November 8, 2025: Saturday Remix
Teachers and Staff: Happy Saturday!
Concert Performance Team (CPT)
If your student is on our CPT, please consistently encourage them to maintain their “set” of memorized music. Students should practice performing for their teacher in lessons, and for the group if they are in small group lessons, and their teacher should refine skills including practicing stage presence, bowing, and speaking their “script” if they introduce their pieces verbally.
CPT performances are monthly. Remind students that their goal (and commitment) is to perform the same set of music for at least 3-6 performances (which means 3-6 months). Their repertoire can evolve over time – adding a new piece and removing an old one – but only gradually. Even though they are continually learning new music in their lessons, they should not be performing new pieces each month. (Think of it like they are professional musicians on tour.)
If your students are on the CPT, you should know this! In addition to your dialog with your student, you will also receive emails from time to time.
CPT performances are on the third Sunday of each month, so in addition to rehearsing their pieces each week, you should also congratulate them after their performances each month.
Being Thorough in Lesson Books
Teachers should read and complete, with students, every single page in their method books, especially the Presto! curriculum books. You can supplement the books with additional material (songs, pieces, worksheets, games, and more), but nothing in the book should be skipped.
Your goal is to develop well-rounded musicians, and not simply to learn new songs and pieces. This includes activities like clapping rhythms, singing, counting, writing music notation, practicing intervals, scales, music theory, Moveable-Do solfege, and ear training.
Lessons are ON for Veteran’s Day, Tuesday, 11/11/25 (We Are Open!)
To all veterans and their families: Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
Thanksgiving Week Off-Days
We are closed during Thanksgiving Week for regular lessons. Lessons are ON for Sunday, 11/23, and then OFF for Monday, 11/24 through Sunday, 11/30. No regular lessons over this period. (Happy Thanksgiving!)
Some teachers have special assignments during the off-week (such as introductory lessons and camps) – those lessons are ON, of course!
Providing Recital Repertoire
For our Winter quarter recitals in late December, we are going to implement a new strategy for gathering student repertoire information. More will be communicated soon, but to help get moving in the right direction, please implement the following right away:
Every student should be learning and practicing repertoire for the recital, as if they are going to perform in the recital, even if they are not performing, or if you are unsure if they will perform.
Every student should be developing a repertoire of memorized music at all times, that they can draw on for recitals. It’s their “anytime, anywhere, for anyone” music. They can, and should be encouraged to, perform the same music at more than one recital.
Students (with their teachers) should decide on their recital repertoire at least one month before the recital. Then this repertoire should be practiced and rehearsed specially for the recital, along with performance practices such as walking on stage and bowing, etc.
Make a decision about what will be performed, and try to stick to it. Avoid the wait-and-see-if-they-are-ready problem. If they are not ready one month before the recital, don’t include it for that recital.
Make this the guideline. We can make exceptions when it is important. We can add and take away if we really need to. But strive to develop better planning and time management skills with students (and ourselves), increase satisfaction and joy in music-making, and help reduce stress and anxiety for everyone!
What a Wonderful Forum Last Night!
Students and teachers had so much fun and learning at Forum last night! In addition to performing their own pieces individually, students and teachers formed a pop ensemble and played "We Will Rock You" and "Seven Nation Army," with Jason and Natalie P on keys, Christine and Claire P each on electric guitar, Misho H on cello, Mr. Daniel on drums and violin, and Mr. Denny on drums and bass.
They stayed for the full hour, and even turned in prize tickets for prizes. Magical and musical things happen at Forum! Keep encouraging your students to participate in Forum!
Q: Does the studio have a Facebook page? Instagram?
A: Yes! And, it would be wonderful if all our teachers followed the pages and accounts. I strive to provide useful information, ponder teaching and learning philosophies strategies, and post inspirations for teachers, students, parents, and musicians.
Friend me at https://www.facebook.com/dennis.frayne/
Like & follow one or more Facebook pages of interest:
https://www.facebook.com/dennisfraynemusicstudios/
https://www.facebook.com/Laguna.Niguel.Music/
https://www.facebook.com/Lake.Forest.Music/
https://www.facebook.com/prestopianomagic/
https://www.facebook.com/PrestoMusicMagic/
Instagram:
dennis.frayne.music
laguna.niguel.music
presto.music.magic
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Thank you, everyone, for all that you do!
Have a magical Saturday, a musical weekend, and a safe and healthy coming week.
Thank you,
Dennis Frayne
"Dr. Dennis"
Laguna Niguel School of Music
Dennis Frayne Music Studios
30110 Crown Valley Pkwy, Suites 105/107/108
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 844-9051 (office cell)
(949) 468-8040 (personal cell)
www.lagunaniguelschoolofmusic.com
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