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Monday, December 8, 2014

Christmas Arrangements by Debra Wanless

I was playing through the book Twelve Songs of Christmas the other day and thought the arrangements were so lovely I had to share them. This book features twelve intermediate to advancing jazz solos, compiled and arranged by Debra Wanless. I only had time to record seven of them since I am so busy getting ready for the holidays! But I think you get a good feel for the modern and appealing arrangements in this fun book. It would make a great addition to any Christmas music book collection. Hope you enjoy my videos!
~ Jen

p.s. I did not get paid to write this review....I just think it's a great book! :o)





Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Canada Music Week 2014

Our Canada Music Week recital on Friday November 21st was a complete success! We had about twenty students performing works by Canadian composers (including local composer Debra Wanless) and a fabulous audience turnout. After the performance we had a draw for two paintings that were generously donated by composer Rémi Bouchard. The reception was a hit as always, due to the enormous celebratory cake and take-home Canadian souvenirs. We got to hear a great variety of Canadian music, and I think everyone in attendance enjoyed themselves and learned something new.

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Two New Playlists and a Spooky Performance Class

So Irene and I made videos of my published ensemble pieces and posted them to my YouTube Channel! Take a peek:


And I finished the latest playlist for the Grey County Kiwanis Festival of Music (solo piano classes 9-16 yrs and over):


Wednesday, October 15, 2014

A New Festival Playlist and other things on the go...

I present to you a new playlist from my YouTube channel, featuring set piano pieces for this year's local music festival. This list covers all the classes for 5-16 years and under. I hope to post the next set of pieces (9-14 years and over) in the next week or so. I hope this will help teachers and students choose their 2015 festival pieces, and also give them a glimpse of some great Canadian music from Northern Lights.

Monday, September 29, 2014

A New Solo for Autumn

With fall weather closing in I offer you a new autumn-inspired solo called Swirling Leaves. I'm really happy with the way this intermediate-level piece turned out. The left hand accompaniment is gently insistent while the right hand sings a melancholy melody with swirling triplets. The middle section offers a ray of sunshine, though it is short lived as the cold autumn wind soon returns. The piece comes to a close with a short improv played upon the inside strings of the piano. I hope you enjoy.
~ Jen

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

New Challenges: 2 Pianos 8 Hands

I have been having so much fun writing music for ensembles lately. When I started writing duets last fall I didn't really have a clear idea of how to approach this genre, but it turns out I really enjoy it and learn so much from it (and in fact seem to be quite addicted!). Last month I finished up my first duo for 2 pianos 4 hands-- In The Hall Of The Mountain King-- and in keeping with that theme I decided to arrange another classic orchestral theme, but this time for 2 pianos 8 hands.

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Summer Sizzle: The Trip Home

Day 5 marked the beginning of our long trip home. We packed up and left our hotel by 7 AM and started our drive back to Winnipeg. The scenery was beautiful. We had to make one more stop in Minnedosa at our new favourite spot, the Chipperfield Coffee Company.  We made it to Winnipeg in good time, although the traffic there slowed us down a bit!


Our flight was only slightly delayed and we left Winnipeg just after 5 PM. Getting into Pearson International Airport was a bit tricky, and we had to circle back around before landing due to stormy weather. We landed in Toronto just before 9 PM local time, and I think everyone was glad to be back on the ground. Some of us went our separate ways and the airport while the rest of us carpooled back up north towards Owen Sound. During the drive we recounted our experiences over the past five days; it was definitely a trip to remember.
~Jen










Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Summer sizzle trip: Day 4

It was our final day today, and what a busy and exciting one! In addition to the wonderful workshops offered today (including yoga in the piano studio), I got all my shopping done and am thrilled with all my new music! Can't wait to play everything out when I get home :)
There was also a new music showcase presented by Debra Wanless Music, and Irene and I played my Simple Gifts duet...very fun!
In the afternoon we heard some great student group compositions. The Keyboard Kampers had worked on these impressive compositions with a visiting composer for only two days!

This evening there was a semi-formal dinner, followed by a gala and convocation. Besides honouring the CNCM silver medal award winners and graduates, the gala featured new and existing music from visiting composers, played by both students and composers. Irene and I played the premiere of my Sneaky Snakes duet!
These past four days in Yorkton have been wonderful...it was so nice making the trip out west to experience Summer Sizzle in a new setting. I have come away with so many new ideas and loads of inspiration....enough to last me until next year, I hope!
~Jen

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Summer Sizzle trip: Day 3

Today was Day One of Summer Sizzle! It started bright and early with registration, then went straight into some great workshops. We also had new music blitzes, time to shop at the trade show, and some great meals, music and dancing. Spending time with all the composers, teachers, parents and Keyboard Kampers was tons of fun. Here are a few pictures from our day:



Tomorrow is packed full of more pedagogy workshops, demonstrations, and recitals. Tomorrow evening the symposium will come to a close with a gala celebration and CNCM convocation. Stay tuned!
~Jen

Monday, August 18, 2014

Summer Sizzle trip: Day 2

Today we had a pretty relaxed start to the day, then moved on to one of the venues to start setting up for The Sizzle. We had lots of music to bring!
The afternoon was spent reviewing each room, making sure it had enough chairs, keyboards and other supplies needed for the upcoming workshops. We had some very organized people helping! The trade show tables were set up downstairs, displaying silent auction items and a multitude of books and exciting new Canadian music.
We also got the "goodie" bags ready for tomorrow morning...they have everything required for Summer Sizzle and more. So handy!
Lastly, almost everyone went to bed early tonight as it's a pretty early start tomorrow. Monday marks the official start of Summer Sizzle 2014. So many great people have come together and worked so hard to make these two days happen, and I'm sure all their hard work will pay off!
~Jen

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Summer Sizzle trip: Day 1

Here is a summary of our trip so far!
Our group departed from Pearson International Airport at 12:30 on Saturday afternoon and landed in Winnipeg around 2 PM local time. We had to travel downtown to pick up our rental van...and on the way we passed a famous landmark, the Golden Boy statue! The Golden Boy is a statue facing north on the dome of the Manitoba Legislative Building, and is one of Manitoba's best known symbols. It is 5.25 metres (17.2 feet) tall from the toe to the top of the torch and 4.27 metres (14 feet) from head to toe. Here is a picture I took from the car:
Next we picked up our rental and piled into the van for a drive over to Neepawa (about 2 hours away).
Irene took the first driving shift. Yay...Neepawa!
After supper we met some friends at a local church, including Canadian composer Rémi Bouchard and   musician Cameron Streicher. Cameron was giving a concert that evening in Neepawa, so we were able to stay for the first half of the show before hitting the road again.
On our way to Saskatchewan we stopped at a great little place called the Chipperfield Coffee Company in Minnedosa. They had 24 flavours of soft serve ice cream, gourmet coffees and teas and lots more!
I took the second shift of driving, and after another three hours on the road we finally rolled into Yorkton, SK. And that is our trip so far; we're having fun getting to know each other and setting up for the symposium. More updates to follow!
~Jen

Friday, August 15, 2014

It's the beginning of Summer Sizzle 2014

Well we are off tomorrow...leaving for the annual piano pedagogy symposium presented through CNCM. This year's event takes place in Yorkton, SK-- so get ready to follow our adventures through the prairies! My friend/colleague Irene and I will be joining a group of other teachers and composers to embark on this adventure together.

Monday, August 4, 2014

Trying my hand at Two Pianos

Just a quick post to let you in on some of my recent work. I've expanded my ensemble writing to include not just duets but duos too! The following are my first 2 piano 4 hands arrangements for piano. The process was definitely different from writing for 1 piano 4 hands, but I really really enjoyed it. I can't wait to try some more two piano works and may even try a double duo soon!

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Jazzy Days

It's been so busy since the beginning of July that I haven't had a chance to sit down and write a proper post. I plan to do that soon. In fact, I have a new composition that is almost ready and I'll be unveiling it before the end of the month! In the meantime please enjoy a jazzy new playlist from my Soundcloud!
~ Jennifer


Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Summer Memorizing Project (+ a big reveal!)

Happy Canada Day! It is a beautiful sunny day here-- 26°C with a light breeze-- and I just finished memorizing movement 1 of my Bach Partita. The Partita No. 5 in G major is part of a set of six harpsichord suites that were composed by J.S. Bach between the years 1725-1730 (or so). Each suite contains a number of short dance movements such as an Allemande, Courante, Sarabande and Gigue. I have given myself the task of memorizing the seven movements of this Partita by the time I leave for Summer Sizzle in mid August. BUT WHY??

Saturday, June 21, 2014

June Wrap-up: A Recital and Party!

We had a great recital last night at the Owen Sound Harmony Centre! Fifteen students performed from both my studio and the studio of my friend Irene Enns. The ages ranged from 5 to adult, and the pieces performed spanned four centuries of music. 

Friday, June 13, 2014

Mary Poppins Duet #3: Boogie Woogie style!

So I thought I needed a third instalment of Mary Poppins, you know, to round things out. I chose to arrange Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious into a piano duet because the other two songs were bit melancholy (being in minor keys and all). There is no doubt this is a happy song, and to bump it up a notch from the usual marching band style I added a boogie-woogie bass part!

Sunday, June 1, 2014

June Memorizing Project: building the repertoire!

So I wasn't sure I would finish memorizing the Chopin in May-- it was such a busy month and went by so quickly. Miraculously I pulled it off and am ready to start on my next project: memorizing the third movement of Beethoven's Waldstein Sonata (see my post on memorizing the first movement here). 

Monday, May 19, 2014

A Bluesy Duet and Other News

I started this duet when the "spring" weather was still very bleak and cold and everyone was complaining about the long winter. I was in the mood for writing a bluesy duet, and out came the Long Winter Blues. This piece has a walking bass line, swinging eighth notes and some long lines and long notes to emphasize the "looong" winter. 

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

May Memorizing Project/Update on Student Compositions

Ok, Waldstein I: check. Rachmaninoff: check. And my next memorizing project is-- Chopin! The piece I'm working on is Frederic Chopin's Ballade No. 3 in A-flat major. I have given myself the month of May to memorize this. Starting today that gives me about one page to do every two days....and I already did 1.5 pages today so I am ahead of the game, right?!

Sunday, April 27, 2014

A Song to Celebrate Children's Day

Yesterday we talked about putting up our Koinobori. Koinobori is a Japanese word meaning "carp streamer"; the streamers are put up each year in celebration of Children's Day in Japan. Houses all across Japan are decorated with these beautiful windsocks beginning in April to celebrate the national holiday on May 5, which celebrates children's happiness. Aren't they pretty?

Friday, April 18, 2014

April Memorizing Project and a New Playlist!

Phew. The local music festival is over and I am a little tired! Everyone did really well; all of my students had great performances, got great marks, and hopefully had great experiences. We ended the week on a high note with Teagan and Ella's duet Oh Brother! by Canadian composer Karen Rowell. Well done girls!

Thursday, April 10, 2014

More Mary Poppins...

Since I played it so much recently, my daughter must have gotten Feed the Birds stuck in her head. So I wasn't surprised when she picked out the movie Mary Poppins to watch on the weekend. I was going about some housework while it was on, and couldn't help humming along to all those catchy songs (which definitely made my cleaning more fun). And when Chim Chim Cher-ee came on I thought, "I should try to make this into a duet!". So I did.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

A Brand New Duet!

Ok, I've been wanting to get this one down on manuscript paper for a long time. This past winter-- probably around Christmas time-- I was thinking how much I liked the song My Favorite Things, and how great it sounded set in a jazz style. I had been on a bit of a duet roll in the fall, so my idea was for another piano duet. A jazzy duet. A jazzy arrangement of Feed the Birds from Mary Poppins!

Sunday, March 23, 2014

New Books for Everyone!

Many students started in new music books after March Break. One student made a leap from primary books to graded books in the Royal Conservatory of Music curriculum. Other students received new books from the Northern Lights series (Canadian National Conservatory of Music). It is such an exciting thing to receive fresh new music, and it gives a nice little boost at this time of year when the spring weather is taking so long to appear.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Two Projects

First, the studio has undergone a bit of a renovation in the past couple months. For about a year and a half I used two white IKEA shelving units to house all my music books and teaching materials. These worked ok but didn't look the greatest and took up a lot of space. So we decided to move them upstairs and use them as toy storage and voila! my hubby got a new construction project.  

Monday, March 3, 2014

A Studio Update- Winter 2014

Here's a post to let you know what's happening at my music studio. March is often a difficult month, as the "winter blahs" can really set in and motivation/positive thinking is low. This winter is no exception as the snow continues to pile up and temperatures are frequently below -20 degrees Celsius. We are working on some good goals though, and I think we're going to make it through. And although this time of year feels slow, it's amazing how fast the music festival, exams, and recitals creep up come springtime!

Friday, February 21, 2014

Composition Starts At Any Age

We have a little project going on at Lanthier Music Studio. It's a composition project, and all students are participating. That is to say, everyone is busy composing their own song! The theme for this year's project is The Seasons. I must say I have learned something from choosing this kind of theme, because as much as I'd hoped we'd have a variety of songs from every season, most of the songs so far revolve around winter. I really should've guessed this outcome as I am so often inspired by what I am experiencing in the present too. 

Friday, February 14, 2014

A New Composition/Happy Valentine's Day!

Well I finally made time to sit down at the piano this week and do some writing. I've been wanting to do it earlier but with such a busy start to the new year it's been almost impossible to find time. I wanted to write a piece about walking on the snow since I recently tuned in to the wonderfully musical and rhythmic squeaky sounds my boots made while walking. And since my nature walks are currently on hold (due to some major inflammation in my foot) I was glad to try and recreate a wintry walk down our snowy road through my music.  

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Kiwanis Music Festival, Set Pieces for Piano, ages 10 to 14 years & over

Here's the rest of the videos for the set pieces for festival (see the first set here). Finally had time to finish recording. Enjoy!
~ Jennifer

Kiwanis Festival, Set Pieces for Piano, ages 5 to 10 years & under

Hi! I just decided to make videos of all the set piano pieces for the Grey County Kiwanis Festival of Music. These great pieces come from the Canadian series of books called Northern Lights, by the Canadian National Conservatory of Music. The comprehensive festival classes range from 5 years & under to 14 years & over with many classes in between. This post will cover right up to 10 years & under (only because I ran out of time to record yesterday!)

Friday, January 24, 2014

The Kiwanis Music Festival...28 years later

Between the years of 1986-1996 there was no question what I would be preparing for each April: playing piano in the local music festival. I have lots of memories of driving to Owen Sound with my mom to play out my (usually) carefully prepared pieces in one of the city's churches. Of course missing school and going out for lunch were the highlights of these excursions! As a shy kid the festival was always a terrifying experience, though looking back it was good for me in many ways. Now I am helping my own students prepare for this annual event in the same city, so I can't help but reflect on the positive impact this type of festival can have on a community.

Monday, January 13, 2014

A New Toy *ahem* TOOL for the Studio

Something arrived in my mailbox on Friday...it came in a smallish white box and looked like this:
Woo-hoo, a new studio teaching tool: the Apple iPad Air! I'm thrilled to be able to incorporate this iPad into my teaching routine. There are so many great apps available out there, ranging from beginner note reading apps, ear training games, theory tutorials, composition tools and more.

Friday, January 3, 2014

Music for Yoga II

Happy New Year! If by any chance one of your New Year's resolutions is to start doing yoga, great! There are so many benefits of doing yoga (which I'm sure you already know) and besides, you can listen to great music while doing it!

In the first Music for Yoga post I shared some favourite piano pieces, and this time I'd like to add a couple early orchestral works to the mix.