Zoom Recital Etiquette
Saturday, April 25, 2020 by Cortney Baker | Recital
Day of the recital:
- Have the performer's violin tuned to A 440 using a chromatic tuner. (The piano here is at 440.6) All 4 strings need to be tuned. I will do my best to check everyone's strings in the lesson this week. Please do this before 3:45. If you need to call me so I can talk you through tuning the instrument, I would like to do that before I need to be attentive to starting the recital.
- Log into the Zoom Recital link at 4:15. I would like to admit everyone to the zoom space before our audience.
- Audience members will be admitted at 4:30. Before that they will be able to hang out in the waiting room.
- All audience members will need to be on mute for the duration of the recital.
- Set your Zoom screen to be on "Speaker View." This will allow the current performer to be large on your screen while you view the recital.
April 25th Recital Zoom Preparation
Saturday, April 18, 2020 by Cortney Baker | Recital
Parents and Performers,
We are 1 week away from our April solo recital! Since a live stream recital is new for all of us, I wanted to share the ideas below with each of you, so I'm making a mid-month post for everyone to reference as needed.
Preparing your "Stage":
- Find a somewhat uncluttered wall to stand in front of. A musically themed space or fireplace might be a nice touch. IDEAL: a spot close to your router as this can reduce the lag between sound and audio - feel free to experiment with this. If you have a strong router or one of those boosters, then this is less necessary.
- Check that there are no windows/light sources behind the performer that create a glow or halo and darken the face of the performer.
- Figure out a way to elevate the camera you will be playing for to the performer's eye level. If you are using a music stand, it can be off to the left side, out of the camera frame.
- For best sound and streaming experience for the audience, use a computer or tablet. I have heard that the sound and streaming abilities of mobile phones is the least conducive to musical streaming. But obviously, you will need to use what you have access to.
- Have a way to play your accompaniment track that will not interfere with the audience hearing the performer.
- Know where your computer mic is. Mine is under the front of my computer, so I feel that elevating the computer actually helps with transmitting my sound. The best distance for audio quality is roughly 4 feet away. Consider this when setting up your "stage." Would an external mic help? Play around with different configurations.
Preparing your computer:
- Set your Zoom Audio settings to disable the persistent and intermittent background noise.
To get to this window, click on Advanced in the audio settings.
This setting can be adjusted while you are in a Zoom meeting. So, if you would like help during the lesson this week, please plan to bring the computer you will be using for the recital. - Restart your computer close to the recital day as many music teachers have found that this reduces many of the tech problems that arise (I need to remember this one!)
Inviting the audience:
We have a unique opportunity to include relatives and friends who live out of town. I will be creating a shareable invite for you to send out. Look for this in your email inbox this week.
Are you ready for this adventure? It will be different for us all. Nevertheless, I am excited to be able to share each student's hard work and preparation with everyone next weekend. Thank you for going the extra mile this week to prepare for our spring solo recital.
My best,
Dr. B
APRIL Studio News
Monday, March 30, 2020 by Cortney Baker | Studio news
April tuition
is due at your first lesson of the month. Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount.
Ways to pay:
- MAIL CHECK: 814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
- ONLINE PAYMENT: I have been looking into ways for payments to be made online this month. After considering absorbing the PayPal fee for you all (which I just don't think I can swing right now), I learned about the Google Pay option.
What to do:
Reply to your invoice email on April 1 and let me know how you will send tuition this month.
1. Check is in the mail,
2. PayPal link on invoice (you will pay the 2.9% fee), or
3. Google Pay (I will need to send you money request to go this route)
Thank you for helping me navigate this new terrain!!
April Schedule
No lessons Monday, Mar 30. I was supposed to be in opera rehearsals all day.
No lessons Tuesday, April 7 through Friday, April 10. Vacation for Holy Week/Spring Break.
Consult your registration form or log in to your MyMusicStaff portal to see your specific lesson dates and times.
Group Class
Group Classes will meet on both Friday, April 6th & Friday, April 24th via ZOOM. The Zoom link will be the same as for lessons. A link will be attached to the event in MMS. Please have all of your MMG materials and Suzuki books ready where you will be playing. Siblings might want to be in separate rooms and on separate devices. But, you are welcome to play together, too!!
I have adjusted the times slightly for our change of venue. Since this will be a new venture for all of us, I wanted to have built in "learning the ropes" time.
Please plan out a way to transition the younger kids for this time together. I am seeing that not having the "drive to the lesson" makes these times together a little shocking to them. Think of creative ways to help them be ready for class - have them bring their violin to tune? a snack/drink? sit and listen to a Suzuki piece?
|
4:00-4:35 MMG 1
|
Ruthie, Charlotte, Zoey, Glover, Logan, Annabelle, Selah, Luke, Maitri, Connor |
|
4:35-5:00 Book 1
(Twinkle to Andantino)
|
Ruthie, Charlotte, Zoey, Glover, Logan (*first 10 min)
Annabelle, Selah, Luke, Maitri, Connor
Carter, Noah, Gabrielle
|
|
5:00-5:25 Book 2
(Etude to Gavotte by Lully)
|
Claire, Campbell, Wesley, Lillian, Timothy, Elizabeth, Ameris
(Carter, Noah, Gabrielle**) |
| 5:25-6:00 MMG 2 |
Carter, Noah, Gabrielle, Claire, Campbell, Wesley, Lillian,
Timothy, Elizabeth, Ameris |
| 6:00-6:45 Book 3+ |
Timothy, Elizabeth, Ameris,
Caitlin, Ella, Rachel, Hannah |
*Plan to play rhythms on the open A or E string for all of the Twinkle Variations. Moms, please be right there with them to help sort out any bowing needs that arise.
**Stick around for the end of Bk. 1 pieces: observe, participate, and be ready for MMG 2 @ 5:25
Consult the year start up letter for the times you should arrive. OR log in to your MMS account where your group times are listed in the event on the calendar.
April Solo Recital
Our spring recital is scheduled for Saturday, April 25 at 4:30 p.m. In light of our "shelter in place" order for the next month, we will keep our recital day/time and move to the Zoom platform. I have not yet worked out the details of this event, but I am considering a few ideas that will be communicated to you in a separate email. Group pieces will not be a part of this concert. Our reading piece will be moved to the November recital.
All studio participants are expected to participate in our 2 recitals each year.
Family and friends are invited to attend and support all of the performers!
RECITAL ATTIRE:
Men/Boys - nice pants and shirt
Ladies/Girls - dresses or dress pants and nice top
**We will be choosing your recital piece in the lesson this week so you all can be working on these over the lesson break time.
ZOOM Virtual Lessons
Here is the link to use for lessons this month: https://zoom.us/j/9799595937
Password: cbviolin
Thank you all for working so hard these past 2 weeks to figure out how to make this time together successful. A few thoughts as we move into the weeks ahead:
- Set up your lesson space with ample time to log in 5 minutes before your lesson time. (music stand, music, tuned instrument, etc)
- Please have the video in landscape (horizontal) setting so I can see both arms. Test out your bow arm at the tip...can you see your bow hold in the picture with your arm extended? I do not need to see your music stand, that can be off to the side of the camera.
- Turn off as many Wi-Fi devices in your house as you are able. The more devices you have accessing your router, the more delays and cut outs happen when you are playing. Airplane mode? I will have most everything here at my house removed from our router during lesson times to help us out.
- Mute yourself and even turn off your video to be less of a distraction to the lesson in progress.
- Feel free to experiment with speakers or mics on your end to be able to hear me / make your audio sharper.
March Madness - Practice Challenge
This month we will all turn our focus to REVIEW! One of the major contributions that Dr. Suzuki made to the world of music education is the idea of continuous review. In my opinion, this pedagogy element, also used in folk music circles (fiddling, jazz), is key to the musical comfort/expertise we are looking for in our kids. There are several reasons Dr. Suzuki included review in his program; to build a foundation of skills, to grow familiarity and comfort with the instrument/music, and to offer a peer support system in our group class time, to name a few.
KEEP PERFORMING!! Send in updated images of your bracket each week so that I may take a photo of your progress and display it for the studio to see!
CHECK OUT your studio colleagues progress: https://pinelandsuzukistrings.mymusicstaff.com/March-Madness-Review
Studio Videos
Reminder: link to our YouTube folders: https://pinelandsuzukistrings.mymusicstaff.com/Video-Links
For now, I have posted links to 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 am uploading 2 articles from the SAA journal, Joyful Learning (part 2 & 3) by Terry Durbin. (part 1 was shared with you in Oct 2019) I feel during this time of social distancing, being reminded of how to learn with joy might be just what we need!!
Dr. Durbin is the clinician who leads our area workshop each fall. I posted I highly recommend that each of you read his article (whether or attend the workshop or not!). His experiences teaching violin and kids in particular is unique and informative for each of us.
If you have time, let me know your reaction, thoughts. etc.
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 Rachel Barton (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.
A. Dvorak, 4 Romantic Pieces, Op 75: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekGzkCFFoxE
R. Vaughn Williams, The Lark Ascending: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mof12M4B-1g
J. Massenet, Meditation from 'Thais': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sgsGWggCe8
W.A.Mozart, Concerto in G Major: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_EGP7pnVI0
Steinbacher was born in Munich on November 14, 1981, to a Japanese mother and a German father. When she was three, her mother read that a German violin teacher had recently returned from Japan after studying the Suzuki method. Steinbacher started violin lessons at that time. When she was nine years old, she was enrolled at the Munich College of Music.
She has been recording exclusively for PENTATONE since 2009. Among many international and national music prizes and nominations, she has been twice awarded the ECHO Klassik. As CARE ambassador, Steinbacher is driven to use music as a means to uplift and support those in need. She launched a December 2011 Japan tour in response to the tsunami disaster earlier that year. The DVD release “Arabella Steinbacher – Music of Hope” featured her outreach and youth recitals from this tour.
Steinbacher currently plays the Booth Stradivarius (1716) provided by the Nippon Music Foundation.
MARCH Studio News
Monday, March 2, 2020 by Cortney Baker | Studio news
March tuition
is due at your first lesson of the month. The envelope for tuition is hanging on the bulletin board (above the printer) when you enter the studio. Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount.
March Schedule
No lessons Monday, Mar 30. I am in opera rehearsals all day.
Consult your registration form or log in to your MyMusicStaff portal to see your specific lesson dates and times.
Group Class
Group Classes will meet on Friday, March 20th in the Choir Room at Saint Francis UMC. 2965 Kildaire Farm Rd. Cary, 27518.
Consult the year start up letter for the times you should arrive. OR log in to your MMS account where your group times are listed in the event on the calendar.
Inclement Weather Lessons
To help reduce the # of makeup lessons in on days when travel is not possible, I would like to experiment with video call lessons using Zoom. It will be helpful if you make sure that you have zoom installed ahead of time on the device you would use during the lesson time. (I think you can use the link below to start the set up process)
Here is the link to use for lessons this year: https://zoom.us/j/9799595937
Of course, this is given we have power. ☺ The past missed lesson policies will remain in place if you are not able to attend a video lesson during your scheduled time.
We will use the Zoom conference room as a way to join an already going lesson and leave when your time is up, just like we do in the studio. This will take a little getting used to but I am excited by the possibilities!
March Madness - Practice Challenge
This month we will all turn our focus to REVIEW! One of the major contributions that Dr. Suzuki made to the world of music education is the idea of continuous review. In my opinion, this pedagogy element, also used in folk music circles (fiddling, jazz), is key to the musical comfort/expertise we are looking for in our kids. There are several reasons Dr. Suzuki included review in his program; to build a foundation of skills, to grow familiarity and comfort with the instrument/music, and to offer a peer support system in our group class time, to name a few.
This week in your lesson, I will be handing out competition brackets for your review pieces! AND, I will explain how to move your pieces through our March Madness competition. Bring your bracket to class each week so that I may take a photo of your progress and display it for the studio to see!
As always, if you have any questions please let me know.
Studio Videos
Reminder: link to our YouTube folders:
https://pinelandsuzukistrings.mymusicstaff.com/Video-Links
For now, I have posted links to 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! So glad that several of you are taking advantage of these articles. If you haven't downloaded any of them yet, 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 value!!
This month I am uploading an article from an SAA Mini Journal (1997), The ABCs of Group Experience by Dr. Jacqueline Maurer, a pioneer in the Suzuki movement.
Take the time to download and read this article. If you have time, let me know your reaction, thoughts. etc. Additionally, feel free to look back at the other articles I have posted. We have quite a variety of topics to choose from now!
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 Rachel Barton (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.
Tchaikovsky/Sibelius concertos, short recording documentary (Deutsche Gramaphone): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeVdP0tK2j8
Bach Concerto in C min (BWV 1060) - music video promo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTQag_3G1mI
Prokofiev: Concerto (short recording documentary): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMTJrbbpaUw
Prokofiev: Concerto No.1 in D, (live performance):
I. Andantino - Andante assai: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG0-2kZNcOs
II. Scherzo : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvXE03NQrDM
III. FInale, Moderato: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Cvsq1IoAOo
Lisa Batiashvili (born 1979) is a prominent Georgianviolinist. A former New York Philharmonic artist-in-residence, she is acclaimed for her "natural elegance, silky sound and the meticulous grace of her articulation." Batiashvili makes frequent appearances at high-profile international events; she was the violin soloist at the 2018 Nobel Prize concert.
She began learning violin with her father from age four. The family left Georgia in 1991 when she was 12 years old, and settled in Germany. In 1995, aged 16, she placed 2nd at the International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition in Helsinki.
She plays a 1739 Guarneri del Gesu violin (Cozio 61377) lent to her from the private collection of an anonymous German collector.
CONCERTS
Websites for local concerts:
*April 3 (7:30 pm) and 5 2:00 pm) NC Opera presents The Magic Flute by Mozart. For more information use this link.
*Indicates Dr. Baker is performing this concert.
NC Symphony Calendar of events: https://www.ncsymphony.org/concerts-events/single-ticket-calendar/
Duke Performances 2019-20. Use this link to view upcoming performances at Duke University https://dukeperformances.duke.edu/
NC Museum of Art Chamber Music Concerts. Use this link to view upcoming performance at the NC Museum of Art. https://ncartmuseum.org/calendar/series_parent/summer_concerts
NCSU Center Stage Performances. Use this link to view upcoming performances https://live.arts.ncsu.edu/events/nc-state-live-2018-19-season/
CAMPS and MUSIC PROGRAMS:
Pinecone youth music camps: https://pinecone.org/co
Triangle youth orchestra: http://philharmonic
**If you know of any other events in the area. Send them to me via email and I can mail out to everyone! Thanks.
FEBRUARY Studio News
Saturday, February 1, 2020 by Cortney Baker | Studio news
February tuition
is due at your first lesson of the month. The envelope for tuition is hanging on the bulletin board (above the printer) when you enter the studio. Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount.
February Schedule
No lessons Tuesday, Feb 4 - Friday, Feb 7. I am on vacation this week.
Consult your registration form or log in to your MyMusicStaff portal to see your specific lesson dates and times.
Group Class
Group Classes will meet on Friday, February 28th in the Choir Room at Saint Francis UMC. 2965 Kildaire Farm Rd. Cary, 27518.
Consult the year start up letter for the times you should arrive. OR log in to your MMS account where your group times are listed in the event on the calendar.
Inclement Weather Lessons
The season of the year when we could have cancelled days due to inclement weather is in front of us. I have been thinking of a way to help reduce the # of makeup lessons in circumstances like this. Starting this year, I would like to experiment with video call lessons using Zoom. To facilitate this process, it will be helpful if you make sure that you have zoom installed ahead of time on the device you would use during the lesson time. (I think you can use the link below to start the set up process)
Here is the link to use for lessons this year: https://zoom.us/j/9799595937
Of course, this is given we have power. ☺ The past missed lesson policies will remain in place if you are not able to attend a video lesson during your scheduled time.
A little up front info. My idea is to use the Zoom conference room as a way to join in an already going lesson and leave when your time is up, just like we do in the studio. This will take a little getting used to but I am excited by the possibilities!
Studio Videos
Reminder: link to our YouTube folders:
https://pinelandsuzukistrings.mymusicstaff.com/Video-Links
For now, I have posted links to 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! So glad that several of you are taking advantage of these articles. If you haven't downloaded any of them yet, 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 value!!
This month I am uploading an article from an SAA Mini Journal (2016), The Skill of Inspiring Children to Practice by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
Take the time to download and read this article. If you have time, let me know your reaction, thoughts. etc. Additionally, feel free to look back at the other articles I have posted. We have quite a variety of topics to choose from now!
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 Rachel Barton (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.
J.S. Bach: Various Unaccompanied movements (NPR Tiny Desk Concert): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSZzJu67EJc
Dolores White: Blues Dialogues: III. Fast and Funky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zExjAf7PpwY&list=PL2t0tH4JZPD2gEpcoRbz-5GJQlBVBxzUi&index=168
Astor Piazzolla: Tango-Etude No. 3 (arr. R.B. Pines): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHtJl-Tdb34&list=PL2t0tH4JZPD2gEpcoRbz-5GJQlBVBxzUi&index=41
Star Spangled Banner for solo violin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aqU2yw-Scc&list=PL2t0tH4JZPD2gEpcoRbz-5GJQlBVBxzUi&index=53
Rachel Barton Pine (born 1974) is an American violinist. She debuted with the Chicago Symphony at age 10, and was the first American and youngest ever gold medal winner of the International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition. The Washington Post wrote that she "displays a power and confidence that puts her in the top echelon."Her passion for violin compelled her to practice 4 or 5 hours a day as a second grader, prompting her elementary school principal to encourage her parents to begin home schooling, which allowed her to focus on her music, practicing 8 hours a day.
Pine tours worldwide as a soloist with prestigious orchestras, has an active recording career, and has run The Rachel Barton Pine Foundation since 2001 which provides services and funding to promote classical music education and performances.
Her website: https://rachelbartonpine.com/
CONCERTS
Websites for local concerts:
*April 3 (7:30 pm) and 5 2:00 pm) NC Opera presents The Magic Flute by Mozart. For more information use this link.
*Indicates Dr. Baker is performing this concert.
NC Symphony Calendar of events: https://www.ncsymphony.org/concerts-events/single-ticket-calendar/
Duke Performances 2019-20. Use this link to view upcoming performances at Duke University https://dukeperformances.duke.edu/
NC Museum of Art Chamber Music Concerts. Use this link to view upcoming performance at the NC Museum of Art. https://ncartmuseum.org/calendar/series_parent/summer_concerts
NCSU Center Stage Performances. Use this link to view upcoming performances https://live.arts.ncsu.edu/events/nc-state-live-2018-19-season/
CAMPS and MUSIC PROGRAMS:
Pinecone youth music camps: https://pinecone.org/co
Triangle youth orchestra: http://philharmonic
**If you know of any other events in the area. Send them to me via email and I can mail out to everyone! Thanks.
