Gingrich Piano Studio

My new microphone setup is not as minimalist as I'd like, but it should serve my students better!

I'm super pleased to have my old piano bench back! This bench came with my piano when I bought it in 2006. It served me and my students well for years, and the frame and height adjustment mechanism is still great, but gradually it popped buttons and then the upholstery cracked. I bought several replacements, but both were clearly inferior and I hate using them (though one cost much more).

Recently a new adult piano student mentioned that he does custom upholstery work for vehicles. I suggested maybe he could repair my bench, and he gladly agreed. Now, in exchange for a month of lessons, I have a great bench again. He used a high quality vinyl cover, and for padding a combination of 1" high density foam and a half inch soft cushion on top. It's super comfortable and there are no buttons to come loose. Yay!

65 consecutive days of viola practice, averaging 20 minutes day. It was enough to finish preparing me for the string orchestra concert last night, but all my daughters have me beat both in consecutive days of practice and in minutes per day.

I'll post a couple videos from the concert in the comments--one of oldest daughter playing cello and one of middle daughter playing her first-ever violin solo in a concert. Enjoy.

For our local friends (or anyone who wants to travel!)

You are invited to the annual spring piano recital of Gingrich Piano Studio.
Saturday evening, March 23, 6 pm, at
Allen Temple AME Church reception hall (1625 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30314). All are welcome to come and celebrate the music education happening right here in our local community.

Homemade cookies will be served after the recital.

Photo is of Mr. Gingrich playing a duet with a student at a previous year's recital.

[Adapted from a post by my wife.]

In other news, I'd like to announce my forthcoming Concerto for Toyota and Orchestra.

I'm only teaching 15 piano students today. (Besides giving a little feedback to one of my daughters as she practiced.) Should I consider that a full day?

Every now and then I get the urge to arrange or compose music. Today I indulge that urge twice.

First, I composed a couple short bridges that will connect two jazzy pieces my youngest daughter plans to play as a medley at our piano recital next month. It was fun melding chords and rhythms from the two pieces into new music that ties the two together. Hopefully I can share a video of that music after the recital.

Then I took a short piece by Robert Schumann, one my middle daughter plans to play at the recital, and composed a new variation on the same tune. Fun! Perhaps I can share a digital playback of that score tomorrow. Meanwhile, here's the Schumann melody that inspired my variation:

Schumann, Album for the Young, Melody, Op 68 Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856), Album for the Young, Op 68, MelodySheet music (affiliate link): http://amzn.to/2D78RYKAlbum für die Jugend, MelodieMembership:...

So sad! I've only visited this shop once or twice, since it's on the other side of town, but I'm sad to hear it's closing.

A small sheet music shop in Decatur closes; it’s a sign of the times A small sheet music shop in Decatur closes; it’s a sign of the times