Holiday Celebration: Music in a Social Environment
During the holiday season, fun is emphasized over perfection. The first three holiday celebrations with Little Ears included caroling through the neighborhood—which was fun but also very cold and slowly we all decidedwe’d rather stay inside around the piano for this event.
In the years before Covid, student families were invited to Little Ears Music Studio, and into Mrs. Tallamy's home, for cocoa, cookies, and a casual family performance. Students learned and performed a holiday duet with another student or with Mrs. Tallamy. Partners were carefully selected based on skill level and musical personality. Students are invited to wear their Christmas PJs and Festive cheer abounds!
During the Pandemic year, this celebration pivoted to the Annual Fairfax-Loudoun Music Foundation Charity Performance at Dulles Towne Center Mall. Our student performances help raise money for Music Link, an organization that provides instruments to under-privileged children. Duets are no longer part of our tradition— a bit of a side step we took due to health precautions. Students have embraced the freedom of solo performance for this event (unless Mrs. Tallamy takes the bench beside them). While many of us mourned the traditional holiday cocoa and cookie party, we have begun to discover the joy of sharing our music in this unusual setting. Not only do our family and friends listen in, but mall patrons enjoy our music as well! We don’t wear pajamas anymore— but all students are encouraged to wear festive attire.
Despite the shift from our studio gathering to a more a public venue, our Cookie Exchange is going strong! Home deliveries of cookie baskets have become our new tradition and we can’t wait to drop by each students home with cookies very soon.
Our Holiday Celebration has certainly evolved over the past 20 years but it continues to be one reserved for the sharing of music as a gift to others (and of course, cookies).
NFMC Spring Festival: Music as an Academic Discipline
The Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association host the National Federation of Music Clubs Annual Festival. Students present carefully prepared selections, one classical and one from the current catalog, at the festival. This event provides experience in a formal evaluation setting and is best understood as a test of a student's playing skill and ability. Students begin learning their assigned music selections in the Fall, giving close attention to technical detail and memorization.
Learn more about music requirements, evaluation categories, and volunteer opportunities on our Spring Festival Page.
This event is traditionally held in mid-to-late March.
** Gold Cups Earned To Date: 45 **
Composition Book Release Party: Music as a Creative Process
Each year the students of LEMS explore the art of composition as part of their music education. Students are encouraged to compose their own piece for inclusion in our annual publication. Our Release Party is an opportunity for students to complete the artistic process by sharing their creation with an audience.
This event will be combined with our Annual Recital for 2022.
End of Year Recital: Music as Individual Expression
Our End of Year Recital is a formal performance for a familiar audience. Students perform pieces that exhibit what they have learned throughout the year with emphasis on personal interpretation. Families, friends, and guests are invited to enjoy this performance. Student achievements are also celebrated as we recognize Gold Cup recipients, Studio Awards, and student milestones.
This event is traditionally held in mid-to-late May
