Music Authority Family Newsletter - February 27, 2024

Being part of a band is being part of a team. The band members are going be working together for a common purpose, making music. They will struggle together, support each other, laugh together, cry together, and ultimately succeed together.

Just like in baseball, you can't play alone. You'll never be the best pitcher in baseball if you don't play a game with other players. Even great concert pianists eventually will play with an orchestra. 

Sometimes, another musician on your team will struggle. I've seen more advanced musicians throw their hands in the air and say, I'm too good for this. Better musicians will realize that there will always be challenges in a band and do their best to help the musician who is struggling.

When band mates feel like they're being supported instead of criticized, they will work harder to overcome. The band will feel closer together, which will make their music tighter and more cohesive. Then, when they go out there and play that big show, the whole band will share the feelings of accomplishment.

I can't express enough the importance of being part of the team. Be honest, but kind, with your band. If you're struggling, ask for help. If you see someone do something outstanding, compliment them. If your guitar player is having trouble getting the timing down, maybe spend some time together outside of rehearsal to help them.

I had the experience this week of the team getting a win that I'd like to share. 

One of our Showcase bands needed to come up with a set list for an upcoming gig. While we worked on the list, I realized it was mostly coming from one member and that no one else seemed to have an opinion. As an experienced musician, I realized this might be a problem later. Just as I suspected, there was some strife after rehearsal in a group text over the list.

Here is a piece of advice for bands. Don't discuss important things through text. Benign comments can feel accusatory. Tone matters. You should wait until you're together again and discuss the issue in person.

The important learning came at our next rehearsal. We sat down and discussed the situation. No one had spoke up the first week because they didn't want to hurt the feelings of the member who had put together the first list, but overall, they felt the list didn't represent the whole band. I pointed out that if you're not willing to speak up, you can't expect the rest of your band to read your mind, and that there is a kind way to express your opinion. They agreed and decided as a team to remake the list with everyone's opinions.

Was everyone perfectly happy with the final list? Not exactly. All the members of the band had to give a little. It ended up a compromise of five opinions comprised into a two hour setlist. I was proud of them. No one yelled. No one got mad and walked away. They listened to each other and came to a solution with minimal adult interjections. It was a good day to be part of that team and they'll be stronger for it.

Part of Music Authority's philosophy is to help your kids learn how to be part of that team, because even if they aren't in a band later in life, they'll be part of some team. A team at work. A recreational team at Parks and Rec. The team of being in a family. 

There's a saying at Rock Camp, you succeed as a team and you fail as a team. We laugh about the failure part because no one really fails in music. It's not a zero sum endgame with a finite number of points and a winner and a loser. We can all win in music. Why not help each other along the way?

Melissa A. Loggins, Owner

#MusicAuthorityFamily

Music Authority Family Newsletter - January 30, 2024

When we start a new year, many of us set resolutions. I'm going to eat healthier. I'm going to try something new. I'm going to exercise more. I'm going to clean out that closet in the guest room.

I would like to challenge you to be more consistent in your practice time. 

You don't need to practice for a long time. Usually your age in minutes twice a day is good. I like my fifteen year old students to sing for fifteen minutes in the morning and fifteen minutes in the afternoon. I know. That doesn't seem like a lot when most of us have been told thirty minutes at a time.

But it works. Why? Because they're touching their instrument more frequently. 

Our bodies are amazing machines. Our muscles remember how to do tasks so our conscious mind doesn't need to think about it. We don't need to concentrate to breathe. Or write with a pen. Or walk. Our muscles remember.

The same is true for your instrument. By repeating the musical exercise more frequently, you are giving your muscles more opportunities to memorize the movement - whether it be singing, playing guitar, piano, or anything else.

I suggest you give it a try. For the next week, try practicing more frequently for shorter periods of time. See what your instructor says at your next lesson. I bet they'll see a difference!

Melissa A. Loggins, Owner

#MusicAuthorityFamily

Music Authority Family Newsletter - December 26, 2023

As the year draws to a close, I take a moment and look back. Did we make a positive difference this year? Did Music Authority help our community when the need presented itself? When a student or parent was struggling, did we reach out a helping hand? Are we building a better community?

Business, and relationships, are not perfect. Sometimes we make a bad call. Sometimes we part ways. But, we look back and remember the good, learn from the bad, and walk onward. We said goodbye to some good people this year that we will miss. But, we had the opportunity to say hello to others who have become dear members of our staff and student body. We're grateful for all of you. Each one of you impacts what we do and makes our world bigger.

I think 2023 was a good year. We were able to show our community what it means to us. From the first responders baskets in the spring to the sandwiches our students made for hungry families in the summer to the gifts for senior citizens at Christmas, we are building a culture of service to our community.

But, for me, the photo above drives so much of what we are. Twenty performers. Five different faith backgrounds coming together to celebrate winter and the holiday season. Songs in Hebrew, Latin, and English. Secular, Classical, and Sacred music. 

This is what Music Authority Family is to me this year. Many different cultures and backgrounds coming together to make music. A diverse group of unique individuals who make music together. Thank you for being part of our Music Authority Family.

Melissa A. Loggins, Owner

#MusicAuthorityFamily

Music Authority Family Newsletter - October 31, 2023

Owning a small business isn't easy. Right now, it's six in the morning on a Saturday. I'm sitting at my kitchen table working on this newsletter while the dogs nap on the sofa. Speaking of small businesses, I'm drinking tea from Dahlonega's  My Vintage Gypsy Tea.  If you like tea, it's an amazing tea and new age shop you should check out.  Their teas are the best around.  I'm drinking Welcome Home this morning.  Black tea with Rose and Vanilla.

But back to Music Authority. Today there's a recital, so the work day won't end until after seven. It's a long day, but fulfilling. I love recital days. Watching students succeed in their performances is a highlight for me; many of them are nervous. They overcome stage fright, build self-confidence, and learn how to be comfortable in front of people. These  skills will help with school presentations, job interviews, and any times the student needs to be in front of a crowd.

I also love seeing how much out students grow. I'm thinking of one bass player that has come through our program. He went from unsure of himself to being a leader. Once soft spoken, now he's thoughtful and contributes. The level of music he plays has gotten more difficult and instead of keeping himself apart from the group, he seems to have found a group of musical friends he enjoys being with every week. He's funny and has come out of his shell so much in the last few years. This is what we get to watch when we work with the students at Music Authority.

Do I know all 600 of you personally?  I don't. I wish I did. But, between myself, Natalie, and the rest of our front desk staff, I think we do. Rarely does a name pop up that one of us doesn't know. It's the best part of our jobs - getting to know you.

I also love the service part of what we do - the community service.  Last month, we helped another small business, Brecht Stables, clean up after July's storms. Our students showed up with their families to move debris and put up fences that had been knocked down. We learned about the Stables and Dustin and put in a good afternoon of work. Next month, we'll be collecting non-perishable food items for The Place and needed household items for Bald Ridge Lodge. Watching a group of people like the Music Authority Family come together to make a difference in our community makes the tough times worth while.

And, yes, there are tough times. Days when I'm not 100% sure I'll get all the bills paid. Days when a customers decides to unload their frustrations in an unkind manner. Days when there are tears instead of triumph. But it's worth it. The successes, both small and big, outweigh the rough spots.

We couldn't do this without you. Thank you for trusting our teachers and our staff. Thank you for buying that guitar from us, each purchase helps us keep making a difference in the lives of our students. Thank you for signing up for recitals and shows, each student success gives us energy to keep going. Thank you for being part of our band program, you push us all to work harder and be better.

And thank you for holding us accountable. I had a student this week come to talk to me about what he needs in his educational program. He outlined the things he wanted to learn that weren't being taught. His teachers are now making adjustments to meet his needs. Communication is so important. 

So, as you move into this holiday season, please think of us. Please give us the opportunity to sell you that guitar, amplifier, drum set, or effects pedal. We need your purchase so we can continue doing what we love. Myself, Andrew, Natalie, Lynne, Sam, Savannah, Antonio, and Evin look forward to helping you meet your musical needs.

Melissa A. Loggins, Owner

#MusicAuthorityFamily

Music Authority Family Newsletter - January 31, 2023

Registration for Music Authority's Summer Camp is Open! Come spend part of your summer with us!

We offer camp options throughout the summer for all ages, instruments, and ability levels.

Adult Rock Camp - 
All Saturdays in June, 4:00-6:00; concert on June 25

Jazz Band Camp - 
All Saturdays in June, 1-3pm; concert on June 25

Drum Camp -
June 5 - 9, 2023

Art and Music Camp -
June 5 - 9, 2023

Rock Camp - 
June 12 - 16, 2023

Broadway Camp - 
June 26 - 20, 2023

Rock Camp, Jr. - 
​July 17 - 21, 2023

You don't have to be a Music Authority student to register for camp at Music Authority.

Melissa A. Loggins, Owner

#MusicAuthorityFamily

Music Authority Family Newsletter - December 30, 2022

This year has been a challenging one at Music Authority.  While the world continued onward, I spent much of the summer months inpatient at Emory, receiving chemotherapy for lymphoma.  Our customers, teachers, and staff members were unbelievably supportive with messages, cards, and a lot of love to get me through a difficult time.

As of December 16, I have had my last surgery and am happy to say I am in remission.

I wanted to take a moment on this last newsletter of 2022 to thank all of you for your support this year.  A kind word or a quick message on Facebook were often all it took to turn a rough day into a positive day.

It is often through difficult times that we discover the greatest joys of life.  This year, I learned how real the Music Authority Family is. You were there for me when I needed it and for that I am grateful.

As we look forward to 2023, may the new year be filled with peace, prosperity, and love.  May many blessings be showered upon you and bestow upon you a bright, healthy, and happy new year!

Melissa A. Loggins, Owner

#MusicAuthorityFamily

Music Authority Family Newsletter - November 25, 2022

You make a difference here at Music Authority.  As the holidays approach, you can help sustain and improve programs at Music Authority.  A portion of every purchase you make goes back to help us develop activities like the Spring and Fall Show; summer camps; the Saxophone Trio; and the Rock Ensemble program.

Shopping local puts money back into the community.  We commit to giving back whenever we can in initiatives like the First Responders baskets and free concerts to collect items for The Place.  You tax dollars stay in Forsyth County supporting schools, roads, and other necessities of life in your own community.

And you help to provide local jobs with your purchase.  We can't employ amazing talent like Natalie, Lynne, Cody, Savannah, Landon, and Jay T without the support of our customers.

Shop local this holiday season.  Check out locally owned stores and restaurants like Talk of the Table, Dutch Monkey Doughnuts, Giorgios, Totally Running, and The Gibson Company.  You can make a huge difference in the life of a small business owner, employee, and your community.

Melissa A. Loggins, Owner

#MusicAuthorityFamily

Music Authority Family Newsletter - September 27, 2022

When I was young, how long do I need to practice was a simple question.  Everyone knew the answer - 30 minutes.  There was an expectation that I'd find 30 minutes after school daily to sit down and work on my instrument (clarinet).  

Today's students are very different from students back then.  They live in a digital world and watch television without commercials.  Remember timing the commercial breaks to run to the kitchen and get a snack?  Today, we simply hit the pause button and the show waits for us to return.

The expectations for practice have changed as well.  As a teacher, I expect my students to practice twice their age.  A fifteen year old has the attention span and ability to concentrate for 30 minutes.  An eight year old does not.

Additionally, I break it down further.  If a student can practice their age twice a day, I'm happy as a teacher.  For example, can that eight year old practice once for eight minutes right after school and then once again right before bed?  The important part is touching the keyboard (or other instrument) more frequently.

The more frequently a student touches their instrument, the faster they will learn the muscle memory needed to play complex pieces.  And practice is different from playing - playing the same pieces you already know will only reinforce what you've already learned.  You want to practice the hard stuff, the stuff you haven't gotten yet.

Melissa A. Loggins, Owner

Music Authority Family Newsletter - August 30, 2022

I want to take a moment to say thank you to all the Music Authority Family who has stopped by to see how I'm doing, sent a card or an email, and who have gone out of their way to check on me.  I appreciate your time and your concern.  Every card makes my day a bit brighter.

As of today, I have two planned treatments left.  If everything goes according to plan, I will hopefully be done with the hospital stays at the end of September and have a clean bill of health.  The original mass that brought me into the oncologists is already gone.  

If everything goes to plan, I'll be back in the office full time sometime in October.

Thank you again to everyone who has been so loving and kind to me through this experience.  It's been a difficult road, you have all made it a little bit easier.

Melissa A. Loggins, Owner

Music Authority Family Newsletter - January 4, 2022

2021 had it's moments.  There were times when I wanted to throw my hands up in the air and say, "Are you kidding?"  It felt like for every two steps forward, the universe threw something new at us that sent us one step back.

But you, our incredible customers and Music Authority Family, stuck with us through every challenge.  From masks, limiting the number of people in a recital, barriers used in studios, to a full house at our Christmas concert and a fun New Year's Eve show, we've really been full circle this year.

Looking forward to 2022, I see a lot of hope and positive momentum.  We're almost back to our pre-COVID student numbers.  Sales have been up (huge thank you to everyone who shopped with us last year, your purchases help support our true love - our education programs).  Music Authority has some of the best staff around. We're excited to get started with the new year.

But, more important than my recollections on 2021, are yours.  What stood out to you about Music Authority this year?  What made you feel good about being part of the Music Authority Family? Where did we really shine? Where was the space for improvement? Continuing to improve is important to us. Let us know what you think. What was amazing? What wasn't?  Send us an email at [email protected]. We want to know what you thought of the last year.

Melissa A. Loggins, Owner