This week we are featuring The Benny Goodman Story.  Benny Goodman was a famous Band Leader and Clarinetist.  He is sometimes known as the King of Swing.  This is a movie about his life. It demonstrates his hard work as a musician and shows how he came up with new ideas about how to write and perform music in his Big Band.  Although his character is played by Steve Allen, all of the music was recorded by Benny Goodman himself. As with most of the old movies, the tempo is a little slow, but once the kids settle in to it, they do enjoy it. It might be fun to watch as a family.  I rented it from Westport library.  You can also search the Benny Goodman Orchestra on YouTube. They have lots of great recordings.  Sing, Sing, Sing is particularly famous and energetic. Enjoy!!!

My Dad, Bill Magee, with his dance band.
He is sitting in the back row just to the right of his Sousaphone.

This year for our music history element, we are studying Big Band Music.  We started by talking about the instruments that make up a Big Band.  We have listened to some of the music and last week I pulled a couple of highlights from YouTube and let the kids watch while they did some theory.  You can check out more at home. Search for Benny Goodman or Tommy Dorsey.  We watched the Andrews Sisters sing “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and then the Glenn Miller Orchestra perform “Chattanooga Choo Choo”.  I explained that if you were young in the 1930’s and 1940’s you could go out to a dance club and dance to the music of a dance band.  I told them that my dad played in one of these – Bernie Kress and his Band.  He put himself thru college and medical school playing the Sousaphone in a dance band.  If you have time, give Big Band Music a search at home.  The harmonies are rich and the lyrics rated G … for Great.

Today is a Wilton Schools Snow Day so no official piano lessons – however, if you can safely make it here and wish to come to piano lessons today, I will be here and flexible with the time.  Just give me a call or e-mail.  I can teach anytime after 11:00 am.  Stay safe and if your student is looking for something to do….maybe play thru all their favorites today?

Welcome Back!  I hope everyone had a terrific holiday. We returned to lessons on January 2nd.  Let me know if you have any conflicts for the month with new activity schedules. January is a good time to think about practicing goals and picking new “fun” books and songs. 

This is me.

Hi – My name is Annbeth Magee Lattimer.  I am a piano and music teacher and the owner of The Old Barn Music School in Wilton, CT.  This is my Web Page.  Check it out to learn if I might be the right teacher for you or your child.