June 2020

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The Wichita Music Academy at Garten’s Music was named a Music School of the Year fi-nalist for 2020! A trade group based in South Carolina hon-ored eight of the top privately owned music schools in the United States as finalists.

Music Academy Success Sys-tem includes more than 250 music schools in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and the United Kingdom. The seven other finalists in this year’s group were from California, Ohio, Indiana, Texas, Georgia and Florida. The Wichita Music Academy is the first Kansas school ever to be named a finalist!

The Music Academy Success System annual conference was set for April in South

Garten’s a finalist for School of the Year

Take lessons in person or online now!Hello, students! We were excited to resume in-person lessons at the Wichita Music Academy and in the Goofin’ Around Keyboard Classes as of June 2!

Here’s what we know:

1. We are now open for in-person lessons! Instructors are at the store to teach les-sons if you choose to come to us OR if you prefer to con-tinue remote lessons. Either way, your lesson will occur at your normal day and time.

2. Music academy students will continue to have the op-tion of remote lessons, for as long as they’d like. It is their choice when they resume in-person lessons with us. On-line lessons will always be an option.

Carolina, where all eight finalists were invited to pres-ent to the group their market-ing and retention strategies to help inspire other music school owners and provide examples of best practices that could help them suc-ceed. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the conference and finalist presentations took place on Zoom.

In addition to finalist hon

Amy, Cindy Houston with their Faith-Belief-Action medals.

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Awards for 8 national finalists include Disney Institute training at Disney World in September

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Congratulations to our graduates of the Goofin’ Around Keyboard Class (Red Book 3)! Clockwise from top left: Karen Armstrong, Janet Guthrie, Michael and Cindy Houston of Garten’s, Mary Robillard. Not pictured: Gaye Dyer, Mary Scott.

Goofin’ Around Keyboard Class updates & graduation!

Classes starting:

Lowrey Magic theme class (Favorite Songswith 3 Chords)

– starts at 1:30 p.m.Wednesday, June 3

Lowrey MagicBlue Book 3

– starts at 10:30 a.m.Wednesday, June 10

Lowrey Magic theme class (Grammy Awards)

– starts at 10:30 a.m.Thursday, June 11

Lowrey MagicBlue Book 1

– starts at 1:30 p.m.Thursday, June 11

Lowrey Magic online class– starts at 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 16

Congratulations to our graduates of the Goofin’ Around Keyboard Class (Red Book 1)! Clockwise from top left: Chris Barnes, Steve McRae, Cindy and Michael Houston of Garten’s, Teresa Lang. Not pictured: Candy Wilcoxen, Laurie Atkins, Elmer Welch, Julia Byrd, Benjamin Breese-Isley.

Garten’s Music & the Wichita Music Academy will be closed Saturday, the Fourth of July. We

hope you have a safe and happy holiday!

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We are following numerous safety protocols to keep stu-dents, teachers and staff safe, including: • We are asking students, staff and teachers who feel ill to stay home. • Although masks aren’t mandatory, we have compli-mentary disposable masks for students or teachers who want one. These are available at the front desk, and they are FREE for students to use during the lesson. However, you must be a current student to receive one. • We have plenty of hand sanitizer in each lesson studio and at the front counter. • We have limited seating

u”Music lessons,” continued from Page 1.available in the front and back waiting areas, but as always, those providing transportation for students age 8 or older are welcome to wait in their cars or return in 30 minutes for pickup. • We are cleaning the build-ing multiple times a day. This includes cleaning door knobs, exterior-door bars and handles, piano keys, the front counter, telephones, the cash register, the credit card machine, the restroom, spout levers on the water dispenser, fridge and cabinet handles, and more.

So ... start practicing for the Student Showcases set for Aug. 15 and 16! We are so

excited for this opportunity at the Best Western Wich-ita North to use the South Atrium, a room of almost 10,000 square feet where we can spread out! Students are already signing up for the Student Showcases; just con-tact the office if you’d like to perform. There is no charge!

Please contact us at 942-1337 or info@gartensmusic.com if you want to switch to in-person lessons in June! Also, don’t hesitate to ask if you need assistance with anything else. Thank YOU for making music with us!

ors, Michael, Cindy and Amy Houston received the Faith-Belief-Action award from the Music Academy Success Sys-tem! They operate Garten’s Music & the Wichita Music

u”National finalist,” continued from Page 1.Academy. Cindy’s parents, Harold and Margaret Garten, founded Garten’s Music in 1969.

The awards for national

Cindy and Amy Houston address Music Academy Success Sys-tem members during the national Zoom conference.

School of the Year finalists include Disney Institute train-ing in September at Disney World. Cindy will attend the organization’s program for music school owners to learn business insights and customer service principles of Walt Dis-ney Parks & Resorts.

We were honored to be named a finalist and to share our story! When Garten’s opened, it was primarily a service company for home and church organs before expanding to retail and music education. The store moved from Valley Center to Wichita in 2000.

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Wichita Music Academy students recently received their trophies, wristbands and certifi-cates for achieving musical milestones. We are proud of them! See more photos, Page 5.

WMA students earn recognition

Adeanna J. Zooey K. Maddy K. Carlita S. Cody G.

Ivy L. Leah L. Emily S. Angelie M. Hector P.

LeAuna G. Bryan O. Micah O. Sasha L. Isabella W.

Grandfather Gary F. and grand-daughter Alexandria B.

Bo M. Matthew H.

Astrid G. and teacher Patrick

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Ayla I. Sarah V. Gabe G. Gracie G.

Gwen J. Colm P. Landen P. Cal H.

QuyAnh N. Olivia R. Brody H. Priscilla T.

Daphne V. Jessica B.

Evans C.

Kenna C.

Freddie C.

Follow us on Instagram!@wichitamusicacademy

Like us on Facebook!Facebook.com/gartensmusic

Welcome to new and returning music

academy students!Steve T.Brynn W.Micah G.Molly D.

Teresa L.Avery W.Madison M.Deandre M.

Carter J.Sabrina B.Kyndall C.

Landon P.

The Wichita MusicAcademy offers instruction in piano, keyboard, guitar, bass, voice, ukulele, banjo, violin, viola, cello, double bass, brass, woodwinds,

drums & percussion!

for adult beginners teaches students to have a blast goofin’

around at the keyboard! The 10-week class affords students the chance to learn to play in a fun, no-stress (and no recital) environment. We’ll even loan

you an instrument!FREE introductory classes:

– 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 9– 2 p.m. Friday, June 12

Surprise Dad with the gift of music! We have digital pianos, keyboards, guitars, ukuleles, music books, accessories &

more! Gift cards & music lessons are available, too! We are open & we also offer curbside pickup. Contact us at 942-1337, info@gartensmusic.com or www.gartensmusic.com!

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