DECEMBER Studio News

  Wednesday, December 1, 2021 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 from Mon, Dec. 20 to Fri Jan. 7.  

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, December 10th.  Location: Saint Francis UMC. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518.  All class will be streamed on ZOOM and will meet in person.  When the weather is nice we will gather under the portico of the Admin building.  When the weather is not tolerant for us or our instruments, we will meet in the choir room and follow the mask policies of the church at the time.  

Group schedule:

    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 re-sharing an article from the Spring, 2013 Suzuki Journal.  How can we motivate our children to practice more? Strike a balance between focus and fun!  Read through the ideas presented by Rafael Videira, a Suzuki viola teacher, in his article, "Finding a Balance of Deliberate and Informal Practice."    

           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 Stéphane Grappelli  (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!

Yehudi Menuhin (1916)

Menuhin’s natural ability to make music produced some of the most memorable recordings of violin works. His contract with the EMI label is believed to be the longest running in the history of recorded music. This is his famous recording of Elgar’s violin concerto, conducted by Elgar himself in 1932.

  

Violin Concerto, Op. 61, Edward Elgar  (conducted by Elgar, the composer) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eioIa_ELIUU  (There is no video for this, only audio).

Violin Concerto No. 1 in D Major, Op. 6, by Paganini:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dagrn_9V4jE
 
 Partitia No. 3 in E Major, by J.S.Bach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYa4nuBwmWo

NOVEMBER Studio News

  Monday, November 1, 2021 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 Tues, Nov. 9 OR Wed, Nov. 10.  I am in opera rehearsals both days.  

NO Lessons are scheduled for the week of Nov. 22 to Nov. 26.  

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 5th.  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 required inside all buildings at Saint Francis.  I think I have spoken with most of you regarding how this will play out for the concert.  The same will hold for the rehearsal. 

Group schedule:

   November Solo Recital                   

Our fall recital is scheduled for Saturday, November 6 at 4:30 p.m. Location: Saint Francis UMC. We will be in person inside the sanctuary.  Masks are required 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!

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 in "surround sound" for the audience.  

    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 Spring, 2013 Suzuki Journal.  How often should one practice?  What are the benefits of daily practice?  Read through the ideas presented by Tom Yang, a Suzuki piano teacher, in his article, "Compound Interest, Everyday Practice and Review."    

           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 Stéphane Grappelli  (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!

It Had to Be You: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZVJ9DlBKyg  (there is a long-ish intro, the main tune begins after the 1 min time mark)
 
 Stardust:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaGobcJLjqQ
 
 Tribute album:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lVC7Zv_Hxo&list=RDQAaOI0cAjhc&index=4
 (this one is long, as its a whole album.  So choose a few minutes to listen to - the first few are pretty impressive! a good taste of his style and amazing talent.)

Stephane Grappelli (1908)

Known as “the grandfather of jazz violinists,” Stéphane Grappelli formed the famous Quintet of the Hot Club of France with guitarist Django Reinhardt in the 1930s. They were the first European musicians to directly influence what was, in their heyday, a completely American-based genre. Both as a soloist and an ensemble player, he was a model of graciousness as well as skill. In the words of Yehudi Menuhin, who first recorded with Stéphane in 1972, “What a happy man he was himself. . . . He played the violin as a bird flies, his inspiration never failing him.” Stephane Grappelli was and will forever be one of the greats.

OCTOBER Studio News

  Friday, October 1, 2021 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized

  October tuition                               

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

Ways to pay:

1. MAIL CHECK:  814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
2. ONLINE PAYMENT:  PayPal (include fee) or Google Pay (no fee) 

What to do:

Reply to your invoice email on the 1st 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.  I will send out requests to everyone who chose this option prior)

  October Schedule                              

NO Lessons are schedule from Friday, Oct. 1 to Friday, Oct. 8.  

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, October 15th.  Location: Saint Francis UMC. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518.  Group classes this year will be offered as a hybrid experience.  All class will be streamed on ZOOM and will meet in person.  When the weather is nice we will gather under the portico of the Admin building.  When the weather is not tolerant for us or our instruments, we will meet in the choir room and follow the mask policies of the church at the time.  Group schedule:

   November Solo Recital                   

Our fall recital is scheduled for Saturday, November 6 at 4:30 p.m. Location Saint Francis UMC. The recital will be streamed for family and friends to watch and support all of the performers!
Mark your calendar now!  All studio participants are expected to participate in our 3 recitals each 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 am sharing an article from the Spring 2021 Suzuki Journal.  Why practice?  What are the benefits?  Read through the ideas presented by Joseph Kaminsky, a long-time contributor to the violin column of the ASJ, in his article, "Keeping Students' Playing Healthy with Routine Maintenance Practice."    

           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 David Oistrakh  (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!

Concerto for Violin, P.I.Tchaikovsky:

mvt 1:  https://youtu.be/fNCeYKfAOZI  

mvt 2: https://youtu.be/IgrUb2IS9sI

mvt. 3: https://youtu.be/77DgEqwRnrA

Concerto for two Violins in D minor, J.S. Bach:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJh6i-t_I1Q   (This is a book 4 and 5 piece.  Enjoy!)
 
 Clair de Lune, Claude Debussey:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKd0VII-l3A

David Oistrakh 

lived from 1908 to 1974. He became world famous for his recordings and recitals of Tchaikovsky’s Concerto, as well the standards by Beethoven, Brahms and Mendelssohn. He was friends with several prominent Russian composers, including Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Khachaturian and Glazunov, all of whom wrote works dedicated to him, and which he premiered.

Tchaikovsky’s Concerto was his favorite work, and some say he made the best recordings of it, which is a huge feather in any violinist’s cap. He described the last movement of it as the violin equivalent of running a 3-minute mile.

 

JULY Studio News

  Saturday, July 3, 2021 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. MAIL CHECK:  814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
2. ONLINE PAYMENT:  PayPal (include fee) or Google Pay (no fee) 

What to do:

Reply to your invoice email on the 1st 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.  I will send out requests to everyone who chose this option prior)

  July Schedule                                

Summer lessons are scheduled from July 5 to 30.

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 not meet during the summer months.  

   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 much value in motivation for you, the Suzuki parent.  Let these articles give you that blessing!!    

This month I want to highlight an online article:  

Play It Again Sam—How to Implement Listening in Home Practice by Jennifer Burton.   A brief article with several ideas of how and why to listen daily. https://suzukiassociation.org/news/play-it-again-sam-how-to-implement-listening-2/ Let me know what you think!

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.  

    Suzuki Book Recordings                         

New recordings of the Suzuki Books 1-3 performed by violinist Hilary Hahn have been released!   Use this link to read more and/or purchase from iTunes, Amazon Music or Alfred websites: https://www.alfred.com/suzuki-violin-overview/ 

   
   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 highlighted violinist is Jascha Heifetz (see notes below).  

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

Enjoy!

Jascha Heifetz (1901)

By far the greatest performer of the modern recording age. Born in 1901, died in 1987, he is one of the very few, if not the only one of, players who can hit the high note at the end of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto and give it vibrato in the fifth of a second or so of its playing time. 

He became legendary with his recording of Zigeunerweisen, written by another performer on this list, which showcases almost every technique a violinist par excellence should have. It became Heifetz’s signature piece. After a slow segment, the fast part incorporates hair-raising pizzicato and bowing passages at the same time. Heifetz was more than equal to the task. His admirers have all expressed wonderment at his marvelous tone quality, however difficult the piece of music he was performing.

Heifetz is seen by many as the greatest talent on the violin since the beginning of the recording age. From his earliest public performance at the age of five, to his lengthy career in the US where he relocated later, he made an impact with his masterful technique and arrangements for violin. He also made a significant contribution to teaching in his later years. Here he is playing Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto in D major.
  

Concerto for Violin, P.I.Tchaikovsky, mvt 1:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFaq9kTlcaY
 
 Caprice No. 24, N.Paganini:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPcnGrie__M&list=RDvPcnGrie__M#t=13

Wieniawski Polonaise No. 1 in D Major:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21dsRBeIy8A&list=RDvPcnGrie__M&index=4

   ZOOM Virtual Lessons                         

Thank you all for continuing to work on establishing lesson etiquette online.  A few reminders:

• 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 (your left side when you are facing the screen).
• 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.  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. 
• Turn ON original sound, so that Zoom will relay your instrument's sound without delay. If you need help with this setting, please ask.

You can access the Zoom link through the MMS website.  Log into your user account and click on the link associated with the event.

JUNE Studio News

  Monday, May 31, 2021 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized

  June tuition                                 

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

Ways to pay:

1. MAIL CHECK:  814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
2. ONLINE PAYMENT:  PayPal (include fee) or Google Pay (no fee) 

What to do:

Reply to your invoice email on the 1st 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.  I will send out requests to everyone who chose this option prior)

  June Schedule                                

There are no lessons Monday, May 31 to Tuesday, June 8. 

Summer lessons will begin on Wednesday, June 9.

There will be no lessons from Monday, June 21 to Friday, July 2.

 

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 not meet during the summer months.  

   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 previous article:  

Beyond Technology by Laurie Stroup. A brief article that reminds us how practicing can be and is a great substitute for our children's technology time (be it for pleasure, school or other). I enjoy her insight each time I read this article. Let me know what you think!

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.  

    Summer Suzuki Institutes                        

Its that time of year again!  This summer - 2021 -  is unique in that many institutes are already planning to be virtual!  You can reduce the cost and time commitment and check out 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!   

Due to uncertain summer COVID19 restrictions in many areas, several of the institutes have already decided to run online formats.  This might be the perfect summer to try out an institute without the added element of travel.  Here is the SAA webpage listing of all the Institute: https://suzukiassociation.org/events/institutes/

I will be on faculty at the Greater Washington Suzuki Institute again this summer.  The faculty at this camp are highly esteemed in the Suzuki community, and each summer proves to be an uplifting and motivating experience for participants.  I would love to have ALL of you join me at camp this summer.  Here is the SAA listing for the GWSI: https://suzukiassociation.org/events/loc/greater-washington-suzuki-institute/

A few others where colleagues of mine are on faculty or direct the institute, and I thought would be educational for you to read about:

https://www.ogontzsuzukiinstitute.com/

https://www.ithaca.edu/suzuki-institutes

https://www.atlantasuzuki.org/

AND, it looks like the North Caroline Institute (Greenville) is planning to be in person this year. Space is limited.  Registration opens this week, MAY 7.

https://music.ecu.edu/summer/suzuki/

    Suzuki Book Recordings                         

New recordings of the Suzuki Books 1-3 performed by violinist Hilary Hahn have just been released!   Use this link to read more and/or purchase from iTunes, Amazon Music or Alfred websites: https://www.alfred.com/suzuki-violin-overview/ 

   
   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 highlighted violinist is Joseph Szigeti (see notes below).  

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

Enjoy!

Joseph Szigeti (1892)

Szigeti might not have had a grand technique, but his take on what music really means has earned him a top spot among famous violinists. He didn’t have a huge sound but made up for that in poetic intelligence. One of his most famous works is the recording of First Rhapsody by Bartok, along with other pieces, with the composer himself. As old age took a toll, he turned to writing about the craft, and produced beautiful texts.

here is a link to his biography on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Szigeti

 

Rhapsody No. 1, Bela Bartok  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuMTISOHRKg     (Bela Bartok is the pianist in this recording - how awesome would if be to perform with the composer of the piece you have learned?!?)
 
Here they are performing Bartok's Roumanian Folk Dances: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ydYQhM7kho

Schubert "The Bee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Pm6kBXkqT4

Hubay, "The Zephyr": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BUY55Onzkc   (Hubay was Szigeti's teacher.  Another fun connection - to play a piece of music written by your teacher!)

   ZOOM Virtual Lessons                         

Thank you all for continuing to work on establishing lesson etiquette online.  A few reminders:

• 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 (your left side when you are facing the screen).
• 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.  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. 
• Turn ON original sound, so that Zoom will relay your instrument's sound without delay. If you need help with this setting, please ask.

You can access the Zoom link through the MMS website.  Log into your user account and click on the link associated with the event.