Congratulation to Isabelle Alejo, selected student of the month. Isabelle studies piano with Laura Knaupp at Valley Conservatory. She is 10 years old and is in 5th grade at Goldsmith Schiffman Elementary School. Her favorite subjects in school are math and writing.
She has one sister, Penelope, who is 7 years old. Some of Isabelle's hobbies and sports activities include volley ball, running, gymnastics, painting, and playing the piano. Isabelle is an A/B honor roll student, and is the recipient of the Golds Standard Award, a very prestigious award at her school. The award encompasses the principles of the 4 R's which stand for Respectful, Responsible, Resourceful and Ready.
Kudos to Isabelle for a job well done! The following is an interview with her:
Q. How old were you when you started taking music at the Valley Conservatory?
A. I was 8 years old.
Q. What type of music do you like to listen to?
A. I like listening to classical, rock, and classical piano music.
Q. What do you like most about your lessons at the Valley Conservatory?
A. I like the recitals and playing at different locations and playing on different pianos. I also like the fact that everybody at Valley Conservatory is really nice.
Q. How do you like your teacher?
A. I like her very much. She is really nice, and I like the way that she explains things.
Q. Is music a very important part of your life?
A. Yes. I love playing the piano. It is a fun hobby that is very calming.
Q. Would you recommend the Valley Conservatory to your friends?
A. Yes, definitely!
Teacher of the Month
Congratulations to
Chris McDonald (Guitar/Piano)
Chris McDonald began playing guitar at age 13. He went to school at UAH, where he studied classical guitar and earned a B.S. in music. Chris currently works as a musician and private teacher in Huntsville. Chris also works for the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra as a 3rd grade violin instructor and assistant librarian. On Sundays, Chris leads worship and plays bass guitar in the praise band at First Christian Church in Huntsville. Guitar is his main instrument, but Chris also plays ukulele, banjo, cel
lo, violin, and piano.
Kudos to Chris!
The following is an interview with him:
Q. What are the things you like most about teaching?
A. Providing students with tools, knowledge, and a skill set that will aid them in their musical journey.
Q. How do you inspire students to practice more?
A. You have to discover what inspires them, whether it's a song they want to learn to play or something that challenges them in a positive way. I encourage them to find and do what inspires them.
Q. What do you feel are the benefits of a child studying music?
A. There are many benefits. Studying a subject such as music requires using our logical brain for theory and such, but it also gives us the opportunity to create, express, and imagine. Music puts us in the moment. Practicing music requires focusing on one thing for a period of time until we meet a goal or get the result we want. I think that is a valuable skill to have.
Q. What is your favorite type of music?
A. Rock and Roll music is what got me started. Nowadays I like classical music the best. Beethoven's symphonies are my current favorite.
Q. What do you like most about teaching at the Valley Conservatory?
A. Even though we are individual teachers, we work as a team. There is a sense of unity. Everyone is really nice.
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, spiritual, and social realms.
Valley Conservatory has been providing services in the arts to the Huntsville/Madison County area since 1998 and offers:
Private and class instruction, pre-school through adult
Music education programs, extra curricular and academic programs
Arts learning and exploration through camps and workshops
Customized art experiences for after school programs
A Lyceum series, Jam sessions, and Exhibits
Valley Conservatory Early Music Festival
VC Booking Agency - Musicians for hire for any type of event or occasion
New Students
"Developing Better People Through the Medium of Music"
The VC faculty and staff welcome the following students:
Leah B.
Nathanael C
David S.
.
Cruz V
Charity L
Catie W
Brandon C.
Micaiah C
Jacob S
Ava H
Amber L
Joanna S
Alex H.
Jamie M
Marissa S.
Hunter S
Gloria A
Mariah M
John H.
Claudia E
Emilia S
Ila S.
Christopher S
Kyara R.
Megan L
Note from the Director
Dr. Renee Collins Williams
"Developing Better People Through the Medium of Music"
The Wild Peach Tree
Years ago at our old house we had a peach tree on the side of the house. For a long time I never noticed that the tree had peaches on it because the fruit was small, a little bigger than golf ball size. The tree was very big and grew wildly. It never occurred to me to cut the tree. After all, why would you want to cut something that appeared to be healthy?
One day when I was out mowing the yard I had a revelation. My tree was growing out of control. It had too many branches that were too long, therefore the nutrients were spread too thin to adequately nourish the tree. So even though on the surface it looked healthy in was unable to produce big peaches because not enough nutrients were available for the fruit.
It then dawn on me why my peach tree needed to be pruned. The pruning process enabled the tree to maximize its resources, thus resulting in bigger peaches. So in actuality, what appeared to be a healthy tree, because it was big, was actually an unhealthy tree that was just wild and out of control.
How often in life do we equate bigger with better? How often do we assume that because a school has more students that it is a better school, or if a church has more members it is a better church. Quantity does not necessarily equal quality. As we educate our children and ourselves let's not get caught up with numbers. Bigger is not always better--it is just bigger. What is really important in life is the kind of fruit are you bearing, and whether or not you are producing the kind of fruit that someone would want to eat. Remember big peaches come from pruned trees.
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 VC
Congratulations to the Crockett Family who referred the Carr Family.
There is no limit to the amount of gift cards you can receive,
so start referring your friends today!
Valley Conservatory Partnership With
Steinway Piano Gallery Nashville
Announcing the First S.T.E.P.
Steinway Educational Educators Program
We are pleased to announce that Valley Conservatory and the Nashville Steinway Piano Gallery have agreed to a new working partnership that will provide many benefits of growth for the musical culture in Huntsville and surrounding areas of Northern Alabama.
This program begins with the loaning of Steinway-designed pianos, Boston and Essex for our use at the Conservatory in both of our locations. The use of these pianos will have a direct impact on the musical growth of our students for years to come. They will provide the consistency of touch and tone needed for students to excel.
The name Steinway represents excellence in music that goes back more than 150 years. This expertise will be brought forth and made available to our parents and students in the form of friendly seminars, demonstrations, and concerts. These events will be happening in each location no less than once every 90 days. These events will be free to our students and the public.
Along with this partnership comes an equally exciting opportunity for our students and other members of the community. For every purchase of a piano, the conservatory will receive a direct monetary benefit. You will also receive a discount on any piano purchase at the Gallery.
We are excited to include our students and the community in our partnership. Our students' musical growth is most important, and to have this relationship with the world's most famous piano is priceless. Stay tuned for more details of our educational and entertainment events.
Happenings at the VC
"Developing Better People Through the Medium of Music"
Valley Conservatory Heritage Moments
As we have learned, the Valley Conservatory was first started as Collins Studio and began out of the home of Dr. Renee Collins. As the studio continued to grow and more teachers were added, other venues became available where lessons were taught--Hallmans Music, Oakwood College Church (now Oakwood University Church) and Lakewood United Methodist Church--while Dr. Collins continued to teach out of her home. Cello was then added to the list of instruments. The first cello teacher was Sari Reist, principal cellist of the Nashville Symphony Chamber Orchestra, who commuted weekly to teach lessons. She taught cello for 3 years until she received a permanent position in the Nashville Symphony and could no longer commute due to her schedule.
Tune in next month to find out more interesting facts about Valley Conservatory's early beginnings!
Valley Conservatory Symphony Orchestra Gives Delightful Concert
The Valley Conservatory Symphony Orchestra presented a delightful concert on Sunday, October 29, at Oakwood University Church. Dr. Daniel Hornstein delivered a very insightful and somewhat humorous commentary on the pieces that were performed. The concert featured works by Beethoven, Strauss and Bach.
Congratulations to Maleah Rhem for taking 3rd place in the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Talent Hunt State Competition which was held October 21 at the Embassy Suites in Huntsville. Maleah competed against several students from across the state. She performed Beethoven's Romanze in Fmajor, Op. 50. Kudos to Maleah for a job well done!
Congratulations to Garrett Lovik for being selected Captain of the Huntsville High School Front Ensemble. Garrett leads the 8 member percussion ensemble during football games and various activities. Kudos to Garrett for a job well done!
Congratulations to Sophia Marples-Rodriquez and Felipe Marples- Rodriquez for being selected to perform in the UAH Honor Band. Sophia is a junior at Randolph High School and will participate in the High School Honor Band. Felipe attends Randolph Middle School and will participate in the Middle School Honor Band. Kudos to both students for a job well done!
November 21, 2017 is the deadline to let us know in which performance you or your child would like to participate. There are twenty-five performance slots available for each location. Please go to the Valley Conservatory website at www.valleyconservatory.com for the dates and times. In order to get the date and location you prefer, please click on the Christmas in the Valley link on our website, or you may sign-up at the Front Desk!!!
When the 25 performance slots have been filled at each location, registration is closed for that location. The VBC Playhouse performance will be limited to 15 slots.
Important Dates
Sunday
November 19, 2017
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Make-up Classes
Valley Conservatory Studio
5650 Sanderson St. Ste.B
Saturday
December 9, 2017
11:00 a.m.
The Messiah The Oakwood University Church Chorale Valley Conservatory Lyceum Orchestra 5500 Adventist Blvd. NW Huntsville
Saturday
December 16, 2017
10:00 am- 12:00 pm
Make-up Classes
Valley Conservatory Studio
5650 Sanderson St. Ste.B
Can you solve the Riddle?
You must use music symbols and/or notes to solve the riddle. If you think you have the answers, turn them in to Ms. Lillie to see if you have won a prize from the VC Treasure Box. The prize will be given to the first person who has the right answers to all of the blank spaces.
I went to _____ mechanic and he told me I had a ______ and if I did not get it fixed, I would be in real ___________!
Jazz Jam Session at the VC
"Developing Better People Through the Medium of Music"
There will be no Jazz Jam Sessions for the months of November and December. Jazz Jam Sessions will resume Sunday, January 28, 2018.
November - December Make-Up Class Schedule
"Developing Better People Through the Medium of Music"
Sunday, November 19, 2017
Instrument
Time
Beginning Piano
2:00 - 3:00
Beginning Violin/Viola
2:00 - 3:00
Guitar
2:00 - 3:00
Percussion
2:00 - 3:00
Piano - Beginning
2:00 - 3:00
Percussion
2:00 - 3:00
Woodwinds
2:00 - 3:00
Cello
2:00 - 3:00
Brass
3:00 - 4:00
Piano - Intermediate/Advance
3:00 - 4:00
Viola/Violin - Intermediate/Advance
3:00 - 4:00
Voice
3:00 - 4:00
Art
3:00 - 4:00
Saturday, December 16, 2017
Instrument
Time
Beginning Piano
10:00 - 11:00
Beginning Violin/Viola
10:00 - 11:00
Guitar
10:00 - 11:00
Percussion
10:00 - 11:00
Woodwinds
10:00 - 11:00
Cello
10:00 - 11:00
Brass
11:00 - 12:00
Intermediate/Advance Piano
11:00 - 12:00
Intermediate/Advance Violin/Viola
11:00 - 12:00
Voice
11:00 - 12:00
Art
11:00 - 12:00
Ensembles
Join an Ensemble!
What is an Ensemble?
An ensemble is a group of instruments and instrument combinations ranging from two to eight or more like-skilled players that play all genres of music.
Ensembles will play at various events throughout the year.
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.
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 ensemble 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 school in the Huntsville area that gives its 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
Boss-of-the-House
Voice teacher, Martha Brouse, enjoys riding and singing with her horse, Steel Magnolia. "Maggie's" favorite song is "You are my Sunshine." She has been a part of the furry friends of Edelweiss Farm for over 15 years!
If you have a pet that you would like to be featured as Pet of the month, please submit your entries to Ms. Lillie or Ms. Savanah at the front desk.
