Monday, January 31, 2022 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized

  February 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 (includes fee) or Google Pay (no fee) 

  February Schedule                              

NO Lessons are scheduled Feb 21-25.  

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, February 4.  Location: Saint Francis UMC*. Sanctuary. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518.

As this is the final rehearsal for our group recital the next day, we will meet in person only.  NOTE: the times below have changed for some of you to help streamline the rehearsal time we have together.  We will follow the mask policies of the church at the time.  

Feb Group schedule:

^Meet your duet partner downstairs at 4:30 to rehearse your duet. 

    February Group Recital                   

Our first studio group recital is Saturday, February 5 at 4:30 p.m., Saint Francis UMC, Sanctuary.  At this time, masks are strongly encouraged 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

Repertoire for the Group Recital:

Please add these pieces to a weekly rotation in your practice.  I will be hearing the ones your student knows in lessons over the next 4-5 weeks to make sure all students are prepared for the group recital.

    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 aligns with our current studio focus: our Group Recital.  Why is group class important?  How does playing in an ensemble with other musicians enhance your child's education?  Take some time to find the "Play with others and Fast Track your Progress" article 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 Ivry Gitlis.  (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!

Ivry Gitlis (1922)

always played in such a way that he reached extremes – either too much emotion or too little, too much pomp and circumstance or not enough. Born in Israel, Ivry began playing seriously at the age of 12 and played with some of the best in pop culture, including the Rolling Stones and John Lennon. He was an UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and performed with the world's top orchestras, including the London Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. He died at the age of 98 years old in 2020. 

Various pieces on his album 19 Greatest Masterpieces for Violin  Choose a piece or two to listen to from the list in the description below the video.   https://youtu.be/iEvB69EZWZQ

Violin Concerto, Op. 35, mvt 1 by Tchaikovsky:  https://youtu.be/MSTxvtIDX90 

Violin Concerto, Brahms: https://youtu.be/_XMUVAMRpXw

Chaccone from Partitia No. 2 in D Minor, by J.S.Bach:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh8pKgwapSA

  Tuesday, January 4, 2022 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized

 January 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 (includes fee) or Google Pay (no fee) 

 January Schedule                              

NO Lessons are scheduled Jan 3-7.  

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, January 21.  Location: Saint Francis UMC. Room TBD. 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:

    February Group Recital                   

I am excited to put together a studio group recital!  Saturday, February 5 at 4:30 p.m.Location: Saint Francis UMC. More details will be given in the February news.  For now, make sure this date is on your family calendar.  All students are expected to participate.  

Repertoire for the Group Recital:

Please add these pieces to a weekly rotation in your practice.  I will be hearing the ones your student knows in lessons over the next 4-5 weeks to make sure all students are prepared for the group recital.

    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 I don't really know where I acquired. Nevertheless, it is packed with a great tidbits that might just be what you need to start of this NEW YEAR.  Take some time to find the "FIVE little Ideas" article 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 Isaac Stern  (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!

Wieniawski, Polonaise Brillante: https://youtu.be/zW_4xR72JBc

J.S. Bach, Chaconne: https://youtu.be/1zvRWFD_1_M

L. van Beethoven, Piano Trio, Op. 1 No. 2: https://youtu.be/tG7Z590f6MY

F. Kreisler, Liebeslied: https://youtu.be/ModXTjydx7k

A MUST WATCH:  Short Documentary (Grammy Lifetime Achievement award) + performance of Concerto for 2 violins by Bach (7:30): https://youtu.be/DSWxpsItJRg   (also includes piano performance by the pianist in the trio link above)

Isaac Stern

Isaac Stern was more than just a violinist, he was also a strong force behind many great and famous violinists, including Itzhak Perlman. Highly respected in the violin community as a statesman as well as a premier violinist of the 20th century, he was both a violin teacher and a player.

When he was 6, Stern started learning to play the piano but he would soon turn his interest to the violin which led him to study at the San Francisco Conservatory and then later under Naoum Blinder.

Since making his debut at the age of 15 with the San Francisco Symphony, he would go on to collaborate with the great Russian pianist Alexander Zakin before going on to discover great violinists like Pinchas Zukerman.

Before his death in 2001 at the age of 81, Isaac Stern had already had many recordings and awards to his name.

  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

  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.

  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.