Thursday, 1/5: SPRING SEMESTER BEGINS
Remember that your lesson time will be on the same day and time as it was during the fall semester unless you have been notified of a change. Please contact Ms. Lynn directly with any scheduling questions.
Recuerde que la hora de su lección es la misma hora del semestre pasado a menos que se indique lo contrario por comunicación oficial. Contacte a Ms. Lynn directamente con preguntas de horario.
Monday, 12/5: Holiday Recital featuring Select Singers, Voices Chorus, and soloists
Tuesday, 12/6: Holiday Recital featuring StringSmiths and soloists
Wednesday, 12/7: Holiday Recital featuring bands and soloists
Saturday, 12/10-Thursday, 12/15: Performance Evaluations
VOTE UNTIL DECEMBER 9TH!
W.O. Smith has been nominated for the Yelp Foundation Gives Local grant contest and we need votes from our community to win up to a $5,000 grant!
Voting is open until December 9th. You can vote once a day with a valid email address. PLEASE SUPPORT W.O. SMITH!
http://www.yfgiveslocal.org/yelp-foundation-gives-local-vo…/
The Phoenix Club of Nashville's annual Holiday Card Fundraiser is in full swing to help raise money for youth in Middle Tennessee (including W.O. Smith). The Phoenix Club will raise almost $80,000 this year selling cards to help kids. Order your holiday cards online and spread the holiday cheer!
The holiday cards are high quality and are the same price you will pay online. The printing service can also assist if need be with design and paper. While you can choose from multiple non-profits at check-out, be sure to select W.O. Smith so proceeds can go back to the school! Check out the cards here: http://tinyurl.com/pcon2016
Lessons and Classes will resume on Thursday, January 5, 2017. Unless you are notified of a change before January, ALL LESSONS AND CLASSES WILL CONTINUE ON THE SAME DAY AND TIME as during the fall semester.
Tuesday, 11/22-Sunday, 11/27: THANKSGIVING BREAK, W.O. Smith closed
Have a safe and happy break!
Monday, 12/5: Holiday Recital featuring Select Singers, Voices Chorus, and soloists
Tuesday, 12/6: Holiday Recital featuring StringSmiths and soloists
Wednesday, 12/7: Holiday Recital featuring bands and soloists
Saturday, 12/10-Thursday, 12/15: Performance Evaluations
Voting opens on November 29th!
W.O. Smith has been nominated for the Yelp Foundation Gives Local grant contest and we need votes from our community to win up to a $5,000 grant!
Mark your calendars, because voting opens on Tuesday, November 29th and will close on Friday, December 9th. You can vote once a day with a valid email address.
http://www.yfgiveslocal.org/yelp-foundation-gives-local-vo…/
If you signed up for Nutcracker tickets from the Nashville Ballet and can no longer make the performance, tickets must be returned to the school by Wednesday, November 30th. All tickets taken must be used, otherwise the school will not receive as many tickets in the future.
Monday, 10/31: NO SELECT SINGERS REHEARSAL
Wednesday, 11/2: W.O. Smith Faculty Orchestra Concert, 7pm
Join the W.O. Smith Faculty Orchestra (WOSFO) for its folksy first concert of the year! The program features two orchestral standards from Béla Bartók and Joseph Haydn, as well as a new piece for string orchestra by local Nashville composer Benjamin Chakoian Jones.
All WOSFO concerts are presented free of charge. A light reception will follow the performance.
Concert poster artwork by Megan Kelley at Studio Omnivorous.
Don't forget that W.O. Smith is a PokéStop, and trainers get extra candy in honor of Halloween!
Some spooky Pokémon have been hanging out around the school, so be sure to catch 'em while you can!
Please remember that we are still working diligently to place students with volunteer teaching artists. If you have not yet received a phone call with a placement offering for your student, don't worry! We will be in touch as soon as a placement is made.
Por favor, recuerde que estamos trabajando muy duros para emparejar los estudiantes con nuestros voluntarios. Si usted todavía no recibió una llamada de oferta, ¡no se preocupe! Estaremos en contacto tan pronto como haya una pareja para su estudiante.
W.O. Smith is excited to announce that it will be a beneficiary of multi-Grammy-winning artist and The New York Times best-selling author Kelly Clarkson's Miracle on Broadway holiday concert!
Clarkson with Voices Chorus
Clarkson recently visited W.O. Smith to meet with and speak to students about the power of studying music and how participating in choir as a child changed her life. Clarkson and members of her band also sat in with members of W.O. Smith's house band, Grand Theft Audio, during their rehearsal.
For more information about the concert, please click here.
Here's what's up this week:
Thursday, 10/27: Halloween Recital (with trick-or-treating), 6:45pm
Participants are encouraged to dress up in Halloween costumes.
Trick-or-treating is open to all W.O. Smith students and family members.
Looking ahead to next week:
Wednesday, 11/2: W.O. Smith Faculty Orchestra Concert, 7pm
Join us for the W.O. Smith Faculty Orchestra's first performance of the year! This concert is presented free of charge and a small reception will follow.
Concert poster artwork by Megan Kelley at Studio Omnivorous.
Please remember that we are still working diligently to place students with volunteer teaching artists. If you have not yet received a phone call with a placement offering for your student, don't worry! We will be in touch as soon as a placement is made.
Por favor, recuerde que estamos trabajando muy duros para emparejar los estudiantes con nuestros voluntarios. Si usted todavía no recibió una llamada de oferta, ¡no se preocupe! Estaremos en contacto tan pronto como haya una pareja para su estudiante.
On October 12th, Grammy® Award-Nominated Recording Artist Jonathan Butler visited the Jazz Band during their rehearsal! He shared stories from his life and career as a musician, and spoke about improvisation with students. Butler sat in with the band as they played, and then performed a solo rendition of "It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)." All students received an autographed copy of Butler's latest album, Free.
Kelvin and Jonathan
Jonathan and his team also presented W.O. Smith student Kelvin Encalada with a brand new guitar from D'Angelico Guitars. In an effort to promote music education, Butler and D'Angelico Guitars have teamed up to provide custom-made guitars to musicians across the country.
Thank you Jonathan, D'Angelico Guitars, and TKO Artist Management for your support of our students!
Thanks for visiting!
Here's what's up this week:
Tuesday, 10/18: Rod McGaha Concert, 8pm (free admission)
Wednesday, 10/19: W.O. Smith Chipotle Fundraiser, 5-9pm at 21st Ave S location
Sunday, 10/23: Faculty Sight Reading Session* (Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 1), 5pm
*please RSVP to Chrysa by Friday, 10/21 if you plan to participate
Don't cook dinner on Wednesday, October 19th! If you visit the 21st Avenue South Chipotle between the hours of 5:00-9:00pm and show this flyer or mention W.O. Smith, the school will receive 50% of the proceeds!
This flyer is also available on all of our social media accounts:
Be sure to follow us and share the word with your friends and family! Philanthropy was never so tasty.
Please remember that we are still working diligently to place students with volunteer teaching artists. If you have not yet received a phone call with a placement offering for your student, don't worry! We will be in touch as soon as a placement is made.
Por favor, recuerde que estamos trabajando muy duros para emparejar los estudiantes con nuestros voluntarios. Si usted todavía no recibió una llamada de oferta, ¡no se preocupe! Estaremos en contacto tan pronto como haya una pareja para su estudiante.
Rod McGaha continues his W.O. Smith residency with another performance this Tuesday, October 18th at 8pm. Join us for a great night of jazz! This concert is free and open to the public.
Bio from www.rodmcgaha.com
Rod McGaha is exactly what working musicians strive to be, a potent combination of virtuosity and unfettered artistic passion. But who are we to say so? Fair question. It has been said by more than a few that the good musicians know who are the good musicians; therefore -
Max Roach (jazz legend): “(Rod is) An important new and original voice.”
Clark Terry (jazz legend): “When I first heard Trees (Rod), I got that same feeling I got when I first heard Wynton . Some musicians just have that thing!”
Jeff Coffin(Dave Matthews Band): “Rod McGaha is a one of a kind musician and has his own identity on the trumpet – an instrument that millions of people play- and that's saying something.”
Kirk Whalum (Grammy award winner): “Rod McGaha doesn't think he has the luxury of ever releasing music he doesn't feel deeply. I for one am glad that he connects us to his heart each time he connects to his mouthpiece.”
Victor Wooten (Grammy award winning bassist) “ Rod is a special talent. Whether playing trumpet, writing, or arranging, he speaks with a voice that is uniquely his own. That is why I use him on my projects.”
Whether you first heard him as the opening act for Take 6 or as one of the featured jazz soloists with Max Roach's critically-acclaimed group, or maybe even as a featured soloist playing in front of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, one of your first thoughts had to be, “This guy makes playing great look really easy.” That's because Rod has lived a musical life that was founded on consistent, hard work behind the scenes and passionate fun and pleasure on the stage. “If I didn't love playing so much, I would have quit - years ago.”
A native born Chicagoan, Rod McGaha first showed up on Chicago's jazz scene as a young prodigy, during an era when young lions were making more than just a little roar. He constantly comments on how receiving the acceptance and guidance of legendary tenor saxophonist, Von Freeman was very important to him. “When I teach in clinics, I remember how eager I was to get better and how important it was for me to be called one of Von's “horses”. When I teach kids today, I recognize that look in their eyes. I'm just as happy for them, as I was for me. I understand their excitement and their fear.”
Rod is quick to admit that he was blessed to to have garnered the attention of legends like Von Freeman and Clark Terry at a young age, but it is probably most telling that although he received an invite from none other than Wynton Marsalis himself, to come to New York to audition for a spot as one of the newest young lions in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, he felt that life was calling him in a different direction, to be a different kind of lion.
By the time he was 22, Rod was busy trying to find “a way” to musically express his spiritual beliefs, while utilizing his knowledge and skills in African American modern improvisation (or as it is better known as, Jazz). And, apparently that “way” is an endlessly long way. Rod has played concerts in Egypt, Japan, Germany, South Africa, Poland and Mexico. He has played in bands for Kenny Rogers, Bebe and CeCe Winans and was even the music the director for the now alternative rock sensation Shelby Lynne. One could just list the stages on which he's played (Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Chicago's legendary Jazz Showcase, to name just a few) and come to the conclusion that his has been a complete musical life. But Rod says the music is the only thing that really matters. “If I can make someone feel something through my music, then I know I'm doing it right. I want people to feel the way I felt listening to Clark Terry. I remember, I was listening to a recording of Clark Terry and it gave me great joy. He made me happy just with his music alone. That's the power of music!”
And, it is Rod's power in music that led the New York Times to proclaim that his album Preacherman was one of the top ten albums deserving greater recognition. Not one to ever rest on past achievements, Rod McGaha has continued to write and perform music that is both contemporary, and yet classic in some nature. Traveling the world and playing with such a diverse group of musical talents spurred him to create the well received United For Peace Orchestra, a 22 member juggernaut of a band, amalgamating over 7 different nationalities. “Being on stage with that band was like being on stage with an encyclopedia Britannica. There was knowledge and culture coming in from all different directions and the audience was just as inspired by it as we were.” But complexity for complexity sake is not Rod's approach. Often, you'll see him onstage using nothing but a plunger and his trumpet, while playing a raw a capella blues. His musical philosophy is one reminiscent of the familiar Nikki Giovanni line, “... people try to speak English instead of trying to speak through it.” Rod's primary goal is to speak through music in a way that brings joy to his audiences. And, as for all the rest? “All the rest is gravy, doc!” All the rest is gravy.
Here's what's up this week:
Monday, 10/10: W.O. Smith CLOSED
Tuesday, 10/11: W.O. Smith OPEN, Music Play #2 begins, Halloween Recital signup available
Wednesday, 10/12: Guitarist Jonathan Butler visits Jazz Band
Don't cook dinner on Wednesday, October 19th! If you visit the 21st Avenue South Chipotle between the hours of 5:00-9:00pm and show this flyer or mention W.O. Smith, the school will receive 50% of the proceeds!
This flyer is also available on all of our social media accounts:
Be sure to follow us and share the word with your friends and family! Philanthropy was never so tasty.
Please remember that we are still working diligently to place students with volunteer teaching artists. If you have not yet received a phone call with a placement offering for your student, don't worry! We will be in touch as soon as a placement is made.
Por favor, recuerde que estamos trabajando muy duros para emparejar los estudiantes con nuestros voluntarios. Si usted todavía no recibió una llamada de oferta, ¡no se preocupe! Estaremos en contacto tan pronto como haya una pareja para su estudiante.
