The students of Gail's Music Studio Inc. (GMS), the newly formed nonprofit music school in Moore County, held their fall recital Nov. 10, at The Village Chapel.

This was the first recital for some of the piano students and for the choirs started by Gail Summers, executive director of the studio and volunteer teacher. Each of the students was presented with a gift of a holiday pin to complement their outfits, which was created and made by Claire DeSpain.

Beginning the program was Hannah Smith, 7, daughter of Ashley and Vickie Smith, of Southern Pines. She played "Let's Play" and "The Train." Her siblings, Sarah, 9, performed "Grandfather's Clock" and "Having Fun," and Abigail, 10, did "Moccasin Dance" and "March of the Gnomes."

This was also the first recital for the following: River Britt, 9, daughter of Jilian and Brandon Reynolds, of Eagle Springs, and Travis Britt, of High Falls. She played "Funny Faces," "Mr. Frog Is Full of Hops" and "Jingle Bells."

Jalyn Johnson, 8, daughter of Rebecca and James Barker, of Cameron, and James Johnson, of Laurinburg, performed "Bone, Sweet Bone," "Revolving Door" and "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas."

Jasmine Burch, 11, daughter of Dacia Burch and Fabian Barela, of Pinehurst, did "Evening Song," "A Message" and "Away in a Manger.

Next was the GMS Kids Choir with JZ Brecher, 9, son of Joe and Dalija Brecher, of Whispering Pines; Alexander Colletti, 9, son of Michael and Carmen Colletti, of Pinehurst; Cassie and Stevan Garcia, ages 10 and 6, children of Liliana Valdez, of Aberdeen, singing, "Sweet Betsy from Pike," "Do Your Ears Hang Low," "Johnny Schmoker," "Indian Song," "Over the River and Through the Wood," "Christmas Is Coming" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."

JZ Brecher remained to play his piano pieces, "A Riddle," "Pretty Polly," "The Chipmunk Song" and a duet with Monica Etowski, "It's A Small World." Then Monica, 9, daughter of Wayne and Heidi Etowski, of Vass, performed, "Autumn," "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and a duet with her sister, Megan, "Tomorrow."

Catalina Burk, 13, daughter of Brandon and Gloria Burk, of Southern Pines, performed in her first recital, "The Woodchuck," "The Syrup Tree" and "Good King Wenceslas."

Also in her first recital for GMS was Sarah Costanza, 9, daughter of Rich and Dana Costanza, of Southern Pines, doing, "A Nutty Song," "Traffic Cop" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."

Hope DeSpain, 10, daughter of Craig and Claire DeSpain, of Pinebluff, played "Painting the Leaves" and "While Shepherds Watched."

Wesley Strickland and twin brother, Zachary, 9, sons of Eric and Leticia Strickland, of Raeford, played, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "White Christmas," respectively, and then a duet, "Fall Fun."

Noah DeSpain, 12, played, "Chimes," "We Three Kings" and "O Come, All Ye Faithful."

All four are students of Claire DeSpain, who is working with GMS as a teacher of beginning piano.

Kaitlyn O'Reilly, 12, daughter of Kathleen O'Reilly, of Carthage; Elisabeth Samel, 12, daughter of Scott and Lisa Samel, of Vass; and Maria Rosas, 16, daughter of Hosea and Antonia Rosas, of Southern Pines, make up the GMS Youth Choir.

Unfortunately, Maria was unable to attend, but Kaitlyn and Elisabeth sang, "Ding, Dong! Merrily on High," "Flow Gently, Sweet Afton" "What Music is This?", "Master in This Hall" and "My Favorite Things."

In honor of Maria, they sang what would have been Maria's solo, "We Three Kings," and went on to do their own solos. Kaitlyn sang "O Come, All Ye Faithful," and Elisabeth did "I Saw Three Ships."

"Falling Leaves" and "Jingle Bell Rock" were performed by Jonathan Jesus Delgado, 12. His brother, Blasmichael, 13, performed "Dutch Dance," "Carol of the Bells" and then the two did a duet, "Star Wars Theme." They are the sons of Blas Delgado, of Candor, and the late Marisol Delgado.

The Gualteros sisters, Mary Catherine, 14, and Grace, 13, children of Oscar and Barbara Gualteros, of Pinehurst, were next to perform. Mary Catherine did "Long, Long, Ago," Vivaldi's "Autumn," "The Sleigh" and a duet with Megan Etowski, "Over the Rainbow." Grace played "Arpeggio Waltz," the hymn "Cares Chorus," "Once in Royal David's City, and then played with her sister, doing, "Yo, Ho! A Pirate's Life for Me."

Megan Etowski, 11, the daughter of Wayne and Heidi Etowski, performed, "Waltz King," "Autumn Nocturne," "Dance of the Hours," "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy," and then teamed with Grace Gualteros to end the program in a duet, "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?"

A reception followed in the church's fellowship hall with finger sandwiches, meatballs, little sausages, cheese balls, cheese platter, fruit and veggie platter, homemade cookies, brownies, seven-layer dip and chips, petite quiches, other assorted cookies, mixed nuts and a punch provided by Kathleen O'Reilly.

Lisa Samel provided decorations.

The students were given a special treat by John Shannon, organist for The Village Chapel, with a demonstration of the pipe organ. He explained about the instrument, including musical demonstrations. The students had been studying about various instruments during their "Unit Study" time, a music appreciation program developed by Summers that is part of all private lessons.

Summers gave up private teaching to start the nonprofit studio where people of all ages, race, gender, skill and socioeconomic levels can come for a high-quality music education free of charge.

Gail's Music Studio Inc. runs solely on donations and every penny goes to running the studio. All teachers and workers volunteer their time, including Summers.

She still offers the "Little Maestro," which she developed for children age 2-4 (as long as they can count to 4) that teaches the basic concepts of music.

Music appreciation for families that home school in addition to "Music and Movement" classes are offered.

The private piano and voice lessons incorporate theory, and a unit study of various music topics each year. The 2012-2013 study covers the different eras of music, various classical composers and some of their more famous pieces.

GMS offers year-round lessons with a flex program through the summer months in addition to an after-school music camp, which is also available year-round.

The studio, located next to Jim's Gems and Gold on N.C. 211 East in Aberdeen, continues to be set up with computer, audio and video stations, along with a variety of games and Wii Music to help make learning not only educational but fun.

In addition, Music Movies are shown every Friday afternoon.

Contact Gail's Music Studio at (910) 783-8863 or (910) 944-4245 or visit the website, http://pianist-gail. tripod.com/gailsmusic studio/ to sign up for classes, camp or piano or voice lessons.