We are very pleased to announce that the  prestigious Carswell scholarship was awarded in piano, and in voice this year.

At the June recital, contestants competed by singing or playing two selections.  The student showing the most promise in each of the voice and piano categories, won a scholarship of $50, to be used for lessons in the coming year.

This award recognizes our most outstanding piano and voice students. Candidates nominated for this award must be achieving  85% or higher in both examinations and competition. Along with expertise, the recipient will also demonstrates talent, dedication and showmanship.

The winner of this year’s piano award was:  Mika Harada

The winner of this year’s voice award was:  Elizabeth Amos

That the Studio continues to produce music students of high calibre is once again supported by the commendable achievements of the following students who took Royal Conservatory examinations this past year.

At Carswell Music Studios, we offer examinations comparable to those at the Royal Conservatory at half the price for twice the time allotted for an examination,  along with critical comments to help the students build on their present developing skills. E-mail or call the studio for details and/or scheduling for exams in any area: vocal, instrumental, piano or theoretical.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of three new young teachers at the studio.  Madison Oliver and Elizabeth Amos are available immediately for piano and voice clients in the Mississauga area.

Madison is a high achieving student of Jim Carswell on the piano and has worked extensively with children in summer and sports camp settings. She is accepting piano students.

Elizabeth has had several major roles with the Meadowvale theatre company including OLIVER and ANNE OF GREEN GABLES and the Amazing Technicolor dreamcoat. She currently is working on a role in the upcoming Etobicoke theatre production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL.

Jennifer Li, a recent top-ranked graduate from the Faculty of Music, U of T, has also joined our talented staff.  She teaches piano in the east Mississauga area of all levels.  She currently is attending the U of T Faculty of Education, and is studying to be a school music teacher. She is hoping to teach a few lucky students this term, and next.

Gisella Giraldi has decided to take a temporary break from the excellent and inspiring work she has done with her students at the studio.  We wish to sincerely thank her for all the encouragement, and personal care she has given to her group of students, who have really progressed.  She will be definitely missed, and other teachers will have a hard act to follow with her students next year.

Thanks to Luisa and  Elise Ceolin for hosting our spring and fall workshops, lead by Jim Carswell and David Lowe, at their house in Mississauga.  This is a great opportunity for all the students to fine-tune their playing before the December concerts and spring examinations. This has been a great way for students to build up their confidence for the upcoming recital on December 8th.

Raylin Barnsdale continues to perform with Windmill Productions which produces excellent musical cabarets with a variety of different genres of music. Raylin with Jim’s help, ran two very successful voice workshops for all our budding singers at Jim’s downtown condo studio.

Jim Carswell continues to work on the studio piano book, Piano Exploration professionally edited by the Canadian music editor Ruth Pincoe. Ruth has edited and been the consultant for the various Conservatory piano, voice, and theory courses been offered.  She is active in devising many of the syllabi involved in the conservatory.

Our amazing drum teacher, Dave Lowe will be designing the layout, along with graphic artist Christopher Beaune who has designed many of the pictures, icons and images used in the upcoming book.

Hopefully, a new revised and exciting version of the piano book we are writing will soon be available for our students!!  We have a few students using the new book on a trial basis, creating a lot of excitement.

Carswell Music Studios has an exciting section in our Internet website which you can reach at www.carswellmusic.com. A number of our students’  pictures are featured on the site.  These pictures were taken by our talented webmaster at WEBXOOM internet services.

Mark the Recital date coming up in DECEMBER! This term the studio will have two recitals for our students to showcase all they have learned.

Parents, friends, and relatives are cordially invited to these concerts and to the light receptions held afterwards. Check the following listings to find the closest location. Please arrive 20 minutes early to avoid any surprises. This recital will be held in two parts: Part 1 commencing at 6:30p.m and Part 2 at 7:45p.m. 

Mississauga Recital: Tuesday, DECEMBER 8, 2009 at 6:30 p.m
Located at Sheridan Park Alliance Church , MISSISSAUGA
(near Fifth Line and Dundas St. W)

Jim Carswell and the staff of the LIVE Cuisine restaurant have made arrangements for some of our talented music students to perform as background entertainers while there patrons are dining during their famous lunch buffet;( only $11.99!) and pre-show dinner events.  They will perform in the restaurant of the world-class Living Arts Centre of Mississauga for their enthusiastic patrons.  Dates will be on several weekdays over the next few months. Stay tuned for these dates.

The first piano workshop, this term will be on:  Saturday, October 24 commencing at 10 a.m.  It will be held at the home of teacher Elise Ceolin.  Students attend by invitation and students perform for one another, learning the skill of playing in public, and honing their musical skills.   The first voice workshop, hosted by Linda Amos, will be on Saturday, November 7 commencing at 11:00a.m.  Students are invited by their voice teacher to attend this event.

Since the beginning of time, that is since the piano was invented, every student has dreaded the fatal words, usually from a nagging parent:  Did you practice today??? And every teacher goes through agony listening to students who do not practice and make very little progress. Is there a solution for both teacher and student to this old-as-time dilemma?   A solution may be to spend five or ten minutes a day on short, new and interesting pieces of your choice.

Ask your teacher to suggest or buy you a selection of pieces you would enjoy, at a slightly easier level than what you normally play.  Start each practice with a brand new piece and quickly you will become better at reading your notes and rhythms.  This will carry over to your regular work, which will seem easier and you will start to read these notes more quickly.  A win-win for everyone??  You can practice half the time and do double the work and progress!  Try this new technique!!

Jim Carswell