Upcoming Events:

SAVE THE DATE!

Sunday, May 19, 2013 SAM Faculty Recital and Fundraiser for Centennial Hall

Introduction to DJing and Music Mixing!

Have you ever wondered how DJ's do what they do? Here is your chance to get hands on with the latest DJ software and techniques. In this course we will be starting from the very beginning and learning what a DJ actually does, and then mastering the techniques ourselves. Step by step instruction will be given in every aspect of this popular performing medium. A DJ is not someone who just plays music off of itunes, a DJ needs to know many things about tempo, key, and basic time signatures to be one of the best.

Seacoast Academy of Music will be setting up a DJ studio for you to learn and master being a DJ yourself! All styles of music will be covered from hip-hop to techno to pop, or anything else you could possibly imagine.

Nick Mainella is an accomplished Electronic Musician and DJ, as well as having a traditional music education in Classical and Jazz music.

Open to musicians and non-musicians alike.

16 Mondays beginning January 28.

Students may sign up for 30 minute private or 30 minute semi-private. Some equipment is necessary. Students will need to confer with teacher before class begins.

SAM Students Are On The Go

Being inspired...

On Sunday, October 14, a group of 40 students and families attended the live radio show broadcast of "From The Top" in Boston.

From the top comments.

"We all loved it and were amazed by all that young talent on one stage. It was also fun to see how a modern-day radio show is produced."

"Inspiring and very enjoyable!"

"Amazing! I enjoyed the 9 year-old because she was my age and she played really fast!"

"Thanks for organizing it! We had a great time, and look forward to it next year!"

"Every performance and performer was remarkable in their own way. From the cellist who played the entire range of said instrument all the way to the unbelievably mature 9 yr old violinist. Extraordinary! I'm glad to support WGBH at the Leadership level. From the top is just another example of their unfailing commitment to education, with emphasis on children."

"Seriously a hugely enjoyable experience for us and I know the students in front of me as well! I was putting your money in an envelope today with a thank you!"

"This should be on our list of musical events permanently! - so appreciated this opportunity!"

"Hi Christine. We LOVED it! It was the first time we had ever been to a live taping, though we have seen broadcasts on PBS and listened to many, many shows on radio. "From the Top" really is such a great way to bring these accomplished young musicians to the public view. Christopher O'Reilly has such a way of bringing out all the best in these kids, both highlighting their obvious talent, and also their excitement about music and life. And all with wonderful humour!"

Performing around our community...

Fun for all, Admission is Free.

Saturday, October 27, 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM piano students of Adrienne Starrs, Ernie Houle and Christine Petrucci perform, in costume, at Langdon Place, Exeter for the NHMTA-Seacoast Local "Halloween Recitals",a favourite among the residents!

Sunday, November 4, 3:30 PM Webster-At-Rye Violin students of Laura Cassinari play highlights from the Suzuki Books one and two.

Sunday, November 18, 2:00 PM. Students of Christine Petrucci, Ernie Houle and Adrienne Starrs perform at SAM for the NHMTA - Seacoast Association Honours recital. Music by Bach, Beethoven, Mozart and many more famous composers will be featured.

New Suzuki Violin Classes for Parents of toddlers. That's right, the parents take lessons and the toddlers begin to learn by observing. A new and improved Beginner Violin Program where each student takes one 15 minute private and one 30 minute group lesson each week.

Guitar Tricks for a Middle-Aged Dog by Gary Marcus:

Is mastering music and languages just for the young? Not if you know how to teach older brains.

Wall Street Journal - Life and Culture - Guitar Tricks for a Middle-Aged Dog.

NHMTA Competition Winners Recital

Left to right - Lynne Wilby, Jeannie Goodwin, Kevin Ma, Mila Filatova, Kevin Chen, Sam Williams, Kara Grellman, Natalia Grellman, Catherine York, Christine Petrucci, N.C.T.M.

NHMTA Fall Honors Recital

SAM students of Christine Petrucci and Ernie Houle performed at the NHMTA Fall Honors Recital on November 19th (front row - students Brian Coffen, Jack Gallahan; back row - students Meghan McPherson, Ben Kotzen, and instructor Christine Pertucci, N.C.T.M.).

Hannah does it for the 2nd time!

Congratulations to Hannah Thompson for her acceptance into her region's Maine District Music Festival. Hannah, a sophomore at Traip Academy in Kittery auditioned and was selected to participate in the festival. She is a horn student of Jennifer Larson. Congratulations, Hannah!

SAM Student wows audience at NHS Talent Show!

Ben Kotzen, played his way into local fame with his creative performance of The Theme from "Phantom of the Opera" at the North Hampton School talent show recently held on the stage of Winnicunnet High School. Ben is a piano student of Christine Petrucci, N.C.T.M.

New Course - The Alexander Technique

One of the leading methods of teaching body awareness and the "best use of self" is the Alexander Technique. We welcome Carol Kenney, a graduate of the Ted Dimon Institute for Alexander Technique, to our SAM teaching staff. The Alexander Technique is taught in universities and conservatories such as the Juilliard School, the New England Conservatory of Music, Yale School of Drama and UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television...and now at Seacoast Academy of Music!

For more information on the Alexander Technique, visit www.alexandertechniqueworldwide.com.

Why should anyone study a musical instrument?

In the early 1970's I was teaching piano and organ at a local music studio. At my busiest, I taught 106 students each week, individually and in small classes. The majority of my daytime students were retired adults, and I quickly learned from these "seniors" that the old saying you can't teach an old dog new tricks was patently untrue! My oldest "beginner" was a delightful 86-year-old former schoolteacher who proved to be a quick study indeed. I also fondly recall a couple in their late 70's who took six months of lessons before moving to Florida. They later wrote me describing how much they were thoroughly enjoying their "golden" years playing their favorite songs on the piano. Science, of course, has since proved that we can continue learning throughout our lives, and that doing so is not only good "exercise" for the brain, but also good for our overall well-being.

In the early 1980's psychologist Howard Gardner wrote the book Frames of Mind to promote his theory of "multiple intelligences" (MI). Gardner felt that intelligence, as narrowly defined at the time (reading, writing, arithmetic), did not take into account the wide range of human abilities. Gardner defined seven (later expanded to nine) distinct areas of human intelligence, in the hope that parents and teachers could use his MI theory as a way to recognize and nurture special talents in children. One example of Gardner's "intelligences" is what he terms bodily-kinesthetic, where talent is expressed through bodily sensations, such as in dancing or athletics. Music is another area, as demonstrated by individuals with "innate" musical ability. Many of us view these intelligences as our "talents" or "gifts." We desire to develop our talents and to use them to benefit others. Yet as we do so, we improve our own spirit, mind and body. While innate "natural" musical abilities may vary from person to person, human beings are all "hard-wired" to learn music, and the benefits apply to everyone.

If you've ever studied an instrument - piano, for example - you've likely experienced the initial frustration of trying to get your two hands to work together (coordination). Think of your brain as two very powerful, specialized computers (left brain and right brain) with only a thin, ethernet cable (the corpus collosum) connecting them. This "connection" or communication pathway between the two brain hemispheres is what you are developing as you practice, and it becomes more efficient over time. This enhanced ability to use simultaneously both sides of the brain translates to greater creativity (thinking "out-of-the-box") and problem-solving (seeing the "big picture"). More than many other activities, learning music exercises the entire brain. It is particularly important for school-age children, as it improves their learning ability, reasoning, memory, and even language and math skills. As for the adult learner, music will keep your mind young; you will think more quickly and accurately, and you will even improve your memory!

So, if you've ever wanted to learn an instrument - just do it! It's never too late! Do it for fun, for your health, for your brain. You don't own an instrument? Actually, you do - it's your voice! And to put those voice lessons to good use, you could join a community chorus or church choir. If you're thinking I can't learn music because I'm tone deaf, consider this: if you can tell the difference between Happy Birthday and Jingle Bells, you're not tone deaf!

A special note to parents... If you are concerned that music lessons might interfere with your child's "regular" studies, be assured that quite the opposite is true: learning music will positively enhance your child's learning. Alas, realize that studying music is not apart from your child's schooling - it is a part of it!

Ernest G. Houle - SAM Piano Faculty