Getting our children to practice their instruments – or any important skill – has long been a challenge for parents. All families want to make the most of the investment in musical instruments and lessons, and are anxious to see their children benefit from the discipline of learning music. There is no magic pill to solving this sometimes daily squabble in homes, but here are our 10 best tips that could change the struggle to celebration. Continue reading “Our Best Tips for Getting Kids to Practice”
Tag: music lessons
Saxophone – Flute – Clarinet Lessons in Leominster
City Music is happy to announce that the talented Charles ‘Chuck’ Langford will be teaching in our Leominster Lesson Studios. Chuck has a limited number of openings on Tuesday evenings in Leominster, and welcomes players of saxophone, flute, or clarinet. Get an edge in your band or ensemble – or pick up an old musical interest. Now is your chance to learn from an acclaimed Grammy nominee in Leominster. Is Gardner more convenient for you? Chuck offers lessons on Wednesdays at City Music’s Lesson Studios in Gardner. Continue reading “Saxophone – Flute – Clarinet Lessons in Leominster”
Exploring Piano Options for Beginning Students
Click here to meet our piano teachers.
Many families take the opportunity of the holiday season’s great pricing on keyboards to prepare their child for piano lessons. The path to the best option can be confusing. We have listed important factors to consider when choosing a keyboard for your family: Continue reading “Exploring Piano Options for Beginning Students”
Your Child’s First Guitar: Acoustic vs. Electric?
can get your child off to a great start.
Click to meet our guitar instructors
A common question we get at City Music is: “Should my child start on an acoustic or an electric guitar? Shouldn’t he/she learn the basics on an acoustic, before starting electric?”
This is a valid question, and while we can’t say unequivocally ‘yes’ or ‘no’, we can give you pointers to help guide you.
Electric and acoustic guitars are essentially the same instrument: they both have six strings, they both are tuned to the same six notes. Beyond that, the electric/acoustic properties lend the two guitar types to different situations and different interests. Continue reading “Your Child’s First Guitar: Acoustic vs. Electric?”
What’s So Good About Learning Music?
Guitar Lessons, Bass Lessons,
Ukulele, Banjo, or Mandolin Lessons
Piano Lessons
Studies show learning music is beneficial and Fun for all ages.
For school children, music lessons can improve their:
- Reading skills
- Verbal skills,
- Memory recall
- Math scores
Voice, Drama,
Ear Training, or Harmony Lessons
Cello, Violin or Viola Lessons
Teens enjoy sharing music – it opens the doors for better cultural understanding and tolerance. Music instruction during youth is known to:
- ~ Improve SAT score averages
- ~ Boost creative skills valuable for work life success
Adults find playing an instrument – re-visiting the band instrument of their youth, or learning the instrument of their dreams – can be a great stress reliever. Music lessons as an emotional outlet can reduce ‘job burnout’.
Drum or Percussion Lessons
Seniors enjoy playing and sharing music with friends. Music lessons can help avoid age-related memory loss, but can also help elders cope with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other similar diseases.
Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone or Trumpet Lessons
City Music’s Lesson Studios in Gardner and Leominster host the areas most qualified, experienced instructors.
Our teachers offers their expertise and love of music tailored to YOUR interest, YOUR pace, YOUR goals.
>Click any image for more about lessons<
City Music’s New Violin Instructor
City Music Welcomes Nathan Samulak
to their Leominster Music Studios
Nathan has a BA in Music and has been performing and teaching violin and viola professionally since 2001.
We are really excited to have Nathan at our studios. Just re-located from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Nathan arrives with many accolades from his teaching there. He is an engaging person that quickly puts students of all ages at ease. He plays a variety of styles including world fusion and classical, and is happy to gear his lessons toward the student’s musical interests. Nathan also offers lessons in the Suzuki method for students as young as age four.
Beginning students of all ages OR students of any age that want to pick up their violin again – Nathan can get you playing!
Nathan will be offering studio hours beginning in September.
Call now, to sign up!
Summer Rock ‘n’ Roll Fun at City Music
City Music Leominster’s
Rock ‘n’ Roll School
with John Nickerson
Musicians 18 years or younger,
this is your chance to
play, sing and jam in a band.
We’re putting young musicians together to experience the fun of playing in a group and working towards a live performance. You can do it!
Groups will be assembled by age, interest and instrument suitability. City Music staffer and professional musician John Nickerson will oversee each session assisting in repertoire choices and arrangements while supervising rehearsal technique. Players should be able to play basic chords and rhythms on their instruments as the sessions will focus on working together towards a future performance.
8 Weekly 90 minute Sessions held Sundays 4 – 5:30 or 5 – 7:30 pm, in Leominster only.
Sessions Dates run June 29th through August 24th. (no rehearsals July 6th)
Summer Rock ‘n’ Roll School fee is $260.
Hurry! Sign up now! The fun starts June 29th. Only two groups will be formed, so space is limited. Click here for the application.
10th Anniversary & Back-toSchool Bash
10th Anniversary & Back-to-School Bash
Saturday, September 14th, 11 -5pm
City Music Celebrates 10 Years with a
FREE CONCERT & Tailgate Party
at 17 Sack Blvd Leominster
Hourly GIVEAWAYS,
Grand PRIZE Drawings
Free burgers, hot dogs and CAKE!
Back to School deals store-wide
Meet n Greet City Music Instructors
Test Drive Fender’s new USB Guitar
Concert line-up will include performances by:
- Ken Macy (WMA winner)
- Andy Cummings (WMA winner)
- Johnny Romance & the City Boys
- Mark Frederick Fisher (WMA winner)
- Captain Chris Coombs
- City Music’s Catching Rhythm
- and more TBA
Enter City Music’s Drawing to win great prizes:
- A Fender acoustic guitar ($199 value)
- A FREE month of music lessons ($88 value)
- A Bull Run Restaurant gift certificate ($50 value)
- And other brand name instruments TBA
~ PLUS ~
If you bring back-to-school supply items for the City Music School Supply Drive for the Salvation Army you’ll get a free City Music folder and an additional entry to City Music’s Drawing!
Discounts and Back to School deals will be available at either location.
Concert, party, giveaways and drawings to be held at the Leominster location only.
Rain Date: Sunday September 15th
FutureStars Showcase 2013 April 7th
We are really excited about this year’s line-up. Lots of talent, lots of creative musicians, some returning performers, and some new faces. Here they are:
Black Octane
Bradley James
Chloe Courtney
The Cranks
Disowned
The House Special
Maggie Neff
Saffron Moon
Please support these up & coming musicians buy purchasing tickets – only $15 in advance – from your favorite performers. The band or soloist that sells the most tickets will receive recording session compliments of The Root Cellar
The proceeds from City Music’ FutureStars Showcases are donated to music programs in our public schools. Since 2005 we have donated more than $10000 to our local schools. This year’s Showcase will benefit the Leominster Music Boosters.
Our thanks to the Bull Run Restaurant, Root Cellar Records and Bedlam Productions for their generous support that makes this event so memorable for our young musicians.
Drummers’ Bash a Big Hit!
City Music’s Drummers’ Bash
What fun! Our first Drummers Bash was great. The weather held out nicely, and City Music’s Rockin’ All Star Staff played on. Thanks to all the visiting drummers that sat in with the All Star Staff (Johnny ‘Romance’ Nickerson, Rampage Bassist Iain Perry and our own ‘ Superhero’ Andy Cummings) Special thanks to our drum staff Greg Prendergast and Chris Landry for their rhythm demos on the kit, cahons and djembes.
Lots of drummers joined our drum circle, hosted by Chris Landry, with a little help from Fitchburg Middle school’s ‘Shake, Rattle & Drum’ group. We got a taste of hand drumming in the styles of several cultures. Chris will be hosting a Drum Circle at City Music in Leominster on October 25th (Sign-up is required. Fee: $5 per person. Bring your own drum). Chris is also accepting hand percussion students Thursday afternoons – see our Leominster music store of details. Continue reading “Drummers’ Bash a Big Hit!”