Fall Quarter September 3 - December 2, 2007

Music Arts Student Tours Europe

Evangeline Wright in Paris

Evangeline Wright (vocal student of Lisa Griggs) recently returned from a People to People trip to Italy, France, Austria, and Switzerland. She attended a performance of an Italian opera, toured many famous cathedrals, and visited landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Colosseum, and the Vatican. She even rode in a Gondola! Way to go, Evangeline!

People to People International was founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956. The purpose of the program is to enhance international understanding and friendship through educational, cultural and humanitarian activities involving the exchange of ideas and experiences directly among peoples of different countries and diverse cultures.

Mystery Musician

Want to win a brand-new Music Arts t-shirt? A new feature of our newsletter is the “Mystery Musician” contest! Be the first to figure out who we’re profiling (clues are available on our website and via internet research). If you think you know who our mystery person is, e-mail us at njengland@comcast.net for your chance to WIN!

This quarter’s Mystery Musician is a former Music Arts student and an Oak Ridge resident. He studied under instructor Bill Thiessen, and now holds a masters degree and doctorate in Tuba Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  He is currently the Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, KY, and is scheduled to perform as a soloist with the Oak Ridge Community Band on September 3rd at 7:00 p.m. in the A K. Bissell Park. 

Don’t miss what promises to be a great performance!

Have you missed quite a few lessons lately?

We can't tell, until the end of the quarter, how many more lessons might be missed, or how many additional (or makeup) lessons might be given, so adjusting the bill during the quarter is not wise. If you've overpaid, you'll get full credit for it (unless you've missed a lesson without giving sufficient notice to your instructor). 

 If it's obvious that the number of lessons billed is totally out of the ballpark, please call our office. Ignoring the bill could cost you late charges. A large discrepancy, such as missing an entire month of lessons, can often be 'solved' by putting your account on hold until the end of the quarter, when credits are given.

Keith Terry with Nancy England

Remember that students who pay their bills by the due date of the 5th of the month throughout the year will get a 10% discount on their continuing Summer Quarter lessons!

New Guitar Instructor Joins Music Arts Faculty!

Music Arts welcomes our newest instructor, Keith Terry! We will publish a feature story on Keith in our next issue of the newsletter.

Donate to the Scholarship Fund!

Please consider adding a few dollars to your next payment to help support our scholarship fund. We have a growing number of kids needing some assistance paying for lessons, and every dollar helps! This is a Good Deed that can make an impact, and it helps our local economy, too! 

-- Nancy England, director

Thanks to these participants of the Stuffing Party!

Music Arts Fund Drive Ongoing…it’s not too late to contribute!

A Stuffing Party for the annual fund drive mailing was held at the Alliance Church on July 29th. Board members, instructors, and their guests stuffed over 2,000 envelopes and saved Music Arts a bundle in bulk mail fees. 

Many thanks for your help, stuffers – and readers, if you can contribute the annual fund drive goes to a great cause – scholarships for needy students! If you would like to give, your contribution is tax-deductible. Please contact the Music Arts office for further details!

For Sale: Pianos and Trumpet

There are currently three pianos and one professional level trumpet for sale in the area. If interested, please contact the Music Arts office at 865-482-5614 for further details.

Flute Instructor Attends the 2007 National Flute Association Convention

Beth and Dana at the flute convention

Music Arts flute instructor Beth Sampsel recently attended the 35th annual National Flute Association convention, held August 9-12 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She attended many educational and informative workshops, masterclasses and performances by world-renowned flutists such as Gaspar Hoyos, Bonita Boyd, Peter Lloyd, Walfrid Kujala, Robert Dick, Gary Schocker and Paula Robison. 

The photo at left shows Beth (pointing) and friend Dana Chandler (Chattanooga area flute instructor) practicing a new teaching technique during a masterclass. At least, we think it’s a teaching technique…?