JULY Studio News
Tuesday, July 9, 2019 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized
July tuition
is due at your first lesson of the month. The envelope for tuition is hanging on the cabinet when you enter the studio. Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount.
July Schedule
Consult your registration form or log in to your MyMusicStaff portal to see your specific lesson dates and times.
Group Class
No Group Classes during the summer months (June - August).
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 Vanessa-Mae (see notes below).
Toccata and Fugue, J.S.Bach (arrangement) for organ, orch and violin -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg8Fa_EUQqY
Four Seasons, Vivaldi (at the British World Music Awards 2000) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6JAM968XWE&list=RDz5aaeFIubFI&index=17
Pagannini, Caprice No, 24 (arrangement) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxfh-dlTH3M&list=RDz5aaeFIubFI&index=33
There are other recordings of her - enjoy looking around and learning more about this great artist of our time.
Please share these with the kids.
Vanessa-Mae (1978- )
Sharing her birthday with the legendary violinist, Nicolo Paganini, Vanessa-Mae was born 196 years later on 27 October 1978 in Singapore, to a Singaporean mother and Thai father. After adopting a British father, she moved to London at the age of 4 where she picked up the violin, having already started the piano in Singapore. At the age of 13, she had already recorded three highly-praised classical albums. These contained a wide range of repertoire from masterpiece concertos by Tchaikovsky and Beethoven (the youngest artist ever to record these works).
In studio working on her debut pop album, at the age of 15, she created a completely new genre of music. With the release of The Violin Player in 1995, at the age of 16, she discovered an ecstatic audience of millions worldwide. Her brave approach of presenting the violin in a new style caused controversy among some traditionalist critics but its enormous popularity around the world among music lovers of all kinds established her as a world star and subsequently inspired a wave of new artists following in her footsteps.
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 the SAA Mini-Journal (Summer, 2001), Taking Notes at Lessons: Practical Tips for Parents by Heidi Ehle
Take the time to download and read this article. If you have time, let me know your reaction, thoughts. etc.
In addition, feel free to look back at the other articles I have posted. We have quite a variety of topics to choose from now!
CONCERTS
Websites for local concerts:
August 5, 7:30 pm - Triangle Youth String Orchestra Summer Session Concert, Carlswell Auditorium, Meredith College. You are invited to see what the string orchestra in the triangle is like! And see your studio colleague, Elizabeth Baucom, perform in her first orchestra concert. For 4th grade and up, this is a great ensemble for beginning readers. Go to their website to learn more: https://philharmonic-association.org/triangle-youth-string-orchestra/
NC Symphony Calendar of events: https://www.ncsymphony.org/concerts-events/single-ticket-calendar/
Duke Performances 2018-19. 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.
JUNE Studio News
Sunday, June 2, 2019 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized
June tuition
is due at your first lesson of the month. The envelope for tuition is hanging on the cabinet when you enter the studio. Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount.
June Schedule
No lessons from June 12 - 14 (Wed-Fri). I will be at a home school practicum/training those days.
No lessons from June 24 - July 5. I will be in DC at the GWSI Institute the first week and on family vacation the second.
Consult your registration form or log in to your MyMusicStaff portal to see your specific lesson dates and times.
Group Class
No Group Classes during the summer months (June - August).
Summer Suzuki Institutes
A reminder that there are many Suzuki Institutes to consider attending during the summer months. One, right here in our backyard--Greenville, NC. To see details on each of the Institutes around the country, use this link: https://suzukiassociation.org/events/institutes/
Regional Institutes to consider attending:
June 22 - 30 GWSI (Greater Washington Suzuki Institute - Dr. Baker will be on faculty here again this summer)
June 21 - 29 Virginia Suzuki Institute
June 15 - 21 Atlanta Suzuki Institute
July 8 - 12 North Carolina Suzuki Institute
July 13 - 21 South Carolina Suzuki Institute
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 Julia Fischer (see notes below).
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
There are other recordings of her - enjoy looking around and learning more about this great artist of our time.
Please share these with the kids.
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.
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 the SAA Mini-Journal (Summer, 2018), Suzuki Wisdom I Learned from my GPS Navigation System by Megan Titensor
Take the time to download and read this article. If you have time, let me know your reaction, thoughts. etc.
In addition, feel free to look back at the other articles I have posted. We have quite a variety of topics to choose from now!
CONCERTS
Websites for local concerts:
TBA
NC Symphony Calendar of events: https://www.ncsymphony.org/concerts-events/single-ticket-calendar/
Duke Performances 2018-19. 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.
MAY Studio News
Tuesday, April 30, 2019 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized
May tuition
is due at your first lesson of the month. The envelope for tuition is hanging on the cabinet when you enter the studio. Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount.
May Schedule
No lessons from May 27 - 31 (Mon-Fri). Our school year lesson schedule ends on May 23. Summer lesson schedule will begins on June 3.
Consult your registration form or log in to your MyMusicStaff portal to see your specific lesson dates and times.
Summer Lesson Sign up
Summer lesson sign up calendars are due by May 10 (May's group class date). Calendars are available in your lesson, in the email sent out last week, or in MMS>Online Downloads>Registration Files. Looking forward to our relaxed summer months of lessons and more practicing! ♫☺♥
Group Class
Group classes will meet FRIDAY, May 10. We will meet in the choir room at Saint Francis UMC for our end of year class and party! Log in to your MMS portal to see your assigned times.
Senior Recital
You are invited to attend Grace Greene's Senior recital THIS Saturday, May 4 at 3:30p. Her recital will take place in the Choir Room at SFUMC with a reception to follow. See the invite on the studio board. Come out to support Grace as she finishes up her last year in our studio!
Summer Suzuki Institutes
Last month, I posted an article to introduce the idea of what a Summer Suzuki Institute is and why it is beneficial. This month, I have added an article by Marie Kusters: Summer Suzuki Institutes: Planning for a Positive Experience. Reading this article will give an overview of what to expect during the 5 days of camp.
To see details on each of the Institutes around the country, use this link: https://suzukiassociation.org/events/institutes/
Regional Institutes to consider attending:
June 22 - 30 GWSI (Greater Washington Suzuki Institute - Dr. Baker will be on faculty here again this summer)
June 21 - 29 Virginia Suzuki Institute
June 15 - 21 Atlanta Suzuki Institute
July 8 - 12 North Carolina Suzuki Institute
July 13 - 21 South Carolina Suzuki Institute
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).
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
There are other recordings of her - enjoy looking around and learning more about this great artist of our time.
Please share these with the kids.
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)
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 the American Suzuki Journal (Spring, 2010), Summer Suzuki Institutes: Planning for a Positive Experience.
Take the time to download and read this article. If you have time, let me know your reaction, thoughts. etc.
In addition, feel free to look back at the other articles I have posted. We have quite a variety of topics to choose from now!
CONCERTS
Websites for local concerts:
Philharmonic Association Triangle Youth Music Spring Concerts: https://philharmonic-association.org/calendar/
The TYSO (Triangle Youth String Orchestra) will perform their spring concert on Saturday, May 11 at 11am at the Cary Art Center. This is an excellent opportunity to see a group that your child might participate in someday. Tickets are available at the door ($5 adults/$2 children) or via the Town of Cary Website. Timothy will be performing with them.
TYSO is a non-audition group
https://philharmonic-association.org/triangle-youth-string-orchestra/
The TYO (Triangle Youth Orchestra) will perform their spring concert on Tuesday, May 7, 7-7:30 pm. at Meymandi Concert Hall in Raleigh. This is an excellent opportunity to see a group that your child might participate in someday. Tickets are available at the door ($15 adults/$10 seniors/$5 children). Ameris will be performing with them.
TYO is an audition only group https://philharmonic-association.org/auditions-registration/
https://philharmonic-association.org/auditions-registration/
NC Symphony Calendar of events: https://www.ncsymphony.org/concerts-events/single-ticket-calendar/
Duke Performances 2018-19. 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.
APRIL Studio News
Sunday, April 7, 2019 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized
April tuition
is due at your first lesson of the month. The envelope for tuition is hanging on the cabinet when you enter the studio. Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount.
April Schedule
No lessons from April 15-21 (Mon-Sun, Holy Week/Spring Break) Please consult your individual calendar to know if this affects you.
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 FRIDAY, April 26. We will meet in the SANCTUARY at Saint Francis UMC for the rehearsal of our spring concert. Log in to your MMS portal to see your assigned times.
April Recital
Our fall recital is scheduled for Saturday, April 27 at 4:30 p.m. at Saint Francis UMC (in the sanctuary). Family and friends are invited to attend and support all of the performers!
All studio participants are expected to participate in our 2 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 4:15 PM to unpack and tune
In addition to your child's chosen solo piece, the following pieces will be performed as a group:
Kuchler Concertino
Concerto by Vivaldi (reading piece)
Minuet by Beethoven (vol. 2)
Musette by Bach (with bagpipes by Bk. 1 students ☺)
Allegretto (vol 1)
Go Tell Aunt Rhody
Twinkle VAR and Theme
Senior Recital
You are invited to attend Grace Greene's Senior recital on Saturday, May 4 at 3:30p. Her recital will take place in the Choir Room at SFUMC with a reception to follow. More details to follow. Come out to support Grace as she finishes up her last year in our studio!
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).
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
There are other recordings of her - enjoy looking around and learning more about this great artist of our time.
Please share these with the kids.
Nicola Benedetti (1987 - )
Nicola’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). She was born to an Italian father, Giovanni Benedetti, and a Scottish mother, Francesca Benedetti. Nicola's motto is "Enhance your own ability, be the best you can be – but don’t keep that for yourself. Share it, expose it, give it and try to enrich other people with what you have managed to achieve.
https://www.nicolabenedetti.co.uk/about/
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 the American Suzuki Journal (Winter, 2019), 25 Reasons You Will Want to Attend a Summer Suzuki Institute. This article, lays out several compelling reasons to consider attending one of the many 5-day summer institutes around the country. I have posted this same article as well as listing of all of the Suzuki Institutes that will be taking place this coming summer. Take a few minutes to explore the options and consider attending one close by or anywhere around the country (consider visiting family nearby, if that is an option!). I'd love to have any of you join me in Washington DC, June 24-28. If you are interested in knowing more, email or call me.
Take the time to download and read this article. If you have time, let me know your reaction, thoughts. etc.
In addition, feel free to look back at the other articles I have posted. We have quite a variety of topics to choose from now!
CONCERTS
Websites for local concerts:
Philharmonic Association Triangle Youth Music Spring Concerts: https://philharmonic-association.org/calendar/
NC Symphony Calendar of events: https://www.ncsymphony.org/concerts-events/single-ticket-calendar/
Duke Performances 2018-19. 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
Sunday, February 3, 2019 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized
February tuition
is due at your first lesson of the month. The envelope for tuition is hanging on the cabinet when you enter the studio. Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount.
February Schedule
No lessons on February 18 (Monday, President's Day) Please consult your individual calendar to know if this affects you.
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 FRIDAY, February 22. We will meet in the choir room at Saint Francis UMC. Log in to your MMS portal to see your assigned times.
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 Hilary Hahn (see notes below).
BEETHOVEN Concerto for Violin and Orchestra - https://youtu.be/0Cg_0jepxow via @
Mozart - Violin Concerto No.3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-mA9OMP3DE
For fun!! Hilary Hahn does the Ling Ling Workout https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwsnIoFXrt0
There are other recordings of her - enjoy looking around and learning more about this great artist of our time.
Please share these with the kids.
Hilary Hahn (1979 - )
A true experimenter, Hahn’s innovative approach has revolutionised 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 recently 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).
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 the American Suzuki Minijournal (Summer, 2009), Making Tone a Prority by Hannah Frey. In this article, Hannnah shares with us the teaching priorities of her violin teachers over the years, ultimately coming to the decision that one of Dr. Suzuki's priorites, TONE has a place of importance in her own playing. For those of you who are working through the graduation process of a book, I hope this article is motivation for why this component of your child's musical education is important. Each graduation project offers us devoted time to encourage an intense focus on the tone being produced, a skill often overlooked when learning notes and rhythms of a piece for the first time.
Take the time to download and read this article. If you have time, let me know your reaction, thoughts. etc.
In addition, feel free to look back at the other articles I have posted. We have quite a variety of topics to choose from now!
CONCERTS
Websites for local concerts:
*April 5 & 7, NCOpera presents Tosca, https://www.ncopera.org/performances/1819-3
*denotes Dr. Baker is performing
NC Symphony Calendar of events: https://www.ncsymphony.org/concerts-events/single-ticket-calendar/
Duke Performances 2018-19. 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.
