Congratulations to Brittni for being selected as student-of-the-month. Brittni is a violin student and takes lessons at Valley Conservatory with Dr. Renee Collins-Williams. She is a senior in high school and attends Sparkman High School where she is on the Golf Team and participates in the Student Government Association. A dedicated student, Britnni is the recipient of several awards including the Delta Sigma Zeta Recognition Award, A/B Honor Roll, Master Guide of Pathfinders (which is the highest rank in this organization) and a full scholarship in golf to attend Calhoun Community College. Her favorite subject in school is science. She enjoys reading, writing traveling and spending time with family and friends. A highly motivated young lady, she plans to major in premed with aspirations of becoming a doctor. The future is bright for Brittni as she continues to develop her skills as a violinist.
Q. How old where you when you starting taking lessons?
A. I started in kindergarten at the Child Development Center at Oakwood University. I stopped playing for a while and started back in 4th grade at Oakwood Elementary School.
Q. Why did you choose violin?
A. It was chosen for me when I started in the Child Development Center. I switched to piano for a few years but did not like it so I came back to the violin.
Q. What are some of the subjects you take in school?
A. Science, Pre-calculus, AP English and Spanish 2
Q. What do you like the most about your lessons?
A. I can have fun while I learned.
Q. Who is your favorite performing artist?
A. Taylor Swift
Q. Would you recommend Valley Conservatory to your friends?
A. Yes. Everyone is welcoming and kind.
Q. Have you found that your grades have improved since studying music?
A. My grades have improved. My overall perspective in life has changed. I see things more holistically, I am more relaxed.
Teacher of the Month
Congratulation to
Bennie Jacobs-EL (Piano & Trombone)
Congratulations to Bennie, selected teacher-of-the-month. Bennie teachers piano and trombone at Valley Conservatory and has been on the faculty since 2008. He is a graduate of the "World Famous" Juilliard School of Music. One of his favorite subjects was history, both general and music.
Bennie was born and reared in Brooklyn, NY, but moved to St. Croix, USVI in 1974 before moving to Huntsville, AL in 2005. He said "as a New Yorker, I had never dream of living in the south, certainly not Alabama." While in USVI he worked at the Riccardo Richie and Alfredo Andrews Elementary Schools. At each school, he was asked to write a graduation song which ultimately was adopted as the official school song.
Bennie is the proud father of 10 children (5 boys and 5 girls). His hobbies are seeking "stress free" ways to maintain good health.
As a Trombonist, Bennie played with some of the "Big Bands" of the time, such as the Clyde Hampton Band, the Lionel Hampton Band, and the Jimmy Hamilton Band. Being a member of these bands created an opportunity for Bennie to travel and play various circuits throughout the southern USA such as the HBCU (Historical Black Colleges & Universities) with the Lionel Hampton Band, the "Chitterling" circuit, with the Lloyd Price Band (a popular blues band), most major cities, and even international performances. Some of his most memorable international performances were in Paris, Panama, and Goose BayAir Force Base in Canada.
Kudos to Bennie for a job well done! The following is an interview with him
Q. What are the things you like the most about teaching?
A. I like seeing the student gain self-confidence an appreciation for their instrument.
Q. How do you inspire students to practice more?
A. I tell them "I can't practice for you," and that how much they want to become a musician is determined by how much they practice. Music should become like a religion; they must be true to it, and that the musician, like a prize fighter, must be in shape and stay in top physical condition. As an example, I tell them about a student who, in his sophomore year of high school, wanted to learn piano but had never touched the instrument before. After explaining to him the amount of dedication, obedience, and practice it would take, he assured me this was what he wanted. By the time he completed his senior year he had surpassed all the other students who had been studying music three to four times as many years as he, and received a full scholarship to the University of Virgin Islands, USA.
Q. What do you feel are the benefits of a child learning music?
A. All mental abilities are enhanced because of studying music. One must know how to count and have a sense of "timing" and "rhythm." One must know how to read, how to interpret the composer's intentions, learn the physics of the instrument, feel and develop the "spirituality of a musician."
Q. What is your favorite type of music?
A. JAZZ, "straight-up," "sophisticated," "spiritual," "raw," all forms of JAZZ. There is an element of every other type of music in JAZZ. It is a genre that provides the musician with a total sense of self expression.
Q. What do you like most about teaching at the Valley Conservatory?
A. Teaching at Valley Conservatory has provided me with the opportunity to communicate some of what I know to those who want it. That is truly "a blessing."
New Students
"Developing Better People Through the Medium of Music"
The VC faculty and staff welcome the following students:
Alex H.
Haylee J.
Ethan M.
Casey P.
Tritan R.
Mary S.
Jorgy U.
Christine W.
Happenings at the VC
"Developing Better People Through the Medium of Music"
Winter Recital
Students performed very well at the Winter Recitals. We were very proud of our students for a job well done.
Adult Recital
For the first time the Valley Conservatory hosted its first adult recital. In the past our adult students performed on the student recitals in the studio. We now have enough adults in the studio for the adults to have their own program. It was a fun time for all who participated.
Upcoming Faculty Recital
The Valley Conservatory will be presenting its' Annual Faculty Lyceum Recital. Several of our faculty will be performing on this event. This is a wonderful time to see your teachers perform. We are fortunate to be a performing faculty. Our teachers are some of the best musicians in their field. Come out and support the VC Faculty in recital on Sunday, May 7 at 3:30 at the Oakwood University Church.
Spring Recital
This year for our Spring Recital, we have decided to do something a little different and have group performances. This will be a wonderful opportunity for our students to play together. Stay tuned for more information regarding this exciting event!
Adult String Ensemble to Start This Summer
The Valley Conservatory will be starting an adult string ensemble beginning this summer. The group will be on Thursdays at 6:00p.m. The first rehearsal will be Thursday, June 1 at 6:00 p.m. in studio 8 at the Valley Conservatory main studio. This will be a wonderful time for our adult students to get together and make music together. Beginning students are welcomed to come. Dr. Dan Hornstein will be conducting the ensemble.
Summer Camps
"Developing Better People Through the Medium of Music"
Looking for something fun to do this summer? Come check out the String and Percussion Camp held at the Valley Conservatory main studio.
Introducing general music fundamentals, piano and violin by incorporating the holistic approach to learning. Students will engage in an array of fun-filled activities which will include singing and rhythm
Fundamental instruction will be provided on percussion instruments, including Steel Pan and African Drums. Students will be presented in a culminating performance at the end of both camps.
"Developing Better People Through the Medium of Music"
You are never too old or too young to jam. The Jazz Jam sessions at the Valley Conservatory are for everyone. Whether you are a seasoned player or a student taking beginning piano lessons; the jam session is the place to be to exchange musical ideas, have fun, eat good food and just jam. So, come out and join in the fun every 4th Sunday from 5:00 - 8:00 pm. at the VC main studio on Sanderson Street.
JAZZ JAM SESSION - Sunday, April 23, 2017 - 5:00-8:00 pm
"Developing Better People Through the Medium of Music"
Even Instant Coffee Has to Be Processed
Just give me the answers so I can memorize them to get an "A" on my test. Just give me the answer so when I take the SAT I can get a high score so I can go to the college of my choice. Just give me the answers so when I take my driver's test I can pass. Just give me the answers so I can memorize the notes to play this song." Just give me the answers so I can... and the list goes on.
There is a saying that if you give a person a fish, you will feed him for a day, but if you teach a person how to fish, you will feed him for the rest of his life. However, if you give your child the answers, they may get an "A" on their test, but will they really know and understand the subject matter? By the same token, you can teach a child to play a song without them knowing how to play an instrument. However, what good is it for a child to play a song, if they have no real skills to play the instrument? The question becomes are we giving our children fish or are we teaching our children how to fish?
The education and skill it takes to learn an instrument is a process. When a child is learning the skill of playing a musical instrument, there is a systematic process that must be followed in order to accomplish the task. When these procedures are eliminated or steps within the process skipped learning for the child is skewed. This can lead to children not fully grasping principles and concepts necessary for their full musical development.
There is no quick fix for learning to play an instrument. To play well takes skill which comes through commitment and practice. In other words, learning to play an instrument is a process which takes time to grasp conceptually. It is very easy to give your child a fish, but it takes time, skill, discipline, love and understanding to teach your child how to fish. Let us not buy into the hype of the microwave generation of wanting everything instantly without cost. Nothing in life is easy or instant. Even instant coffee has to be processed.
May Make-Up Class Schedule
"Developing Better People Through the Medium of Music"
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Instrument
Time
Room
Piano - Beginning
2:00 - 3:00
S
tudio
Viola/Violin - Beginning
2:00 - 3:00
Studio
Brass
2:00 - 3:00
Studio
Percussion
2:00 - 3:00
Studio
Flute
2:00 - 3:00
Studio
Bass
2:00 - 3:00
Studio
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Instrument
Time
Room
Cello
3:00 - 4:00
Studio
Piano - Intermediate/Advance
3:00 - 4:00
Studio
Viola/Violin - Intermediate/Advance
3:00 - 4:00
Studio
Voice
3:00 - 4:00
Studio
Guitar
3:00 - 4:00
Studio
Refer a Friend
Get A $50 Amazon Gift Card Be Eligible to Win a $100 Cash
If you have a friend who wants to take lessons, refer them to the Valley Conservatory.
If they sign-up for lessons you will receive a
FREE Amazon gift card in the amount of $50.00!!!
At the end of each quarter you and your friends' name will be entered into a drawing for a $100 Cash!!!
There is no limit to the amount of gift cards you can receive
so start referring your friends today!
The King Family referred Lauren P.
Important Dates
Sunday April 23, 2017 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Jam Session
Valley Conservatory Studio 5650 Sanderson St. Ste. B
Sunday May 7, 2017 3:00 pm
Faculty Lyceum
Oakwood University Church Oakwood Boulevard
Ensembles
Join an Ensemble!
What is an Ensemble?
At the VC, an ensemble is a group of instruments and instrument combinations ranging from two to eight of more like-skilled players that play all genres of music.
Ensembles will play at recitals once a semester as well as featured performances in the community.
All levels, ages and instruments are available and strongly encouraged.
Playing in ensembles gives students opportunities to meet and play with others their age and level, and greatly enhances their musical experience and social interaction.
Ensembles will meet twice a month with their coach.
Ensembles are $25.00 a month and will begin Summer 2017.
Students will be placed in an ensemble based on age, ability, instrument and availability.
Students can play in more than one ensemble.
Students can also form their own ensembles with current Valley Conservatory students.
If you or your child would like to join an ensemble, please email or call (256-534-3131) with the following information:
Student Name:
Age
Available Times (please give as much leeway as possible to help increase chances of finding fellow ensembles players):
Instrument(s) Student would like to use:
Types of Music Preferred (Rock, Jazz, Classical, Pop, etc):
The Musical Ladder System
A Rewards Program
Celebrating Student Achievement * The Musical Ladder System®
Valley Conservatory is the only music schools in the Huntsville area that gives their students the opportunity to earn special color wristband bracelets (kids and teens love them!), trophies AND certificates for passing musical tests with the Musical Ladder System®. Do other schools offer trophies and certificates? A few. But none of them inspire their students with smiling faces by giving them full color, really cool "Musical Ladder System®" wristbands that they can show off to their friends.
More importantly when our students have a test coming up, they practice more, their parents are proud, their teachers are proud, and everybody wins!
Pet of the Month
Fox the Dog
Meet Fox. Fox is the dog of Mr. Chris who teaches violin and viola at VC Hampton Cove.. Fox loves to come to lessons with Mr. Chris every week where he hangs-out at the studio and greets everyone when they come for lessons.
Mr. Chris and Fox
Perkville
Rewards Program
When you sign-up for lessons, you will be receiving a separate e-mail from "Perkville." For every lesson you take with us you automatically earn points toward free extra lessons! Please be sure to sign-up when you receive these e-mails and you will be able to track and claim your rewards very easily through their site.
Earning Perks:
Join Perkville's Rewards Program= 50 points (the day you join)
Refer a Friend to Valley Conservatory = 250 points (after friend signs up for lessons)
Your Birthday = 50 points
Attending a Lesson = 10 points
Facebook Post = 25 points Tweet = 5 points For writing a positive review on websites like Google, Google+, Yelp, Bing and Facebook. = 50 points
The Rewards:
You may use these lessons to try a different instrument or class. The length of the lesson is equal to the lesson time you are currently taking.
350pts One additional Free Lesson 700pts Two Additional Free Lessons 1250pts One Month of Free Lessons.
Philosophy
Valley Conservatory is a music service center that incorporates a holistic approach to music programs designed to develop the total student -- mind, body and character.
Our philosophy is that the aesthetic and technical aspects of music can be used to teach concepts and principles from academic, physical, spritual, and social realms.
Providing services in the arts to the Huntsville/Madison County area since 1998, Valley Conservatory offers:
Private and class instruction, pre-school through adult
Music education programs, extra curricular and academic
Arts learning and exploration through camps and workshops
Customized art experiences for after school programs
A Lyceum series, Jam sessions and exhibits offered to the public
VC Booking Agency - Musicians for hire for any type of event or occasion
