Sunday, February 4, 2024 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized

   February tuition                              

is due at your first lesson of the month.  Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount. 

Ways to pay:

1. IN PERSON at your lesson
2. MAIL CHECK:  814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
3. ONLINE PAYMENT: Google Pay or Zelle

   February Schedule                             

There are no lessons scheduled Wednesday, February 7 to Friday, February 9.

Looking ahead, there are no lessons scheduled for Monday, February 19.

Log in to your MyMusicStaff portal to see your specific lesson dates, times and location.  Also included in your account: the link to access the Zoom webpage, previous lesson notes, the monthly studio news, and much more!

   February Group Class                        

Group Classes will meet this month on Friday, February 16th.  Location: Saint Francis UMC. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518, Sanctuary. We will be continue our preparation for our March Chamber and Group Recital.  Come prepared to rehearse our fiddle piece - Turkey in the Straw!  

Group schedule:

                                 *arrive 5 minutes prior to group start time

   Outreach Concerts 2023-24               

All students are invite to participate in our monthly outreach concerts at Spring Arbor of Cary.  These events will require 2-3 studio participants each month.  We will prepare (during weekly lessons) a 20-min concert for the residents and perform it twice within an hour.  Please plan to participate in one of these monthly concerts.

To participate, log into your MMS account.  Go to the studio calendar tab and add your name to the event on the month you are available (See the How to Register for an Outreach Concert file in the online resources for more details).  

**WE are in need of 1-2 more students to sign up for the Sunday, February 18th outreach event.  If you are available, please add your student to the event on our studio calendar.

A hearty thank you to Claire Catalano, Jackie Kim and Glover Wilson for their preparation and participation in our January Outreach Event.

Upper Level Concert, group piece

Lower Level Concert, solos

    Studio Videos                                   

Reminder: link to our YouTube folders: https://pinelandsuzukistrings.mymusicstaff.com/Video-Links

For now, there the folders are for the Pre-Twinkle videos, Book 1 accompaniment, Daily Do (for Music Mind Games class), and Christmas Carols.

   Parent Education                              

I have loaded several articles to the Library & Downloads page in your MMS portal with articles and handouts for parents.  Find a title that interests you and read it!  I highly encourage you to take a moment this month to choose one and read it.  There is so much value in motivation for the Suzuki parent.  Let these articles give you that blessing!!  

This month I want to highlight the Suzuki Summer Institutes that are held all over the country during the summer. There are three articles for you to browse to learn more about Why a Suzuki Family should consider attending an institute week?  

1. 25 Reasons You Will Want to Attend a Suzuki Institute. Use this link:  https://app.mymusicstaff.com/FileDownloader.ashx?FileID=360564&FileType=DownloadLibrary&Mode=Inline
2.  Here are reflections from a Suzuki Violin teacher.  Thoughts on the Suzuki Institute Experience by Jan McClure. Use this link: https://app.mymusicstaff.com/FileDownloader.ashx?FileID=2379243&FileType=DownloadLibrary&Mode=Inline
3. Information from the SAA website about Summer Institutes  Use this link: https://app.mymusicstaff.com/FileDownloader.ashx?FileID=2379247&FileType=DownloadLibrary&Mode=Inline

To access these articles, you can also log into MMS and use the tabs to find our Online Resource's folder>Parent Education. 

Let me know what you think! If you have time, send me your reaction, thoughts. etc. I would love to know what speaks to you.

   Suzuki Summer Institutes                  

Registration for SUZUKI Summer Institutes is underway! Use this link to view all of the options around the country for summer study: https://suzukiassociation.org/events/institutes/

What is an Institute?  It is a 5-day family camp.  Each day, students have a Masterclass lesson and 2-3 classes (group repertoire, group technique, chamber music, orchestra, fiddle, etc) depending on the level of the player and their ability to read music.  Want to know more, please ask me!   

I want to encourage everyone to look at the dates and see how you can fit one of these amazing camps into your schedule this summer.  Several students have attended the NC Institute (which doesn't look like is happening this summer), others have attended virtual camps - there are LOTS of these to consider. 

I will be on faculty at the Greater Washington Suzuki Institute again this year, July 8-12.  I would love for you to consider joining me near our nation's capital.  Lots of fun sightseeing and history to observe when you are not in class!  Here is the link for more info: https://suzukiassociation.org/events/loc/university-louisville-suzuki-string-institute/

I will also be teaching at the Univ of Louisville Suzuki Institute, June 9-14.  Here is the link for more info: https://suzukiassociation.org/events/loc/university-louisville-suzuki-string-institute/

It seems that some Institutes are continuing virtual classes.  I highly encourage in person learning, but you can reduce the cost and time commitment and still experience some of what it is like to work with other teachers and students from around the country!  Several students in our studio have taken advantage of these opportunities in the past.  Each one has come away with a major boost in motivation and confidence! 

   Musical MARCH Madness              

Begins the week of February 12th.  Get ready to serenade family, friends, and neighbors with the gift of music! Your personal brackets will be available to take home that week. Brackets should be completed by your lesson the week of March 11th, which is just in time for our Group/Chamber Recital that weekend.     

   Special Listening                             

Just a reminder that wonderful videos and audio recordings of professional performers can be seen/heard on YouTube.  Use this as the Special Listening assignment for each week.  This month's famous performer is Christian Tetzlaff (see notes below).   

There are other recordings - enjoy looking around and learning more about this great artist of our time.

Please share these with the kids.

Enjoy!

Christian Tetzlaff

Born in Hamburg in 1966 and now living in Berlin with his family, there are three things that make this musician unique, aside from his astounding skill on the violin. He interprets the musical manuscript in a literal fashion, perceives music as a language, and views great works as narratives which reflect existential experiences. As obvious as it may sound, he brings an unusual approach in his daily concert routine.

Secondly, Christian Tetzlaff “speaks” through his violin. Like human speech, his playing comprises a wide range of expressive means and is not aimed solely at achieving harmoniousness or virtuosic brilliance.

Above all, however, he interprets the masterpieces of musical history as stories about first-hand experiences. 

Mozart, Concerto No. 3 in G major: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukVuaZsJecw

Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, Op. 64, mvt. 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpxl68woWt4

J.S. Bach, Unaccompanied Sonata No. 3:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmDJKCz_H5k

    Local Performances                        

THIS SATURDAY, Feb 10:

The United Strings of Color Intermediate group is presenting a family friendly concert of two stories, one from Africa and one from the United States. Link for more details of the concert and music: https://www. unitedstringsofcolor.org/ event-details/usci-presents- stories-for-black-history

The concert at the Cary Arts Center is free for children through 12th grade and $5 for everyone else. Saturday Feb 10, 6:30 pm.

The performance is about an hour, with no intermission.

Tickets may be purchased online (see link below), at The Cary Movie Theatre box office at 122 E. Chatham St without added fees. (919-462-3051), or the day of at the Cary Art Center - the desk will open at 5:30 for ticket sales (again no added fees of purchased in person).

Link to purchase tickets online: https://www.etix.com/ticket/ online/performanceSale.do? method=restoreToken& performance_id=79402148& method=restoreToken

*April 21, NC Opera presents The Girl of the Golden West by Puccini: https://ncopera.org/2023-2024-season/the-girl-of-the-golden-west/

*denotes Dr. Baker is performing

  Wednesday, January 3, 2024 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized

   January tuition                              

is due at your first lesson of the month.  Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount. 

Ways to pay:

1. IN PERSON at your lesson
2. MAIL CHECK:  814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
3. ONLINE PAYMENT: Google Pay or Zelle

   January Schedule                             

There are no lessons scheduled Monday, January 1 to Friday, January 5.

Looking ahead, there are no lessons scheduled for Thursday, February 1.

Log in to your MyMusicStaff portal to see your specific lesson dates, times and location.  Also included in your account: the link to access the Zoom webpage, previous lesson notes, the monthly studio news, and much more!

   January Group Class                        

Group Classes will meet this month on Friday, January 19th.  Location: Saint Francis UMC. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518, Sanctuary. 

Group schedule:

                                 *arrive 5 minutes prior to group start time

   December Caroling at Spring Arbor                  

Our December outreach concerts were amazing!  Thank you so much for your participation in and preparation for this event.  The staff and residents were so appreciative. 

Upper level concert

Lower level concert

   Outreach Concerts 2023-24               

All students are invite to participate in our monthly outreach concerts at Spring Arbor of Cary.  These events will require 2-3 studio participants each month.  We will prepare (during weekly lessons) a 20-min concert for the residents and perform it twice within an hour.  Please plan to participate in one of these monthly concerts.

Everyone is also invited to join us for caroling at Spring Arbor of Cary on Sunday, December 17th at either 1p or 230p. 

To participate, log into your MMS account.  Go to the studio calendar tab and add your name to the event on the month you are available (See the How to Register for an Outreach Concert file in the online resources for more details).  

**WE are in need of 2-3 students to sign up for the Friday, January 12th outreach event.  If you are available, please add your student to the event on our studio calendar.

    Studio Videos                                   

Reminder: link to our YouTube folders: https://pinelandsuzukistrings.mymusicstaff.com/Video-Links

For now, there the folders are for the Pre-Twinkle videos, Book 1 accompaniment, Daily Do (for Music Mind Games class), and Christmas Carols.

   Parent Education                              

I have loaded several articles to the Library & Downloads page in your MMS portal with articles and handouts for parents.  Find a title that interests you and read it!  I highly encourage you to take a moment this month to choose one and read it.  There is so much value in motivation for the Suzuki parent.  Let these articles give you that blessing!!    

This month I want to highlight an article from a part Suzuki Association Journal.  To access the article, log into MMS and use the tabs to find our Online Resource's folder>Parent Education. Or use this link:  https://app.mymusicstaff.com/FileDownloader.ashx?FileID=2118045&FileType=DownloadLibrary&Mode=Inline

Joyful Learning (part 3) by Timothy Durbin.  Dr. Durbin is an international Suzuki clinician who has visited NC numerous times.  Some of you have even attended his workshop classes!  For the past several decades, I have benefitted from his teacher enrichment classes and the unique way that he combines his knowledge of violin instruction/performance and passion for learning about the human mind/character. He insight is useful to all of us.  

Let me know what you think! If you have time, send me your reaction, thoughts. etc. I would love to know what speaks to you.

   Special Listening                             

Just a reminder that wonderful videos and audio recordings of professional performers can be seen/heard on YouTube.  Use this as the Special Listening assignment for each week.  This month's famous performer is Sarah Chang (see notes below).   

There are other recordings - enjoy looking around and learning more about this great artist of our time.

Please share these with the kids.

Enjoy!

Julia Fischer (1983)
     
 Not content with being a world-class violinist, Fischer is also a concert pianist on occasion - and perhaps it’s this that gives her that inimitable musicality, something more rounded than so many of her contemporaries.

German violinist Julia Fischer is recognized worldwide for possessing a talent of uncommon ability. Her “pure and fine-spun tone, blessed with seemingly infinite shadings” (The Chicago Tribune) combined with rare “technical brilliance” (The Guardian) make her one of the most-sought after soloist before the public today.

Born in Munich, Ms. Fischer began learning the violin at age three and soon thereafter started taking piano lessons. Teaching and passing on to her students what she feels privileged to have learned from her teachers has since been a pivotal focus of her professional life.  Julia Fischer was awarded the German Culture Prize in 2011 and the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2016. She plays a Guadagnini from 1742 as well as a modern violin made by Philipp Augustin.

J.S. Bach, Concerto in A minor - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDyDHvZKl8g  (a Suzuki Book 7 piece! ☺)

Vaughn Williams, The Lark Ascending - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2SETH16Dzs

Saint-Saens, Violin Concerto No. 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5xRksP7fp4

Mozart, Sinfonia Concertante - recording session - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tIbPCe11tI

Grieg, Piano Concerto, mvt 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mGLMdVtUC8

    Local Performances                        

*February 2 & 4, NC Opera presents The Barber of Seville by Rossini: https://ncopera.org/2023-2024-season/the-barber-of-seville/

*April 21, NC Opera presents The Girl of the Golden West by Puccini: https://ncopera.org/2023-2024-season/the-girl-of-the-golden-west/

*denotes Dr. Baker is performing

  Monday, November 27, 2023 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized

   December tuition                              

is due at your first lesson of the month.  Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount. 

Ways to pay:

1. IN PERSON at your lesson
2. MAIL CHECK:  814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
3. ONLINE PAYMENT: Google Pay or Zelle

   December Schedule                             

There are no lessons scheduled Tuesday, December 5.

There are no lessons scheduled from Monday, December 18 to Friday, January 5

Log in to your MyMusicStaff portal to see your specific lesson dates, times and location.  Also included in your account: the link to access the Zoom webpage, previous lesson notes, the monthly studio news, and much more!

   December Group Class                        

Group Classes will meet this month on Friday, December 15th.  Location: Saint Francis UMC. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518, Sanctuary. We will be preparing for our Community Caroling Outreach Concerts. Come prepared to play all of the Christmas Carols you have learned!  

Group schedule:

                                 *arrive 5 minutes prior to group start time

   December Caroling at Spring Arbor                  

Our December outreach concert is scheduled for Sunday, December 17 at 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Location: Spring Arbor of Cary. 1705 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary, NC 27511.  Please register on the online studio calendar to participate in one of the concerts. This is an optional event.  But the more, the merrier!!  We will be serenading the residents with Christmas Carols that we will prepare during our December lessons and group classes.

ATTIRE:

Festive wear!  A fun hat would be a super addition.

ARRIVAL:

Plan to arrive 15 min before your chosen time to unpack and tune (so 12:45 or 2:15).

   Outreach Concerts 2023-24               

All students are invite to participate in our monthly outreach concerts at Spring Arbor of Cary.  These events will require 2-3 studio participants each month.  We will prepare (during weekly lessons) a 20-min concert for the residents and perform it twice within an hour.  Please plan to participate in one of these monthly concerts.

Everyone is also invited to join us for caroling at Spring Arbor of Cary on Sunday, December 17th at either 1p or 230p. 

To participate, log into your MMS account.  Go to the studio calendar tab and add your name to the event on the month you are available (See the How to Register for an Outreach Concert file in the online resources for more details).  

A hearty thank you to Luke Fox, Charlotte Fox, Elaine Park and Ty Park their preparation and participation in our November Outreach Event.Group Piece for upstairs residents 

Upstairs concert

Lower Level concert   
   

Lower Level concert

Lower Level concert

    Studio Videos                                   

Reminder: link to our YouTube folders: https://pinelandsuzukistrings.mymusicstaff.com/Video-Links

For now, there the folders are for the Pre-Twinkle videos, Book 1 accompaniment, Daily Do (for Music Mind Games class), and Christmas Carols.

   Parent Education                              

I have loaded several articles to the Library & Downloads page in your MMS portal with articles and handouts for parents.  Find a title that interests you and read it!  I highly encourage you to take a moment this month to choose one and read it.  There is so much value in motivation for the Suzuki parent.  Let these articles give you that blessing!!    

This month I want to highlight an article from a part Suzuki Association Journal.  To access the article, log into MMS and use the tabs to find our Online Resource's folder>Parent Education. Or use this link:  https://app.mymusicstaff.com/FileDownloader.ashx?FileID=2118045&FileType=DownloadLibrary&Mode=Inline

Joyful Learning (part 2) by Timothy Durbin.  Dr. Durbin is an international Suzuki clinician who has visited NC numerous times.  Some of you have even attended his workshop classes!  For the past several decades, I have benefitted from his teacher enrichment classes and the unique way that he combines his knowledge of violin instruction/performance and passion for learning about the human mind/character. He insight is useful to all of us.  

Let me know what you think! If you have time, send me your reaction, thoughts. etc. I would love to know what speaks to you.

   Special Listening                             

Just a reminder that wonderful videos and audio recordings of professional performers can be seen/heard on YouTube.  Use this as the Special Listening assignment for each week.  This month's famous performer is Sarah Chang (see notes below).   

There are other recordings - enjoy looking around and learning more about this great artist of our time.

Please share these with the kids.

Enjoy!

Sarah Chang (1980)

Incredibly, Sarah Chang has been performing on international stages for over 30 years. That’s what happens when you can play entire concertos from the age of 5. It’s hard to imagine a child prodigy who made such an impact at such a young age, and then miraculously keep the momentum going into her adult life.

Sarah Chang is recognized as one of the world’s great violinists.  Since her debut with the New York Philharmonic at the age of 8 she has performed with the most distinguished orchestras, conductors and accompanists internationally in a career spanning more than two decades. (IMG Artists Biography page)

Elgar, Salut d'Amour, Op. 12 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXLOF-z5Zlk

Vitali, Chaconne - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_V0KE_8c4U

Pagannini, Violin Concert No. 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFzla9OYiwk

    Local Performances                        

*February 2 & 4, NC Opera presents The Barber of Seville by Rossini: https://ncopera.org/2023-2024-season/the-barber-of-seville/

*April 21, NC Opera presents The Girl of the Golden West by Puccini: https://ncopera.org/2023-2024-season/the-girl-of-the-golden-west/

*denotes Dr. Baker is performing

  Wednesday, November 1, 2023 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized

   November tuition                              

is due at your first lesson of the month.  Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount. 

Ways to pay:

1. IN PERSON at your lesson
2. MAIL CHECK:  814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
3. ONLINE PAYMENT: Google Pay or Zelle

   November Schedule                             

There are no lessons scheduled from Monday, November 20 to Friday, November 24.

Log in to your MyMusicStaff portal to see your specific lesson dates, times and location.  Also included in your account: the link to access the Zoom webpage, previous lesson notes, the monthly studio news, and much more!

   November Group Class                        

Group Classes will meet this month on Friday, November 17th.  Location: Saint Francis UMC. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518, Sanctuary. The earlier classes will briefly review recital protocol, play through our end of recital group piece, as well as enjoy a few Music Mind Games.  The later classes will  focus on preparing for the solo recital.

Group schedule:

                                 *arrive 5 minutes prior to group start time

   November Solo Recital                   

Our fall recital is scheduled for Saturday, November 18 at 4:30 p.m. Location: Saint Francis UMC. Sanctuary. All studio participants are expected to participate in our 3 recitals each year.

RECITAL ATTIRE:

Men/Boys - nice pants and shirt, dress shoes preferred (dark tennis shoes are fine)

Ladies/Girls - dresses (with a below the knee hemline - our "stage" is at eye level for our audience, so please plan accordingly) or dress pants and nice top, dress shoes preferred.

ARRIVAL:

Plan to arrive by 4:10 PM to unpack and tune 

**In addition to your child's chosen solo piece, they will also be performing our recital finale, Twinkle Theme and Variation C. 

   Outreach Concerts 2023-24               

All students are invite to participate in our monthly outreach concerts at Spring Arbor of Cary.  These events will require 2-3 studio participants each month.  We will prepare (during weekly lessons) a 20-min concert for the residents and perform it twice within an hour.  Please plan to participate in one of these monthly concerts.

Everyone is also invited to join us for caroling at Spring Arbor of Cary on Sunday, December 17th at either 1p or 230p. 

To participate, log into your MMS account.  Go to the studio calendar tab and add your name to the event on the month you are available (See the How to Register for an Outreach Concert file in the online resources for more details).  

A hearty thank you to Ava Humes, Hannah Katragadda and Connor Raeman for their preparation and participation in our October Outreach Event.

Group Piece for upstairs residents

Upstairs concert

Lower Level concert

    Studio Videos                                   

Reminder: link to our YouTube folders: https://pinelandsuzukistrings.mymusicstaff.com/Video-Links

For now, there the folders are for the Pre-Twinkle videos, Book 1 accompaniment, Daily Do (for Music Mind Games class), and Christmas Carols.

   Parent Education                              

I have loaded several articles to the Library & Downloads page in your MMS portal with articles and handouts for parents.  Find a title that interests you and read it!  I highly encourage you to take a moment this month to choose one and read it.  There is so much value in motivation for the Suzuki parent.  Let these articles give you that blessing!!    

This month I want to highlight an article from a part Suzuki Association Journal.  To access the article, log into MMS and use the tabs to find our Online Resource's folder>Parent Education. Or use this link:  https://app.mymusicstaff.com/FileDownloader.ashx?FileID=2118045&FileType=DownloadLibrary&Mode=Inline

Joyful Learning (part 1) by Timothy Durbin.  Dr. Durbin is an international Suzuki clinician who has visited NC numerous times.  Some of you have even attended his workshop classes!  For the past several decades, I have benefitted from his teacher enrichment classes and the unique way that he combines his knowledge of violin instruction/performance and passion for learning about the human mind/character. He insight is useful to all of us.  

Let me know what you think! If you have time, send me your reaction, thoughts. etc. I would love to know what speaks to you.

   Special Listening                             

Just a reminder that wonderful videos and audio recordings of professional performers can be seen/heard on YouTube.  Use this as the Special Listening assignment for each week.  This month's famous performer is Nicola Benedetti (see notes below).   

There are other recordings - enjoy looking around and learning more about this great artist of our time.

Please share these with the kids.

Enjoy!

Nicola Benedetti (1987)
 
She’s a tireless advocate for the instrument and for music education in general, but she just so happens to be a world-class violinist too. A world-changer of the future (and a Korngold fan).

Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmMN-6g1L8w

J. Williams, Schindler's List - performance at the Classical Brit awards 2012 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iLplzcCmxI&list=RD922KIZvFOLo&index=2

Shostakovich Violin Concerto (excerpt) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=922KIZvFOLo&list=RD922KIZvFOLo&start_radio=1&t=18

    Local Performances                        

*February 2 & 4, NC Opera presents The Barber of Seville by Rossini: https://ncopera.org/2023-2024-season/the-barber-of-seville/

*April 21, NC Opera presents The Girl of the Golden West by Puccini: https://ncopera.org/2023-2024-season/the-girl-of-the-golden-west/

*denotes Dr. Baker is performing

  Sunday, October 1, 2023 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized

   October tuition                              

is due at your first lesson of the month.  Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount. 

Ways to pay:

1. IN PERSON at your lesson
2. MAIL CHECK:  814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
3. ONLINE PAYMENT:  Google Pay or Zelle

   October Schedule                             

There are no lessons scheduled from Monday, October 2 to Friday, October 6.

There are no lessons scheduled on Tuesday, October 31

Log in to your MyMusicStaff portal to see your specific lesson dates, times and location.  Also included in your account: the link to access the Zoom webpage, previous lesson notes, the monthly studio news, and much more!

   October Group Class                        

Group Classes will meet this month on Friday, October 20th.  Location: Saint Francis UMC. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518, in the Sanctuary.  

Group schedule:

                                 *arrive 5 minutes prior to group start time

   Outreach Concerts 2023-24               

All students are invite to participate in our monthly outreach concerts at Spring Arbor of Cary.  These events will require 2-3 studio participants each month.  We will prepare (during weekly lessons) a 20-min concert for the residents and perform it twice within an hour.  

Everyone is invited to join us for caroling at Spring Arbor of Cary on Sunday, December 17th at either 1p or 230p. 

To participate, log into your MMS account.  Go to the studio calendar tab and add your name to the event on the month you are available (See the How to Register for an Outreach Concert file in the online resources for more details).  

A hearty thank you to Campbell Fox and Timothy Baker for their preparation and participation in our September Outreach Event.

Upstairs concert

Lower Level concert

    Studio Videos                                   

Reminder: link to our YouTube folders: https://pinelandsuzukistrings.mymusicstaff.com/Video-Links

For now, there the folders are for the Pre-Twinkle videos, Book 1 accompaniment, Daily Do (for Music Mind Games class), and Christmas Carols.

   Parent Education                              

I have loaded several articles to the Library & Downloads page in your MMS portal with articles and handouts for parents.  Find a title that interests you and read it!  I highly encourage you to take a moment this month to choose one and read it.  There is so much value in motivation for the Suzuki parent.  Let these articles give you that blessing!!    

This month I want to highlight an article in the most recent Suzuki Association Journal.  To access the article, log into MMS and use the tabs to find our Online Resource's folder>Parent Education. Or use this link:  https://app.mymusicstaff.com/FileDownloader.ashx?FileID=2118045&FileType=DownloadLibrary&Mode=Inline

A Musical Mother's Legacy by Melanie Lowe.  What a fun history-oriented article! Melanie Lowe is an associate professor of Musicology at Vanderbilt University's Blair School of Music.  Read to learn about discoveries related to the "authorship" of Minuet 1, 2 and 3 in our Suzuki Book 1.  In music, like in archeology and other studies of the past, our knowledge base shifts when new facts are uncovered. This article sheds light on the impact that handwritten music had on accuracy and authorship, and also illuminates how composers of Bach's time shared artistic creations with each other. 

Let me know what you think! If you have time, send me your reaction, thoughts. etc. I would love to know what speaks to you.

   Special Listening                             

Just a reminder that wonderful videos and audio recordings of professional performers can be seen/heard on YouTube.  Use this as the Special Listening assignment for each week.  This month's famous performer is Hillary Hahn (see notes below).   

There are other recordings - enjoy looking around and learning more about this great artist of our time.

Please share these with the kids.

Enjoy!

Hilary Hahn (1979)  
   
A true experimenter, Hahn’s innovative approach has revolutionized the violin for the modern age. Three-time Grammy Award-winning violinist Hilary Hahn is renowned for her clear and brilliant musicality, expansive interpretations of an incredibly varied repertoire, and organic connections with her audience. She created the Instagram project #100DaysOfPractice for which she posted videos of herself practicing for a hundred days straight, openly sharing her behind-the-scenes work with her fans to break down perceived barriers around the creative process. Hahn is known for her natural ability to connect with fans, from their art projects and her YouTube interview series (youtube.com/hilaryhahnvideos), to her violin case’s comments on life with a concert violinist on Twitter and Instagram (@violincase).

Mrs. Hahn is the violinist you hear playing on your Suzuki recordings for Books 1-3.

BEETHOVEN Concerto for Violin and Orchestra -  https://youtu.be/0Cg_0jepxow?si=jD9uHYd0luZZuHEy

Mozart - Violin Concerto No.3  https://youtu.be/ywA_BsFvYxY?si=90N1EpZJWPDHhQy1

For fun!!  Hilary Hahn does the Ling Ling Workout  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwsnIoFXrt0

    Local Performances                        

*October 27 & 29, NC Opera presents La Traviata by Verdi: https://ncopera.org/2023-2024-season/la-traviata/

*February 2 & 4, NC Opera presents The Barber of Seville by Rossini: https://ncopera.org/2023-2024-season/the-barber-of-seville/

*April 21, NC Opera presents The Girl of the Golden West by Puccini: https://ncopera.org/2023-2024-season/the-girl-of-the-golden-west/

*denotes Dr. Baker is performing

    Local Student Orchestras               

Triangle Youth Philharmonic: https://www.triangleyouthmusic.org/ - 5 orchestras: 2 non-audition string orchestras, 3 audition only full orchestras.

Holly Strings Youth Orchestra: https://hsyouthorchestra.org/  4 string orchestras