NOVA School of Music

Don’t quit!

A big congratulations to all of our students that performed in the recitals today! We are incredibly proud 🤩 If you have a kind message or picture from the recital please share in the comments 🎼♥️

Welcome to our newest piano faculty Galina Biserova!

We are so excited to have Galina to join our piano faculty at NOVA School of Music! She brings an impressive resume trained in her home town of Bryansk, Russia. She is also trained in vocal studies, conducting and teaching methods. She has a passion for teaching, speaks beautiful English and is excited to join our efforts of bringing quality music instruction to our communities!

Who was Mahler?

Gustav Mahler (born July 7, 1860, Kaliště, Bohemia, Austrian Empire—died May 18, 1911, Vienna, Austria) was an Austrian Jewish composer and conductor, noted for his 10 symphonies and various songs with orchestra, which drew together many different strands of Romanticism (1825-1900.)

What’s the Right Age to Begin Music Lessons? | Parenting Tips & Advice Learn when to begin music lessons and how to support your child's musical education at any age.

What was Brahms most famous for?

Wiegenlied, better known today as Lullaby or Cradle Song, is without a doubt the best-known piece ever written by Brahms, having wound its way into popular culture everywhere.

More than 400 years ago, William Shakespeare said that “music can raze out the written troubles of the brain.”

Little Maestros

This interactive music game offers a wonderful way to introduce younger ones to the concept of reading or writing sheet music.

The only materials needed are a piece of paper and a pencil or pen.

To begin, assign symbols to represent sounds the children can produce using their bodies. For instance, you might choose a star for clapping, a circle for whistling, a boot for stomping, etc. These symbols should be simple to draw, like lines, circles, waves, and triangles.

Assign a minimum of four symbols to four different sounds. Next, demonstrate how to tap out a basic rhythm, like “We Will Rock You”—stomp, stomp, stomp, clap, with symbols square, square, square, circle.

Now have them create their own musical rhythm and let the kids perform them.

Beethoven began to lose his hearing at age 28. By age 44, his hearing loss was complete, most likely caused by compression of the eighth cranial nerve associated with Paget's disease of bone. Even though he was totally deaf he continued writing for another 12 years until his death at age 56.

“Music has healing power. It has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours.” Elton John, who says we should never be afraid of saying three simple words: “I need help.”

The idea of music having a use goes back centuries.

Who are the “Three B’s,” in music? Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms are often referred to as “The Three B's” in the Western Classical music tradition.

We are so thankful for the parents of our students that give so much time and effort in getting their children to their lessons and helping them prepare during the week. You often thank us for teaching your children, but we couldn’t succeed without you!!!

Interesting take for the string players 🎻

Opinion: The benefits and challenges of playing at the back of the section While the musicians at the front of an orchestral string section might be in the spotlight, every string player should experience the unique challenges of sitting towards the back, says violinist Alexandra Gorski

Musicians as prominent as Adele, Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen have spoken publicly about mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, and all can attest to the power of music to help with such problems.

Music Trivia Tuesday 🎼

They say that Mozart’s father, Leopold, would have been more famous if it weren’t for his son Amadeus. He was a composer and accomplished musician in his own right.

Sunday Funday with Music!

Prop Passing Game: Use scarves or pass balls, tissues, or small stuffed toys or figurines. Sit in a circle, put on some music or start singing a familiar song and pass an object around the circle on the beat. Start with the song’s “big beat” (macrobeat), then try to divide it into the “small beat” (microbeat) and pass twice as many times per song measure. Changing directions is a fun development!

Fun music fact on this Wellness Wednesday:

Because music is often an enjoyable activity, it can activate the release of endorphins, which creates a general feeling of well-being. Music therapy can successfully reduce post-operative pain, physical tension and influence heart and breathing rates.

Happy Practicing!

Time for some Tuesday Music Trivia!

Q: Who was the first winner of American Idol?

If you know the answer, comment below! :)

“Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart."

Pablo Casals

What is the difference between a modern & natural trumpet?

Besides the absence of valves, the biggest difference is the length: baroque trumpets are basically twice as long as modern trumpets. They often play in the same range but the baroque trumpet is much more difficult to play due to not having the valves to help change notes. It takes someone with skill and expertise to play a natural trumpet well!

Animal Dance
🦁🐼🐵🐰🐷
The animal kingdom is full of its own fancy trots. Challenge your youngster to dance like an animal. Ask them to name their favorites and join them in the fun!

“Do you know that your soul is composed of harmony?”

– Leonardo da Vinci

Happy Monday to all our students! 🎶

Interesting! Happy weekend everyone! 🎶

The catchiest song of all time, according to science There are many hits that are speculated to be the catchiest song of all time, but science says that the forerunner is Queen's hit 'We Will Rock You'.

Due to high demand our voice, piano and saxophone specialist, Andrew, has opened another afternoon of teaching availability. After contacting our waitlist we have just a few spots left. If you are considering music lessons, please contact us today to reserve a time on Andrew's schedule!

Andrew is an active singer and teacher in the northern Virginia and DC area. He has sung with Maryland Lyric Opera and the Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center. Andrew has taught K-12 general music, band, and chorus in Fairfax and Loudoun County public schools.

Under the direction of Grammy award-winning conductor Robert Shafer, Andrew sang with Shenandoah's Conservatory and Chamber Choirs in Rome, Venice, Florence, and Assisi, Italy and at the Strathmore Performing Arts Center in Maryland. He played saxophone in Shenandoah's wind ensemble, performing at the Virginia Music Education Association conference.

With his Master's degree in Voice Pedagogy and Bachelor's in Music Education, Andrew hopes to share his love for music with his students and educate them in the importance of being a well-rounded musician.