Minnesota School Of Music - February 2019

Minnesota School Of Music - February 2019

02. 2019 (763) 432-9713 www.mnschoolofmusic.com

AN ODE TO AN INCREDIBLE WOMAN THE FORGOTTEN FLORIST THE MONTHLY MUSICIAN

G iven that this is a Valentine’s Day edition, I am, of course, going to talk about my lovely wife, Erin. At first, I was tempted to just tell a lighthearted story from one of our dates. There was a particular Valentine’s Day when I got a little too caught up in my graduate studies, and the only place open by the time the two of us got out to eat was our local Arby’s. The two of us had a good laugh over our less-than-romantic roast beef. However, I want to use this time to tell a more meaningful story. After all, these articles have largely been about the people who have helped me make MnSoM the school it is today. No one deserves more recognition for this than Erin. You see, after Erin and I graduated high school, she got into interior design. In particular, she had a knack for working with flowers — not a surprise, given her mother and grandmother were both avid gardeners who shared a passion for flowers. After doing a little research, we discovered Hennepin Technical College was offering courses in floral design. A few years later, she graduated with her associate’s degree and began her budding career.

beyond her day job, however. Erin also competed in and won awards at several major design competitions, including the State Fair. With creativity and incredible discipline, my wife had reached the very top rungs of the Minnesota florist scene. Then we started a family, and a music school shortly after that. Not only was Erin raising our kids, she was often right there beside me getting MnSoM off the ground — putting up fliers, fielding phone calls, and putting together a space for our very first students. She worked for three years without a paycheck because she believed in me and what this school could become. In doing so, she put aside her own passion. Words cannot do this sacrifice justice. To walk away from an art you’ve invested years into and thrived in takes a kind of strength few can comprehend. Erin is nothing if not resilient and dedicated, but giving up so much would wilt anyone’s spirit. That’s why I’m determined to make sure this is a detour from her floristry, not a dead end. We’ve talked about opening a flower shop once our youngest daughter is old enough to start school. There’s even a space a few doors down from the music school that I think would make the perfect spot for a local boutique. And yes, when the time comes, I’ll be Erin’s first employee. There’s nothing I want more than to see her dream bloom. Erin, we’ve been together most of our lives, yet you never cease to amaze me. Your grace, patience, and generosity are inspiring. Thank you for being an incredible mother, a loving wife, and my dearest friend. Here’s to all the wonderful things we’ve grown and will grow together. “With creativity and incredible discipline, my wife had reached the very top rungs of the Minnesota florist scene.”

It quickly became clear Erin wasn’t just skilled; she was

talented. After working in several flower shops around the Twin Cities, she landed a major position at Bachman’s. Her passion for floral design extended

Happy Valentine’s Day,

–Eric Nehring

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Family game night is a time when a family can forget about all of life’s commitments and bond over a good old-fashioned board game. But the old, tattered Monopoly box or worn-out UNO cards can leave something to be desired, and the classics might be getting a little dull. FAMILY GAME NIGHT BREAK THE MONOTONY OF OVERPLAYED BOARD GAMES!

wins when the opposing player’s king piece is illuminated. CATAN Welcome to the island of Catan! After a long voyage at sea, the people in your expedition compete against other seafarers in building settlements. Enjoy the 45–90-minute game as you and your family build roads, barter resources, and race for absolute supremacy on Catan. ONE NIGHT WEREWOLF Every night, werewolves prowl around the village, and it’s up to the villagers to find the werewolf once the sun rises — before it’s too late. Each person plays a unique role with different abilities to help find or conceal the werewolf. If the werewolf is caught, the villagers win the game, but if the werewolf manages to escape, the villagers lose. Now you can bring some exciting variety into your family game nights. Don’t miss out on these excellent tabletop games, and most importantly, have fun!

If you’re tired of playing the same board games over and over, it might be time to start looking for ways to change things up. Here are four tabletop games you might not have heard of that are perfect for spicing up family game night. MYSTERIUM Your family will love delving into this cooperative murder mystery game that is a mixture of Clue and Dixit. You can play as the ghost or as one of the mediums who enters the haunting. The ghost player gives each medium a clue or vision about a potential murderer, and the mediums have to guess which person, room, or weapon was used to murder the ghost player. After each

turn, the ghost reveals whether each of the mediums’ guesses are right or not. If all of the mediums succeed in guessing correctly by the seventh in-game hour, they work together to find the true murderer. LASER CHESS A classic game of chess is a great way to spend an evening, and it just got a little more interesting. Laser chess includes all the problem-solving skills a typical chess game offers but with a twist. At the end of each turn, a player fires a small laser beam that bounces off the mirrored chess pieces. If it hits the non-mirrored surface of a piece, that piece is taken by the player. A player

STUDENTS ENTER MAJOR COMPETITION REACHING FOR THE STARS

Lucy Hadsall

We are thrilled to announce that, at the beginning of this month, three MnSoM students represented our school in the Minnesota Music Teachers Association (MMTA) Twin Cities Preliminary Piano Competition! This is the first time we’ve had students compete in such a prestigious event, and we could not be more proud of our young performers. This is a huge step in their development as musicians and a major milestone for our growing school.

Here’s a look at our stars:

• Lucy Hadsall competed in intermediate division B

Caleb Nehring

• Caleb Nehring competed in the primary division

• Maxine Pagaduan competed in intermediate A

At the time of writing, the judges’ results are not yet available, but these performers are already winners in our book! For those who don’t know, the MMTA was founded in 1901 as the state’s premier professional nonprofit educational organization and is affiliated with the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). Through standardized testing, curriculums, and competitions, the MMTA works to foster musicians at all levels of development. We look forward to furthering our ties with this distinguished organization.

Maxine Pagaduan

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It takes 10,000 hours to master a skill. This means years of practice, making mistakes, and learning to go from a beginner sitting down at a piano for the first time to a master musician. Overcoming hurdles in order to become a master can be incredibly difficult. Few kids have that level of discipline right away. Even if they love playing music, it can be easy for children to become distracted or get frustrated with practice. This is why parents have such a huge responsibility in their child’s music practice. Here’s how parents can foster a passion and dedication for music in their young musician. MAKE MUSIC A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE As a parent of a young musician, it can be exhausting to feel like you always have to be on top of your child to get them to practice and commit to music. But even when you face these challenges, it’s crucial that music remain a positive experience. Offer applause when your child plays well and support when they struggle. Learning music happens in stages. There will be ups and downs, but parents can do a lot to help their child understand the importance of consistent practice and keep their love of music alive. CREATE A MUSICAL CULTURE AT HOME Encouraging a passion for music doesn’t just mean making sure your child is practicing at home; turn your home into a place that’s passionate about music. Listen to music you both like on the radio, watch music videos online, attend live concerts, talk about the music you hear in movies or TV shows, or pull out old CDs and introduce your child to the music you loved when you were their age. When music becomes part of the home life, practicing and playing music becomes a way for your child to contribute to their home. A FAMILY AFFAIR HOW PARENTS HELP THEIR CHILDREN LOVE MUSIC

WELCOME NEW STUDENTS

DECEMBER

Tabitha K.

Jonathan C.

Samantha R.

Carter A.

Oscar B.

Alex M.

Clara B.

Tony M.

Savannah K.

Niko M.

Avery F.

Delaney F.

Matthew B.

Grady K.

Landon O.

IS YOUR TEACHER If you’ve tried to make a schedule change recently, you’ve seen firsthand how full our teachers’ schedules are. If you are looking to make an upcoming schedule change, please read below to see if your teacher is sold out. Note: Teacher availability is subject to change based on enrollment. Please contact the front desk at (763) 432-9713 for up-to-date schedule information. SOLD OUT?

Mr. Barrett - SOLD OUT

Mrs. O’Neill - SOLD OUT

SIT IN ON A PRACTICE At MnSoM, sitting in on lessons isn’t just allowed — it’s

Mrs. Gagnon - SOLD OUT

Miss Pliam - SOLD OUT

encouraged! Other music schools may ban parents from the classrooms, but we recognize how important it is for students to see their family taking an interest in their skills. Let your child know you’re not checking in on them, but that you’re curious about the process and want to learn more about music yourself.

Mrs. Hansen - SOLD OUT

Miss Schwefel - SOLD OUT

Mr. Nehring - SOLD OUT

Miss Taft - SOLD OUT

Mr. Nistler - SOLD OUT

Miss Wolff - SOLD OUT

We invite you to sit in on your child’s next lesson!

Mr. Norell - SOLD OUT

(763) 432-9713 • 3

3533 88th Ave. NE, Blaine, MN 55014 (763) 432-9713 www.mnschoolofmusic.com

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

The Forgotten Florist Bring Variety to Family Game Night Congratulations, Piano Competition Competitors!

Welcome New Students Great Musicians Start at Home

3 Cheers for Chi Chi!

A QUADRUPLE AMPUTEEWHO INSPIRES THEWORLD CHI CHI THE RESCUE DOG

In our darkest moments, it can be hard to believe joy can be found again. But one amazing dog proves that no matter what

on the challenge. There were struggles as Chi Chi learned to trust people again, but with time, Chi Chi found peace and joy with her new family. “She exemplifies resilience and forgiveness and willingly shares her love and compassion in abundance,” Howell has said. “Her sweet-tempered and gentle spirit opens people’s hearts and her perceptive spirit senses where her love is needed.” Chi Chi’s vet has called her a “miracle dog,” referring both to the fact that she survived losing all her legs and to the joy she brings to the world. Today, Chi Chi is a registered therapy dog, offering strength, love, and support to those who need it most. She visits VA hospitals, assisted living facilities, and children with disabilities. To celebrate her journey of survival, courage, and love, Chi Chi was honored with the American Humane Hero Dog Award in 2018. You can follow the adventures of this brave, loving canine at Facebook.com/ChiChiRescueDog.

happens, through love and patience, we can make the world a better place.

Chi Chi is a golden retriever who was found in a dumpster by an animal rescue group in South Korea. Badly injured and left in a garbage bag with her legs bound together, the only way to save Chi Chi’s life was to amputate all four of her legs. As she recovered, the call went out to find a family who could care for a dog with serious medical needs. As a quadruple amputee, just getting Chi Chi’s prosthetics on so she could go outside in the morning would be time-consuming. Fortunately, Elizabeth Howell from Arizona saw a video about Chi Chi’s plight online. “She stole my heart,” Howell said, taken by how Chi Chi was still wagging her tail despite her injuries. After seeing Chi Chi’s perseverance and her will to live, Elizabeth and her family took

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