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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1996-05-08, Page 153 R A N 0•$ t N 0 SRPT oa' ►vE-w lad SGT. BIIko & Happy Gilmore Gam open s p.J 44Iow 9 pro. Now Open weekends 238-8344 COMING SOON... Second Section -Ma 8,1996 Bringing private music lessons to school By Brenda Burke T -A Reporter STF•PHEN TOWNSHIP - Being a parent with active children is not easy these days. After work, many moms and dads find themselves with activity -filled evenings that include driving the kids to appointments, sporting events, club meetings and art activities. It may make things a little easier to know music lessons are available at school. Sharon Parker began to teach music lessons to students at Stephen 1 Central Public School four years ago and the response has been positive. Marg Pertschy, of Crediton, has enrolled her four children in Parker's classes. For them, taking the classes "The students are excused from their class for that half hour (per week)," she explained, adding "It's not something that happens over night. Exactly what they put into it they're going to get out." Parker, who began taking piano lessons at four years old and played the organ in church at age 18, carries on musical talents that stemmed from her grandmother and continued with her mother. Parker begins teaching music to children at an average of four years old. "If they can count to five, they can play the piano," she said. She taught private lessons in students' homes before bringing her services to area schools. The only drawback to teaching music through this venue, she admitted, is not being able to see her students' parents as outside of school would either mean separate, time-consuming sessions or one large session with the students having to wait their turn. With lessons available at school, said Pertschy, it saves her family valuable time. Last year Parker expanded her teaching to include Our Lady of Mount Carmel and McCurdy Public schools where other teachers are involved in a similar set-up. After spotting an advertisement requesting a • music teacher for the Crediton area, Parker enquired about the position. The principal at Stephen Central, who had been familiar with private lessons offered in the school system, suggested she teach at the school. oki uses a'jibra y'ai d two it rooms to teach piano and voice to 55 students. The �-- advantage of using store rooms? She can ear train by �''--- having the children play piano in the dark. often. With scales as a foundation and "Practice makes perfect" for a motto, she relies on musical match games, rap songs, a variety of musical styles and Landie the Ladybug to encourage younger students. When a pupil's interest wanes, she also likes to reverse roles, putting them in a teaching position and pretending she is the student. "The teacher and principal cooperation has been fantastic," she said, adding she volunteers her skills for school plays and projects "as a way of saying thank -you." The private piano lesson registration deadline for Stephen, McCurdy and Mount Carmel schools is May 21 for the 1996/97 year. Parker would appreciate used piano lesson books for her learning and developing program. Her students will perform in an annual Candle Light recital on May 21 at 7 p.m. at the Faith Tabernacle in Centralia. Sharon Parker teaches private music lessons at Stephen Central and McCurdy Public schools as well as Our Lady of Mount Carmel School. "1 love what 1 do and 1 think music is something that comes from inside you," she said. Students show their talents Stephen Central Public School students demonstrat- ed their talents to parents and classmates on Friday. Above, Meghan Scott, Jamie Glazier, Toni MacPherson and Becky Barrett sing their 'Down in the Meadow' song. At right, Kyle Smith en- tertains with a guitar solo. 4 Matthew Grasdahl, 7, of the Crediton area, gets a few pointers from Parker at one of his private lessons at Stephen Central School. Mother's Day After 23 years in the flower shop, I have seen many Mother's Day weekends come and go. The faces have changed and sometimes so have the reasons for giving flowers. Mother's Day is a time to honour our Mother as well as the women who in other ways earn the title "Mother". In our busy world, some people are unable to live near their parents. Children can't always have their grandparents living next door. In times past, children, parents and grandparents all lived under one roof. This is not so anymore. Distance often keeps families apart. Our "mother figure" in many cases has taken on other identities - nannies, babysitters, housekeepers, best friends and sisters. To some people, celebrating Mother's Day - is celebrating the joy in having someone in our life who represents "Mother's Day". Being a busy mom myself, through years of raising children, I have come to love some 'Angels' who have held my hand and my children's too, while I struggled to balance my busy life. These women - strong, wonderful women came into our lives and cared for our children, held them, taught them and loved them when my husband and I were absent. Women who, my children, still love and respect. I see these women being honoured on Mother's Day, as well as Mothers and Grandmothers. Men and women come into the store to pick up beautiful bouquets, Dads with wee children riding on their shoulders, picking out a single perfect bloom, teenagers remembering a special grandmother or teacher who has helped them along the way. Young mothers picking up bouquets for the children's sitters or friends who have shared in the nurturing of their little ones.. Mothers, or mother figures, don't need to do heroic things to be loved. They simply pick us up when we fall, brush away a tear, or sit with us and have a cup of tea and bit of conversation. These women are there in a quiet, gentle way. Mother's Day is a day to honour the women in your life who represent comfort, security and this unconditional love. Women who we need to have around us, who make our lives better, just because they are in our lives. Of all of the special events of the year, Mother's Day is one of the happiest, busiest days of the year. This busy-ness displays the real desire of people to show their sincere appreciation to the women who have shown love - simple love. Visit these women, honour these women, but most of all, tell them how much you appreciate all they do - Happy Mother's Day. By JoAnne Dinney of Country Flowers `o.