DECEMBER Studio News

  Sunday, November 27, 2022 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:  PayPal (include fee) or Google Pay (no fee) 

  December Schedule                         

NO Lessons are scheduled for Monday, Dec 18 - Friday Jan 6 for Christmas / New Years break.

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!

   Group Class / Recital Rehearsal     

Group Classes will meet this month on Friday, December 2nd.  Location: Saint Francis UMC. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518, Sanctuary.   We will be focused mostly on preparing for the solo recital the following day, so these group classes will not be offered on Zoom.   Group schedule:

Plan to arrive 5-10 min prior to your group's start time to unpack and be ready to tune. 

   December Solo Recital                   

Our fall recital is scheduled for Saturday, December 3 at 4:30 p.m. Location: Saint Francis UMC. We will be in the sanctuary.  The recital will be streamed for family and friends to watch from home to support all of the performers!   Invites to share with family and friends have been emailed. 

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 of We Wish You a Merry Christmas.  

  Suzuki Weekend Workshops        

SAVE THE DATE.  Our next weekend workshop will be on FEBRUARY 4.   More details in the New Year.

    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 want to highlight a new article in our Online Resource's folder>Parent Education. 

"Finding a Balance of Deliberate and Informal Practice" by Rafael Videira, Suzuki viola teacher in the Northwest US, first defines for us the differences between Deliberate and Informal practice and then explains how balancing the two can motivate and energize a young musician.   I thought this article was a good one to showcase as we all kickstart our school year routines.  What elements in this article spark ideas you can include in your practice routine this year?    

Check it out!  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 Anne-Sophie Mutter  (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!

Anne-Sophie Mutter (1963 - )
 
German violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter was mentored in her early career by the great conductor Herbert von Karajan, and it shows. She’s a huge champion of modern works rather than just the old favorites and, as such, is vital to the instrument’s growth.

 

 

Vivaldi, The Four Seasons: https://youtu.be/9eEap53WxKY
Beethoven, Sonata No. 9, op. 47 “Kreutzer” https://youtu.be/COGcCBJAC6I 
John Williams, “Hedwig’s Theme” https://youtu.be/qsCZP3wdF4w (conducted by John Williams)

John Williams, Han Solo and the Princess From "The Empire Strikes Back" https://youtu.be/utFjcx8hHFY (also conducted by John Williams) 

NOVEMBER Studio News

  Sunday, November 6, 2022 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:  PayPal (include fee) or Google Pay (no fee) 

  November Schedule                         

NO Lessons are scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 15 as I am in rehearsal all day.

NO Lessons are scheduled for Monday, Nov 21 - Friday Nov 25 for Thanksgiving week.

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!

   Group Classes                                   

Group Classes will meet on Friday, November 4th.  Location: Saint Francis UMC. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518, Sanctuary.  Group classes this year will be offered as a hybrid experience.  All class will be streamed on ZOOM and will meet in person.  Group schedule:

   December Solo Recital                            

Our fall recital is scheduled for Saturday, December 3 at 4:30 p.m. Location: Saint Francis UMC. We will be in the sanctuary.  The recital will be streamed for family and friends to watch from home to support all of the performers!   I will send out an invite for you to share the week before.

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 of We Wish You a Merry Christmas.  

  Suzuki Weekend Workshops             

SAVE THE DATE.  Our next weekend workshop will be on FEBRUARY 4.   More details in the New Year.

    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 want to highlight an article in our Online Resource's folder>Parent Education. 

"Today's Investment -- Beyond Technology" by Laurie Brand Stroup, mom of three Suzuki students who shares her thoughts regarding the benefits a Suzuki education provides when put beside the effects of technology in today's culture. (and this was published Pre-COVID, so I am pretty sure the statistics she mentions have increased!).   

Check it out!  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 Victoria Mullova  (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!

Viktoria Mullova (1959) began her career by winning two major music contests: the Sibelius competition in Helsinki in 1980 and the Tchaikovsky gold medal in 1982. She is renowned for her recordings of Bach, which have received exceptional reviews internationally, and more recently she has experimented with other, more contemporary styles. She defected from the Soviet Union in 1983, and brought with her a powerful and authoritative technique. In her later years she has become softer and more personable with her playing, including an exploration of jazz and world music styles. Her wide career range has made her a favorite among famous violinists.

Sibelius, Violin Concerto:  https://youtu.be/bgGNhvuiwiw

Tchaikovsky, Violin Concerto (excerpt from the Tchaikovsky competition in 1982 - great close up of her bow and left hand):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi_8bVJcbHw

J.S.Bach, Sonata No. 1 in G minor, Adagio:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXE_9wV8iq4

Abreu's Tico Tico (from one of her non-classical albums): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re5x0C9j_eQ

SEPTEMBER Studio News

  Thursday, September 1, 2022 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized

  September 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:  PayPal (include fee) or Google Pay (no fee) 

  September Schedule                         

NO Lessons are scheduled from Sept 1 to Sept 5.

Our 2022-23 lesson schedule begins on Tues, Sept 6  

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!

   Group Classes                                   

Group Classes will meet on Friday, September 16th.  Location: Saint Francis UMC. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518, Sanctuary.  Group classes this year will be offered as a hybrid experience.  All class will be streamed on ZOOM and will meet in person.  Group schedule:

  Suzuki Weekend Workshops             

SAVE THE DATE for TWO local weekend workshops.  OCTOBER 8 and FEBRUARY 4.  For those of you who have been to the Chapel Hill Workshops, these Raleigh workshops will be on a much smaller scale.  As best I know right now, the day will include group classes and a concert to highlight the skills learned earlier in the groups.  Also included in the weekend are limited Fri and Sun masterclasses.  More details coming soon.

  Youth Orchestra Opportunities          

As many of our studio violinists begin their journey into music reading, I want to recommend joining a local youth orchestra to give them additional opportunities to use and strengthen their music reading knowledge.  Several of our local schools do have orchestra programs and my first recommendation would be to support that program and sign up to participate.  For those students who do not have that opportunity, there are a few local youth programs to consider.

Triangle Philharmonic Association:https://philharmonic-association.org  Auditions have already taken place for the full orchestras.  I would imagine they are still registering for the non audition orchestras that meet at the Cary Art Center.  Be in touch if you are interested in participating this year. 

Holly Strings Youth Orchestra:https://hsyouthorchestra.org/  There are 2 ensembles divided by age for students who have been playing over 1 year.  This ensembles meet on the weekend.

North Carolina Chamber Music Institute:https://nccmi.org/  Provides young musicians in the area with experience playing in small chamber groups (typically 4 players).  Read through their website to learn more about what they offer. Be in touch with me if you are interested in considering this option either now or in the future.  Audition dates are very soon (that said, knowing about this program this year may simply be for you to look forward to auditioning in the future).

    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 want to highlight a new article in our Online Resource's folder>Parent Education. 

"Finding a Balance of Deliberate and Informal Practice" by Rafael Videira, Suzuki viola teacher in the Northwest US, first defines for us the differences between Deliberate and Informal practice and then explains how balancing the two can motivate and energize a young musician.   I thought this article was a good one to showcase as we all kickstart our school year routines.  What elements in this article spark ideas you can include in your practice routine this year?    

Check it out!  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 Nigel Kennedy  (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!

Nigel Kennedy (1956)
 An English violinist and violist.  His early career was primarily spent performing classical music. His later career expanded into jazz, klezmer, and other music genres. At age 16, Kennedy appeared with jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli at New York's Carnegie Hall.  In 1989, his recording of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons sold over 2 million copies and is one of the best-selling of all classical recordings.

 

• Vivaldi: The Four Seasons (his original recording of this - one of the 1st violinists to create a classical "music video"):  https://youtu.be/Pc0rt2wi2ng
• Monty: Czardas (a dramatic interpretation of... ☺) : https://youtu.be/26yzhNtKLcE   (not the best video quality, but the sound is good!)
• LIVE at Jazz Festival 2015 (a great mix of classical and other styles!  Listen to it all, or move around to hear the 4 different pieces): https://youtu.be/Gnbd2WX_1K0
• Jazz / Swing '39: https://youtu.be/eZZ4gTjRxtA
• Danny Boy: https://youtu.be/Rf0or4qaBMg

AUGUST Studio News

  Tuesday, July 26, 2022 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized

 August 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:  PayPal (include fee) or Google Pay (no fee) 

  August Schedule                              

NO Lessons are scheduled from August 29 to Sept 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!

  2022-23 Lessons                        

Sign Up for Sept-May Lessons using this link: https://forms.gle/8vCpLQDdicnhK85a8

Deadline for signing up for school year lessons is August 10.  The more information you can provide me on this Google Form, the more if helps me arrange everyone into my weekly schedule.  If you have questions, please email or text me.  

  Youth Orchestra Opportunities   

As many of our studio violinists begin their journey into music reading, I want to recommend joining a local youth orchestra to give them additional opportunities to use and strengthen their music reading knowledge.  Several of our local schools do have orchestra programs and my first recommendation would be to support that program and sign up to participate.  For those students who do not have that opportunity, there are a few local youth programs to consider.

Triangle Philharmonic Association:https://philharmonic-association.org  There are 5 ensembles (2 non-audition and 3 audition-only).  They each meet once a week during the school year for rehearsals (with a break for the month of Dec) and perform two concerts.  If you are interested please visit their website to learn more.  Then be in touch with me so we can determine what ensemble will be best for your student. 

Holly Strings Youth Orchestra:https://hsyouthorchestra.org/  There are 2 ensembles divide by age for students who have been playing over 1 year.  This ensembles meet on the weekend.

North Carolina Chamber Music Institute:https://nccmi.org/  Provides young musicians in the area with experience playing in small chamber groups (typically 4 players).  Read through their website to learn more about what they offer. Be in touch with me if you are interested in considering this option either now or in the future.  Audition dates are very soon (that said, knowing about this program this year may simply be for you to look forward to auditioning in the future). 

   Group Classes                                   

Will not be held for the summer months.  

    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 want to highlight a new article in our Online Resource's folder>Parent Education. 

"Developing Musical Taste: Concertgoing as a Way of Life" by Casey Mink, Suzuki teacher in South Carolina, lays out a few good reasons to include attending concerts in your families schedule of activities.  As concert halls open back up, as we become more comfortable being indoors with others, find a few options this year to expose your family, especially your children, to art.  Art museum, plays, musicals, symphony concert, pops concert, opera - we are blessed to live in an area that offers so many options!    

    

Check it out!  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 Pinchas Zukerman  (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!

Pinchas Zukerman (1948)

After a four decade career, Zukerman continues to tour widely around the world. His passion for music and brilliant playing technique has made him one of the most respected contemporary musicians and has inspired the young people who he has tutored through his music programmes. As well as violin, Zukerman also plays viola and has established his reputation as a conductor.
  

This brooding, serious violinist often strives for the profound and finds it. Born in Israel, he studied in New York but now calls Canada home. Today he works as a conductor and refuses to play historically-informed pieces, preferring instead a new and natural take. He is also one of the best viola players in the world.

 

Mozart, Violin Concerto No. 4 in D Major (he is conductor and soloist in this performance):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXr2DFU8wGU 

Wieniawski, Polonaise in D Major:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5Q0g_Er0Tk&list=RDZXr2DFU8wGU&index=3

Mozart, Sinfonia Concertante (Violin/Viola duo Zukerman is playing viola):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szMu8si_YYQ

Handel-Halverson Passacaglia (Violin/Viola duet - now they are older (and wiser!)): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSykOS-g_Fc

JULY Studio News

  Friday, July 1, 2022 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized

 July 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:  PayPal (include fee) or Google Pay (no fee) 

  July Schedule                              

NO Lessons are scheduled from July 4 to 12.  

NO Lessons are scheduled from July 18 to 22.  

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!

  Youth Orchestra Opportunities   

As many of our studio violinists begin their journey into music reading, I want to recommend joining a local youth orchestra to give them additional opportunities to use and strengthen their music reading knowledge.  Several of our local schools do have orchestra programs and my first recommendation would be to support that program and sign up to participate.  For those students who do not have that opportunity, there are a few local youth programs to consider.

Triangle Philharmonic Association:https://philharmonic-association.org  There are 5 ensembles (2 non-audition and 3 audition-only).  They each meet once a week during the school year for rehearsals (with a break for the month of Dec) and perform two concerts.  If you are interested please visit their website to learn more.  Then be in touch with me so we can determine what ensemble will be best for your student. 

Holly Strings Youth Orchestra:https://hsyouthorchestra.org/  There are 2 ensembles divide by age for students who have been playing over 1 year.  This ensembles meet on the weekend.

North Carolina Chamber Music Institute:https://nccmi.org/  Provides young musicians in the area with experience playing in small chamber groups (typically 4 players).  Read through their website to learn more about what they offer. Be in touch with me if you are interested in considering this option either now or in the future.  Audition dates are very soon (that said, knowing about this program this year may simply be for you to look forward to auditioning in the future). 

  2022-23 Lessons                        

 The lesson sign up Google Form for the 2022-23 school year will be sent out later in July.  

   Group Classes                                   

Will not be held for the summer months.  

    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 want to highlight 2 articles already in our Online Resource's folder>Parent Education. 

"Repetition Can Be Fun" by Laura Yeh, Suzuki kid and now Suzuki teacher in the St. Louis area.  Summer is a great time to implement new practice ideas - and maybe a few of them will be ones you want to keep for special practice days during the school year.  Read her ideas and experiment with a few. Maybe one will inspire a similar new idea that would work well for your child.  We all need to have a little fun every once in a while, especially while making music. ;-)  

"Play with Others and Fast Track Your Progress" by Melanie Doderai, a violin teacher in the Alberta Canada area. Since I included links to the area youth orchestra programs, I felt this was a complementary article to read as you make decisions about your child's musical journey. I welcome conversations to explore this journey with you.  Please let me know you are interested and we can begin planning!

Check them out!   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 Gidon Kremer  (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!

Gidon Kremer (1947)

Born in Latvia, Gidon Kremer burst onto the scene by winning every major competition, joining the ranks of famous violinists with his unusual style. His creativity leads to serious improvisation, and that makes him a favorite among modern composers. Since 1997 he has directed groups of young players to find their own sound.

 

Dvorak, Elegy:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7fDr5DVOOE 
 
Mozart, Concerto No. 5 in A Major (Book 9 piece! :-) : mvt 1: https://youtu.be/DaX7q9zVrDw,  mvt 2: https://youtu.be/9_J5tdb_kg4, mvt 3: https://youtu.be/FaIOCGdTQaI

Astor Piazzolla, Oblivion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg__yDK-0rk