Chris Beuchler - The Music Den's Teacher Of The Month for August 2013

Chris Buechler - The Music Den's Teacher Of The Month for August 2013

At The Music Den, we are proud of our teachers and their accomplishments. We want you to know a little about them so we are featuring one teacher each month. Congratulations to Chris Buechler, our August 2013 featured "Teacher of the Month". 

Chris Buechler has been teaching at The Music Den for over 5 years and is a valued member of our team. He is a true professional in every sense of the word. Chris provides a unique experience for the beginning student, guiding them through the rigors of focused and technique driven training. For the advanced student, Chris performs an analysis of their current skills and develops a routine to guide them towards advanced performance and practicing skills. 

Each student under Chris’s tutelage can be assured that they will be prepared for any performance at their training level, whether it be college auditions, ensemble performances, or yearly student competitions. You can place your confidence in Chris to have you prepared! Setting a good example, Chris maintains a routine practice schedule and even spends his preparation time at The Music Den, practicing his instruments for at least an hour prior to seeing his students for the day. 

Chris Buechler has been a member of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra as the principal bassoonist. He has played with the Princeton Symphony, Riverside Symphonia, New Jersey Pops Orchestra, The New Eastman Symphony, and both Rutgers Symphony and Summerfest Orchestra. Chris earned his Masters Degree in Performance and Literature at Eastman School of Music and a Bachelors degree in Performance from Rutgers University. 

Chris is putting together The Music Den’s first “Chamber Wind Ensemble” for the fall of 2013. This will be a group comprised from our in-house students and anyone in the community who would like to participate. The Ensemble will be formed through an audition process and accepted students will be the first members of the “Randolph Performing Arts Center Wind Ensemble” (RPACWE). Audition information will be available on our website and in-store by the end of August.

To meet Chris and discuss lessons or joining the ensemble, stop by the store or call (973) 927-5800 (lesson department). Chris is in on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM.

Ukulele Group Class starting in August 2013

Ukulele Group Class starting in August 2013

Ukulele Group Class for ages 13 and up! 4 week class starting in August 2013. Tuesdays or Saturdays at 3:15PM. $25.00 per class. No experience necessary.

You must own a Ukulele to participate in the class. We will give you a 20% discount off a Ukulele purchase if you wish to attend the class.

Classes start August, 2013. Call the store at 973-927-5800 for more info or to sign up. Sign up today!

www.themusicden.com

The Music Den Drum-Off 2013 - July 20th, 2013

The Music Den Drum-Off 2013 - July 20th, 2013 - Winners Announced

Congratulations to all the drummers who participated in our first annual The Music Den Drum-Off competition on July 20th, 2013 at the Randolph Performing Arts Center. The night was incredible, and the performances where nothing short of inspiring. Thanks again and start practicing for next year!

The 2013 Drum-Off was the brain child of The Music Den drum instructor John Hvasta and lesson dept director Angela Marcone. Twenty-one The Music Den drum students between the ages of 4 and 17 competed in five different categories based on age and experience for five different prizes. And then one of the category winners was picked by our judges to win the Grand Prize!

Here are the winners:

Category I: Ashton Carlin age 10
Won a Stagg SH-CM16R 16" Medium Crash Cymbal $157 Retail

Category II: Emma Peterson age 9
Won a Tama HP 600D Kick Drum pedal $180 Retail

Category III: Daniel Goldberg age 10
Won a set of Vic Firth SIH1 Drummer Isolation Headphones $100 Retail

Category V: Matt Sukert age 13
Won a Toca SDVNP10 Djembe $239 Retail

Category A: Mike Iansito age 17
Won a complete set of Evans Drumheads $350 Retail

GRAND PRIZE WINNER: Daniel Goldberg age 10
Won a customized Red Fade Cajon, handmade by Sean Sullivan of Sully's Custom Drums

(To see pictures of the winners, please visit our The Music Den Facebook page.)

And all participants received a custom The Music Den Drum-Off 2013 Tshirt!

Congratulations again to all the participants!

The Music Den Television: Product Demo - Roland HP-503 Digital Piano

The Music Den Television

Product Demo - Roland HP-503 Digital Piano

In this video, Brian from The Music Den in Randolph demonstrates the Roland HP-503 Digital Piano. Did you know that The Music Den carries the complete line of Roland Digital Pianos? Come on in and check 'em out!

Click the link below to go to our Roland Digital Pianos page:

http://www.themusicden.com/t-rolanddigitalpianos.aspx

The Music Den Television Videos Page: Video Lessons, Product Demos, Concerts, Clinics, and more!

We are excited to introduce "The Music Den Television"! The Music Den Television is our new video page where you can watch clips from Concerts and Clinics filmed at the Randolph Performing Arts Center, Product Demos by our own Sales Staff, Mini-Music Lessons from our own private music teachers, and more! Check it out at the link below!


http://www.themusicden.com/t-TheMusicDenTV.aspx

The Music Den will be closed on Thursday, July 4th, for Independence Day.

The Music Den will be closed on Thursday, July 4th, 2013 in observation of Independence Day.

 

 

The Music Den Teacher Of The Month - John Hvasta - July 2013

The Music Den Teacher Of The Month - John Hvasta - July 2013 

At The Music Den, we are proud of our teachers and their accomplishments. We want you to know a little about them so we are featuring one teacher each month. Congratulations to John Hvasta, our July featured "Teacher of the Month".

John Hvasta has been teaching at The Music Den for over 17 years and is a valued member of our team. He is a true professional in every sense of the word. John has over 28 students, many of whom have been studying with him for over 7 years!

Because of John's friendly, professional yet personal interaction with his students and their parents, eager faces arrive each week to see "Mr. John". John Havsta has an easy-going personality and confidence that trickles into his student's enthusiasm for learning. His positive approach incites both the parent and student to work hard and with diligence. His reputation precedes him and filters outside The Music Den. Students arrive asking for "Mr. Hvasta"! A dedicated teacher, John goes above and beyond the 30-minute or hour lesson to assist his clients in performances, new drum purchases, and readily shares his expertise in drumming essentials.

Recently, John Hvasta developed the first ever "Drum Off" competition at The Music Den. On Saturday, July 20th, 2013 because of his planning and suggestions, over 20 students will participate in the contest.

Talk about experience. You are in good hands with John. John Hvasta has over 40 years playing experience; 21 years professional playing, 27 years teaching drums, 30 years playing Jazz, Rock, Rhythm and Blues, Funk, Rockabilly, Country, Fusion, and Avante Guard. He is the author of the book "New Age Drum Set Movements" and co-author of the Rhythm Section Column for Skylands Blues Music Publication. John also is occasionally a contributing author in the bang Section of Electronic Musician. John is also the Vice-President of Drummer's Helpers, creators of the "Air Stix®". These sticks are used to warm up at an unusually short amount of time, and are used to build all the muscle groups of the arm, hand and fingers.

Education: Private studies with Jim Chapin, Joe Morello, Dom Famularo, Al Miller, Gary Chaffee, David Garibaldi, and Sam Ulano.

We are proud to call John Hvasta our July "Teacher of the Month"!