July 19, 2025: Saturday Remix
Teachers and Staff: Happy Saturday!
Teacher Orientation and Training 2025
Thank you teachers who have completed the signup form so far!
Please use the form sent in the email and provided below to submit your responses. Please complete it as soon as possible.
Every teacher must attend one mandatory teacher orientation session between now and the end of the year. Sessions are 2 hours, and there are a variety of days and times offered between now and then.
(See instructions in the form.)
Optionally, there will also be a teacher training opportunity on Monday, August 4, 2025
(during off-week), which will be offered from about 3:00 to 6:00 pm.
Teacher Orientations and Trainings are PAID work time, and take place at the Laguna Niguel School of Music.
Here is the link:
https://forms.gle/2zyYJRFxN1AmFgvG6
I look forward to your responses!
Lots of Teaching Aids and Off-bench Activities in the Lesson Rooms
Our goal is to provide well-equipped lesson rooms with comprehensive, ample, plentiful teaching aids, materials, toys, & games, and musical gear for off-bench activities. Below are a few examples of things you can find that are available for you to use in your teaching. We ask that you strive to be gentle with things, to teach students how to take good care of things, to put everything back after use, and to keep everything clean, organized, & attractive.
In the desk organizer, usually under the monitor, you will find the Teacher Resources binder, assignment stickers, scratch paper, a notebook, and a clipboard. I used the scratch paper and clipboard today to work out a test & assessment plan with a student.
I often use the floor cushions for students to kneel or sit on while they complete worksheets or read from their books. They are also great sit-spots for the littles.
Drums are a great way to practice and reinforce rhythms!
Stuffed animals can be used to establish a little audience for performers to practice singing to!
In the Musician’s Tools container, these Chinese Baoding balls (see attached video) can be used effectively for improving finger dexterity and strength, opening up the thumb, massage therapy, or just for fun – a productive little off-bench activity.
Please be gentle with things, put things back where you got them, and help keep our lesson rooms clean, organized, and attractive!
Theme Recital Coming in September
We have a theme recital coming up on September 26, 2025. The theme is Songs of America. Please encourage your students to learn one or more patriotic songs, folk songs, or other pieces of music that represent the breadth and depth of American culture.
These kinds of songs and pieces are often found in abundance in method books and music curriculum, and we can also provide others as needed. If you want some music that we don’t already have, please let us know, and we will strive to get it for you.
Start Selecting, Learning, & Practicing Holiday Music with your Students!
It’s easy to wait too long to start preparing for holiday music. We recommend that you start selecting, learning, and practicing holiday music now, in July & August. Holiday music includes everything from Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas & Hanukkah to New Years and others that your students celebrate. It also includes seasonal music for the Fall and Winter seasons, not necessarily related to holidays.
If you think summer is too early to start holiday music, reconsider! Students should be learning a variety of music (not just holiday music), but they should definitely start learning and practicing very early, to be well-prepared for holiday recitals, soirees, and family times at home.
The holidays are a season, not one day or one single performance! And it’s a long season! Don’t fight against the several-months-long holiday season – embrace it!
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Q. What are the chances my drink will eventually spill?
A. Virtually 100% !!!... If you bring drinks into the lesson rooms, it is almost certain that eventually you will spill it. Please do not bring drinks into the lesson rooms, and please never put anything – especially drinks – on the pianos! Our studio policy is that only water in lid- or cap-sealed containers, are allowed in the lesson rooms. No other food or drink is permitted.
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Thank you, everyone, for all that you do!
Have a magical Saturday, a musical weekend, and a safe and healthy coming week. And a good old summertime!
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Thank you,
Dennis Frayne
"Dr. Dennis"
Laguna Niguel School of Music
Dennis Frayne Music Studios
30110 Crown Valley Pkwy, Suites 105/107/108
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 844-9051 (office cell)
(949) 468-8040 (personal cell)
www.lagunaniguelschoolofmusic.com
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