Fanny Mendelssohn - One Chromosome Away From Fame - Mozart’s Monthly Memo-Volume 27
February 10, 2023
Fanny Mendelssohn - age 12
New session of Crescendo Kids Online begins Tuesday, February 14!❤️
This Memo includes
Feature Article: Fanny Mendelssohn - One Chromosome Away From Fame
Student Hall of Fame
Practice Tip
Parents Ask Pam - Do you teach children under age 3.5 years old?
Feature Article - Fanny Mendelssohn - One Chromosome Away From Fame
You may be familiar with Felix Mendelssohn, who wrote "Wedding March," the song frequently played at weddings as the wedding party exits the ceremony. However, his sister, Fanny Mendelssohn, was also a great performer and composer.
She was born in 1805, in Hamburg, Germany. Her mother claimed she had “Bach fugal fingers,” (Long, skinny fingers ready to easily to play a Bach Fugue.) correctly predicting her daughter’s talent and life ambition. By the age of 14, she had memorized all 24 preludes from Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier and performed them for her father on his birthday. Fanny loved music, loved playing the piano and seemed to have an affinity and talent towards performing and composing--but she was discouraged by her father and brother from studying music as a profession. As a woman, she had other duties that should have been more important to her than pursuing music.
However, Felix did agree to publish her works under his name. This proved to be a bit of an embarrassment when he performed for Queen Victoria, who requested he play her favorite composition of his, Italien. Felix had to confess that this beautiful music was actually composed by his sister and not himself.
In 1829, Fanny married the artist, Wilhelm Hensel, and later gave birth to their only child whom she named Sebastian Ludwig Felix after her three favorite composers (Bach, Beethoven and her brother). Since Fanny was not allowed to have a public performance, she had private musical events in her home. She had a large home well-suited for this, with rooms that could easily hold a hundred guests. Finally, at the age of forty, she was invited to publish her compositions in her own name. Unfortunately, she died of a stroke a year later. She is attributed to having composed over 400 compositions.
Below is a Spotify playlist of several of Fanny’s compositions. Enjoy!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6Iw0aASEg5xhLAxubOTPYA?si=8db5db596d8e4ccf
References:
https://interlude.hk/13-facts-you-didnt-know-about-fanny-mendelssohn/
https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/fanny-and-felix-mendelssohn/
Student Hall Of Fame
Our students are making great progress! These students have accomplished new goals this last month.
Welcome to our new students - Aiden K, Aile W, Alan O, Anaya S, Ann J, Asah D, Aubrey R, August M, Caleb F, Calvin H, Cameron C, Cameron H, Carson P, Charis C, Charis P, Chase C, Clark H, Coltrane H, Daniel S, Dhaya K, Edelyn L, Ella N, Elliott C, Ellis L, Eva Z, Evie G, Freja E, George K, Hanna E, Jacob W, Jacqueline T, Jeremy Z, Kaiden M, Katie J, Keira O, Libby K, Lucas B, Madeline S, Madelyn P, Makayla K, Malia A, Matthew I, Maya N, Noah S, Nolan L, Nora C, Norah H, Olivia S, Rainier J, Samuel L, Samuel N, Sarah H, Simone T, Sunny S, Theo M, Viggo E, Zoe B, and Zoe P.
5X5 - play the piano for 5 minutes, 5 days in a week, for 5 weeks in a row - Aadit*, Lillian R, and Siya P. ( * indicates first time meeting this challenge!)
Listening - Listened to classical music for 1 hour/week for 4 weeks in a row - Ira C.
100-Day - played the piano for 100 consecutive days - Iris H.
Finished their current piano book - Finnegan A, Ira W, Isabella N, Jacob S, Joses C, Lee W, Noah S, and Sarah H,
Moved up to the next piano level - Ira W, Jonathan G, Joshua G, and Sara M.
Practice Tip
Repetition is the key. Make it fun or turn it into a game. Have items (pens, small toys, etc. ) that are moved from one end of the piano to the other end each time the piece is played. Roll a die to determine how many times a piece is played. if one is rolled, roll again. Play the piece in each register (octave) of the piano. Play the piece with specific dynamics or articulation. For example, play very soft, then very loud, then all staccato, then very slowly, then in swing time. Do a different repetition activity each day.
Upcoming MOM Events
Want to see all upcoming events? Check out our calendar. It includes when the next Crescendo Kids class begins, school closure dates, piano parties, and recital dates.
FREE Online Piano Party! Students share their own music as well as participate in musical games, creating music and learning some music history. Each party is a little different with a theme and a special guest instrument. Come, meet our piano teachers, play some music, and have fun! All ages and musical levels are welcome. Parties are available to non-students, former students as well as current students. Click the link to sign up. Piano Party Sign Up
Sunday, March 5, at 11:00 am for ages 3 - 6 years old
Sunday, March 5, at 12:00 pm for ages 7 - 12 years old
Parent Information Meetings - Have questions about our online piano class program? Want a tour of our practicing app? Click the link to schedule your meeting with Miss Pam. Parent Info Meeting
Crescendo Kids CLASSES - Tuesdays or Thursdays at North Kirkland Community Center visit kirklandparks.net
Next registration starts March 22 at 7:00 am
Tuesdays/Thursdays:
Winter: January 17/19 - March 28/30, (no class February 16, 21)
Spring: April 18/20 - June 20/22
Summer: June 27/29 - August 22/24 (no class July 4)
Crescendo Kids CLASSES - Mondays at Spartan Recreation Center in Shoreline visit shorelinewa.gov/registernow
Next registration starts at 8:00 am on March 21 for Shoreline residents, March 23 for Lake Forest Park residents and March 24 for everyone else.
Mondays:
Winter: January 23 - March 27, (no class February 20)
Spring: April 3 - June 12 (no class April 24 & May 29)
Summer: June 26 - August 21
30 - Minute Private Online Piano Lessons - Did you know that many of our teachers also teach privately? Now you can continue your child’s musical education, or your own, with Move Over Mozart. Click here for more information. Private Lessons
New Crescendo Kids Online begins Tuesday, February 14. Our piano classes are fun and easy to do! Perfect for beginning students ages 3 1/2 to 12 years old. Students are put into one of 4 classes depending on their age and musical ability.
Crescendo Kids Online Sign Up
Pre-Reading - Ages 3 - 5 years, or students not yet reading,
We use a color-coded method for the students to match their five fingers to five keys on the piano. New songs using only those 5 notes are given each week.
Primary - Ages 5 -7 years or older and brand new to music,
This group is for the very basics of piano playing. Students learn to play simple rhythms, correct hand position, and the names of the white keys on the piano.
Beginning Elementary - Ages 7-12 years or younger and reading notes,
This is for students just starting to read notes on the staff. Students are taught how the staff relates to the piano and how to translate the notes to making music. Also, having the students memorize a few key notes on the staff will help greatly with their ability to read music.
Advanced Elementary - Ages 7 - 12 years with previous piano lessons
This group already reads notes on the staff and can immediately identify many of the notes by name. They will learn more advanced technique and music theory beyond the initial basics of learning to play.
Parents Ask Pam
Have a question for Miss Pam? You can email, text message, or message on Facebook your questions. She will respond immediately to you, and your question might be featured in future newsletters.
Q: Do you teach children under age 3.5 years old?
A: In general, the answer is no. It is recommended that you find a music class designed for the parent and child together.
By age 3.5, most children have the fine motor skills and dexterity required to play with individual fingers. Also, they understand the concept of sharing and are capable of working independently. These skills are needed to be successful in our classroom environment. Please know that this is not reflective of your child’s musical ability. You may have a very musically advanced child, but still not ready for our class style of teaching. In the meantime, you can still foster their musical interest and ability by, listening to classical music, listening to live music when appropriate, singing with your child, and dancing with your child.
Your Comments And Questions
We want to hear from you! What questions do you have? What do you like best about this memo? How do you encourage practicing in your home? Please leave your questions and comments below or email Pam directly at misspam@moveovermozart.net