No Lessons this week! Set a reminder and mark your calendar: our fall term of lessons will begin on August 31 – no lessons the first week of school.
Tag Archives: games
School Year Piano Lessons
Hello everyone!
I hope you are all having an enjoyable summer and that it has been filled with adventures and memory-making.
Wow! What a summer I have had so far! Aside from a ‘little bit’ of relaxing, I’ve also been doing some travel, reading, learning and planning, as I prepare for another exciting year of piano lessons.
A lot of information was given to you in June. I know it was a busy time for everyone so this email is to touch base with you about August Fall Start-Up in the hopes that it arrives when you have a moment to write some things on your calendar.
- When do lessons start? Set a reminder and mark your calendar: our fall term of lessons will begin on August 26 – no lessons the first week of school. However, Fairfax County has a holiday on Labor Day, September 2. If you normally have Monday lessons and want a lesson that first week of September, there is some time available on other days. Please let me know.
For ease of scheduling, I’m keeping the same days/lesson times as last year. If you need to make a change, please let me know as soon as possible.
- What do your children need? Having your books and notebook ready for the first day of lessons will ensure an efficient start – so please remember to bring them! A bit of review might be in order. If you have an iPad, please bring that, too.
- Is your piano dusty? Summer is full of family fun and this might mean that your children may not have been practicing as much as they do during the school year. This is understandable. I can promise, however, that your children will be even more excited about returning to lessons if they feel prepared and ready to learn. Setting up a practice schedule for the weeks leading up to the return of lessons is a great idea. Plan for at least 15 minutes of practice a day during the rest of the summer and, if possible, schedule it in the morning before the day’s activities begin.
In addition to the regular fun we have at the studio, I have been planning some new and exciting ways for your children to enjoy the piano and become even better musicians. Here are just a few things your children can look forward to:
- New tween and teen piano games! Yes, even the older students in the studio will get off the bench for some hands-on, game-based learning
- New music! I’ve been busy collecting a lot of repertoire during the summer months and am so excited to share the new music with your children this year.
- Student Portal: This year I am requiring all students under 17 to log their practice time in our Student Portal. If you’ve forgotten, there’s more info here.
I can’t wait to reconnect with you soon and I look forward to hearing about your summer fun.
Mary
It’s Time to Register for VBS!
Snowball Mountain Challenge at Pender UMC
Get ready to turn your next summer VBS into an unforgettable adventure with Snowball Mountain Challenge VBS 2026!
Snowball Mountain Challenge invites kids to an exciting winter sports event where they become Challengers, gearing up for frosty games, snowy surprises, and hands-on lessons about resilience and faith. They will come to realize that with the strength God provides, they can share their gifts, be brave, give their all, pray, and hope.
Your kids will be guided by the energetic Activities Director and the lovable Ollie the Arctic Seal puppet, who is reporting on the events. Challengers aren’t just playing games. Using their Challenge Companion (the Bible), they learn to draw strength from their faith through powerful stories, while connecting the learnings to Bible Stories and Lift Lessons (Key Learnings). With a unique winter theme and solid theology at its core, Snowball Mountain Challenge VBS delivers joy and meaning in equal measure, teaching kids that “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, NRSV).
Bring your family together to experience Snowball Mountain Challenge. Your VBS program will be transformed into a mountaintop experience filled with laughter, life lessons, and lasting faith. As children face their challenges and discover their strength in God, you’ll hear them say, “Challenge accepted – with God I am strong.”
Ages
Potty-trained three year olds through ninth grade
Registration includes lunch and a T-shirt.
The cost is $30.
Questions?
Contact
Jane McKee
VBS Director
(703) 278-8023
Can you help?
NEW! Freddie’s Fun Fair
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?!
Back To School Book Of Note Reading Boosters
Some students will be getting this new book the first lesson this fall. With The Back To School Book Of Note Reading Boosters, you and your students have a jam-packed resource that can be used at home for extra practice or during lessons for off-the-bench activities.
Inside your students will discover back-to-school-themed mazes, color-it mystery pictures, word searches, pattern play, dot-to-dot journeys, tic tac toe, and board games; all designed to reinforce note reading in C position.
In addition, the book includes a build-your-own note printing solo, a mix and match sight reading solo, and a make-a-motive composing solo.
This year, show students just how fun note reading can be with The Back To School Book Of Note Reading Boosters.
Enjoy!
TONIGHT! Pender Rocks the Block
Pender Rocks the Block
Friday, September 14, 6 – 9 p.m. Rain or Shine
Pender UMC: 12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax, VA
Cost: Admission is Free but for some of the food, there will be a cost.
Pender Church is rocking the block again! We’re having another block party for our neighbors, and you’re invited for food, games, and live entertainment.
Fun for the whole family includes:
Food available for purchase from local food trucks, plus cupcakes and ice cream!
“Minute to Win It” games
Moon bounce
Face painting
Balloon sculpting
Cake Walk
Games for kids, teens and adults
Live music
Parking will be available in parts of the Pender UMC parking lot, and at Christ Presbyterian Church just down Alder Woods Drive.
Piano Explorer ~ October 2015
Each month, young students will receive a copy of Piano Explorer magazine. It is available to adults, on request.
Included are
Composer biographies
• Music history
• Instruments
• Theory, practice tips, composing ideas
• Beginner’s Corner
• Music Corner (featuring student compositions)
Colorful pictures, timelines, and maps capture students’ attention. At the end of each magazine is a quiz to test students’ comprehension of the material. Games, puzzles, riddles, and student contributions round out the magazine and keep things fun.
Additional Features: Check out our website for additional material. The student page includes links to music mentioned in the issue, additional quizzes, and other interesting information.
The October issue includes information about
- Franz Schubert
- Practice tips
- Dynamics
- Voice
- E Major
- Antonio Salieri
Please note that students will have assignments from each issue.
MaryO'Studio 