2023-24 Study Schedule
♫♪♫ Composers and Inspiring Pianists ♫♪♫
August - Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel: Book | Video | Worksheet
September - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Book | Video | Website | Worksheet 1, 2, 3
October - Chevalier de Saint-Georges
November - Hazel Dorothy Scott
December - Winter themed varieties
January - Various composers (Nature themes.)
February - Various classical composers highlighted in "Listen To The Birds" book.
March - Margaret Bonds and Camille Saint-Saëns
April - Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
May - John Williams & Gustav Holst (Star Wars/Planets month.)
♫♪♫ Composers and Inspiring Pianists ♫♪♫
August - Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel: Book | Video | Worksheet
September - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Book | Video | Website | Worksheet 1, 2, 3
October - Chevalier de Saint-Georges
November - Hazel Dorothy Scott
December - Winter themed varieties
January - Various composers (Nature themes.)
February - Various classical composers highlighted in "Listen To The Birds" book.
March - Margaret Bonds and Camille Saint-Saëns
April - Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
May - John Williams & Gustav Holst (Star Wars/Planets month.)
Saturday, January 23
(Veganuary Month,1/4 National Bird Day,1/17 Martin Luther King Awareness, 1/21 Squirrel Appreciation Day,
1/25 National Moose Day)
Our Listening Calendar variety: Nature themed solos (Birds,Squirrels, Moose), MLK inspired music. Website | PDF
Piano Assignment Worksheet: JANUARY
Week 1 (1/2-8) - Practice Bird Awareness Compositions.
Interesting videos about Birds
-Why Do Birds Sing?
-How Birds Fly
-Migratory Birds
Week 2 (1/9-15) - Read books about various composers of the month.
Week 3 (1/16-23) - Martin Luther King Awareness. Students will be given MLK themed Music Theory Worksheets and sight reading.
*Note: We are studying about Stevie Wonder this month. Did you Know that he composed he composed a song in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King
that played a major role in MLK day? Read about it here.
More Interesting Info:
-Philharmonic Society Presents: MLK's Classical Background
-The Extraordinary Musical Influences of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
-Story time: I Am Martin Luther King Jr. - Video: Martin Luther King Jr. for kids
-Martin Luther King, Jr. for Kids | Song and Rap
Music Theory:
-MLK Rhythm Practice Assignment. Students my clap the rhythms, use sticks, a box, or other creative items that they can use to play along!
-MLK music theory worksheets at my piano studio.
-Easy How to Draw Martin Luther King, Jr. and MLK Coloring page
-Story Time: "Every Little Thing" (Three Little Birds), by Bob Marley, adapted by Cedella Marley. His song, Three Little Birds, is also scheduled on our listening calendar.
Squirrel Appreciation:
Squirrel Music Game - Hide and Squirrel | Squirrel Pianos Solfege Game
Craft For Kids
1/25 National Moose Day)
Our Listening Calendar variety: Nature themed solos (Birds,Squirrels, Moose), MLK inspired music. Website | PDF
Piano Assignment Worksheet: JANUARY
Week 1 (1/2-8) - Practice Bird Awareness Compositions.
Interesting videos about Birds
-Why Do Birds Sing?
-How Birds Fly
-Migratory Birds
Week 2 (1/9-15) - Read books about various composers of the month.
Week 3 (1/16-23) - Martin Luther King Awareness. Students will be given MLK themed Music Theory Worksheets and sight reading.
*Note: We are studying about Stevie Wonder this month. Did you Know that he composed he composed a song in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King
that played a major role in MLK day? Read about it here.
More Interesting Info:
-Philharmonic Society Presents: MLK's Classical Background
-The Extraordinary Musical Influences of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
-Story time: I Am Martin Luther King Jr. - Video: Martin Luther King Jr. for kids
-Martin Luther King, Jr. for Kids | Song and Rap
Music Theory:
-MLK Rhythm Practice Assignment. Students my clap the rhythms, use sticks, a box, or other creative items that they can use to play along!
-MLK music theory worksheets at my piano studio.
-Easy How to Draw Martin Luther King, Jr. and MLK Coloring page
-Story Time: "Every Little Thing" (Three Little Birds), by Bob Marley, adapted by Cedella Marley. His song, Three Little Birds, is also scheduled on our listening calendar.
Squirrel Appreciation:
Squirrel Music Game - Hide and Squirrel | Squirrel Pianos Solfege Game
Craft For Kids
Saturday, February 20
(National Bird Feeding Month! 2/2 World Wetlands Day & National Hedgehog Day, 2/18-21 Great Backyard Bird Count, 2/20 World Whale Day)
-Our Listening Calendar variety: Classical Music Featured in "Listen to the Birds" book.
-Piano Assignment Worksheet: FEBRUARY
Check out "Listen to the Birds" from your local library! Classical music featured in it will be posted daily on our Listening Calendar.
-Informative website with Bird songs interactive!
Great Backyard Bird Count!
Performance & Theory Class, Saturday 4/19, 1:00 PM. Perform your Bird Compositions or a reading solo! Share information about an interesting bird, or the composer of the month. Following the class, let's have fun participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count event. Certificates and a prize will be given to participating students.
Books you may enjoy:
-Counting Birds: The Idea That Helped Save Our Feathered Friends by Heidi E.Y. Stemple. *Read aloud here.
-Bird Count by Susan Edwards Richmond. *Read aloud here.
-Ruby's Birds by Mya Thompson. *Read aloud here.
-Fun Projects:
-How to Draw: A Bird, Cardinal, Toucan, Bald Eagle Head
*Studio Blog Post: Birding and Composing (Students Bird Compositions and participation in the Great Backyard Bird Count.)
-Our Listening Calendar variety: Classical Music Featured in "Listen to the Birds" book.
-Piano Assignment Worksheet: FEBRUARY
Check out "Listen to the Birds" from your local library! Classical music featured in it will be posted daily on our Listening Calendar.
-Informative website with Bird songs interactive!
Great Backyard Bird Count!
Performance & Theory Class, Saturday 4/19, 1:00 PM. Perform your Bird Compositions or a reading solo! Share information about an interesting bird, or the composer of the month. Following the class, let's have fun participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count event. Certificates and a prize will be given to participating students.
Books you may enjoy:
-Counting Birds: The Idea That Helped Save Our Feathered Friends by Heidi E.Y. Stemple. *Read aloud here.
-Bird Count by Susan Edwards Richmond. *Read aloud here.
-Ruby's Birds by Mya Thompson. *Read aloud here.
-Fun Projects:
-How to Draw: A Bird, Cardinal, Toucan, Bald Eagle Head
*Studio Blog Post: Birding and Composing (Students Bird Compositions and participation in the Great Backyard Bird Count.)
Saturday, March 20
(3/5 Piano Festival, 3/3 World Wildlife Day, 3/20 Frog Day & World Sparrow Day, 3/21 International Day of Forests, 3/21 World Water Day, 3/29 World Piano Day) Piano Theory assignments will reflect those topic.
Our Listening Calendar variety: Composer of the month - Frog Inspired Compositions.
Piano Assignment Worksheet: MARCH
Music Theory games and worksheets for Frog Awareness.
-Storytime: Frogs by Gail Gibbons
-Videos students may enjoy: Aqua Frog, Frog Songs of NC
-Learn about musician, Clarence "Frogman" Henry
-Drawing Projects For Frog Day! How to Draw a Frog, Cartoon Frog
-Fun music theory game: Hop To It!
3/21 International Day of Forests
Forest Classical Music and Healing Piano Songs
Forests in Classical Music
3/28 Piano history and worksheets for World Piano Day
-Storytime: The Music of Life: Bartolomeo Cristofori and the Invention of the Piano | The Bear and The Piano
-Piano History, From the Clavichord to the Modern Piano: Part 1 | Part 2
-Crafts you many enjoy for "World Piano Day"
3D Wooden Piano Puzzle Kit
3D Perler Piano (Above, first photo on right.)
*See our "Piano History and Caring For Your Piano" Photo Gallery.
Our Listening Calendar variety: Composer of the month - Frog Inspired Compositions.
Piano Assignment Worksheet: MARCH
Music Theory games and worksheets for Frog Awareness.
-Storytime: Frogs by Gail Gibbons
-Videos students may enjoy: Aqua Frog, Frog Songs of NC
-Learn about musician, Clarence "Frogman" Henry
-Drawing Projects For Frog Day! How to Draw a Frog, Cartoon Frog
-Fun music theory game: Hop To It!
3/21 International Day of Forests
Forest Classical Music and Healing Piano Songs
Forests in Classical Music
3/28 Piano history and worksheets for World Piano Day
-Storytime: The Music of Life: Bartolomeo Cristofori and the Invention of the Piano | The Bear and The Piano
-Piano History, From the Clavichord to the Modern Piano: Part 1 | Part 2
-Crafts you many enjoy for "World Piano Day"
3D Wooden Piano Puzzle Kit
3D Perler Piano (Above, first photo on right.)
*See our "Piano History and Caring For Your Piano" Photo Gallery.
Saturday, April 23
(4/2 National Ferret Day, 4/7 International Beaver Day, 4/22 Earth Day Awareness, 4/26 National Arbor Day).
Our Listening Calendar variety: Ferret Day, Earth Day, Arbor Day, and composer of the month.
Piano Assignment Worksheet: APRIL
-Storytime: Earth Day Every Day by Lisa Bullard and Xiao Xin
-April 15th is National American Sign Language Day. We will have note naming flash cards and a note recognition concentration game. Students will identify the note names for each activity using sign language alphabets.
-April 23 Earth Day Performance Class. Field trip to Earth Day Augusta at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park!
Other Fun Outdoor Events!
-April 30 - May 1, Aiken Hot Air Balloon Festival
Our Listening Calendar variety: Ferret Day, Earth Day, Arbor Day, and composer of the month.
Piano Assignment Worksheet: APRIL
-Storytime: Earth Day Every Day by Lisa Bullard and Xiao Xin
-April 15th is National American Sign Language Day. We will have note naming flash cards and a note recognition concentration game. Students will identify the note names for each activity using sign language alphabets.
-April 23 Earth Day Performance Class. Field trip to Earth Day Augusta at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park!
Other Fun Outdoor Events!
-April 30 - May 1, Aiken Hot Air Balloon Festival
Sunday, May 15
(5/3 Wild Koala Day, 5/4 MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU!, 5/6-16 Biggest Week in American Birding, 5/7 National Monarch Day, SC. 5/8 World Migratory Bird Day & Global Big Day, 5/23 World Turtle and Tortoise Day, 5/24 Plant a Letterbox Day, 5/26 World Otter Day).
Summer Concert:
Augusta Suzuki Piano Association
Morris Museum
Date: Sunday, May 15th
Time: 1:00 PM
Listening Calendar: Various nature solos and compositions by John Williams
VIDEO: Watch a Breathtaking Monarch Butterfly Swarm.
Assignment: Compose a piano solo about one of the following 1) Monarchs, 2) Koalas, 3) Turtles/Tortoise
Summer Concert:
Augusta Suzuki Piano Association
Morris Museum
Date: Sunday, May 15th
Time: 1:00 PM
Listening Calendar: Various nature solos and compositions by John Williams
VIDEO: Watch a Breathtaking Monarch Butterfly Swarm.
Assignment: Compose a piano solo about one of the following 1) Monarchs, 2) Koalas, 3) Turtles/Tortoise
No Performance Classes June - July
* Private lessons and Piano Concerts will continue during the summer.
Saturday, August 21
(Piano Theory and Composition theme: 8/12 World Elephants Day, 8/21 National Honey Bee Awareness Day, 8/20-21, 2021 The Great Georgia Pollinator Census.)
Performance & Theory Class @ 1:00 PM, online. We will do Honeybee/Pollinator themed games and piano theory worksheets. Students will perform their own pollinator themed compositions. Following the class, we will do The Great Pollinator Census hosted by the University of Georgia.
Assignment: Compose a piano solo about your favorite pollinator!
Examples of piano solos composed by students:
-Karis's Bee Theme by K. Mayes
-Honeybee by C. Cathey
-The Honeybee Festival by J. Mayes
-The Happy Honeybee by W. Oganga
VIDEO: Watch a Breathtaking Monarch Butterfly Swarm. Movie Time goodie baskets given to students to enjoy while watching the “Bee Movie” and “Flight of the Butterflies”.
Drawing Projects you may enjoy: Draw a Bee, Draw a Butterfly
Sheet Music:
Flight of the Bumblebee (Early Intermediate Level)
Performance & Theory Class @ 1:00 PM, online. We will do Honeybee/Pollinator themed games and piano theory worksheets. Students will perform their own pollinator themed compositions. Following the class, we will do The Great Pollinator Census hosted by the University of Georgia.
Assignment: Compose a piano solo about your favorite pollinator!
Examples of piano solos composed by students:
-Karis's Bee Theme by K. Mayes
-Honeybee by C. Cathey
-The Honeybee Festival by J. Mayes
-The Happy Honeybee by W. Oganga
VIDEO: Watch a Breathtaking Monarch Butterfly Swarm. Movie Time goodie baskets given to students to enjoy while watching the “Bee Movie” and “Flight of the Butterflies”.
Drawing Projects you may enjoy: Draw a Bee, Draw a Butterfly
Sheet Music:
Flight of the Bumblebee (Early Intermediate Level)
Saturday, September 16, 2023
(Piano Theory and Composition themes: 9/2 National Hummingbird Day. 9/4 National Wildlife Day, 9/2 World Vulture Day, 9/8 National Iguana Awareness, 9/12-22 Migration Celebration, 9/17 National Fox Day, 9/22 National Elephant Appreciation Day & World Rhino Day.)
Piano Assignment Worksheet: September
Listening Calendar: Various wildlife themed solos.
Assignment: Compose a piano solo about one of the awareness themes for this month.
-Fun event in our community that families may enjoy (Sept 15-17, 2023): Arts In The Heart Of Augusta
-Registration is open for Master Herpetologist program that begins on September 6, 2023. Junior Master Herpetologist program is also available. This is an 8 week virtual class. It is also a certificate program. For more info, visit here.
** PERFORMANCE & THEORY CLASS CLASS, SEPT 16th @ 1:00 PM
Iguana Awareness piano solos. (Student composition!)
-The Iguana's Tongue by K. Green: Front Cover, Piano Solo
Piano Assignment Worksheet: September
Listening Calendar: Various wildlife themed solos.
Assignment: Compose a piano solo about one of the awareness themes for this month.
-Fun event in our community that families may enjoy (Sept 15-17, 2023): Arts In The Heart Of Augusta
-Registration is open for Master Herpetologist program that begins on September 6, 2023. Junior Master Herpetologist program is also available. This is an 8 week virtual class. It is also a certificate program. For more info, visit here.
** PERFORMANCE & THEORY CLASS CLASS, SEPT 16th @ 1:00 PM
Iguana Awareness piano solos. (Student composition!)
-The Iguana's Tongue by K. Green: Front Cover, Piano Solo
Sunday, October 15, 2023
Piano Theory and Composition themes, Pick one: (International Dinosaur Month, Bat Appreciation Month, Vegetarian Awareness Month, 10/8-10 Global Bird Weekend, 10/9-15 Earth Science Week, 10/17 National Fossil Day | National Farmers Day,10/20 International Sloth Day, 10/21 Reptile Awareness Day.
Assignment: Compose a piano solo about one of the composition themes or level up on a previously written composition on the topic.
Assignment Worksheet - October
Listening Calendar variety: Bird, reptile, and bat themed solos. PDF
EVENTS:
*Performance class (Online. Send videos so that we can view as a group on Saturday Oct 14th. Meetup at Hopelands on Sunday 15th.)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023 @ 1-4 PM, "NATURE ROCKS"! (HOPELANDS GARDENS, AIKEN, SC.)
Colonial Times: A Day To Remember, October 21-22, 2023 @ The Living History Park. Theme Song: LONG, LONG AGO (Suzuki Bk.1).
Assignment: Compose a piano solo about one of the composition themes or level up on a previously written composition on the topic.
Assignment Worksheet - October
Listening Calendar variety: Bird, reptile, and bat themed solos. PDF
EVENTS:
*Performance class (Online. Send videos so that we can view as a group on Saturday Oct 14th. Meetup at Hopelands on Sunday 15th.)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023 @ 1-4 PM, "NATURE ROCKS"! (HOPELANDS GARDENS, AIKEN, SC.)
Colonial Times: A Day To Remember, October 21-22, 2023 @ The Living History Park. Theme Song: LONG, LONG AGO (Suzuki Bk.1).
Awareness Piano Solos & More:
Dinosaur Awareness -Dinosaurs by Mary Leaf -The Days of the Dinosaurs -Dinosaur Journey by Melody Bober -Dinosaur Music Theory Games Reptile Awareness (Piano solos composed by students): -The Lizard and the Snake by M. Roberts -The Little Lizard by E. Roberts -Snake Waltz by W. Oganga: Front Cover, Piano Solo -The Chameleon Shuffle by C. Cathey: Front Cover, Piano Solo -The Iguana's Tongue by K. Green: Front Cover, Piano Solo Bat Awareness Junior Ranger Activity Book - All About Bats Sir David Attenborough Witnesses a Magical Moment Stellaluna by Janelle Cannon (Read Aloud) |
Vegetarian Awareness
-Vegetable Suite by Graham Prowning (For flute and piano), sheet music | video
-Eat My Vegetables by Wynn-Anne Rossi
-Jazz Salad by Ron Levy
-Yum, Yum, Yum (The Vegetable Song) by Carol Wiggins
-The Vegetable Orchestra
-Fruit & Veggie Piano
-Music Theory Games: Veg Race | Mushrace | Rhythm Soup | Captain Veg. Tubble | Lettuce Make A Salad
-Vegetable Suite by Graham Prowning (For flute and piano), sheet music | video
-Eat My Vegetables by Wynn-Anne Rossi
-Jazz Salad by Ron Levy
-Yum, Yum, Yum (The Vegetable Song) by Carol Wiggins
-The Vegetable Orchestra
-Fruit & Veggie Piano
-Music Theory Games: Veg Race | Mushrace | Rhythm Soup | Captain Veg. Tubble | Lettuce Make A Salad
Saturday, November 18, 2023
(Piano Theory & Composition themes: 11/1 Vegan Awareness Month,11/6 National Bison Awareness Day. Beginning 11/1/23 - 4/30/23, students that enjoy bird watching may like participating in Project Feeder Watch. 11/15 America Recycles Day, 11/17 National Hiking Day.
*Studio Closed Nov 19-25. 11/29 International Jaguar Awareness Day)
Listening Calendar: PDF
**PERFORMANCE CLASS, November 16th @ 1:00 PM. (Studio)
Awareness Piano Solos:
Vegan Awareness
-Vegetable Suite by Graham Prowning (For flute and piano), sheet music | video
-Eat My Vegetables by Wynn-Anne Rossi
-Jazz Salad by Ron Levy
-The Rainbow Salad Songbook by Andrea and Trevor Dow
-Hot Potatoe by Jennifer Eklund
-Yum, Yum, Yum (The Vegetable Song) by Carol Wiggins
-The Vegetable Orchestra
-Fruit & Veggie Piano
-Music Theory Games: Veg Race | Mushrace | Rhythm Soup | Captain Veg. Tubble | Lettuce Make A Salad
Bison Awareness Day
-Bison Are Back by Wendy Stevens
American Recycling Day
-Recycling by Lisa Bastien
-Recycled Rag and Litter-bin Blues by Pam Wedgwood
-Pollution Solution by John Schaum
National Hiking Day
-Hike and Another Hike by Volker Bertelmann | video
-Hiking Song by Robert D. Vandall (1 piano 4 hands)
-Hiking Buddies by Dennis Alexander
-Hike To The Pike by Ed B. Claypool
-Music Theory Games: Harmonic Hike | Park Walk
*Studio Closed Nov 19-25. 11/29 International Jaguar Awareness Day)
Listening Calendar: PDF
**PERFORMANCE CLASS, November 16th @ 1:00 PM. (Studio)
Awareness Piano Solos:
Vegan Awareness
-Vegetable Suite by Graham Prowning (For flute and piano), sheet music | video
-Eat My Vegetables by Wynn-Anne Rossi
-Jazz Salad by Ron Levy
-The Rainbow Salad Songbook by Andrea and Trevor Dow
-Hot Potatoe by Jennifer Eklund
-Yum, Yum, Yum (The Vegetable Song) by Carol Wiggins
-The Vegetable Orchestra
-Fruit & Veggie Piano
-Music Theory Games: Veg Race | Mushrace | Rhythm Soup | Captain Veg. Tubble | Lettuce Make A Salad
Bison Awareness Day
-Bison Are Back by Wendy Stevens
American Recycling Day
-Recycling by Lisa Bastien
-Recycled Rag and Litter-bin Blues by Pam Wedgwood
-Pollution Solution by John Schaum
National Hiking Day
-Hike and Another Hike by Volker Bertelmann | video
-Hiking Song by Robert D. Vandall (1 piano 4 hands)
-Hiking Buddies by Dennis Alexander
-Hike To The Pike by Ed B. Claypool
-Music Theory Games: Harmonic Hike | Park Walk
Saturday, December 23, 2023
Piano Assignment Worksheet: DECEMBER
Winter themed Classical and Contemporary solos - Listening Calendar: PDF
12/10/23 Augusta Symphony Family concert.
Upcoming winter bird counting events hosted by organizations such as The National Audubon and Cornell Ornithology Institute:
-The Audubon Bird Count: Dec 14, 2022 – Jan 5, 2023
-Climate Watch: Jan 15 – Feb 15, 2023
-The Great Backyard Bird Count: Feb. 18 – 21, 2023
-The North Carolina Bird Atlas: Anytime! The atlas is the newest community science project and unique because you can do it while also participating in all of the other events.
*Studio Closed Dec 17, 2023- Dec 31, 2023 (School Winter Break)
Winter themed Classical and Contemporary solos - Listening Calendar: PDF
12/10/23 Augusta Symphony Family concert.
Upcoming winter bird counting events hosted by organizations such as The National Audubon and Cornell Ornithology Institute:
-The Audubon Bird Count: Dec 14, 2022 – Jan 5, 2023
-Climate Watch: Jan 15 – Feb 15, 2023
-The Great Backyard Bird Count: Feb. 18 – 21, 2023
-The North Carolina Bird Atlas: Anytime! The atlas is the newest community science project and unique because you can do it while also participating in all of the other events.
*Studio Closed Dec 17, 2023- Dec 31, 2023 (School Winter Break)