play solo so I bought a new adjustable duet bench in black.

I was surprised to see that amazon has a lot of piano benches for sale.  I don’t know why I was surprised since they seem to have everything else.

I chose this one since the reviews were good and the price seemed reasonable:

Adjustable Height Piano Bench Stool PU Leather Cushion Wooden Keyboard Seat with Music Storage (Black)

  • Comfortable Padded Cushion – Thickened cushion is made of scratch-resistant PU leather with 6 decorative buttons and filled with high-resilience sponge, which is soft, but not easy to deform. Even if you sit on it for a long time practicing the piano, you won’t feel tired. The surface is also water-resistant and easy to clean.
  • Height Adjustable – This piano seat comes with dual side knobs that adjust the bench height between 19.29″/49cm-23.23″/59cm to accommodate a wide range of heights for both adults and children.
  • Music Storage Compartment – Built-in storage compartment beneath the seat provides roomy space for your sheet music and accessories, folding lip support makes it convenient to open.
  • Sturdy Wooden Frame – The frame of this piano stool is made of solid wood, which is sturdy enough to hold up to 330lbs/150kg. Anti-slip rubber pads at bottom of legs protect your floor from being scratched and add extra stability. Classic black color suitable for various decorations.
  • Easy Assemble – No other drills are needed to install this piano bench with storage. All you need to install are the 4 legs. In addition to piano stool, it can also be used as keyboard stool, vanity stool, etc.

Hopefully, it is truly easy to assemble and we can get the legs installed before students return from winter break!

 

Christmas Listening and Coloring Pages

Posted by MaryO on

I have purchased a set of Christmas Shades of Sound Listening & Coloring Book for the studio.

Please let me know if you do not want your student to participate in Christmas activities and I will assign alternate activities.

Each week, I will print out some of the pages for your student and put them in his/her notebook.  After listening to the music on YouTube, the student may color the pages.

After they are colored, please return them to the notebook so that there will be a complete book when finished.

If you are an adult and want to listen and color, too, just let me know and I’ll print you a set.

From the website:

Get your piano students listening to great classical music!

The Shades of Sound Listening and Coloring Books are a great way to encourage students to listen to great piano and orchestral repertoire. Students of all ages will love coloring the fun pictures while listening to and learning from the music of the great composers.

This Shades of Sound Christmas edition includes 20 pieces of piano and orchestral literature for the Christmas season, from the Baroque to the Modern period. Includes background and historical information on the pieces and the composers, and a beautiful coloring page for each piece.

The Christmas Shades of Sound book includes 20 different pieces, including:

  • In Dulci Jubilo from the Christmas Tree Suite by Liszt
  • Pastorale from the Christmas Oratorio by Bach
  • Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach/Hess
  • Farandole from L’arlesienne Suite #1 by Bizet
  • Christmas Sonatina by Reinecke
  • Elegy #4 by Busoni
  • The Adoration of the Magi by Respighi
  • Winter Sonatina by Rowley
  • Christmas Concerto by Corelli
  • Ave Maria by Schubert/Liszt
  • Sleigh Bells in the Snow by Gillock
  • Diversions by Dello Joio
  • Nuit de Noel by Busoni
  • Sheep May Safely Graze by Bach/Petri
  • Carol Symphony by Hely-Hutchinson
  • Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy by Tchaikovsky
  • Trepak by Tchaikovsky
  • Arabian Dance by Tchaikovsky
  • Waltz of the Flowers by Tchaikovsky
  • Hallelujah Chorus by Handel

Trunk or Treat!

Posted by MaryO on

Pender’s Annual Trunk or Treat is returning bigger and better than ever!

Get ready for some fall fun! Join us for the Pender Fall Festival  on October 19, from 2-4 pm in the church parking lot.

Here’s what’s in store:

Trunk or Treat – Wear your costumes and collect tons of candy!  (Hint – adults can dress up, too)
S’mores Station– Snack on ooey-gooey s’mores!
Karaoke Station – Show off your singing skills with your favorite tunes!
Estimation Station – Test your guessing skills and see how close you get!

Bring your family, friends, and all your fall vibes for an afternoon of fun! You won’t want to miss it!

This will be a lot of fun for everyone.

Christmas Cantata

Posted by MaryO on

 

The PUMC Sanctuary Choir (including MrsO!) and Orchestra provided a Christmas Cantata during traditional worship service on December 18 at 9:00.

The music included: Bethlehem Christmas Sanctus Joy Has Dawned Tell Out My Soul (Soprano—Laura Connors; Baritone-Brian Stevenson) I Saw Three Ships And selections by the Orchestra.

The Cantata was live-streamed and individual pieces will be posted soon..

 

 

 

Pender UMC
12401 Alder Woods Drive
Fairfax, VA US 22033