If you would like to participate, just call the store at 859-273-4063 or stop by and register.
We just need your name and what song you will be playing so we can put you in the program.

It’s going to be a great fun night at Willis and we hope you will join us. We will have refreshments following the performances in our Reictal Hall at Willis Music, 130 W. Tiverton Way #135, Lexington, Ky. 40503.

Tired of learning tabs to other people’s songs?  Ready to become a real musician and get a full understanding of how to play the guitar?  This intensive 8 week group guitar class with instrumental recording artist Mike Shouse will teach you speed, accuracy, scales/modes, chords, arpeggios, theory and how it all ties together.  Each week, you will go home with a better understanding of how to play and Mike’s weekly handouts will help you remember your new skills!

Still not sure?  Stop in on Tuesday, May 21st at 7:00 pm to meet Mike, and stay for his FREE introductory class.  You will receive a free copy of his CD, “Alone on the Sun” just for attending!  30 minutes with Mike, and you will definitely be back for the full 8 week course!

To register, call the store at 273-4063 , stop by, or email lexington@willismusic.com.  Forgot to register?  No problem, stop on by anyway!  Don’t forget:  Tuesday, May 21st at 7:00 pm.

Tired of learning tabs to other people’s songs?  Ready to become a real musician and get a full understanding of how to play the guitar?  This intensive 8 week group guitar class with instrumental recording artist Mike Shouse will teach you speed, accuracy, scales/modes, chords, arpeggios, theory and how it all ties together.  Each week, you will go home with a better understanding of how to play and Mike’s weekly handouts will help you remember your new skills!

Still not sure?  Stop in on Thursday, May 23rd at 7:00 pm to meet Mike, and stay for his FREE introductory class.  You will receive a free copy of his CD, “Alone on the Sun” just for attending!  30 minutes with Mike, and you will definitely be back for the full 8 week course!

To register, call the store at 426-1818, stop by, or email louisville@willismusic.com.  Forgot to register?  No problem, stop on by anyway!  Don’t forget:  Thursday, May 23rd at 7:00 pm.

The post 8 Week Group Guitar Class with Mike Shouse – Louisville appeared first on Willis Music - Louisville.

This free piano concert included works by Beethoven, Chopin, Gottschalk, and Schubert.

Check out these video clips of Abby playing on the Steinway Model O.

Guest speakers included Kevin Cranley – President of Willis Music, John Haynes – Registered Piano Technician, and William E. Hesch – CPA.

Some of the Highlights are…

John Haynes spoke about caring for your piano including the Dos and Don’ts. To contact John Haynes, please call: 859.356.3656

In the picture below is Bill Hesch in action explaining the tax benefits and reliefs that are available to music educators. One tip for this year that he explained in detail was the ability to write-off an entire instrument purchase. As of 2014, instrument purchases will be deducted over several years instead of one. To contact William Hesch, please click HERE.

A FREE trial class is happening Monday, May 20 at 8:00 pm at Willis Music. Try the class on for size and see if you want to jump on board! Everyone who attends the free class gets a copy of Mike’s “Alone On The Sun” CD just for coming!

The 8 week course runs June 3 through July 15 and costs $250. Each weekly class is 30 minutes. Call, email or stop in today to register for the free night and your CD.

Mike Shouse graduated from GIT in 1993, has 20 years of teaching experience and was named winner of the 2011 “God of Indie Guitar” award.

http://youtu.be/BKABbP7H8h4

The post 1 More Day Left at Cymbal Land! appeared first on Willis Music - Louisville.

Here is lilyanne, age 6 playing Hungarian Concerto by Oskar Rieding accompanied by her mom, Gwen. They were taking part of the Spring Concert for students of Zhao Wan. Lily has been taking lessons at  Willis Music for years. Everyone was blown away about how awesome she was, it shows the power of lessons. Call us to sign up today!

Andy and Roger from Dream Cymbals

Dominic from Amedia Cymbals

Greg from Sabian

Bob from Zildjian

Come tomorrow (Saturday, May 11th starting at 10AM), select your perfect sound, and meet some of the giants in the cymbal biz.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – On March 26-28, Willis Music President and Owner, Kevin Cranley, took part in the NAMM Fly-In 2013 in Washington, D.C., and met with Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell. NAMM, or the National Association of Music Merchants, organizes the annual Advocacy Fly-In on behalf of school music education programs in public schools, to promote the benefits that playing music can have for children and teens, and to assure that federal education policy and funding advance access to music learning for all children. Approximately 30 members of NAMM met with various members of the U.S. Congress and Senate.

Cranley, who was elected among 9,000 members and is currently serving a 2-year-term as NAMM Chairman, was joined by artists Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Bernie Williams, former NY Yankee and Latin Grammy-nominated jazz guitarist – both of whom are strong advocates of music education.

This is the first time that Cranley was able to meet with Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell.

“This was the first time I met Senator McConnell and I was most impressed with his insight into our concerns and his willingness to support music and the arts as we move forward,” said Cranley. “I expressed the need for Congress to work together to reauthorize the ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) formally called ‘No Child Left Behind’. It has been 6 years since it has been scheduled for re-authorized.

Cranley left the meeting feeling very hopeful and positive about his discussion with the senator.

“I have been going to Washington each year for several years now and this was the first time I walked away with hope that re-authorization can happen. I do not know what is causing this renewed energy, but our entire group felt an improved atmosphere concerning compromise and progress. Hopefully we will now see results,” he said.

In addition, Cranley feels that the re-authorization also needs to add clarity concerning how funds can be used.

“Federal funds as spelled out in Titles 1 and 2 can be used at the discretion of local districts as they determine how to best educate their students,” he explained. “However, there is a misconception that these funds cannot be used for music and the arts. That is simply not true and needs to be clarified in the re-authorization.”

According to a Harris Poll, school principals report higher graduation rates in schools with robust music and art programs than do those without programs (90.2% as compared to 72.9%). In addition, those that rate their programs as “excellent” or “very good” have an even higher graduation rate (90.9%). Schools that have music programs have significantly higher attendance rates than do those without programs (93.3% as compared to 84.9%).

NAMM’s annual Advocacy Fly-In gives NAMM Members the opportunity to advocate to their Members of Congress for policy and funding to support music and arts education. This advocacy effort includes one day of preparation at the Kennedy Center and another day of personal meetings with representatives and other influencers. Sessions are preceded by an issues briefing and training, after which NAMM Members hit the halls of the U.S. Capitol and Congressional office buildings to lobby their representatives about the importance of music education and needed changes to assure access for music learning. During the trip NAMM Members are also trained on developing state-level advocacy efforts for music and arts education that they can take back to their communities in time for school budget season.

About NAMM
The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $17 billion music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music. NAMM’s activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of approximately 9,000 Member companies located in more than 87 countries. For more information about NAMM or the proven benefits of making music, interested parties can visit www.namm.org, call 800.767.NAMM (6266).

About Willis Music
The Willis Music Company was founded in 1899. We are the one-stop shop for all things musical. Willis Music is the premier publisher of teaching methods, including John Thompson’s Modern Course for the Piano – the most widely used piano methods in the world. The Willis Music publishing catalog contains more than 5,000 titles. There are currently six locations in Cincinnati and Kentucky. Willis Music is also the regional representative for Steinway & Sons pianos in Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Dayton. For more information, visit www.willismusic.com or call 859-283-2050.

This Press Release is from the desk of Christy Schutte, Public Relations Manager – Willis Music Company.