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:
- IN PERSON at your lesson
- MAIL CHECK: 814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
- 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:
- IN PERSON at your lesson
- MAIL CHECK: 814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
- 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
MAY Studio News
Sunday, May 1, 2022 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized
May tuition
is due at your first lesson of the month. Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount.
Ways to pay:
- IN PERSON at your lesson
- MAIL CHECK: 814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
- ONLINE PAYMENT: PayPal (include fee) or Google Pay (no fee)
May Schedule
NO Lessons are scheduled for the week of May 30 to June 3.
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!
Summer Lessons
I handed out Summer Lesson Sign up calendars in the lessons last week. Fill it out and return it as soon as you are able. The lesson sign ups are due by Friday, May 13. I plan to email you your summer lesson schedule by the week of May 23rd.
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. It will be held in person and virtually. I would love for you to join me. Here is the link for more info: https://suzukiassociation.org/events/loc/greater-washington-suzuki-institute/
It seems that many Institutes are planning to have a virtual classes. You can reduce the cost and time commitment and still experience what it is like to work with other teachers and students from around the country! Several students in our studio and taken advantage of these opportunities in the past. Each one has come away with a major boost in motivation and confidence!
Group Classes
Group Classes will meet on Friday, May 6th. Location: Saint Francis UMC, Sanctuary. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518. This is the dress rehearsal for our Solo recital the next day. This rehearsal will not be streamed. All performers should plan to attend in person so we can determine the logistics of the recital. Currently, masks are optional inside all buildings at Saint Francis.
Group schedule:
|
4:00-4:25 |
Twinkle |
Eva Dyess, Ava Humes, Elaine Park, EllaJane Rouse, EvelynKate Rouse |
|
4:30-5:00 |
Bk 1 |
Ruthie Catalano, Zoey Cromartie, Charlotte Fox, Cataleya Kelley, Maitri Potukuchi, Connor Raeman, Selah Wallace, Glover Wilson, Annabelle Zipparo |
|
5:05-5:40 |
Bk 2/3 |
Claire Catalano, Campbell Fox, Luke Fox, Divya Kancharla, Christian Kelley, Noah Wallace, Gabrielle Zipparo |
|
5:45-6:30 |
Bk 4+ / Reading |
Katie Cantrell, Timothy Baker, Elizabeth Baucom, Rachel Cantrell, Hannah Katragadda, Lillian Moore, Wesley Payne |
May Solo Recital
Our spring recital is scheduled for Saturday, May 7 at 4:30 p.m. Location: Saint Francis UMC. We will be in the sanctuary. Masks are optional in all buildings at Saint Francis. There is enough space for us to spread out so that families do not have to sit close to each other, unless they are fine doing so. Please find a space apart that fits your comfort level.
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 Twinkle Var A and Theme.
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 sharing an article from the most recent SSA journal. "Setting Habits for Success: How being a Suzuki student can transform your child's brain." by Bianco Prado a cellist and Suzuki cello teacher who currently resides in Idaho. She references one of my favorite articles, "Compound Interest, everyday practice and review" and shares new insight regarding the power of habits. 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 Itzhak Perlman (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!
Itzhak Perlman (1945)
Perlman was another early starter, giving his first concert at ten and playing to a live US television audience when he was thirteen. His refined approach to playing and his enthusiasm have both been prominent features in his career. He has also emerged as a conductor and important teacher, with a position at the Julliard School in New York where he studied himself. Here he plays Tartini.
His playful sound brings to mind Louis Armstrong, a musician that makes you smile even as he reveals flawless technique. With a sweet, warm tone, he hit the big-time with an appearance on the Ed Sullivan show at the tender age of 13. Today he continues to play occasionally but is more devoted to teaching young violinists.
13-year old Itzhak Perlman plays Mendelssohn Violin Concerto (excerpt): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eLoWm9swbM&list=RD4eLoWm9swbM&t=30
Introduction and Rondo Capriccio by Saint-Saens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnsPnyiLdrw&list=RD4eLoWm9swbM&index=21
Humoresque by Dvorak with YoYo Ma (a Book 3 piece!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBDmAxSFt6A&index=7&list=RD4eLoWm9swbM
Themes from "Schindler's List": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYokqDoXQjU
Performs at the White House - Fritz Kreisler "Tempo di Menuetto in the style of Pugnani": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYpMlOV0wrI
APRIL Studio News
Sunday, April 3, 2022 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized
April tuition
is due at your first lesson of the month. Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount.
Ways to pay:
- IN PERSON at your lesson
- MAIL CHECK: 814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
- ONLINE PAYMENT: PayPal (includes fee) or Google Pay (no fee)
April Schedule
There are NO lessons scheduled Tuesday, April 12-Monday, April 18 (Heads up: The Monday lesson schedule as been altered on Ap. 18, some of the lessons were moved to the week prior. If needed, consult your MMS account to confirm the date for your lesson those weeks.)
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
NO Group Classes this month (we met two times in March)
May Recital
SAVE the DATE. Our Spring Solo Recital is on Saturday, May 7 at 4:30pm. The rehearsals for this recital will be the Friday before, May 6, during group class.
We will begin choosing solo pieces for the recital this week.
Musical March Madness
It's time to wrap up this year's March Madness Brackets! We have FOUR students who have already completed theirs. Bring in completed sheets as you finish them. Students who complete this performance challenge will be recognized at the May recital.
Individual brackets will be handed out in the lessons this week. OR you can print your bracket page using this link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Hh91sAC1oC9WTmm1qmaENugc7DQcXZPn?usp=sharing
SUMMER INSTITUES
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. It will be held in person and virtually. I would love for you to consider joining me. Here is the link for more info: https://suzukiassociation.org/events/loc/greater-washington-suzuki-institute/
It seems that many Institutes are planning to have a virtual classes. You can reduce the cost and time commitment and still experience what it is like to work with other teachers and students from around the country! Several students in our studio and taken advantage of these opportunities in the past. Each one has come away with a major boost in motivation and confidence!
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 three articles ALL about the value of attending a Summer Institute: 25 reasons to attend a summer institute, Summer Suzuki Institutes: Planning for a positive experience, and Summer Suzuki Institutes.
Toggle over to the Online Resources Tab>Parent Education folder to find this article. View it online, Download it or Print it!
If you have time, send me your reaction, thoughts. etc. I would love to know what stands out to you.
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.
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 Michael Rabin. (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!
Michael Rabin (1936)
Michael Rabin was known as one of the preeminent violin virtuosos of the 20th century. After a debut at Carnegie Hall at the age of 13, Michael went on to travel over 700,000 miles during his career. Sadly, his career was cut extremely short. He died at the age of 35 and had not released a notable recording since his early 20s.
Despite his short career, Michael Rabin remains renowned for his playing abilities. His legacy lives on in several compilations of his performances from the height of his career.
Kreisler, Caprice viennois and Tambourin Chinois: https://youtu.be/ihzaYhGhJ2E
Saint-Saens, Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso: https://youtu.be/WjAqBMxc2tw
Sarasate, Habanera: https://youtu.be/oZ3cui2dAvA
Massenet, Méditation: https://youtu.be/dutwdF1NJKg
Dinicu, Hora Staccato (arr. Heifetz): https://youtu.be/ndHPPjcv76I
MARCH Studio News
Tuesday, March 1, 2022 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized
March tuition
is due at your first lesson of the month. Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount.
Ways to pay:
- IN PERSON at your lesson
- MAIL CHECK: 814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
- ONLINE PAYMENT: PayPal (includes fee) or Google Pay (no fee)
March Schedule
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 TWICE this month (and not in April). Location: Saint Francis UMC* Sanctuary. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518.
- Friday, March 4
- Friday, March 25
We will follow the mask policies of the church at the time of group class.
Feb Group schedule:
|
4:00-4:25 |
Twinkle |
Eva Dyess, Ava Humes, Elaine Park, EllaJane Rouse, EvelynKate Rouse |
|
4:30-5:00 |
Bk 1 |
Katie Cantrell, Ruthie Catalano, Zoey Cromartie, Charlotte Fox, Luke Fox, Divya Kancharla, Cataleya Kelley, Maitri Potukuchi, Connor Raeman, Selah Wallace, Glover Wilson, Annabelle Zipparo |
|
5:05-5:40 |
Bk 2/3 |
Carter Bettini, Claire Catalano, Campbell Fox, Christian Kelley, Noah Wallace, Gabrielle Zipparo |
|
5:45-6:30 |
Bk 4+ / Reading |
Timothy Baker, Elizabeth Baucom, Rachel Cantrell, Hannah Katragadda, Lillian Moore, Wesley Payne |
Musical March Madness
Can you believe it is MARCH again?! The time of year we go the extra mile to bless others with our musical talent. How does March Madness work on a violin? Well, first off you will review a pair of pieces. Then call up or visit a friend or relative and perform those two pieces for them. Finally, you ask them which piece the enjoyed hearing the most. Their answer is the WINNER of that bracket!
Individual brackets will be handed out in the lessons this week. OR you can print your bracket page using this link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Hh91sAC1oC9WTmm1qmaENugc7DQcXZPn?usp=sharing
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 Online Resources 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 sharing an article that can bring a little laughter and a lot of repetition to your practice time. Some of these ideas take a while, and would be best used once a week. Others may be helpful to use every day. At the very least, I hope this article gives you some ideas and/or turns on your creative brain to come up with a few of your own! Take some time to find the "Repetition Can be Fun" article by Laura Yeh and read over it! Go to the TAB: Online Resources>Parent Education Folder
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 Ida Haendel. (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!
Ida Haendel (1928)
Born in Poland, this talented woman continued her passionate violin performances into her late eighties. She won the Warsaw Conservatory’s gold medal at the age of four. Mrs. Haendel performed regularly throughout World War II at the Promenade and National Gallery concerts, and entertained British troops. She is known as the first western player to perform in China after the Cultural Revolution. Throughout her career, Haendel was praised for her masterclasses and her emotive recordings.
Violin Concerto by J. Sibelius: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYBQyOOED8k
Carmen Fantasy by Pablo de Sarasate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIPACyDwC14
Sonata in G minor "Devil's Trill" by G. Tartini: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiZHVqUml3c
Violin Concerto No. 2 in Dminor by H. Wieniawski: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GmpKijD-dY
