In This Month’s Newsletter

Sounds of Freedom: Celebrating America Through Music
Fun and Important Dates
Upcoming Recitals and Forum
Welcome Our New Students
Student of the Month
Spotlight on "America (My Country, 'Tis of Thee)"
Did You Know? Dr. Dennis Has Written a Musical!
Inspirations
Music Playdates in the Parks
Summer Camps
Did You Read Your Newsletter Contest?
Referral Program

Sounds of Freedom:
Celebrating America Through Music

Every Fourth of July, Americans gather to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, parades, and of course—music! Patriotic songs have long been a beloved part of the holiday, filling the air with familiar melodies that stir pride and joy. From stirring anthems like “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful” to folk classics such as “This Land Is Your Land,” patriotic music reflects the country’s diverse history, landscapes, and dreams. These songs bring generations together and remind us of the ideals and struggles that helped shape the United States.

Folk and country songs such as “God Bless the USA” and “My Country, ’Tis of Thee” bring a more personal and heartfelt sound to celebrations. Even children's songs like “Yankee Doodle” and “Fifty Nifty United States” get everyone singing along and learning history in a fun way.

Whether sung around a campfire, played by a marching band, or featured in a grand fireworks finale, patriotic music brings people of all ages and backgrounds together in celebration of freedom, unity, and community. These songs don’t just mark a holiday—they express a shared story, full of hope, struggle, and love for country. It’s this rich musical tradition that helps make Independence Day one of the most joyful and meaningful holidays in the United States.

FUN and IMPORTANT DATES

Upcoming Recitals and Concerts

**Please welcome**
**our NEW Students who enrolled**
**in May**

Burcu C.
Zeus Issa D.
Touleen K.
Teddy M.
Rhone R.
Meesha Z.

Student of the Month

Ario Shafiee

Ario started taking piano lessons in June, 2023, and has been progressing very well, performing wonderful music, and working through *Presto! It's Piano Magic Book 1*, as well as arranging his own songs and variations of music that not only are fun but also important and meaningful to him and his family.Ario performs regularly in recitals and on our studio Concert Performance Team!

Ario's favorite thing about playing the piano is that he can make up his own songs. "It feels really cool when I learn a hard song and can play it all the way through without messing up!" He has played the guitar a little, and one day wants to learn how to play the violin, too. Ario likes finding new songs to play that he's never played before, and he even composed his own song called, The Sevens!

With his family, Ario visited the Netherlands and "it was really fun!" He plays soccer and competes on the Novaquatics swim team. He enjoys being active and trying new things!

Spotlight on "America
(My Country, 'Tis of Thee)"

The song "America (My Country, 'Tis of Thee)" was written in 1831 by Samuel Francis Smith, a young seminary student in Massachusetts. Smith penned the lyrics as a patriotic hymn to express the ideals and spirit of the growing American nation. Interestingly, he set his words to the melody of "God Save the King," the British national anthem—a tune that was widely known and respected throughout Europe and the Americas at the time. The result was a uniquely American anthem that used a familiar melody to evoke national pride, making it easy to adopt and sing across the country.

Despite its British origins, the melody took on a new life in the United States through Smith’s stirring lyrics, which celebrated freedom, faith, and the American landscape. "America" quickly became one of the most beloved patriotic songs in the country, often performed at public ceremonies, school events, and national holidays like the Fourth of July. It even served as an unofficial national anthem before "The Star-Spangled Banner" was officially adopted in 1931. The song remains a testament to how shared musical traditions can be adapted to express distinct national identities.

Did You Know?

The score features Joplin’s classic ragtime pieces dynamically orchestrated in fresh new arrangements impelling the drama, bringing a vibrant musical backdrop to the early 20th-century American setting.

When Dr. Dennis was a teenager, his passions and hobbies included performing magic and playing ragtime music on the piano!

Inspirations

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

— Philippians 4:8

“Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August.”

— Jenny Han

**Music Playdates in the Parks**

Weekly on Wednesdays and Saturday mornings
from 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Meet friends, dance a little, sing along, play with some musical instruments,
and other fun toys!
Find us near the playground.
See park schedule on our website.

**Summer Camps**

Summer “Beginner” Piano Camps
Ages 7-10 Mornings 9:00 am - 12 noon
One Week Duration (5 Days, M-F)

Camps are designed for beginners, Ages 7-10, who will learn some basics, get to know their way around the piano, play some songs, feel the beat, sing a little, enjoy some musical arts and crafts, and perform some music in a small group recital!

**July 14 - 18, 2025**

Did You Read Your Newsletter Contest?

July 2025

To encourage everyone to read the Dennis Frayne Music Studio Newsletter, each month we’ll feature a new contest winner or a new contest. Be sure to read your newsletter each month to see if your name has been drawn or you might miss out!