Class Updates September 20th
Dates to Remember
- September 23–George’s Creek Adult Day Care at 12:30 p.m.
- October 5–Fall Quarterly at Baltimore Pike Fire Hall at 5:30 p.m.
- October 12–Willow Creek Adult Day Care at 10:45 a.m.
- October 26–Allegany Nursing Home at 2:15 p.m.
- November 1–Executive Committee Meeting at 12:30 p.m. at Lindy’s
- December 14–Christmas Party at Baltimore Pike Fire Hall at 5:30 p.m.
Class Updates
10:30 a.m.–Traditional Music
Text: Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course, Level Two; Theory Book, Level Two, Sacred Songs, Levels One and Two
The assigned song for today was Rock A My Soul on p. 28 of the music text. Sylvia played this song at the beginning of class. The song is written in the key of D, with two sharps, and the theory that corresponds with it is on p. 15 of the Theory Book. Sylvia needs to work on the selection some more, as she realizes, and she said she had forgotten to practice that particular song for today’s class. Instead, she had prepared Lone Star Waltz on p. 56 of Level One. She played it accurately, but slowly. She and others in the class stated that they are improving in recognition of the notes in both the bass and treble clefs. Ellie said that if she had more time to practice, she’d be much better than she is; that fact is true for all of the students.
Janet Brant played Waves of the Danube on p. 26 of the music text. She did a fine job. No problem there.
Rosie Morgan was prepared with Rock A My Soul on p. 28. She did a super job, as always!
On the second go round, Sylvia Twigg played Waves of the Danube, though she could handle only the right hand of the song. Ellie pointed out that the first part of the song has the melody in the bass cleff, and the second part of the song has the melody in the right hand. That takes a little getting used to, doesn’t it!
Janet Brant’s second song was from her personal book. She played Jesus Loves Me. She has been practicing out of various books she owns, stressing hymns. Good job, Janet! Keep up the good work!
Rosie Morgan’s second song was Brahms Lullaby on p. 32. Excellent performance; then she also played Pomp & Circumstance. She played that nicely, too, though she says she doesn’t have that down to her satisfaction as yet. Lastly, Rosie played the Hokey Pokey on p. 36 of the music text. That song was assigned to the 11:00 a.m. class, as well. We plan to use it for the Quarterly on October 5th, so keep practicing, not only the song, but the dance, as well! That will happen! She does wonderfully all the time, the main reason being that she takes time to practice thoroughly. I think Rosie eats, drinks, and sleeps organ! All that practice really pays off, Rosie! Don’t stop!
The group has gotten into the habit of playing review songs from Level One if they so choose, advancing only when they feel ready to move on, and/or playing whatever selection they feel like practicing any given week. That procedure works well for all of the students, and they said they’d like to continue to handle their work in that manner. That’s fine; just remember, you get out of it what you put into it. If you’re not satisfied with your progress, chances are you’re not putting all that much practice time into the hobby! Good luck!
11:00 a.m.
Book #30–Country Connections and Book #16–Broadway’s Best
Today, our new books arrived, as promised. They were distributed, and the song Climb Ev’ry Mountain, p. 16 was assigned for next class (September 27th). We discussed the current sign up sheets and the upcoming dates as recorded on the board. Please remember the gig on Friday, September 23 at George’s Creek Adult Day Care Center. We begin playing at 12:30 p.m. If you have not sent your titles yet, please do so. Also, don’t forget that the Fall Quarterly is coming up on October 5th at Baltimore Pike Fire Hall. Make your reservations as soon as possible if you haven’t already done so; pay Martha $8.50 to cover the cost of your meal. If you are a telephone tree leader, please call your people and encourage them to attend the Quarterly and to bring a friend.
The Fall issue of Musically Speaking has been mailed as of this morning (09-21). Details of the upcoming Quarterly are spelled out in that newsletter.
We had a visitor in class with us today, Colleen Sweene. She was introduced and she joined us for lunch at Texas Grill House, too. Madeline Boggess brought Colleen today.
Emma Belle Murray was our first player for today’s class. She chose to play I Walk the Line on p. 20. This class has also chosen to play the assigned song or a song of their choice, and we will continue with that arrangement for the time being. Emma Bell played her song on the Fox Trot rhythm background at a tempo of 110 with the piano as her chosen right hand voice.
Madeline Boggess promised us that she’d have a new memory tune ready for today, and that she did! She played Mother Mach Cree, using the Traditional background rhythm and the rhythm preset. She used the accordion in the lower manual for the split keyboard feature. Her tempo was 100. Excellent, Madeline! What a great accomplishment and so beautifully rendered!
Sylvia Twigg played next. Her song was the assigned number for today’s class, I Can’t Help It If I’m Still In Love With You (P. 18). She played on Fox Trot at 130 with the organ as her right hand voice. Ellie asked her to slow the tempo somewhat because she was playing slower that the beat of the rhythm. When she did so (to 122), the number sounded so much better. Be sure to adjust your tempo to something you can stay with. Then Sylvia played The Hokey Pokey p. 14, the other assigned song for today. She played that exceptionally well. Good job, Sylvia! Unfortunately, no one else selected that song to play today, and Ellie will ask for volunteers to play The Hokey Pokey next class (09-27) as we get closer to the date for our Quarterly. Please bring the book for that number and the new Broadway’s Best book, too for the next couple of classes. Thanks!
Welcome back from vacation, Bill! Can’t believe you’re lucky enough to be going again the first part of October, but enjoy! We’ll miss you. We’re please you were in class today, though, and pleased to hear your rendition of I Can’t Help It on the ballad background rhythm, starting with the piano was the right hand voice and changing to the trumpet–tempo 108. Exellent job! Everyone has great things to say about your playing. Keep doing what you’re doing. Who can argue with success such as yours?
Rosie Morgan was the next player. She really enjoys the song, I Can’t Help It, and it was so obvious when we listened to her delightful rendition of the selection. She had her presets recorded to disc. She played on Ballad, Basic; she had the alter button on. Then she began with an introduction. She had the Country AOC duet button activated and she was playing right hand chords. Rosie’s voices incuded the fiddle, bass harmonica, guitar, piano, strings, and viola. She also used the split keyboard feature. Can never say enough about the production numbers that Rosie performs for us! Stupendous!
Janet Brant then came to the Rhapsody organ and played I Can’t Help It on Ballad. Then she switched to the ballad variation, but she didn’t like it and switched back. She used a number of different presets, including 5, 8, 7, etc.–piano, bells, and another that didn’t get noted here. Her tempo was 106. Very nice, Janet!
Betty Twigg, begging not to have to play after Rosie has just done a bang-up job on the same song she’s going to play. Luckily for us, Rosie doesn’t get upset if someone is intimidated by her expertise! Betty was not really upset, either, nor does she need to be. She sat right down, set up her registration and played straight through the song beautifully. She always puts a lot into whatever she attempts! Super, Betty! She played on the Country setting, using strings, then strings/organ (preset 3) and then preset 1. She used the AOC and added a glissando at the end of her song. Her tempo was 104. Many people compliment Betty on her performance, a well deserved compliment, too!
Mike Gallaher was our final player today. He chose to play Bali Ha’i from the new Broadway’s Best text. He had a problem choosing his registration, but several people said, “Try Hawaiian!” He did, the Aloha variation on the Premier. His tempo was 99, and his right hand voice was the Hawaiian guitar. Nicely done, Mike!
Don’t forget the new song as noted above is Climb Ev’rey Mountain, p. 16 of Broadway’s Best and Hokey Pokey, p.30 of Country Connection. See you Friday, perhaps, and again on Tuesday, September 27th! 
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