Nadine's Music Specials

Dallas Morning News - April 1999

It’s back to school every day at Nadine’s Music Manor. Their new location at 15th and Independence stays in tune all year with band students, private lesson students, guitar and piano players, vocalists and music teachers. Music Manor is both a full-line music store, except for pianos, and a full-time music school that emphasizes "small store’ personal service.

Even with summer approaching, the music store is humming. Parents of students signing up for school band in the fall are exploring all their options.

"We focus on the music and accessoriesaspect of a school’s band program," says owner Nadine Haarsager.

Band books, private lessons, books, metronomes, music stands, mouthpieces, reeds, and cleaning supplies are year-round neccessities for band students, as well as professional musicians. The store also sells quality, refurbished school-approved instruments, and their repair shop services all instruments.

"This is an especially hard time of year for parents of new band students," says Ms. Haarsager. "They are sent out to ask questions and prices of items they are completely foreign to them." Even the book titles may seem to be written in Greek. It is our job to help translate and make them feel comfortable," she says. "In fact, for those parents and students not lucky enough a note, we can usually translate ‘I need a red book’ into Standard of Excellence for the Tuba," says Ms. Haarsager.

"This time of year is also very busy for popular music," she says. "Piano and band students usually have an opportunity to add contemporary music to their regular lesson format. We sell movie themes, Disney, Broadway, and pop for all levels and most instruments," she says. "Currently, the music of Sarah McLachlan and Shania Twain are in demand, and Backstreet Boys and N’Sync are catching up," says Ms. Haarsager.

With summer approaching, many people aalso are considering music lessons. Private study in any instrument enhances your abilities and advancement, says Ms. Haarsager.

"Our music program is designed to be year-round, but starting in the summer is appealing to many students because there are fewer distractions," says Ms. Haarsager.

Nadine’s Music Manor takes pride in its teaching facilities and instructional staff. Almost hlaf of the 5,000-square foot location at Prarie Creek Vilage is devoted to teaching facilities.

When designing the new store, we wanted to give our teaching staff and area befitting their years of experience and education," says Ms. Haarsager.

The facilty has 11 spacious studios, a large group/meeting studio, a recital stage and a large waiting room. The teaching staff at Nadine’s Music Manor offers a breadth of experience.

An accomplished composer, Brian Clement-Foreman has a master’s degree from Southern Methodist University. His work has been performed at Carnegie Hall, recorded on CDs and has been heard on radio and television in the United States and aabroad. His most recent work – Euterpe – for piano and classical guitar premieredin April in Dallas.

Mr. Clement-Foreman, teaches all styles of guitar, music theory and electric bass. Several of his students have received scholarships in guitar and other fields of music.

Be-Fong shih_Foreman is a certified piano teacher with the National Music Teachers Association and the AM College of Musicians. Ms. Shih-Foreman has a master’s degree from Missouri State University and has produced some highly accomplished students. A remarkably large number of them have been ranked by the American College of Musicians in the Top Talented Circle. Ms. Shih-Foreman is a member of the Plano Music Teachers Association and is on the honor roll of the National Plano Guild. Qualified to teach at any level, Ms. Shih-Foreman accepts students age 5 and older. Kelly Vaughn, who studied music at Stephen F. Austin, is the lead guitarist/vocalist for the group Kickstand. He ahs released several Cd’s of original music and performs throughout the Metroplex.

Guitarist Ben Gratt has performed in local bands for more than 10 years and teaches sight reading, music theory and all styles of music.

David Perrine has a degree in violin pedalogy from the Universtiy of Colorado. He currently performs with the Irving Symphony. A feelance musician who works weddings and conventions, Mr. Perrine teaches the violin and the fiddle to students of all ages.

Co-founder of the local jazz band Clockwork, Phil McNeese teaches electric bass basss, all levels and styles, with a special emphasis on music theory and technique.

Scott Weltner is a freelance drummer who performs locally and nationally and has recorded CD’s with many well-known artists. A graduate of jazz studies from the University of North Texas, Mr. Weltner teaches drum set, school band percussion, bells, and keyboards.

Having studied music at Midwestern State and the University of North Texas, Mike Sodders teaches all styles of piano to students of all ages.

Eric Sykes receicved his degree in music from the University of North Texas. He is a member of the Richland Community College jazz band and teaches all styles of guitar to students at all age levels.

James Evans, also a graduate of Morth Texas, teaches trombone and low brass at Music Mano, as well as in area schools. He performs with the Metropolitan Winds and Slide Show, a trombone ensemble.

Morris Ragsdale and "piano moderne" are the latest additions to Music Manor. Piano moderne is a piano course to teach adults to improvise on a melody line and chord symbols.

Nadine’s Music Manor, located at 3301 W. 15th Street at Independence in Plano, is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The store is also open Sundays on a seasonal basis at the start of the new school year and during the Christmas season. Fro more information, call 972-985-7884.