my wee survey on workshops

I want to start using this blog more ( I am trying to join the 21st century!), not just for mundane things like raising my rates, but also for sharing ideas and getting feedback on things musical, which is more what blogs are for.
So, following is my "survey"....I'm trying to figure out if it will be feasible for me to do some workshops this summer, and if so, what type.
If you would be so kind to respond to it, I would be very grateful!!

If you could take a REALLY FUN WORKSHOP this summer, which of these would you choose?

1.                    A workshop in how to create a band with your peers. Included  would be: importance of rhythm; importance of melody; band dynamics; keeping practices fun; organizing set lists; how to really listen to each other; and more

2.                    Celtic storytelling. Picking a good story; turning the story into a script; assigning characters; fitting the story to the age of the actors, and the audience; making simple props, sets, and costumes; keeping rehearsals fun!

3.                    The music theory behind playing in a band. For fairly experienced musicians, this would include: how to construct a solo; how to construct a back-up part; how to make arrangements; how to read charts; and how to take turns with the lead.

These are all things I have had a fair amount of experience in, but I want to see what kind of response I get with my survey before I decide how to proceed.

Any comments or suggestions are very welcome. If none of these ideas appeal to you, let me know that too!

Thank you SO MUCH for taking time to respond to my survey!!

Yours very gratefully,                          Tom Robison

Breaking news! Tom raises rates!

Yes, folks, it's finally happened: I've raised my rates! (by 6%)

Here's the skinny:

      Singing Strings Rate Sheet

Single lessons:

Half-hour lesson---$23

45-minute lesson-- $34

One hour lesson--$45

One and one half hour--$68

Pre-pays for a discount (apply in summer only):

Two hours of lessons--$85

Three hours -- $125

Concluding events for semester

Concluding Events for Spring Semester, 2012

Suzuki recital, Saturday, May 5^th, 3:00 at Pilgrim Church. Semi-formal attire. Participants arrive at 2:30.

Young People’s Session, Saturday, May 12^th, 5:00-6:30 at Columbo’s. This will be coupled with a fund-raising show for my Scotland trip, starting at 7:30.

End of semester, May 19^th. I’m going biking!

Fall pre-registration and summer sign-ups, 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 29^th and Wednesday, May 30^th, at the studio.

Lessons resume for the summer, Monday, June 4^th. Teaching days yet to be determined.

I made the decision I will NOT be able to host a young people’s session on May 19^th, but I plan to do LOTS of them this summer.

Also, this summer:

Contra/Scottish festival at Weather Rock, June 22-23, an immersion experience in playing for a Scottish dance. Open to those 10 and older. The tunes have to be learned ahead of time, so enrollment deadline is Memorial Day. Ask me for more details.

I am a member of a group (MRSS) that is constructing a fun kids event, 11:00 on Sunday, August 5th, at the Family Stage at Sweet Pea Festival. We are looking for players and ALSO those who want to help act out a story! Again, ask me!

Finally, the same group is scouring the valley for the very best Celtic talent to be in TWO concerts, October 26 and 27, at Grace Bible Church. The concerts will be recorded and the result will be a commercial CD. My hope is that a group will come out of it that will do more concerts, perhaps even tour.

The requirement, to get in to these concerts, is to record and submit a CD with the following things on it: a reel, or a set of reels; a jig, or a set of jigs; a tune that is neither jig nor reel; and finally (optional), an original Celtic tune.

Also, there will be 6 rehearsals, at least one this summer, and you can’t be in the concerts if you miss more than one.

So that’s what’s coming up this summer! The music will continue!

Cheers,

Tom

FINALLY! A Young People's Session!

Hi all.

I am SUPER excited, because it's looking like I'll be able to start a Young People's Session! This is especially for my young students that do Celtic music, and Suzuki pieces are welcome also.

Provided I get enough response, these sessions will be held either one or two Saturdays per month, from 5-7 p.m. at Columbo's Pizza on the corner of 10th and College.

This event is especially designed to give my young students a chance to play with and for each other, in a relaxed, supportive environment. Players who are not my students are also very welcome!

There will be a sign-up sheet, as at the Ceilidhs (Kay-lees, the Celtic music parties), with the added feature that we will begin and end with a tune we can all play together.

Everyone who signs up can play 2 tunes. Celtic pieces are strongly encouraged. Adults may play, as long as they play along with a young person.

I hope you can all come!

The first one is scheduled for Saturday, March 10th. At least this first time, for those that want it, I will buy pizza for all players who are still there at 7!!

The other scheduled dates are: April 7, April 14th, May 12th, May 19th.

Come to all of them if you can!

Fun event at Cafe Francais des Arts THIS SATURDAY!

If you like swing, blues,Latin and French music, you won't want to miss BOZO MOJO (Tom Robison and Doug Amick), playing high-brow 30's classics and low-brow Americana at the Cafe Francais des Arts, 25 South Tracy, at 2 p.m. THIS SATURDAY, January 14th.

Admission is absolutely free AND Francois (proprietor of the establishment) will have on hand (for purchase) special Galette des Rois cakes. Contained in each cake is a special porcelain figure. If you get that figure in YOUR piece of cake, you are king or queen for a day!!

Come on down and enjoy the music! Whether or not you become a king or a queen, you'll have a ROYALLY good time!

Cheers, Tom

Studio Calendar, Spring 2012

Singing Strings Studio Calendar

Spring Semester 2012

Monday, January 2^nd……………………………..first day of semester

Saturday, January 14^th, 7 p.m. …………….Ceilidh (Celtic music party) at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 2118 South 3^rd. Come early if you want to sign up. Please bring a $5.00 donation or a food item for intermission.

Saturday, January 21^st, 7:30 p.m. …………….Tom’s “solo” fund-raiser, also at Pilgrim, $10 for adults, $5 for those 12 and under.

Sunday, February 26^th, 3:00 p.m. ……………..Awesome Annual Duet Concert, no charge! In the large meeting room of the Bozeman Public Library.

Saturday, March 3^rd, 3:00 p.m. …………………..Stunning Harp Concert, Pilgrim Church, no charge!

Spring Break, March 12-16…………………….. no lessons.

Saturday, May 5^th, 3:00 p.m. ……………………Outrageous Suzuki Violin Concert, Pilgrim Church, no charge!

Friday, May 18^th………………………………Last day of Spring Semester

Wednesday, May 30^th, 4-6 p.m. ………………….Summer sign-ups and fall pre-registration

Monday, June 4^th…………………………..First day of Summer Semester

SUZUKI GROUP LESSONS ARE STILL TO BE SCHEDULED

Dates for end of this semester, beginning of next

Just so there are no surprises: the end of fall semester is Friday, December 16th. That is two weeks from this coming Friday (December 2nd).

I will then be on vacation for two weeks.

I will resume lessons at the beginning of my spring semester which will be Monday, January 2nd.

See you at next lesson!

Cheers, Tom