There is a piano festival this coming week in our own backyard! The Lancaster International Piano Festival is taking place at the Ware Center in downtown Lancaster and the Winter Center in Millersville from July 20-29. The festival, will offer many opportunities to hear great piano music by faculty as well as other world-class pianists. There is also a Chopin piano competition for students. Many of the events, including the competition, are free to watch, although you must reserve a ticket here. The faculty and feature artist concerts cost $20 and you can also reserve tickets online here. You can also buy tickets at the door. You can read about the Guest Artists at http://www.lancasterpianofest.com/guestartists.html. If you are able, check out one of the concerts during the week!
Last Friday morning, I went outside to look at the hydrangea bushes which were beginning to bloom. I was fascinated by the sight of some small bees who were flying around and landing on the blossoms. I took some short video clips of them. Inspired by the video and the sounds of the birds in the background, I improvised a piece of music to accompany the beauty I had just experienced. Here is the piece that I composed. I am sorry that I didn't have a way to make it with higher video quality, but I hope you will enjoy listening. The music the birds were making in the background is part of my music. Together, we say, "The World is Beautiful."
Look at the world around you. What do you find that is beautiful? Can you create some music that describes what you see or how you feel? You can record yourself as you improvise (make up things) on the piano. Maybe you hear some sounds around you that can be part of your music as well. If you hear something you really like, bring it to your next lesson so that I can listen to it too!
