Feb. 1998. Vol I, issue no. 1 Issued by ArtSound Music School, 50 Devonshire Road

Our second family Concert in the BlueCoat Theatre on Wednesday September 21 1997 was, like our first concert, very successful. For the first time we could fill the evening programme with our own students. We also arranged a very relaxed atmosphere, where family and friends of the performers, were seated around tables with refreshments and snacks. Mrs. Margaret Robinson was our guest and was very warmly applauded after playing the Vibraphone.

In September 1998 we will continue with this format and hope to invite another special guest.

1997 has been a fruitful year for some of the pupils. Philip Jones tops the list with three graded exams for piano, grade 2, 3 and 4. Besides his piano grades he was awarded several grades in singing and playing the violin. You might say, that they know Philip in the Friends Meeting House by now! David M. Smith gained his grade 1 and 2 is now preparing for grade 3. Lucinda Lui also took her grade 1 and will undertake her grade 2 in March this year. Leslie Atherton was awarded with grade 3.

The piano teacher Art Zegelaar gained the Associate Diploma Piano Solo of Trinity College in London.

The European Piano Teachers Association will have three regional events in the beginning of this year.

The first one is Sunday 8 February at 2.30 pm. Pupils of several teachers will play in Liverpool Parish Church, Pier Head. The emphasis is on giving pupils opportunity to play to an appreciative audience thus giving them experience. Eva Warren, well known Merseyside Pianist, will be commenting on performances. In May last year Joe Riley played at such an event and this year we have selected Philip Jones and David M. Smith to play. Philip will play an Allemande by G.F. Handel and David will play Hey Jude by Lennon/McCartney. £1 pp.

Saturday 28 February at 2.15 pm Carola Grindea will talk about playing without tensions. Mrs. Grindea is the founder of EPTA and has a distinguished international reputation across more than 30 countries for her untiring efforts to reduce nervousness, physical discomfort and stress experienced by very many pianists & other instrumentalists. £2 pp

Venue: Liverpool Parish Church.

Sunday 15 March at 2.30 pm

Eleanor Bailie will talk about playing Chopin. She will also devote time in the session to coaching Chopin performances. Any pupils interested? £2 pp.

Venue: Liverpool Parish Church.

Our WEB Site is now fully operative. Two of our three music courses are to be found on the Internet (except for the exercises). We have also a section on piano playing, composers and from March we hope to launch our VIRTUAL MUSIC STORE with a wide catalogue of music books and orchestral scores. There is also a monthly quiz, with the opportunity to win a CD! Of course you have to find the answer to the question first…

The WEB Site can be found at:

http://www.mersinet.co.uk/~artsound/arthome.htm.