Fall Soiree 2018

Welcome to new students and performers! I call my twice yearly concerts Soirées which is not technically quite correct (afternoon time!) but it is such a nice word!  Here is the definition: an evening party or social gathering, especially one held for a particular purpose, e.g. a musical Soirée.

The Soirée for Fall 2018 will take place in the Croasdaile Auditorium, at Croasdaile Village.  The clearest directions are on their website.  Once you get to the main entrance, register at the desk and ask the way to the Auditorium. Thank you so much to Croasdaile for this opportunity to have my student recitals at their Village facility.  Please look around when you come and notice what a lovely place it is.

Website for directions:  http://www.croasdailevillage.com/cvhowtofindus.html

Welcome new families!  It can be a bit confusing getting to the right place at Croasdaile so leave lots of time.  Enter the campus via the gated guard box and turn left into the large double carriageway. Please make sure you park in the visitor carpark beside the American Flag, not on the divided road leading up to the entrance.  Come in the big covered entrance and register at the desk and ask directions to the Auditorium.

I would like to invite all students and friends and family to come to the Soirée.  It is a lot of work but I arrange it because I think it is the friendliest way to share musical gifts in a supportive atmosphere. I invite my new students to come to their first Soirée so they can see what happens and how their colleagues play. I also invite my adult students to come and support the students who are performing. 

Just for your information I currently have 14 adult students, 11 ukulele students, 1 guitar student and 19 younger piano students.  There is one who learns both piano and ukulele at the moment.  

Here is some information for performers:

The ukuleles and guitar performances will be first in the program, followed by a selection of piano duets. After this the pianists will perform and to finish the singers will then have their turn.  I am not planning an intermission but will have very short breaks after each section to reset. Everyone who is performing should try to get there no later than 2:40 with ukuleles in tune.  I know a couple of students have other prior engagements and are coming when they can but I would really appreciate it if people could come and stay for the whole event.  (Note: Ukulele players will be on the stage but all others will perform from \ the floor)

I will set up everything earlier in the day but would love to have a stage manager especially for the string section if anyone would like to offer?  This year the program image is by Lillie Martin – a piano with wings!

Flourishing Muse Soirée Etiquette

• Please arrive 20 minutes early in order to get settled. 
• Please dress nicely. Think Sunday best – jeans are OK if nice jeans, no holes.  Girls please wear long pants or leggings if they are on the stage.
• Practice stage presence and bows at home. Walk up to the piano, take your seat, make sure the bench height is right for you, take some seconds to orient yourself and then play. When you are finished, get up from the piano, move away from the bench, and bow from the waist to acknowledge the applause.This adds polish to your performance and most importantly, acknowledges the audience appreciation. (Can you practice bowing please!)
• Please remain seated when you are not playing and plan to stay at least for your half. It is impolite to leave early. 
• Talking and moving about are distracting to the performer and audience. Please be a polite listener. 
• If an emergency makes it impossible for you to arrive on time, please wait until an item is finished before taking a seat.
• Applause should consist of clapping only.
• Flash photography is PROHIBITED during a performance. If you wish to take a photograph, please wait until the student has finished the performance. Only people who have the permission of the parent should take photographs of students under 18. You can video your student performance but don’t interrupt the view of others in the audience. 
• Food and beverages are not allowed in the auditorium.
• Cell phones, pagers, and other electronic devices should be turned off during the performance. 

See you on Sunday!