Archive for category Susan See Piano Studio

Summer Composer Camp

May 10

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Susan See, our resident piano instructor.

Three days of unleashing your musical creativity!

Resident piano instructor, Susan See will be directing two Composer Camps this summer at IMS.

For students who have completed grades 3rd through 5th and have had at least one year of piano study the camp will be July 23 – 25. For students who have completed grades 6th through 8th and have completed at least three years of piano study the camp will be July 30 – August 1. You do not have to be a piano student of Susan See to attend. For complete information about the camp please click Summer Composer Camp.

Susan will bring expertise, passion and fun to this camp. In talking about music Susan comments, “The purpose of music is to express ourselves. Music is a language of direct emotional expression; in fact, it may be one of the most intense ways to express our deepest feelings. My goal is to help each student start to develop their potential in expressing this language.”

 

 

Senior concert by Mischa De Jesus & Madeline Miller this evening

Apr 23

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Mischa De Jesus and Madeline Miller

Come enjoy a relaxing hour of music by seniors Mischa De Jesus and Madeline Miller and friends on Monday, April 23rd at 7 pm. The acoustically pleasing lobby of Celebration Hall will be the backdrop for a light concert of piano and vocal tunes from musicals such as Godspell, Annie, and The Sound of Music as well as a variety of vocal/guitar “coffeehouse-esque” pieces.

Guest pianist, Margaret Runaas, performs for piano students

Mar 11

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Sam Swartzendruber and Margaret Runaas

Guest pianist, Margaret Runaas recently performed the Johannes Brahms Op. 119 piano pieces in Celebration Hall for several IMS music students.  After playing, the students were given time to ask questions.  She talked about the importance of trying out your pieces in front of many kinds of audiences to help prepare for bigger recital performances and auditions. Several IMS pianists then played for Margaret in a master class atmosphere.

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Taking part were Renee and Anne Buckwalter, Amanda Bartel and Sam Swartzendruber.   Each student received valuable comments that they can implement in their practice time.  
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Margaret (Margie) played the Brahms set and also works by Beethoven and Prokofieff for her doctoral audition this past week at the University of Iowa and was accepted into the program.  We look forward to having her visit and share her musical gifts again. 

Sam Swartzendruber Senior Recital

Feb 29

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  Saturday, March 3 at 7 p.m. in Celebration Hall

 

Sam Swartzendruber

Sam has been involved in music for most of his life and is a great example of what is possible when you practice consistently!  His program will consist of piano works by Debussy, Liszt, Dohnanyi, Muczynski, and Bernstein.  He will also share his guitar, ukelele and vocal talents on the second half of the concert.  Sam will be assisted by his instructor Susan See on piano and he will be joined on various vocal selections by Mischa de Jesus, brothers Michael and Nathan, and father, Larry. 

You will NOT want to miss this concert.  There will be something for everyone!  Come support Sam, hear some great music, and stay for refreshments.  What could be better?  

GUEST MINI CONCERT AND MASTER CLASS

Feb 19

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Friday, February 24
1:45 p.m. in Celebration Hall
Free to students, staff and the public
Pianist Margaret Runaas holds performance degrees from Wartburg College and The University of Wisconsin, will present a thirty minute concert for the IMS symphonic band and other interested students and staff this coming Friday.  She will be playing music of Brahms and Prokofiev.  Following her performance, she will give comments to selected pianists who will perform for her.  Guests are welcome to attend.
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Margie is a new resident in the Washington area and is currently teaching at St. James School in Washington and at The Joy of Music.  We look forward to this outstanding musical event. 

PIANO ACHIEVEMENTS!

Feb 14

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Anne Buckwalter won first alternate recognition for her piano performance and also scored a 98% on her music theory exam at the Southeast Iowa Music Teacher District Piano Auditions held on Saturday, February 7th at Iowa Wesleyan College.

Anne Buckwalter, a freshman at IMS,  was recently named first alternate in the IMTA Iowa Music Teachers Association Piano Auditions held on the Iowa Wesleyan campus.  Anne participated in the Level D category for 14-15 year old students.  She played memorized works by Bach, Beethoven, and Kabalevsky as well as selected technical requirements.  She also scored 98% on the music theory exam.  She is a student of resident piano instructor, Susan See.  This is Anne’s first year of participation in auditions.  

Besides teaching IMS students, Susan has many other students, some who may be future IMS students and others who are enrolled in other schools.  Hannah Van Roekel, a Mid-Praire student and Kaylee Hershberger, a home schooled student are two students who travel to IMS for lessons.  Hannah received a I+ rating on her piano solo at the Mid-Prairie Middle School contest that same day.  Kaylee won Level E (ages 16-17) at the IMTA auditions.  Three other students who take piano lessons in Susan’s Washington studio also won their divisions at the IMTA auditions at Iowa Wesleyan College.  They are Madeline Hora, Level D (ages 14-15); Lara Kliewer, Level B (ages 10-11) and Jillian Goff, Level A (ages 9 and under).  
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Susan adds, “Iowa Mennonite School is a special place.  Where else can you find a lovely piano studio in a small high school, or any high school for that matter, that allows students from within the school and beyond to experience piano lessons in such a setting during the day?  I am extremely grateful for the continuing support from the school, faculty and staff.  Without such cooperation, this learning environment would not exist. It is a wonderful affirmation of the arts.”