Volume 2, Number 21
Music Discovery Newsletter
Volume 2, Number 21 | January 17, 2025
We’re Fixing the Plane While Flying It — Hold Tight!
Student Gallery
Pictured: Braulio (Songbird), Susana (Allegro), Helen (Musician), Harper (Songbird), and Bella (Prodigy).
Calendar
- Week 21: Monday, Jan. 20 through Saturday, Jan. 25
- 1/20: MLK Day – We are OPEN
- February Concert at Briarcliff: Feb. 17
- Presidents’ Day: Feb. 17 – We are OPEN
- Next Vocal Workshop: Feb. 15
- Adult Salon: Late Jan/Early Feb, Date TBA
About That Plane
As many of you know, we’ve been hard at work transitioning to a new studio management software, JackRabbit. Our old system wasn’t meeting our needs, so we’re thrilled to make this change, but we’re also learning the ropes alongside our students and their families. Thank you for your patience as we navigate this exciting improvement.
We would love for everyone to log into the new Student Portal to explore the system. If you’re having trouble logging in, please don’t hesitate to let us know. For those who have already reached out, we want you to know we’re actively working with tech support to resolve any issues. You can access the portal via our website at texasmusicdiscovery.com. If you’re unsure of your login details, use the “Forgot Password” link to reset your credentials. If that doesn’t work, contact us, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
We’re also excited to announce that the MD Buddy app is coming soon, making it even easier to manage lessons and stay connected.
Lastly, we want to apologize for being behind on a few tasks, like sending out this newsletter and ordering Musical Ladder trophies. We’re happy to share that the trophies have now been ordered and should arrive within a week or two. Thank you for your understanding, and we appreciate your patience as we make these improvements.
Briarcliff Concerts
We’ve decided to cancel the Briarcliff concert originally scheduled for Monday, 1/20. However, we will still be performing at Briarcliff on Presidents’ Day, Monday, 2/17, at 11:00 a.m. Mark your calendars!
As a reminder, we are open as usual for lessons on both Monday, 1/20 (MLK Day), and Monday, 2/17 (Presidents’ Day).
Musical Ladder Successes
Congratulations to our students for their hard work and dedication! Here are this week’s Musical Ladder test passers:
| Student | Teacher | Level Achieved |
|---|---|---|
| Braulio R. | Ms. Melissa | Songbird |
| Harper S. | Ms. Lucy | Songbird |
| Brooklyn J. | Ms. Melissa | Musician |
| Helen U. | Ms. Patty | Musician |
| Susana P. | Ms. Melissa | Allegro |
| Bella P. | Ms. Melissa | Prodigy |
We still have a number of students left to take their tests. Good luck to you if you’re taking your test in the upcoming week!
Staff Updates
Ms. Felicia and Ms. Evelyn will be out on Monday, January 20. Our lounge will not be staffed on Monday after school. If you have any urgent matters, I’ll be here to assist you. Non-urgent scheduling and billing questions will be addressed when Ms. Felicia returns on Tuesday, January 21.
Thank You, Wednesday Night Students! I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to my Wednesday night students for being so flexible this week. Your understanding allowed me to enjoy an early birthday outing with my family at The Minecraft Experience. My pandemic-era students will remember my fondness for Minecraft! We had an amazing time.
Exciting News! On a personal note, I am thrilled to share that I’ve been hired as the organist at First United Methodist Church Rockwall. My first Sunday as organist will be February 23, 2025. If you’re interested, you can watch the service on our livestream.
I don’t expect this new role to impact my teaching schedule, except during Holy Week services, when students may be rescheduled or have a substitute teacher. Thank you for your support and understanding as I take on this new chapter.
Eagle Update
The Friends of Big Bear Valley Eagle Cam is currently streaming in our lounge, and Jackie and Shadow, the resident bald eagles, are busy preparing their nest for eggs! Over the past few days, they’ve brought in soft grasses, sticks, and even fresh pine branches to make the nest cozy. Shadow has been attentive, sharing sweet moments with Jackie, while also keeping ravens at bay. Jackie has been “pancaking” in the nest, a sign that eggs may be on the way soon. Tune in to watch this incredible pair in action and enjoy a beautiful glimpse of nature.
What’s New at New Beginnings
Join New Beginnings Church on Sunday mornings for Adult Sunday School at 9:15 a.m., coffee at 10:00 a.m. followed by worship at 10:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome!
This week’s sermon by Pastor Reggie: “The Authority of Jesus.”
Music Discovery and Music Discovery and Kids’ Community Strings wish to thank New Beginnings for their ongoing support.
This Month’s Mission — Socks & Blankets for the Homeless
New Beginnings is working with Altrusa Club and United Way to collect blankets and tube socks for the homeless. Please bring these items to your lessons if you wish to contribute.
Thank you for being a part of Music Discovery!
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