Hello (mid) November!
Hello everyone, hello mid-November!
Things started to feel a little heavy earlier this month and we needed to pause before diving in to this next instalment of the MJMS Gazette.
One of the things Michael and I talk about in moments like this one is how to get through the day's headlines without losing sight of the things that are good. We try to temper our feelings of overwhelm with reminders of who we are and what we have to offer close to home: we are a safe space for our community; we value creativity and collaboration; we celebrate everyone who comes through our doors.
To that end, here are a few small celebrations to add to your calendar for the coming weeks:
1. This year's Winter Virtual Showcase will be held Sunday, December 15th at 2:00pm on Google Meet and we hope you will join us! Please submit the form below to add your name to the program, and have a look at the pink text at the bottom of this message for more in-depth info!
2. The seasonal MJMS Shop will reopen on Monday November 25th! We will be releasing a new batch of gift certificates as well as stickers, posters, and T-Shirts for your gifting and stocking stuffing needs.
3. A reminder that you can always check our calendar page for key dates at the studio, including the upcoming winter holidays.
4. Many of you know that Michael is a member of the legendary Canadian band Skydiggers, who have just embarked on their annual holiday tour! Their Toronto show is at the Danforth Music Hall on December 21st, and you can also see them play charming halls in Hamilton, Meaford, Orillia, Paris, and Ottawa in the coming weeks.
5. While we feel that the joy of making music together can and should exist outside of political affiliation, this is a timely moment to re-state emphatically that we at MJMS are firmly in support of all women's reproductive rights. We respect, protect, and celebrate every person who is a part of our cherished 2SLGBTQ+ community. We unequivocally oppose gender- and race-based discrimination and the rhetoric and violence associated with it.
We love you, and we thank you for being a part of our wonderful studio community. As ever, any questions, concerns or comments, please don't hesitate to be in touch!
Here's some more info on our annual MJMS Winter Student Showcase!
We started doing virtual student showcases early in the pandemic to foster a sense of community and connection for our studio families. The winter showcase has become an annual tradition for us, and we feel these small virtual concerts are still beneficial for a number of reasons:
- they give students a tangible goal/deadline to work towards in terms of practicing/perfecting a piece to play
- they give enthusiastic performers some extra performance opportunities
- they are a lower-stress environment than the big in-person spring recital & can help students get used to the idea of performing
- they provide an opportunity for out of town family and friends to see their kids play/sing
We hope to see you and your loved ones at this sweet virtual concert!
