Recitals/Performances

    Every year, we have 3 main events that all students are encouraged to participate in:

            Winter Studio Recital              students only @ home studio              December                                   

            National Guild Auditions          students play for judge                       May/June

                                                              comments, score, certificate/pin 

            Spring Recital                          students play for all in large venue    June

    Other optional events may include other informal recitals, festivals, or competitions that Mrs. Owens may recommend for certain individuals.  For example, we’ve held theme parties such as “Movie Night” or “Fiesta” where the students prepare pieces within a designated style and get together to play them for each other.

The National Guild of Piano Teachers

    The primary function of the NGPT is to establish definite goals and awards for piano students of all levels and grades — goals for the earliest beginner as well as the artistic adult; goals for the slow pupil as well as the gifted prodigy.  These goals attempt to prevent aimless drifting and give music study some definite direction and provide a measurement for progress.

    All piano students have an annual opportunity to attain these goals through non-competitive adjudication in the Annual National Piano Playing Auditions.  Auditions are private (student and judge only) with well-qualified musicians serving as judges.  Students are judged on individual merit in the areas of accuracy, continuity, phrasing, pedaling, dynamics, rhythm, tempo, tone, interpretation, style, and technique.   

    Mrs. Owens likes her students to participate in this program because it gives them another opportunity to perform for an audience, great feedback from another expert to help them improve, and a nationally-acclaimed accomplishment that they will feel proud of.  The students have to memorize their pieces as well as perform the scale and cadence in the key of each piece.  They can play from 3-10 pieces at their own level and can also perform “Musicianship Phases”, which include requirements in scales, chords, arpeggios, sight-reading, transposition, etc. The National Guild also provides other opportunities and awards, such as the special diplomas, Bach & sonata plaques, and even a composition competition.