The Ballads, Songs, & Vignettes (BSV) Collection [Intro]

Found in: Miscellany & Merriment, Neil Moore

Neil Moore founded Simply Music in 1998. He has travelled throughout the entire globe spreading his “playing-based” piano teaching method and growing a community of Simply Music Piano Teachers who believe in this method and share his worldview that “everyone is musical.”

The heart of Simply Music’s curriculum consists of songs composed by Neil. Simply Music Piano Teachers are familiar with these songs—they have learned them and taught them to their students. And, though teachers may know the songs, they might not know the story behind them and how they were composed. With that in mind, Neil developed his new project, entitled “Ballads, Songs, and Vignettes” (referred to as BSV). It is a performance project highlighting some of his familiar compositions; specifically, the simple and brief Ballads, Songs, and Vignettes that are central to the Simply Music curriculum.

Watch this brief overview by Neil:

Song #1: Miles

“Here’s the first of my ‘Ballads, Songs & Vignettes’ posts. The piece is called “Miles”. It’s a vignette about being separated, by distance, from people you love.

One of the things that I love about this brief and simple piece is that there are only 2 notes being played at any time. It’s a sweet melody and one of my favorites.”

Trainee	A 'Trainee' Simply Music Teacher is the first level of teacher status. Trainees have begun their journey into the Simply Music Teacher Training Program however, they have yet to finalize their training and elevate to Licensed status.
Licensed Teacher	A 'Licensed' Simply Music Teacher is the second level of teacher status. Licensed Simply Music Teachers have fulfilled the requirements for completing their Initial Teacher Training Program. Inquire with them to find out when and if they are ready to teach.
Certified Teacher	A 'Certified' Simply Music Teacher is the third level of teacher status. Certified Simply Music Teachers have successfully completed the Simply Music Certification process as well as other requirements needed to become Certified. This includes having taught Foundation Levels 1, 2, and 3 as well as all applicable Special Programs (Composition & Improvisation, Arrangements, and Accompaniment 1). Certified Teachers present the Simply Music Programs exclusively to their beginning students, and they have shown that they follow our carefully-designed curriculum authentically.
Advanced Teacher	An 'Advanced' Simply Music Teacher is the fourth level of teacher status. Advanced status is only achieved after being a Certified Teacher for at least 4 years and teaching students through Foundation Level 9 plus all associated Special Programs (Composition & Improvisation, Arrangements, the Accompaniment Programs, the Reading Programs, Blues & Improvisation, and Jazz Clues). An Advanced Simply Music Teacher has demonstrated that they are an educator with a high degree of experience. Advanced Teachers present the Simply Music Programs exclusively to their beginning students, and they have shown that they follow our carefully-designed curriculum authentically.
Master Teacher	'Master' Simply Music Teacher is an honorary position and the highest status level that can be achieved. It is offered by Simply Music's founder, Neil Moore, to members of the organization who have demonstrated, over an extended period of time, that they are teachers who possess exemplary skills and qualities. They are mentors and a model to their fellow Simply Music Teachers and are considered leaders in our teaching community.

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