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July 2019 Newsletter | The Lake Shore Music Studio

Newsletter for Parents, Students, and Friends of The Lake Shore Music Studio, Piano Lessons for All Ages, Chicago.

  • View from outside the entrance to The Lake Shore Music Studio.

Summer is in full bloom at LSMS!
It is such a joy to look out on the beautiful plaza and step out between piano lessons for a bit of summer air or a casual chat with a Sandburg Village neighbor or an occasional surprise visit from an old friend.

Thanks Becky K. and other friends of LSMS for donations of music. Your contributions included some of our favorite collections including those Star Wars themes that keep surfacing!

 
SUMMER B TERM CONTINUES THIS WEEK

Summer C Term begins July 22.

Remember, we have piano lessons available through August 17, 2019.  Set up your own personal schedule around your vacation needs. This is a good time to pass the word to interested friends to schedule a visit to the studio to get included into the fall schedule.


TEACHER TRAINING

One of my favorite things about summer is teaching other piano teachers about the Robert Pace Piano Method. 

I am offering Music for Moppets/Kinder-Keyboard training July 16-18, 2019 and Level Two Pace Piano July 20-22.  Please pass the word to any piano teachers who might like to know about these.

Using the ducks to illustrate steps and skips in music notation and drawing melody patterns on the Moppets Book Back.

LAST CALL FOR MUSICALS CAMP

Please let me know if you are interested in our Exploring Musicals Camp (August 12-16, 2019). We will close registration soon.


GRANT PARK MUSIC FESTIVAL

There is a wonderful line-up of classical offerings by the Chicago Grant Park Symphony Wed. and Fri. 6:30 and Sat. 7:30 through August 17 at the Pritzker Pavillion in Millennium Park. 

You can choose to sit in the seats for an up-close music experience or pack a picnic and blanket and enjoy lawn seating. 

The expectation is that people will refrain from talking during the concert but if you are bothered by a little friendly chatter in the picnic section go for the seats up front.

Learn more at www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/the-music/2019-season

WIZARD OF OZ MANY WAYS

Do you love the Wizard of Oz as I do? Here are some great ways to experience it this summer.

Shakespeare Theatre’s “Wizard of Oz” children’s production runs through August 25, 2019.

Attending the play will be included as a field trip as part of our Musicals Camp. If you don’t attend camp make plans to see it anyway.

This Wed. July 10, at 8:00 pm in Pritzker Pavillion, see the original movie with the Grant Park Symphony performing the score live.

Notice: They check bags upon entry, so try to go a little early to make sure you get through the security and settle in.

I always enjoy when my route takes me by our city’s own tribute to the Wizard of Oz – the endearing statues of the Tin Man, Lion, Scarecrow, and Dorothy, in Oz Park at Lincoln and Webster.  

Did you know author L. Frank Baum lived in Chicago when he wrote the “Wizard of Oz” books?


Photos by Reno Lovison

Here is a video of a few of our adult piano students performing the Carol Matz arrangement of “If I Only Had a Brain” at our recent recital party.

Enjoy LSMS Director, Julie Lovison playing “Over the Rainbow” on one of the Pianos in the Park at Make Music Chicago Day in Washington Square Park.

Music Man is playing through August 11 at Goodman Theatre.

I hope you can make time to see this wonderful classic musical, that is one of my favorites, full of cute kids, beautiful singing, fun dialog, funny scenes, and great dancing.  

BEACH FUN and Brush Up on your Note Names

Draw a staff in the wet sand, put stones or shells on individual notes.  Then play a game like “Who can name the note the fastest?”

Draw the EGBDF lines and FACE spaces (or GBDFA and ACEG for Bass Clef). Practice making steps and skips on the staff with stones or shells.

Take a picture and send it to me.

Enjoy your summer.
Best Wishes,
Julie

Julie Lovison, Director, The Lake Shore Music Studio, 1460 N. Sandburg Terrace, Chicago, IL  60610 Phone: 312-335-8426

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Visit with Sir James Galway at MTNA Las Vegas 2015

One of the fun aspects of attending a national conference is the opportunity to spend a few minutes with the musical celebrities who are participating. We enjoyed a wonderful concert by renowned flutist Sir James Galway who incidentally was exhibiting his new “First Flute” instruction video series in the booth next to Lee Roberts Music Publications where I was assisting teachers to better understand the benefits of the Robert Pace Piano Approach.

Sir James Galway with Julie Lovison, Director of The Lake Shore Music Studio.

Sir James Galway with Julie Lovison, Director of The Lake Shore Music Studio.

It seemed appropriate to have Sir James autograph a copy of “Shepherd’s Flute” composed for piano by Earl Ricker from the Robert Pace Piano Recital Series.  Since it is written in a minor key popular in Jewish tunes he quipped, “This is a Jewish Shepherd” and went on to share the fact that “Jewish shepherds lead their flock” while shepherds from other cultures drive their flock from behind.

At his master class Sir James made a point of stressing the importance of practicing his scales which he still does devotedly every day. I guess that proves no matter how accomplished you are you need to pay attention to the fundamentals.

Two on Tour Duet Book | Robert Pace SeriesWe observed how personable he was with each visitor taking time time to have a short chat while simultaneously playing chess via his cell phone with a friend online between visitors.

Sir James was also kind enough to autograph a page from the “Two On Tour” duet book volume 2 which was the promotional handout in the Lee Roberts’ booth. The piece is called “Parade for the Irish”.

 

Video

Julie Lovison, Director of The Lake Shore Music Studio in Chicago speaks with piano teachers about the Robert Pace Approach to Piano Instruction at the Music Teachers National Conference MTNA  2015 conference held at The Rio in Las Vegas.