BY DEB HEDLEY
ISSUE NO. 44 | OCTOBER 2022
Modern Day Musings
Happy October! We have an exciting month ahead of us... with the turning of the leaves, a hint of crispness in the air, and Halloween peaking its head around the corner, October may perhaps be one of the most anticipated months of the year.
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF MODERN DAY MUSIC SCHOOL
While everyone is preparing for Halloween and all of the fall festivities this month, there is another important day in October that not too many people know about... Did you know October 1st has been named International Music Day? In 1975, the International Music Council (an associate organization of UNESCO) decided to devote one day a year to music. The purpose was to implement the power of music and how it can unite us and foster world peace. Today, over 150 countries celebrate International Music Day. On this day, we acknowledge the power of music that unites societies, communities, and people.
INTER- NATIONAL MUSIC DAY
International Music Day was intended to encourage promoting musical art among all sections of society, motivate the application of UNESCO’s ideals of peace and friendship among people, create space for the evolution of cultures through the exchange of experiences, and encourage mutual appreciation of cultures. So what are some of the benefits of music? And how can we celebrate International Music Day? Start by listening to music! Listening to music has so many wonderful benefits. Studies have shown that music can help the blood flow more easily while being played, promoting a healthy heart! Alongside that, music can also elevate your mood and relieve stress by triggering biochemical stress reducers. It can also stimulate memories, ease pain, and increase workout endurance! Confucius, a Chinese Philosopher, once said a long time ago that “Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.”
INTERNATIONAL MUSIC DAY
CONT...
Playing a musical instrument brings joy to us and those around us while providing a plethora of benefits. Research has shown that both listening and playing a musical instrument can stimulate your brain and increase your memory. The Telegraph Online Magazine shares that “New research suggests that regularly playing an instrument changes the shape and power of the brain and may be used in therapy to improve cognitive skills.” Playing an instrument can refine your time management and organizational skills. It has also been proven to boost your team skills, enhance coordination, better your mathematical ability, sharpen your concentration, and expose you to cultural history. Lastly, playing an instrument teaches you self discipline and perseverance. We are so lucky here at Modern Day Music to teach, learn, and create an environment where we can promote growth and refine these integral skills.
To help celebrate International Music Day, we had the opportunity to sit down with one of our very own piano students, Vivikta Kishdre. Vivikta, who is nine years old, recently participated in the 21st Annual Chopin Piano Competition on September 17th. The competition is sponsored by The Capitol District Council For Young Musicians and it gives serious piano students like Vivikta a chance to prepare and perform a piece of repertoire by Chopin on a Steinway Concert Grand Piano! On September 17th, we watched Vivikta showcase her talent and hard work, playing Fantaisie Impromptu, a challenging Chopin piece containing polyrhythms (the use of two different rhythms playing together). From the start of the first note Vivikta played, you could feel her energy and passion seep out into each key she played throughout the entire performance. Over the past three months, Vivikta has poured her heart into practicing and preparing for this competition. Below we asked a few questions to get to know more about Vivikta, her musical background, and the Chopin Competition. How did you first get started with music? When did you start playing? What instrument(s) do you play? “I started music when I was around six years old. I liked to play some tunes on the keyboard, and soon I decided that I wanted to take piano lessons. After that, I started taking singing lessons, and then I starting playing violin in my school orchestra. Are you involved in music at your school? What music activities are you in outside of school? Yes. I take orchestra lessons in school, and I want to audition for a select choir as well.
Are there any upcoming events that you are looking forward to? Right now, I am looking forward to the select choir auditions, but I think that is it for now. Tell us a bit more about the Chopin Competition - how many years have you done it? I have only done it for two years so far, but I plan on doing it again next year. How did it feel competing in the Chopin Competition this year? How did it differ from last year? How was it the same? This year, the Chopin Competition was completely different from last year. It was fun, but this year I was able to watch the other contestants perform. Last year, we had to wait in a separate hall because of Covid-19. I felt like it was entirely different from last year. Is Chopin your favorite composer? If so, why? Honestly, I don’t know. I like many of Chopin’s pieces, like Fantaisie-Impromptu. I feel like my favorite composers are Bach and Chopin. What is your favorite thing(s) about performing? My favorite thing about performing is getting on stage, and just - getting out there! Any advice/tips to fellow piano students at MDM? If you love fast, difficult music, the Chopin Competition would be the best for you! I had so much fun preparing for the competition, and also playing there! Don’t be discouraged if you don’t win the first try - Chopin pieces are hard to perfect. The biggest challenge of life is believing in yourself! Believe in yourself, and try again! Just remember - the Chopin Competition is extremely fun! Thank you, Vivikta, for your time and sharing your insight on the Chopin Competition! Your hard work, talent, and dedication is paying off and we cannot wait to see your next accomplishment on the piano! Modern Day Music is so lucky to have you! Piano Students - if you are interested learning more about the Chopin Competition and competing in next years competition, please ask your piano coach for more information during your next lesson!
M: Which upcoming gig(s) are you most looking forward to and why? D: I have a monthly gig called “Psykick Dancehall” the first Saturday of every month at a little bar called Pint Sized in Saratoga from 8pm-12am. It’s a lot of fun DJing a mix of Soul, Reggae and even a little early Punk and Rock n roll. I think we can all assume that David is very involved in music outside of MDM, but that is not the only thing! He is also a loving husband and father and tries to spend as much time as possible with his wife and son when he is not at MDM. David’s shared that “I can say without a doubt I would not be where I am today without their love and support!” They have supported David in innumerable ways over the recent months as he took on this new role at MDM, and they were even a part of the MDM family long before that! David’s son was a member of our Little Rockers program for a number of sessions before testing out private lessons where he caught on to everything very quickly. Even back then, David and his family were thrilled to be a part of MDM, and the experience also gave David a look at what things are like from the student perspective. Now that his son is a little bit more mature at age 7, he plans to start private piano lessons in the fall! David’s son loves playing piano in his room and we can’t wait to see where he goes in his private lessons. He also takes after his dad and started his own record collection, which he spends much of his time listening to. David is so proud, and we can tell that music definitely does run in the family! We are all so excited to have David on board, are are looking forward to many great years to come. There are so many possible directions for the future of MDM, but we know that no matter what, that direction will be up!
David's Corner
october CALENDAR
1- Ampevene (Gabe) Flyday Music Festival 2 - Ampevene (Gabe) No Fun in Troy 3 - Caffe Lena Open Mic Night in Saratoga 6:30-10 7 - (Ben) solo at Katie O’Byrnes 7-10 8 - Under the Den (Ben) at Fall Fest Schenectady 4:15-7 8 - PSYKICK DANCEHALL w/ Selector David Suede. Spinning VINYL ONLY sets of Reggae, Punk and 60’s Junk. Pint Sized Saratoga 8pm-12am Free 10 - Hug a Drummer Day 10 - Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day (MDM Open) 10- Cafe Lena Open Mic Night in Saratoga 6:30-10 12 - Under the Den (Ben) at Empire Underground (Albany) 6:30 show time 16+ show 14 - (Ben) Solo at Spa City Tap and Barrel (Saratoga) 6:30-9:30 17 - Caffe Lena Open Mic Night in Saratoga 6:30-10 20 - (Ben) Solo at Peddler’s (Clifton Park) 7-10 24 - Caffe Lena Open Mic Night in Saratoga 6:30-10 29 - PSYKICK DANCEHALL w/ Selector David Suede. Spinning VINYL ONLY sets of Reggae, Punk and 60’s Junk. SPECIAL HALLOWEEN PARTY. Pint Sized Saratoga 8pm-12am Free 31 - Halloween (MDM Open) 31 - Caffe Lena Open Mic Night in Saratoga 6:30-10
Halloween is our favorite here at MDM so remember to dress up in your halloween costume for your lessons! We hope everyone has a safe and fun October!
A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR NEW STUDENTS in SEPTEMBER!
Madison E Kaitlin M Tayler M April M Courtney B Philip M David M Kaitlyn S Madelyn K Connor P Jackson H Bella B Jake B Kayla K Lakota B Christopher S Xavier C Kiera M Vera C Kyle A Caryn T Ezra P Eli P Genevieve S Lincoln B Ella R Jaxon G Alex H Lorenzo W Louie B Raimier Z Josh M Nick W Karim M Evon B Anna K Emma K Jon C Joel R Natalie C
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