|
Happy New Year!
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and Hannukah!
2025 finished out with a bang. I had four gigs in 8 days: a private party, 2 choral concerts, and a funeral. Then, my church's Christmas Cantata, of course, which is always a good time.
My semester officially ended on December 15, when grades were due. Snow in the mountains messed up the finals schedule a bit, but we made it through!
I am happy to say that I am taking over as the organist at St. Luke's UMC, along with playing the piano. Our organist, Tom, is retiring. I have enjoyed playing several organ/piano duets with Tom over the last 2-1/2 years. Tom is a wonderful organist, and I have big shoes to fill! But I am grateful for the opportunity and the support!
When I applied to AppState, I didn't even know they had an organ department. When I first met with my advisor to choose classes for my 1st semester, I learned that organ lessons were an option for elective credit. I decided that taking organ lessons would be a good idea since I am a church musician. Now, I am getting to put those organ lessons to work!
2026 is shaping up to be a big year. The word is "expansion" and I feel it happening already!
|
|
|
I have opened the monthly membership in The Music Hub.
There are two levels of membership:
Level 1:
Learn to play the piano! Have access to all the instructional videos and PDFs of theory worksheets and songs. You can go at your own pace and rewatch the videos as often as you wish!
Level 2: If you would like more support, you can add weekly online group sessions over Zoom where you can get more demonstration and help with specific questions.
For more information and pricing, go to this link: https://heather-niemi-savage-music.kit.com/56f2d8e9d6
|
|
|
In the Concert Hall - Jan. & Feb. |
|
|
January 11 - Daughter of the Stars, for string orchestra, will be performed by the South Bend Symphony in South Bend, IN.
You can purchase tickets here:
Musician Favorites: From Jennet, Jan 11, 2026 2:30PM | DeBartolo Performing Arts Center
January 24 (Nashville, TN) & 31 (Hickory, NC): Variations of Transformation - Paul Pulsipher and I are presenting a joint piano recital which will feature our co-composed piano duet, Variations of Transformation.
You can purchase tickets to the Hickory concert here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1975122257842?aff=oddtdtcreator
February 7 - Arethusa, for full orchestra, will be performed by the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra in Bentonville, AR! It's an all-American concert, and I am super thrilled to be on a program with Florence Price and George Gershwin!!!
You can purchase tickets to this concert here:
American Essence | Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra
Next month, I will include the March concerts (which are free and open to the public.)
|
|
|
I have more ideas in my head than I've been able to write out, so nothing new this month! |
|
|
I have lesson plans for two composition projects available. One, for writing a simple children's song. The other for writing an easy Blues tune. If you would like one of these lesson plans to use in your classroom, respond to this email and let me know! |
|
|
In the Composition Studio |
|
|
I finished You are the Music and submitted it to the Huntsville Master Chorale Composition Competition. Of course, I would love to win! But no matter the results of that contest, I am very pleased with this piece. I really can't wait to share it with the world one way or another! |
|
|
I fixed (many) of the SEO problems on my website, and the traffic has improved greatly! |
|
|
I am very behind in the podcast... working on it! I hope to get it back up and running this month. |
|
|
John and I went to a nearby town called Forest City. It is known for its Christmas lights. Last Sunday, which happened to be the Solstice (a perfect day for going to look at Christmas lights) we celebrated the end of the semester by going out to eat and walking around this quaint town! It's like a miniature Boston Commons, but much warmer!
|
|
|
Many, many thanks for your support!
Feel free to email me: heather@heatherniemisavage.com. I'd love to hear from you!
Happy Music Making!
Heather Niemi Savage
|
|
|
