Piano Maestro New Movie Music!

Posted by MaryO on

Piano Mania

 

Shiny, new Piano Maestro version is live!

They’ve listened to your amazing feedback and have added your most requested songs, squashed tons of bugs and added iOS 17 compatibility.

4 more amazing songs!

You asked, and they listened and added a sparkling collection of most requested songs in 2023 for your students to enjoy “Barbie Girl” from the new ‘Barbie movie, “Circle of Life” from ‘The Lion King’, “He’s a Pirate” from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and “Rainbow Connection” from ‘The Muppet Movie’.

Available in 3 versions, all new songs can be found in the ‘Top 2023 Requests’ section in the song library.

It will be fun watching your child improve their piano skills all while having fun using Piano Maestro in lessons each week!

As your child’s teacher (or YOUR teacher!), I’m looking forward to seeing the progress they will make when they start using it at home each day. This guide will help you understand how this app will benefit your child and how to get it set up on your own iPad.

Overview
What is Piano Maestro?

Piano Maestro is the ultimate piano practice tool that will have students quickly playing their favorite classical, pop, rock, TV and video game songs and themes. It is available in the App Store and works on the iPad.

What skills does it improve?
• Note reading
• Sight reading
• Rhythm
• Inner pulse
• Confidence

What makes it so fun?
• Upbeat background tracks
• Stunning graphics
• Instant rewards and feedback
• Satisfaction of playing REAL music

It works with an acoustic piano?

Yes! Your child practices on your real acoustic or digital piano. Piano Maestro listens from the iPad’s built-in microphone. No wires needed.

I’m already paying for lessons. What value does this add?

Sometimes I wish I could be there with your child to encourage them to keep practicing daily. I’m sure it’s not always easy, as unforeseen challenges will arise.

Since our time each week is just too short, this app will give me eyes on the ground and it will keep them practicing longer and improving more quickly.

How will it be used in lessons?

I will spend a few minutes of each lesson helping your child master a couple of new songs all while having fun! I will also teach them how to use the practice options at home.

At the end of the lesson, we will choose Home Challenge assignments within the app that will show up in your account at home. I’ll get updates when progress is made.

Getting Started
Wow, this sounds awesome. Now, how do I get started?

1) Download Piano Maestro on your iPad from the AppStore
2) Create a JoyTunes account with a parent’s email, under which, you can have multiple profiles for each member of the family.
3) Create a profile for each family member (that means you too Mom and Dad!) inside the Parent/Teacher zone (top right-hand corner of the main screen)
4) Connect to your teacher, me! After creating a profile in the “profiles” tab of the parent/teacher zone, select the student’s profile and click “connect to teacher.” Once I approve the connection to your child, they will receive full access to all content for FREE! I will then also begin receiving weekly progress reports.
5) Start Playing – I will now start assigning you homework, meanwhile, get started on Journey Mode.

When you connect to the O’Connor Music Studio, Piano Maestro is free for as long as you study here.

Music for Halloween 2023

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pumpkin-music-on-notes-staff

 

Lego Grand Piano

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The Lego Ideas Grand Piano not only looks good on the shelf, it pairs with your phone to play back tunes.

Someone from CNET writes: “I got my hands on the hard-to-find Grand Piano set from the Lego Ideas collection and put it together just for you. Watch as I assemble over 3,000 pieces, and sync the model with my phone to make it play music.”

 

Monday Studio News

Posted by MaryO on

 

Exciting news!

We are thrilled to announce that the O’Connor Music Studio is now listed on SchoolAndCollegeListings, a leading online directory for educational institutions.

Visit our listing at https://www.schoolandcollegelistings.com/US/Fairfax/135944356445618/O%27Connor-Music-Studio to explore our comprehensive music education programs, music news, and student success stories.

Discover why we’re the perfect choice for providing quality music education to students young and old.

Registration is Open for The Music Experience!

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The Music Experience is a weekly 45 minute session for third through sixth grade children. Children can perform, read, compose, and experience music, no prior music knowledge necessary.

Cost is $25 for the first child and $15 for additional family members.  POC: Jane McKee and Mary O’Connor.

Miss Jane has a BME in Music Education and has taught music and directed choirs for all ages. She sings, rings bells, plays piano and flute, and plays autoharp in the Pender Praise Band.

Miss Jane is presently a teacher for FCPS schools.  She is looking forward to meeting you in our Music Experience!

Miss Mary has a BA in Music Education and has taught piano lessons for many years as well as directed handbell/chime choirs for children. She plays piano, sings, rings handbells, and plays in a recorder quartet. She has sung bass in a woman’s Barbershop Chorus.

Miss Mary is currently a private piano teacher and she’s very excited to meet you in our Music Experience!

Practice sessions will be held in the choir room and sanctuary.

Register your child here or use the QR code below:

Register for The Music Experience!

Posted by MaryO on

The Music Experience is a weekly 45 minute session for third through sixth grade children. Children can perform, read, compose, and experience music, no prior music knowledge necessary.

Cost is $25 for the first child and $15 for additional family members.  POC: Jane McKee and Mary O’Connor.

Miss Jane has a BME in Music Education and has taught music and directed choirs for all ages. She sings, rings bells, plays piano and flute, and plays autoharp in the Pender Praise Band.

Miss Jane is presently a teacher for FCPS schools.  She is looking forward to meeting you in our Music Experience!

Miss Mary has a BA in Music Education and has taught piano lessons for many years as well as directed handbell/chime choirs for children. She plays piano, sings, rings handbells, and plays in a recorder quartet. She has sung bass in a woman’s Barbershop Chorus.

Miss Mary is currently a private piano teacher and she’s very excited to meet you in our Music Experience!

Practice sessions will be held in the choir room and sanctuary.

Register your child here or use the QR code below:

 

Event Coordinator • Jane McKee

NoteRush App

Posted by MaryO on

 

We often use this app in the O’Connor Music Studio.  There is a new update coming very soon that looks like it will be even better.

Note Rush boosts your note reading speed and accuracy, building a strong mental model of where each written note is on your instrument.

Note Rush 2nd Edition: What’s New?

  1. Refreshed user interface: Note Rush 2nd Edition boasts a modern, colorful new interface that is visually appealing and user-friendly.
  2. Extended instrument support offering an expanded library of built-in levels designed for various instruments, including piano, guitar, violin, flute, and more.
  3. Enhanced level designer system with support for Treble and Bass clefs as well as Grand Staff (Tenor and Alto coming soon) and up to 6 ledger lines!
  4. Save custom levels within the app for easy access: No more hunting through the camera roll!
  5. Unique landmarks-based hints system! Landmark notes are a great way to get a firm grasp of the staff, and now Note Rush brings this approach into the learning experience. Learn more
  6. New themes including Fruit Smash and Cute Bird, and a new scrolling theme selector, making it quicker to select a theme and get playing.
  7. New Audio Recognition Engine to make gameplay faster and more reliable.

How it Works

Note Rush is like a virtual flash card deck for all ages that listens to you play each note, giving instant feedback and awarding stars based on speed and accuracy.

Race against the clock to improve your performance or hide the timer to gently engage those just starting out with the staff.

Includes built-in levels for piano and a range of other instruments as well as custom level design.

 

If you want to use it at home, the current cost is only $4.99 (not a subscription, one-time only) but it will be going up soon to 8.99.

More info at https://www.noterush.app/