Where to start…

Well, with ‘Arrowsmith’ for a last name, I had to be some sort of a music teacher!

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I took lessons as a child and resumed lessons with my childhood as an adult. Through my musical career, I have been involved in multiple recitals and examinations! I have completed my grade eight (8) piano and grade two (2) theory with first class honors in both exams. I was prepared to perform my grade nine Toronto Royal Conservatory of Music exam in June 2001, but due to a terrible bout of tendonitis I was forced to put that exam on hold.

Currently, I am again working towards this exam which I will perform in June 2003. Upon the completion of the practical part of this exam, I intend on studying and completing my Grade Three (3) Theory which consists of Music History and Harmony.

In addition to my private music lessons, I spent all of my junior high and high school years in my school music program. I played the flute for the first 4 years and the flute and piccolo for the last 2 years. For those of you who are reading this page that went to high school with me, I’m sure that you remember me from my infamous ‘scream’ during a tender moment of the performance of the Phantom of the Opera Medley!

I toured throughout Canada competing in many festivals, with my concert band from 1997 to 1991. In 1987, I attended a Summer Band workshop through the University of Calgary. And finally, in 1991, I worked as a music teaching assistant in a Calgary Elementary School. I must admit, for me, the best part of school was band class, band practice, band rehearsals, band concerts, band music festivals, and band tours!

I began teaching in 1991 and taught for 2 years through Music Makers, Mr. Entertainment, and privately. I began teaching again in 1997 and am currently accepting new students. Last summer I was feeling rather restless and wanting to incorporate something unique into my student’s piano experience. And, it is through those feelings that this web page was conceived.

PHEW!!

It’s over! After struggling with my ‘tendonitis’ for the past few years, I finally completed my Grade 9 Toronto Conservatory of Music Exam. Finally, after trying many therapies for my hands, I found a technique that gave me relief so I was able to practice and get through my exam. I tried many therapies over the years. I tried ice, heat, wrist braces, elbow braces, acupuncture, Vioxx, Motrin, physiotherapy, and finally I found Dr. Brian Reive.

Dr. Reive is a chiropractor that also is certified to do ART, Active Release Therapy. I was shocked to learn that I did not have tendonitis or carpel tunnel syndrome as my medical doctors had been telling me. I actually have repetitive strain injury and have a mass of scar tissue built up in my hands. Within 5 treatments with Dr. Reive, I felt 85% better than I did when first walking into his clinic. Before this treatment I could only play for about five minutes before experiencing pain, and after five treatments I could play for almost three hours with minimal pain.

Thanks Brian!

Now, I highly recommend Brian to any student, teacher, or other professional who has pain due to repetitive strain injury. I am pleased to say that I am beginning my Grade 10 in September 2003, as well as my Grade III Theory.

My Goal

Most parents that I have spoken to over the years have told me horror stories of their childhood piano teachers and piano lessons. My goal that I strive to achieve during every lesson, is to prevent those piano nightmares from being passed down to your children. I view children as little people whose views and concerns should be valued, respected, and heard.

The way that I show my students that I value their needs and thoughts is to talk with them, not to them, on a regular basis about their lessons and their musical goals. Not every student wants to be a concert pianist, pop star, or jazz composer. In effectively communicating with my students and asking them what type of music they’d like to play, if they need more challenging pieces, or if they have any questions that they haven’t asked, I am sending them the message that I care about their musical success and value their thoughts.

The more input that your child/ren has in the creation of their musical experience, the more they will enjoy the process, keep up the practicing, and be excited to go to their lessons!

“Chris, why don’t you play?”

I have repeatedly heard this question from parents and students at the recitals that I organize for my students. Well, the answer to that question is:

1. I did not consider myself to be a performer anymore, and

2. I organize these events for my students to shine not to display my own talent.

My belief that I am a teacher but not a performer was challenged last December when I got a frantic phone call from a woman who needed a pianist for a huge family Christmas reunion. I tried to explain to her that I was a teacher not a performer, but she managed to convince me to come and play for her family sing-along. The day after that phone call, I went to her house and looked at the musical itinerary that she intended for me to play. I gasped as I realized that she wanted me to perform 32 or so of their most favorite Christmas tunes.

So, I went home and practiced those pieces for hours, as I had a mere 48 hours to prepare 32 pieces! Like my students realize, as performers we are our own worst critics, and in my opinion, it was not a perfect performance, but at that time I reconnected with the joy of performing.

Performing is about having fun making music and sharing this gift with others, not about one wrong note.

Yes I know, I tell my students this all the time, but as a perfectionist, I hold different standards for my own performances. The hostess’s of the party were thrilled with the entertainment and I had fun doing my job! After playing that Christmas gig I discovered that I was wrong…yes, I am a teacher, but I am a performer too!

Finally, when someone inquires about “why don’t you play?” I can tell them that I do!