Dear Students,
Congratulations for your work and progress this year. Through your flute lessons, you are developing many skills in addition to learning to play the flute: you are learning perseverance, dedication, and how to set goals and reach them, as well as how to become fine musicians. I hope you will always remember to share your music with others, so they too can feel happiness when they listen to you play.
We are lucky to live at a time when technology allows us to share our thoughts with other people all over the world… here I am writing to you from London, Ontario, as an example! I would like to share with you some performances that have really inspired me this year. If you have a moment, please look up Geoffrey Gallante, Heeah Lee, Susan Boyle, and the PS22 Chorus on YouTube. None of these wonderful musicians have allowed their age, physical or mental disability, low economic level, or other people’s negative expectations, to determine what they could or could not do. Neither should you or I! They show us all that there is no limit to what we can achieve if we work hard and put our whole heart into our work. |
I am honored and delighted by your choosing to perform my arrangement of Pachelbel’s Canon and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Having heard Twinkle thousands of times, I am still moved by how fresh each performance is. It has the energy, simplicity and innocence of youth. In contrast, Pachelbel’s Canon is tranquil and knowing.
Be pleased with your performance today. It represents hard work and dedication. The works then frees you to enjoy the music. When you fully invest your energy into a project, the rewards are great and satisfying.
Follow your dreams, work hard and much can be accomplished. Congratulations on your performance! |