Keeping Our Students Healthy
It’s no secret that February and March are that unfortunate time of the year where the flu and all sorts of other nasty illnesses are appearing. In an attempt to help prevent the spread of germs, we asking everyone to do their part in helping keep everyone healthy. Here are some healthy habits to keep …
Ms. Leah’s ‘Leap” Into March!
Joyous and jubilant times were had this past Saturday at CYM Sewickley as Ms. Leah’s students performed alongside Ms. Simmi and Mr. Jake for Ms. Leah’s Leap Year Community Concert. Students performed pieces they have been working on for the past few months to help celebrate the extra day in February. Even Ms. Leah and …
Music Helps Visually Impaired Hockey Players Hit the Ice!
Sports and music tend to overlap quite a bit in Pittsburgh, but who could guess that a percussion instrument would help visually impaired kids play hockey?! Check out the video below of the Pittsburgh Rhinos blind hockey team. Now, you’re probably wondering how visually impaired kids would be able to play hockey. Well, the secret …
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Great Musicals Are All Around Us- Check This List for Family Fun
‘Tis the season for MUSICALS! Treat your family to a high school musical in your area. Enjoy great music, and see dedicated students giving their all and sharing their gifts and passion! What better way to see some of the best musicals ever written? But how to choose? Thankfully, Sharon Eberson, of the Post-Gazette, has …
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Choosing an Instrument for Your Child – CYM Faculty Article
Recently, Leah Givelber wrote a guest article for Unisound that offers practical advise for parents who are trying to choose an instrument for their child to study. Ms. Leah gives a step-by-step approach to narrowing down the choices in order to find something that resonates with each child. She also assures us that it’s just …
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Ten Tips for Boosting Memory Security, Part Two
| Blog Post
We recently ran part one of this series on playing instrumental music from memory, citing five strategies for playing securely without music. If you missed that post, please check it out here. Memory work is an aspect of practicing that does not always get full attention or exploration. But students whose teachers take them through …
Second Annual “Achievement Day” is Coming
| Solo Studies, Workshops & Activities
CYM’s second annual Achievement Day has been postponed and will be scheduled at a later date. What is Achievement Day? It is an opportunity for your student to perform for other students and faculty, and receive immediate feedback from faculty panelists. This is a perfect event for teacher and student to set a few specific …
It’s Never Too Late – Adult Music Study and How You Can Make it Happen
| Blog Post, Time Wave
If you are an adult who has ever considered taking up an instrument (and who hasn’t at one time or another?), here is some real-life encouragement for you – from other adults who have taken the plunge, and never looked back. This article, written by Miranda Wilson for Strings Magazine, offers five tips to start …
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Steady Beat and Reading Skills: It’s All in the Ear
| Blog Post, Event Announcement
Recent research demonstrates the connection between the ear, the brain, steady beat, and reading. What has been reported in the past, in the Journal of Neuroscience, for example, is that the motor skills used in drumming improve language development. A new study at Northwestern pulls in the auditory sense, thus closing the triangle of auditory, …
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Toes Were Tapping at Recent Community Concert
| Event Recap
A packed audience at our Sewickley concert room recently enjoyed performances by CYM faculty and students. The faculty trio shared music of Haydn, and thrilled the audience with delightful Tango music! Student performers included beginners to advanced, and performed well for the receptive crowd. Congratulations, all! Next Community Concert: February 29 with Ms. Leah and …
Round Out Your Year with this Leap Day Event!
| Community Concert
Yes we are in a leap year! Leap Day, February 29, is an extra day that comes around every four years to allow for the fact that the earth does not orbit the sun perfectly in 365 days. For fun facts, customs, and traditions tied to Leap Day, read here. Meanwhile, we at CYM have …
Students Accomplish “Year of Practice” Goal
| CYM Student Highlights
As many of us have been immersed in the February Challenge, a different achievement has come into focus. Students of Ms. Leah have reached the extraordinary goal of practice every day of the year. I’ll let that sink in. Practice every day for 365 days. How is this possible, and how did it go, you …
February is Practice Challenge Month
| This Month's Highlights
Did you know that three months of the year we have a Practice Challenge? What is it, how do we jump in, and when is the next one? Three months of the year are designated as Practice Challenge months: October, February and May. The goal for your child is to practice his or her instrument …
Ten Tips for Boosting Memory Security, Part One
| Blog Post
Playing music from memory is an excellent way to delve deeper into the understanding of a composition. It also frees the student to utilize their senses other than the visual, to truly hear the sound they are creating in order to maximize expression and mastery of technical acuity in the moment. All students should have …
The Music-Nature Connection and the Benefits for Your Child
| Blog Post
Have you noticed, recently, the increased awareness of the benefits of playing outdoors, or the rise of nature-based schools? For many of us, playing outdoors in childhood was a given. But in today’s society, making time for nature and the great outdoors must be planned and purposeful. Did you know, however, that studying music can …
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Which Pirates Pitcher is Hoping for a ‘Perfect Pitch’ at Heinz Hall?!
A pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates is switching out his jersey for something a bit more formal when he takes the stage with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra February 7th through the 9th at Heinz Hall. Left-Handed pitcher Steven Brault will be performing two songs with the PSO for their “Blockbuster Broadway!” show. The Bucco’s …
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Shady Side Academy Winter Musical
| Event Announcement
It’s no mystery – the winter musical at Shady Side Academy will be a treat for anyone who loves a good riddle! The Mystery of Edwin Drood was written by Charles Dickens. This is a true “whodunit” in that Charles Dickens passed away before finishing the story. So in this musical, the audience gets to …
Summer Camps and Events…Time to Begin Planning
| Summer Lessons and Camps
CYM will be hosting several camps and classes this summer, for all ages. Old favorites will be back, and you will want to keep an eye out for a few new offerings. Summer Choir, Discovery Camps, Musikgarten, Guitar and more! Stay tuned, because summer is the perfect time for building on your students’ regular lessons, …