8 Stages of Practice Room Grief

From the terrific website - From the Top

Winning Students

This year the Allen Long Piano Studio had 30 students who entered the Texas Music Teachers Association Student Affiliate Testing Program for the Fall 2015 and Spring 2016 testing sessions. All 30 students passed their exams.  

Gold medals were won by students scoring 98 or higher.  Twenty two students earned gold medals.  

• Aidan N.
• Katie Lynn E.
• Nirvan S.
• Kylie H.
• Lily K.
• Maheera D.
• Nanditha S.
• Daniel R.
• Fletcher K.
• LiLian D.
• Vishalya S.
• Aythan H.
• Brianna V.
• Lily V.
• Pablo R.
• Nguyen L.
• Yang V.
• Faith T.
• Ryan D.
• Santiago R.
• Amber M.
• Caleb S.

Silver medals are awarded for students scoring 94 to 97.  One student earned a silver medal.  

• Corey H.

Bronze medals are awarded for students earning 90 to 93.  Two students earned bronze medals.   

• Katie N.
• Alex B.

Hats off to our medal winning students!

Amazing Performances!

Each year, the RMTA Fall Festival rotates its repertoire requirements in order to cycle through different historical styles of music. This year the required music was taken from 20th and 21st century repertoire.



The following students received Superior with Honor ratings last Saturday at the RMTA 2015 Fall Festival:

• Alex B. - Skipping Rope Op 89 No 17 by Kabalevsky.  This was Alex's second performance in a Richardson Music Teachers Association Festival.
• Amber M. - Song of the Calvary Op 27 No 29 by Kabalevsky. This was Amber's first performance in a Richardson Music Teachers Association Festival.
• Brianna V. - Scherzo Op 39 No 12 by Kabalevsky. This was Brianna's first performance in a Richardson Music Teachers Association Festival.
• Faith T. - Hurdy-Gurdy by Shostakovich. This was Faith's first performance in a Richardson Music Teachers Association Festival.
• Ryan D. - Clowns Op 39 No 29 by Kabalevsky.  Ryan also received his 30 point trophy.
• Samuel X. - Jumping Op 39 No 15 by Kabalevsky. Samuel received his 15 point trophy and performed in the evening's Honor Recital.
• Santiago R. - Slow Waltz Op 39 No 23 by Kabalevsky. Santiago received his 15 point trophy and performed in the evening's Honor Recital.

Congratulations, Students! Well done!

Music Lessons Were the Best Thing Your Parents Ever Did for You

Read Tom Barnes’ wonderful article  about how your parents decision to have you learn music produced some incredible effects on your mind.

Children's Music Workshop

Thumbtack Best of 2015 Award

We have just been informed that the Allen Long Piano Studio has been ranked as one of Thumbtack’s Best of 2015 in the Lessons category. We are thrilled to be honored among others listed on the Thumbtack website. Click here to go to the Best of 2015 and scroll down until you find us - #6.

Royal Honors

Congratulations to the following outstanding musicians 

for their hard work and achievements in the 

Royal Conservatory Music Development Program - 2015 Spring Exams

 Each student's desire, dedication and determination are to be commended!

Alex B. received 

• First Class Honors with Distinction for his practical (performing) Preparatory B Piano Exam. 
• For his academic (theory), he scored a perfect score for First Class Honors with Distinction in the Preparatory Rudiments of Theory. 
• Additionally he now joins the prestigious Ultimate Music Theory 100% Club for which he will receive a certificate and gold pin. 

Congratulations, Alex!


Christina P. received

• First Class Honor for her practical (performing) Level 4 Piano Exam. 

Congratulations, Christina!

Faith T. received

• First Class Honor for her practical (performing) Level 2 Piano Exam. 
• For her academic (theory) she scored 98, First Class Honors with Distinction. 

Congratulations, Faith!


What is the Royal Conservatory Music Development Program?

The Royal Conservatory Music Development Program provides a recognized national standard and sequenced program for people studying music privately, from beginner through advanced levels. The program’s assessments allow students to track their progress and celebrate their accomplishments. In addition, the assessments provide measurable objectives for parents and teachers to better understand a student's musical growth. The program also supports independent teachers with innovative, high-quality resources. 

(from the web page: http://www.musicdevelopmentprogram.org/program/overview)

Trumpet Fanfare

Caleb achieved the highest rating at the University Interscholastic League Texas State and Ensemble Contest, which was held at the University of Texas at Austin the end of May.

In order to advance to this State level contest, a participant is required to receive the highest rating at the Regional contest level - which Caleb achieved earlier this year. 

His performance piece was 

Chopin's Nocturne in C# minor. 

Well done, Caleb!