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

Instructions for players in Xmas stroll

Yes, Christmas Stroll is coming up this very Saturday! Here are the instructions for all players: Harpers, be AT THE POWDERHORN (corner of Main and Black) at 4:00 WITH YOUR HARP! You need extra time, because the harp has to adjust to the environment of the room.

All others, arrive at 4:30 SHARP! Please do not be late.

I need EVERYONE to arrive at these times, because it will be my only real time to make sure we are reasonably in tune. Once the show starts, I will be unable to help you with that!!

The show is split into 3 segments:

Suzuki violinists, 5:00

Harp players, 5:30

Fiddlers, 6:00

I would appreciate help from parents, getting harps in tune, between 4 and 4:30.

I appreciate your cooperation on this. I know some of you will have to arrive and tune quite a while before you perform. However, I have decided the above plan is the only feasible way for us to get in tune. Again, I will be quite busy once the show starts!

Thanks again for your cooperation!!

Yours, Tom

Calendar dates for the rest of the semester,plus xmas stroll info

Hi all. Regrets at not getting this out sooner.

November 21-25th is a vacation week for me.

I then teach from November 28th to December 16th, at which point I take my Christmas break for two weeks, December 19th to January 1st.

I start my new semester on Monday, January 2nd.

Here's to a Thanksgiving full of blessings, and practicing! Those in the December stroll show, work hard on your pieces!

The Christmas Stroll show (on Saturday, December 3rd) will again be at the Powderhorn, corner of Main and Black. Harpers must arrive at 4:30 to let harps adjust.

The groups are as follows:

Suzuki Violin group, 5:00

Harp group, 5:30

Fiddle group, 6:00

You must arrive AT LEAST 15 minutes early, NO LATER PLEASE!!!

Thank you for your hard work!

Signed, Tom Robison

ANNOUNCING

Parisian-style Dinner and Dance, featuring four-course dinner and live entertainment by Tom Robison and Doug Amick.

Where: Café Francais Des Arts, 25 S. Tracy, Bozeman

When: Saturday, November 12^th, starting at 6:30

Cost: $50 for the evening

For reservations stop by or call: 406-209-7490

Or email: Francoise Manigault, francoise@cafefrancaisdesarts

Or visit the website: www.cafefrancausdesarts.

fall semester doings

Singing Strings Studio Fall Semester Calendar 2011

Events as of September 26^th

Saturday, October 15^th-- Suzuki Group Lesson and Fiddle Jam, 2:00-3:30 p.m., Christus Collegium, 714 S. 8^th, in the Montana Room in the basement. Refreshments provided!

Saturday, October 22^nd -- Harp circle, 1:00-3:00 p.m., my house, 402 W. Dickerson (corner of 4^th and Dickerson). BRING YOUR HARP please!

Saturday, December 3^rd-- Christmas Stroll performance at the Powderhorn, downtown. First group will start at 5:00.

Other events will be scheduled in November, to prepare for Christmas Stroll. Please let me know by the third week in OCTOBER if you would like to participate in Christmas Stroll. ALL students are invited to participate!!

Thank you for keeping music alive, in YOUR life! J

Yours in music,

Tom

My summer schedule and rates, plus performing opportunities

As promised, here are the details on summer lessons:

Starting June 1st, I will be teaching Wednesday afternoon and evening, Thursday all day (including evening) and most Fridays and Saturdays. I will have some gigs on Fridays and Saturdays and will send out a separate calendar soon to let you know which of those I'm not available.

Rates are:

$21 per half hour, $32 for 45 minutes, $42 for one hour.

Volume discounts (paid in advance) are:

Two hours worth: $80 ($4 discount)

Three hours worth: $118 ($8 discount)

I do not offer volume discounts for more than three hours, sorry.

I would like to see all of my students AT LEAST two times per month!

For ease in scheduling your summer, I will be at the studio expressly for summer sign-ups from 4-6 P.M. (not A.M.!), on Tuesday, May 31st.

Also: I will soon be getting out a form to submit if you want to perform at my Celtic Music Booth at the Saturday Farmers' Market. This is in addition to the Tuesday July 5th Bogart Farmers' Market and August 6th Sweet Pea performance.

I am limiting the Saturday slots to those that have at least 12 pieces concert ready. You will br able to sign up more than once, but, for now, not more than twice, until I see shat the response is. MORE on this in a later post! I am VERY excited about doing ALL of these summer events! Yahoo! NOW it just needs to get here!

Happy playing! Tom

Summer Performance Opportunities for Fiddlers and Harpers

Hi all. This is to get the word out about 2 Celtic music events I am organizing this summer.

1. Bogart Farmers' Market, Tuesday, July 5th, starting at 5, inside the Pavillion. I am putting together a LOT of music for this (3 hours!!), so I am looking for players that want to work together in several small groups, rather than one group that plays for the whole 3 hours.

2. Sweet Pea Festival, Children's Stage, Saturday, August 6th, time not yet determined. This will be a shorter performance (less than an hour), and I plan to involve lots of players.

Neither of these events pay anything directly but they can easily lead on to other things that will. They will be a good opportunity to show an audience how good you are! Also to learn how to play into a microphone.

I am also hoping to involve Chelsea Close and her awesome Irish step dance troupe in one or both of these events! I will keep you posted on that.

Happy Spring! It IS coming!!

Cheers, Tom

Date for the Ceilidh (Celtic Music Party) has changed!

I made a colossal blunder and scheduled the Ceilidh for a night when there's a contra dance! So now it's rescheduled for 7:30 on April 30th. NOTE: THIS START TIME IS ONE HALF HOUR LATER THAN IN THE PAST! Sorry for the confusion.

Here are all the CORRECT dates for the rest of the semester.

Singing Strings Studio Calendar for Spring 2011

Saturday, April 9^th, 3:00 p.m. …………………………Suzuki group lesson, Montana Room of Christus Collegium

Saturday, April 16^th, 3:00 p.m…………………………..Harp Circle, 402 W. Dickerson, please bring harp!

Saturday, April 30^th , 7:30 p.m.…………………….Ceilidh, Boyd Room, Pilgrim Congregational Church, 2118 S. 3^rd

Saturday, May 7^th, 7:00 p.m…………………………….Harp Recital, Boyd Room, Pilgrim Congregational Church, 2118 S. 3^rd

Sunday, May 15^th, 4:00 p.m…………………………Suzuki violin recital, Boyd Room, Pilgrim Congregational Church, 2118 S. 3^rd

Friday, May 20^th……………………………last day of lessons for Spring Semester

Tuesday, May 31^st, 4:00-6:00 p.m. ………………………. Summer sign-ups and fall pre-registration, at the studio

Application for Scottish Fiddlers Weekend

I am unable to attach documents to this blog, but if you want to be enrolled in the Scottish Fiddlers' Weekend for adults and young adults June 18th and 19th at Weather Rock Music Barn, please provide me with your name, your address, your phone, and your email, and I will save you a place. I am a bit behind on getting the application form made, but will have it done soon. Some experience required. The best way to get the application and more complete information is to email me at northernglen@yahoo.com Also you can learn more under "Studio Events" on my website, www.cockleburrmusic.com

Thanks for your patience!!

Tom Robison

Changes/additions to SSS calendar

I have been forced to make a change in the Singing Strings Studio spring calendar. I've also added two events. Here's the details:

Changes and additions to Singing Strings Spring Calendar:

One change:

The Spring Suzuki Violin Concert will be 4:00 on Sunday, March 15^th, instead of Saturday, March 14^th. The location will still be the Boyd Room of Pilgrim Congregational Church.

Additions:

On Saturday, April 16^th, I have added TWO new events:

1. There will be a harp circle at my house at 3:00 P.M.

2. There will a Ceilidh (Celtic music party) at Pilgrim Church at 7:00 P.M.

The harp circle will provide a chance to rehearse solos and group pieces for the May 7^th Harp Recital.

The Ceilidh will provide a good chance for fiddlers and harp players to try out their tunes on an audience. Additionally, all Celtic players, dancers, singers, and enthusiasts in the community are invited!

Lastly, the end of the semester is Friday, May 20^th.

Summer signups and fall pre-registration will occur on Tuesday, May 31^st, at 4 P.M. at the studio.

I have been stunned by the quality of playing in recent performances! The duet concert and the St. Patrick’s Day performance at the library come to mind. Keep up the great work!!

Great fun at the library on St. Patrick's Day!

A great time was had by all as students from Singing Strings Studio performed at the Bozeman Public Library yesterday. I think we might have gotten out photos in the Bozeman paper today! (A photographer was there from the Chronicle). It was fantastic to see people tapping their feet to the music of both fiddle and harp. People in the audience came away with more understanding of the differences between different types of tunes ( a smooth jig versus a bouncy hornpipe, for instance). A big THANK YOU to all who participate from a teacher who's very grateful for such talented students!!

Hail, fellow Celtic music enthusiasts!

I will soon be putting up info on the Scottish fiddle workshop for adults and young adults on June 18th and 19th, plus posts about upcoming studio events and also other things coming up this summer! And remember, whatever the weather outside your window, spring IS coming! Cheers, Tom