In This Month’s Newsletter

Music for Halloween!
Fun and Important Dates
Upcoming Recitals and Concerts
Welcome Our New Students
Student of the Month
Did You Know?
Music Playdates in the Parks
Join Choir! CM Prep!
Did You Read Your Newsletter Contest?
Referral Program

Music for Halloween!

Halloween is a time for spooky fun, and music plays a big role in setting the mood. From eerie movie soundtracks to playful, haunted melodies, Halloween music comes in many genres and styles. Whether you're looking for instrumental pieces, classical music, or popular songs to add to a Halloween playlist, there’s something for everyone—from kids and families to those who love a good scare!

Movie and TV Music

Some of the best Halloween music comes from movie and TV soundtracks. Iconic themes like John Carpenter’s "Halloween" theme have become synonymous with the holiday. Its simple piano melody and chilling atmosphere make it a go-to for creating spooky vibes. The "Ghostbusters" theme by Ray Parker Jr., on the other hand, is playful and fun, perfect for kids and family-friendly Halloween parties. Another classic is Danny Elfman’s "This is Halloween" from The Nightmare Before Christmas, a song full of quirky, spooky energy that appeals to both kids and adults.

For families who enjoy animated films, the music from "Hotel Transylvania" and "Hocus Pocus" offer catchy, spooky tunes that fit well with the Halloween season. These soundtracks combine a sense of whimsy and a little fright, making them enjoyable for children and parents alike.

Popular and Rock Music

In the world of popular music, "Thriller" by Michael Jackson stands out as a Halloween favorite. With its famous music video and creepy Vincent Price narration, this song brings fun and excitement to Halloween celebrations.

For something a bit rockier, **"Somebody’s Watching Me"** by Rockwell captures that eerie feeling of being followed, a perfect fit for Halloween night.

Rock and metal fans might enjoy spooky tracks from bands like **Black Sabbath** or **Alice Cooper**, though some of these might be better suited for older kids and teens.

Lighter fare like **"The Monster Mash"** by Bobby "Boris" Pickett is a fun, family-friendly classic that’s sure to get everyone dancing.

Classical Music

Classical music also offers many eerie and atmospheric pieces perfect for Halloween. One of the most famous is "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" by Johann Sebastian Bach. Its dramatic organ opening is instantly recognizable and often associated with haunted houses and gothic settings. Camille Saint-Saëns’ "Danse Macabre" is another classical piece with a spooky theme, portraying skeletons dancing in the graveyard at midnight. The lively, yet haunting melody makes it an excellent choice for Halloween.

For something more subtle, Modest Mussorgsky’s "Night on Bald Mountain" provides a dark, intense orchestral piece often used in movies and TV shows during spooky moments. Franz Liszt’s "Totentanz" and "Mephisto Waltz" are other thrilling piano compositions that evoke images of ghosts, ghouls, and devils.

Jazz and Instrumental Music

Jazz also has its share of Halloween-appropriate tunes. For instance, "Spooky, Scary Skeletons" has become an internet favorite for its catchy and fun jazz beat that’s perfect for kids’ Halloween parties. Jazz artists have also tackled the spooky genre with songs like "Moanin’" by Charles Mingus, a soulful, mysterious piece that adds a cool, haunting atmosphere without being too frightening.

In instrumental music, composers often use unusual sounds and dissonant chords to create eerie, unsettling moods. The use of theremins in soundtracks, for example, gives off an unmistakably spooky, alien sound, as heard in sci-fi and horror movies like The Day the Earth Stood Still. These eerie soundscapes fit Halloween perfectly, especially for haunted houses or spooky-themed parties.

Orchestral and Vocal Music

Many orchestral pieces are perfect for Halloween events. "The Sorcerer’s Apprentice" by Paul Dukas, made famous by Fantasia, is a magical and mischievous composition that fits well with the Halloween theme. Its swelling orchestra and lively tempo evoke images of magical mishaps and enchanted creatures.

Vocal music can also be haunting, especially in a capella or choral arrangements. "O Fortuna" from Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana is often used in film and television to create a dramatic, intense atmosphere. The booming voices and ominous tone can add excitement to any Halloween celebration. For a more playful option, children’s Halloween songs like "Five Little Pumpkins" or "Dem Bones" offer fun, sing-along opportunities that bring the family together.

Piano and Minimalist Music

Piano music has its own place in the Halloween world. The music of Erik Satie, particularly his "Gymnopédies" and "Gnossiennes", provides an eerie, melancholy atmosphere, while Claude Debussy’s "Clair de Lune" creates a moody, mysterious setting—perfect for a quieter Halloween evening. For more contemporary minimalist music, pieces by Philip Glass or John Cage offer a haunting, often abstract sound, with repetitive patterns and shifting tones that keep listeners on edge.

There's Lots of Halloween Music!

Whether you're hosting a Halloween party, decorating a haunted house, or simply looking to get in the spooky spirit, there’s a wealth of music to choose from across genres and styles. From classical pieces and movie soundtracks to playful popular tunes and eerie jazz, music sets the tone for Halloween fun. Children, youth, and adults alike can all find joy in the wide variety of spooky sounds that bring the magic and mystery of Halloween to life!

FUN and IMPORTANT DATES

**Halloween Recital**
Saturday, October 26
**Off -week**
October 26 - November 1
**Halloween**
Thursday, October 31

Upcoming Recitals and Concerts

**MTAC Community Recital**
Sunday, October 6, 2:00 pm
Laguna Hills Community Center
**Studio Halloween Recital**
Saturday, October 26
Shepherd of the Hills UMC
Mission Viejo

Please welcome

our NEW Students who enrolled

in August

Ellie A.

Emma A.

Analaura B.

Brandon D.

Nicole G.

Lisa K.

Kelly L.

Sebastian L.

Taschen L.

Arsh N.

Hunter O.

Kaian S.

Quinton S.

Rowan S.

Vivi S.

Lee T.

Anna Y.

Student of the Month

Noah Underhill

Noah Underhill is a bright young piano student who is always excited to show his teachers and classmates the music he's been working on, whether it's a song from his piano book or one that he found and learned on his own. In just a year-and-a-half he's memorized over 15 songs from the book, a duet for four hands, plus various movie and video game themes including, most recently, Indiana Jones.

The first thing Noah wants to do when he wakes up in the morning before school is to go play the piano, often learning songs by ear. Mr. Denny, his teacher, has "witnessed him, on several occasions, set out to learn a song just after hearing it even one time, trying out different notes until it sounds right." Noah agrees, saying, "I enjoy learning new songs step by step, and once I’ve mastered something, I’m always excited to take on more challenging pieces. When I hear a song I like, I usually look it up on YouTube to learn how to play it. I enjoy applying the skills I’ve learned in class to new songs I find online."

Noah's bright smile shines when he gets to perform his pieces. He also would like to learn how to play guitar. It's plain to see how much he loves music!

He also loves lunch breaks and recess at school, and PE is his favorite subject! Noah enjoys learning about new cultures. This year, he visited Machu Picchu! His favorite sport is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and has lots of fun playing with his friends at the park.

Did You Know?

**Our Price-for-Life Guarantee is for real!**

When we say your price is locked in for life, we mean it!

It is a fun fact that students who enrolled in 2016 are still receiving their 2016 rate.

Students who enrolled in 2018 are still receiving their 2018 rate.

Students who enrolled in 2022 and 2023 are still receiving their 2022 and 2023 rate.

Founders at the *Laguna Niguel School of Music* are still receiving their founder’s rate!

And all of our students will continue to receive their original locked-in rate, for life,

as long as they stay continuously enrolled.

Inspirations

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

— Galatians 6:9

“My beloved October has returned—with its brilliant colors, cool temperatures and
sunny, cloudless, azure skies, and I must enjoy it before it escapes for another year.”

— Peggy Toney Horton, Somewhere in Heaven My Mother Is Smiling

Music Playdates in the Parks

Laguna Niguel and surrounding areas.

Weekly playdates on Wednesday 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.

Join Choir!

Saturdays in Laguna Niguel

1:00p (ages 8-12)

2:30p (ages 13-17)

CM Prep!

Tuesdays at 6:15p

Register Now!

Did You Read Your Newsletter Contest?

October 2024

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!

This month’s winner is Daniel Garshasbi