Duet & Ensemble Practice Recordings

Do you ever get tired of practicing your duet arrangement alone, without your partner to rehearse with?  I am so happy to offer some audio recordings which include all parts of some of our favorite duets and ensembles for my students and others to rehearse with.  It will not be the same as working directly with your duet partner, but will help keep you motivated to practice, being able to hear what all parts sound like together.

Please click here, or go to the duet and ensemble page of this blog to see the list of available duets and ensembles.

Just a note on the audio recordings, they are not professional, and do not include some of the details such as ritards or fermata's (I am an amateur in recording and layering of tracks, etc, but have given my best effort in making this available).  These have been recorded in my piano studio for the use of my students and others to get the feel of practicing with a partner, away from a partner.  Please be patient with the flaws.

I would love for you to leave kind comments, especially my own students, so that I am aware that you are using these tools.

Thanks.

Marilyn

2013-2014 Update

Wow, every summer seems to go more quickly than the past.  It is hard to believe that school will be starting in 2 weeks.  Hope you have all enjoyed your summer; that you are rested up and ready to hit this new school year running.

I am excited to be able to once again get on a more consistent schedule.  And so happy to be able to work with each of your students.  I am looking forward to a fun and exciting year.

Once again, we will be focusing on Ensembles and Duets in the Fall, with the Fall recital scheduled to be on October 23rd.  I am excited for our plans for a Christmas recital to be held at the Eccles Arts Festival again this year.  What a beautiful spot to host a holiday recital.

Winter time, we will be focusing on our Classical and Contemporary Solo pieces.  Some of the students will be participating in the Federation Solo Festival and Achievement in Music during late winter & spring.  Please let me know if you would like your student to participate in either of these events so that we can get them registered.

We will also enjoy a late winter recital at my home, and then a spring recital to finish things up in May.

I am so excited to see the fun things that your students will accomplish this next school year.  Please contact me if you have any questions or suggestions. 

I certainly appreciate each student and the support they get from their family.

I wish you well.

Marilyn

Wow! I can't believe that this summer is already gone.  They seem to go by faster and faster each year.

Fall time is really such a refreshing time.  I hate to admit, even tho I love the summer fun.  It always feels good to get back into a schedule, get organized again, and accomplish some good things again.

I am so grateful to have this week to prepare for our upcoming piano year.  It takes many hours in selecting music, incorporating new programs, cleaning up, filing away.  It is an intense week for me.  But I love it, and hope I can have everything set up for a great new year.

Please take note of the dates for special events this year, in the column to the right.  There is one change already from the previous calendar that I emailed.  That is the fall recital will be on October 22nd, rather than the 15th.  We will also have group classes October 15,16,17th right before the UEA, fall break.  I usually try to keep as many students on their regular lessons times, to avoid conflict.  Looks like the Thursday students will be moved this week to join up with others for a small group class, so we can be off for UEA.

It has always been my goal to post some fun pictures here on this blog.  Please email photos if you have them from recitals, etc.  It would be fun to have them here.

Thank you so much for your cooperation and support in having a great piano year.  Please contact me if you have any questions or suggestions.

Thanks. 
                           Marilyn 

Fall 2011

It is time once again to start thinking about school and fall piano instruction. I hope you have all had a wonderful summer break.

Please take a look at our piano calendar for 2011-2012 school year and summer. Please know that these dates are projected and may possibly change. I plan my teaching year into 3 school semesters, each with 12 lessons, group activities/recitals in each semester, and 1 summer semester. During summer semester, I will try to offer 8 lessons/workshops, and also a make-up day for missed lessons. This allows the students to take a little break, but will keep them going through the summer. During the school year, the tuition for regular 30 min. lessons/30 min lab will be $55 each month which includes $5 which will go into the students music account (the cost for 45min lesson/30min lab will be $80) . For summer lessons, parents usually pay for summer as a package.

We will be having recitals in the fall and spring. This year at Christmas time, we will try to have the students perform at Christmas Tree Jubilee. We will see how we like this—it may become a tradition. We will be working with ensembles in the fall, and some students will be participating in Federation and AIM in the spring.

In years past, I have had several families making tuition payments through an auto payment plan. This has been a wonderful tool, however a little difficult to make changes to. So, last spring, I canceled all these transactions, so that you as the payer could set these automatic transactions up on your end. You will have online access to these payments, which will be much better.

So, I would encourage each of you to go to your bill pay in your online banking and set up an automatic payment for piano lessons. These payments can be mailed to me, or transferred directly to my banking account. It is super slick, and easy. If you do not already pay your bills online, this will be a great tool for you to learn and use. I love, love, love it! Please see the notices sent to you for banking information.

We will begin fall lessons on August 22nd for Monday students only. All other students will begin the following week. Monday students will begin one week early, due to having Labor Day off.

I am excited for an exciting new year ahead.

Thank you for your support and cooperation in providing a successful experience for each student.

Marilyn Hilton

Fall 2010 Lessons underway

Well, it looks like school has started and we are all set for regular fall piano. Thank you to all for your patience as we have juggled the schedule a bit to try to accommodate all the changes created by everyone's new agenda's.

I look forward to a great year with your students.

Thanks to all for submitting your banking paperwork, or contacting me with your financial plans. I am so thrilled at the prospects of simplifying this financial procedure.

Thank you once again for your cooperation and support as we move into the new school year.

Federation Solo Festival - March 6, 2010 at the Piano Gallery

These are the scheduled student times. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early. Dress in Sunday dress. Bring Music paper clipped with measures number in red. Make sure to get a good night sleep the night before. Eat healthy, and try to avoid added stress. And don't forget your darling smiles. And remember this is just for fun!

Bedke Family 4:30 pm

McKenzie Benson 2:30 pm

Jaden Bybee 8:30 am

Megan Ferney 3:00 pm

Hardy Family 2:30 pm

Katie & Emily Hull 3:00 pm

Charity Parkinson 9:30 am

Andrea Porter 3:00 pm

Alyssa Scherer 4:00 pm

Tina Schwenke 4:00 pm

Recital Schedule : March 4, 2010 at Hilton's Home

4:30 PM
Ferney, Matthew
Ferney, Megan
McDonald, Jesse
McDonald, Toby
Pace, Sydney
Parkinson, Charity
Parkinson, Nate
Patrick, Ryan
Patrick, Tyler
Taylor, Maddie
Ward, William
Peterson, Trevor

5:30 PM
Benson, McKenzie
Benson, Nicholaus
Garner, Lizzy
Hardy, Brigham
Hardy, Noah
Hardy, Tacy
Henderson, Joy
Henderson, Luke
Hull, Emily
Hull, Katie
Parsons, Lacey
Scherer, Alyssa
Scherer, Garrett
Stolrow, Christa


6:30 PM
Bedke, Amber
Bedke, Brooke
Bedke, Courtney
Bedke, Jace
Lund, Kiersten
Moa, Sione
Peterson, Trevor
Porter, Andrea
Schwenke, Tina
Harrison, Kristen
Harrison, Jessica

7:30 PM
Blackman, Chance
Blackman, Spencer
Bybee, Jaden
Call, Hannah
Call, McKenzie
Daines, Matthew
Daines, Skyler
Daines, Spencer
Shaw, Jesse
Williamson, Jake