FEBRUARY Studio News
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 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:
- IN PERSON at your lesson
- MAIL CHECK: 814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
- ONLINE PAYMENT: Venmo & Zelle
February Schedule
NO Lessons are scheduled from Feb 17 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!
Inclement Weather
During seasons when school could be cancelled and storms cause travel to be unsafe, remember that we have many options for moving the lesson to an online format. Of course, this is given that we still have power to run our devices! The missed lesson policy will remain in place if you do not attend a lesson that we have agreed to move to an online format. In the event of a location change, I will contact you via text or email and will update the lesson location in the MMS calendar of events.
Group Class
Group Classes will meet on Friday, February 28th. Location: Saint Francis UMC. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518, Sanctuary.
This month's class will serve as the DRESS REHEARSAL* for our March 1 group recital. In order to perform on the Chamber & Group Recital the next day, a student must participate in the rehearsal. To that end...NOTE the change in schedule this month, so we can accommodate rehearsing the group pieces with everyone together.
*Dress rehearsal means we will rehearse in concert order to prepare for the recital. Everyday wear is expected, concert attire is not. ;-)
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*plan to arrive 10min prior to your assigned group time to unpack and be ready to tune.
^plan to stay until 6:00p
Chamber & Group Recital
Our studio group recital is Saturday, March 1 at 4:00 p.m., Saint Francis UMC, Sanctuary. The recital will be recorded and a link shared for family and friends to watch and 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 3:40 PM to unpack and tune
ALL students will prepare group pieces to perform on the second half of the recital in a Suzuki-style play-down. In lessons during February, we will check off each student's individual preparation of the group pieces they intended to perform on the recital. Be practicing all of the pieces you know listed below to prepare for your lesson.
Book 7+: C. Dancla, Air Varie
Book 4+: F. Seitz, Concerto No. 2, III
Book 3: G.B. Martini, Gavotte
Book 2: Hunter's Chorus
Book 1: Minuet 1, Perpetual Motion, Song of the Wind, Twinkle
Chamber Ensembles
This month, ensemble coachings with me are scheduled for Friday, February 7, at Saint Francis UMC. Consult the email you received or log into your MMS portal to see when you are scheduled for a coaching. If you feel an additional rehearsal would be beneficial, I am going to suggest setting up a time to meet during the week of Feb.19. There are no scheduled lessons that week, and this might be a good time to have a rehearsal. If you need to help facilitating a time and location, please reach out to Dr. Baker.
Suzuki 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/teachers/teacher-training/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, June 23-29. I would love for you to consider joining me near our nation's capital. Lots of fun sightseeing and history to observe when you are not in class! Here is the link for more info: https://gwsuzukiinstitute.org/
I will also be teaching at the Univ of Louisville Suzuki Institute, June 8-13. Here is the link for more info: https://louisville.edu/music/outreach/suzuki-studies/suzuki-string-institute
Several students in our studio have taken advantage of these opportunities in the past. Each one has come away with a major boost in motivation and confidence! As my colleague David Strom has frequently expressed, "institute participants come away from an institute having grown in musical experience one whole year in just one week!"
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 link might help to take you there: https://app.mymusicstaff.com/Student/v3/en/online-resources
The Year of Listening
It has been exciting to see the progress of everyone's listening journey on our studio chart. Everyone is more attentive to the idea of listening as a benefit to their musical progress. Keep going!! ****Everyday is a new opportunity to listen.****
****When you complete your second or third 50-day chart, please hand it to Dr. Baker in your lesson.****
A reminder of why listening needs to be a focus each week:
This year, to encourage and build healthy habits, we will hold three Listening challenges. Each semester, there will be a 50-day listening challenge and throughout the winter a 100-day challenge. Students who complete a challenge will be recognized during the recital at the end of each timeframe, with a MASTER LISTENER award being presented to students who achieve the maximum 200-day listening challenge.
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 Chloe Hanslip. (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!
Beethoven: Sonata No. 5 "Spring": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCubFZNkrd8
Gershwin: Summertime from "Porgy & Bess": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGvgmXY67Ks
Waxman: Carmen Fantasy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ3zDtose0k
Please share these links with the kids.
Chloe Hanslip was born in Guildford, Surrey, and has been playing the violin since she was two. At the age of five she performed for Yehudi Menuhin and subsequently, at his invitation, studied with Natasha Boyarskaya at the Yehudi Menuhin School. By ten she had played in major concert halls throughout Europe and North America, including Carnegie Hall in New York City and the Royal Albert Hall in London. At 13 she was the youngest recording artist ever to be signed to Warner Classics UK. Her debut album, recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra under Paul Mann, was released in September 2001 to great critical acclaim.
Since then, she has performed in Russia, France and Japan, performed numerous time for the British Royal family, and been featured on several TV shows. In 2017, Hanslip became the first Artist in Association at the Northern Chamber Orchestra. Hanslip plays a 1737 Guarneri del Gesu violin.
Local Performances
*April 4 & 6 - NC Opera presents The Marriage of Figaro by W.A.Mozart: https://ncopera.org/2024-2025-season/the-marriage-of-figaro/
*denotes Dr. Baker is performing
JANUARY studio news
Friday, January 3, 2025 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:
- IN PERSON at your lesson
- MAIL CHECK: 814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
- ONLINE PAYMENT: Venmo & Zelle
January Schedule
NO Lessons are scheduled from Dec 23 to Jan 10.
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!
Inclement Weather
During seasons when school could be cancelled and storms cause travel to be unsafe, remember that we have many options for moving the lesson to an online format. Of course, this is given that we still have power to run our devices! The missed lesson policy will remain in place if you do not attend a lesson that we have agreed to move to an online format. In the event of a location change, I will contact you via text or email and will update the lesson location in the MMS calendar of events.
Group Class
Group Classes will meet on Friday, January 24th. We will return to our Suzuki-style group class in preparation for our March 1 group recital. Location: Saint Francis UMC. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518, Sanctuary.
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*plan to arrive 10min prior to your assigned group time to unpack and be ready to tune.
Chamber & Group Recital
Saturday, MARCH 1, is our Chamber and Group Recital. Students in Book 2 and above have been assigned to a chamber ensemble and given music to be preparing for their selected piece. (see details below.)
ALL students will be preparing group pieces to perform on the second half of the recital in a Suzuki-style play-down. To prepare for the group pieces, add the following to your weekly practice routine:
Book 7+: C. Dancla, Air Varie
Book 4+: F. Seitz, Concerto No. 2, III
Book 3: G.B. Martini, Gavotte
Book 2: Long, Long Ago or Hunter's Chorus (will decide at Jan group class)
Book 1: Minuet 1, Perpetual Motion, Song of the Wind, Twinkle
Chamber Ensembles
Before the December break, music was handed out to the students who will be participating in a chamber ensemble on the March 1 recital. Teaching videos and videos to play along with will be coming soon to your inboxes soon!
During January, students will work on preparing their part on their own. Times and rooms for a first rehearsal together will be assigned during the January 24th group class. Plan ahead to be there longer the normal group class timeframe.
During February, students should set up another rehearsal on their own and at least one coaching with me. To easily facilitate these coachings, I would like to set up back to back times in the studio on Friday, February 7. Details will be sent soon so everyone can add it to their family calendar.
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 link might help to take you there: https://app.mymusicstaff.com/Student/v3/en/online-resources
The Year of Listening
It has been exciting to see the progress of everyone's listening journey on our studio chart. Everyone is more attentive to the idea of listening as a benefit to their musical progress. Keep going!! ****Everyday is a new opportunity to listen.****
****When you complete your second 50-day chart, please hand it to Dr. Baker in your lesson.****
A reminder of why listening needs to be a focus each week:
This year, to encourage and build healthy habits, we will hold three Listening challenges. Each semester, there will be a 50-day listening challenge and throughout the winter a 100-day challenge. Students who complete a challenge will be recognized during the recital at the end of each timeframe, with a MASTER LISTENER award being presented to students who achieve the maximum 200-day listening challenge.
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 Stella Chen. (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!
Stella Chen
N. Paganini, Caprice, No. 9 “The Hunt” & H. Vieuxtemps, Capriccio, Op. 55 “Hommage A Paganini”: https://youtu.be/KzDGj24k8is?si=ot-v4GYe5nlVfpgO
Interview / Introduction to her new album Stella x Schubert: https://youtu.be/cm3EZ9lrF3g?si=YtIDSFsKCOlPjhhA
F. Schubert, Fantasie in C Major, D. 934:
I. Andante molto: https://youtu.be/VQyKu2aCCKE?si=tTeN3mXjZwSU7YcH
IV. Allegro vivace: https://youtu.be/zSb_uugcU9M?si=u6Raj5NJzfWWuEBY
And a video from her younger years… Wieniawski, Polonaise: https://youtu.be/dC6lFvx1I-E?si=5mioCXw7xQT68v7Y
Stella Chen is the recipient of numerous awards: Gramophone 2023 Young Artist of the Year, 2019 Queen Elizabeth International Violin Competition, 2020 Avery Fisher Career Grant, and 2020 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award.
Ms.Chen has performed across North America, Europe, and Asia in concerto, recital, and chamber music performances. Including, New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Baltimore Symphony, Belgian National Orchestra, and many others.
Teachers and mentors have included Donald Weilerstein, Itzhak Perlman, Miriam Fried, and Catherine Cho. She received her doctorate from the Juilliard School where she serves as teaching assistant to her longtime mentor Li Lin.
Ms.Chen plays the 1720 General Kyd Stradivarius, on generous loan from Dr. Ryuji Ueno and Rare Violins In Consortium, Artists and Benefactors Collaborative and the 1708 Huggins Stradivarius courtesy of the Nippon Music Foundation.
*excerpted from her website bio
Local Performances
Young People’s Concert (NC Symphony) TCHAIKOVSKY DISCOVERS AMERICA, SAT, JAN 4, 2025 | 1PM & 4PM, MEYMANDI CONCERT HALL, RALEIGH
NC Symphony presents DVOŘÁK VIOLIN CONCERTO with Stella Chen, FRI/SAT, JAN 10-11, 2025 | 8PM, MEYMANDI CONCERT HALL, RALEIGH *also our special listening artist this month! See links above.
*Jan 31 & Feb 2 - NC Opera presents Florencia en el Amazonas by Daniel Catán: https://ncopera.org/2024-2025-season/florencia-en-el-amazonas/
*April 4 & 6 - NC Opera presents The Marriage of Figaro by W.A.Mozart: https://ncopera.org/2024-2025-season/the-marriage-of-figaro/
*denotes Dr. Baker is performing
DECEMBER Studio News
Monday, December 2, 2024 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:
- IN PERSON at your lesson
- MAIL CHECK: 814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
- ONLINE PAYMENT: Venmo & Zelle
December Schedule
NO Lessons are scheduled from Dec 23 to Jan 10.
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!
Inclement Weather
During seasons when school could be cancelled and storms cause travel to be unsafe, remember that we have many options for moving the lesson to an online format. Of course, this is given that we still have power to run our devices! The missed lesson policy will remain in place if you do not attend a lesson that we have agreed to move to an online format. In the event of a location change, I will contact you via text or email and will update the lesson location in the MMS calendar of events.
Group Class
Group Classes will meet on Friday, December 20th. This month our Friday class time is the rehearsal for our Caroling Outreach at Spring Arbor the following day. See the schedule below or consult the MMS calendar for details of when your student should be in attendance.
We will follow an "add-in" format, starting with the reading pieces and ending with the pieces everyone plays. The goal is to run each piece one time and move on. Arrive at the time listed below, or the time Dr. Baker gives you in your lesson, if you needed. Unpack and join us when the carols you know are called!
Given the longer rehearsal time length for the reading students, I will build in breaks along the way.
The plan is to wrap up the rehearsal by or before 6pm and have some time at the end of our rehearsal for an end of semester party in the Gathering Space. Plan to stay, spend time with studio friends, and enjoy our usual festive fare!
Location: Saint Francis UMC. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518, Sanctuary.
Group schedule:
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*plan to arrive 10min prior to your assigned group time to unpack and be ready to tune.
Christmas Caroling Outreach
Are you enjoying the sounds of Christmas carols at your house? Encourage your student to keep preparing for our Caroling Outreach concerts at Spring Arbor of Cary on December 21st. If needed, use the link below to access the carol videos from last year. New ones will be added soon for playing along in the keys we are using this year. Listening at home will be extra helpful.
A few reminders:
- ATTIRE: Festive attire OR dark pants/skirt and white top. Christmas hat to top it off! (a reminder that it will be warmer than usual inside the building, so wear layers that can be removed if you begin to feel hot.)
- We will hand out ornaments to decorate your scroll at the group rehearsal the day prior.
- Plan to arrive 15-20min prior to your concert time. We will need time to unpack, tune and line up before beginning the concerts at 1pm and 2pm. (For the 2pm attendees, please wait outside under the portico if you arrive while the first group is still performing. Be on site by 1:40 so we can all walk downstairs together to unpack and tune).
- Any additional details will be added to the event on the MMS calendar and emailed 24-hrs prior to the event.
Thank you to everyone who has made time on their family calendar to participate in our outreach event this year. Our selected pieces will bring joy to the residents at Spring Arbor.
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 link might help to take you there: https://app.mymusicstaff.com/Student/v3/en/online-resources
The Year of Listening
It has been exciting to see the progress of everyone's listening journey on our studio chart. Everyone is more attentive to the idea of listening as a benefit to their musical progress. Keep going!! ****Everyday is a new opportunity to listen.****
****When you complete your second 50-day chart, please hand it to Dr. Baker in your lesson.****
A reminder of why listening needs to be a focus each week:
This year, to encourage and build healthy habits, we will hold three Listening challenges. Each semester, there will be a 50-day listening challenge and throughout the winter a 100-day challenge. Students who complete a challenge will be recognized during the recital at the end of each timeframe, with a MASTER LISTENER award being presented to students who achieve the maximum 200-day listening challenge.
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 Sergey Khachatryan. (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!
J.S. Bach - Sonata No. 1 (unaccompanied) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6jdYRXP0NY
Grigor Narekatsi - Havoun, havoun : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHY8W7LCjlQ
Komitas - The Sky Is Cloudy : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxMOKtRJdQI
Waxmen, Fantasía Carmen : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k3SjPOUddA
Born in Yerevan, Armenia, Sergey Khachatryan won First Prize at the VIII International Jean Sibelius Competition in Helsinki in 2000, becoming the youngest ever winner in the history of the competition.
Since 1993 he has lived in Germany where he gave his first orchestral concert at the age of nine. He and his sister, Lusine, a renown pianist in her own right, released their album “My Armenia” with works by Armenian composers in 2015.
Sergey plays the 1740 ‘Ysaÿe’ Guarneri del Gesu violin on kind loan from the Nippon Music Foundation.
Local Performances
*Jan 31 & Feb 2 - NC Opera presents Florencia en el Amazonas by Daniel Catán: https://ncopera.org/2024-2025-season/florencia-en-el-amazonas/
*April 4 & 6 - NC Opera presents The Marriage of Figaro by W.A.Mozart: https://ncopera.org/2024-2025-season/the-marriage-of-figaro/
*denotes Dr. Baker is performing
NOVEMBER Studio News
Sunday, November 3, 2024 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:
- IN PERSON at your lesson
- MAIL CHECK: 814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
- ONLINE PAYMENT: Venmo & Zelle
November Schedule
NO Lessons are scheduled from Nov 17 to 30th.
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!
Inclement Weather
During seasons when school could be cancelled and storms cause travel to be unsafe, remember that we have many options for moving the lesson to an online format. Of course, this is given that we still have power to run our devices! The missed lesson policy will remain in place if you do not attend a lesson that we have agreed to move to an online format. In the event of a location change, I will contact you via text or email and will update the lesson location in the MMS calendar of events.
Group Classes
Group Classes will meet on Friday, November 15th. This month our Friday class time will serve a dual purpose: as a piano rehearsal for the solo recital the following day and as a regular group time. Book 3+ students should expect to play their solo. Book 1&2 students, your time will include group pieces and a review of concert etiquette. Location: Saint Francis UMC. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518, Sanctuary.
Group schedule:
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*plan to arrive 10min prior to your assigned group time to unpack and be ready to tune.
November Solo Recitals
When: Saturday, November 16, 3:45 and 5:00
Where: Saint Francis UMC.
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 15min prior to your assigned recital time to unpack and tune.
Recital participants:
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Families are invited to attend the recital they are not assigned to and support all the students in the studio. Join us for the final piece, if you are there!
The recitals will be recorded and a link shared for family and friends to watch and support the performers! All studio participants are expected to participate in our 3 recitals each year.
Christmas Caroling Outreach
The week prior to our Nov Solo recital, we will begin preparing for our Caroling Outreach concerts at Spring Arbor of Cary on December 21st (not the 18th like I stated in the email sent last week). Our 2-week November break is a great opportunity to start learning carols! See the link below to access the carol videos from last year. Listening at home will be extra helpful.
Our December group class will focus on rehearsing carols. Even students not available to perform on the 21st should plan to participate in this rehearsal. It will be a festive afternoon!
The caroling outreach is an optional event. Students who plan to participate should SIGN UP via the MMS calendar to participate in ONE of these events. Due to space available at the Arbor, we have to limit the size of each group. Log into your MMS account. Go to the Calendar tab. Click on the December 21 event you wish to perform on and register your student.
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 link might help to take you there: https://app.mymusicstaff.com/Student/v3/en/online-resources
This month I want to highlight an article in our Online Resource's folder>Parent Education:Play With Others and Fast Track Your Progress by Melanie Doderai. How does playing in an ensemble with other musicians enhance your child's education? Take a moment to read what she puts forth as FIVE benefits of participating in music with others. Maybe you see these benefits already playing out in your child's musical experience? Maybe you want to find ways to offer these benefits to your child?
Check it out! If you have time, send me your reaction, thoughts. etc. I would love to know what speaks to you.
The Year of Listening
It has been exciting to see the progress of everyone's listening journey on our studio chart. Everyone is more attentive to the idea of listening as a benefit to their musical progress. Keep going!! Everyday is a new opportunity to listen.
****When you complete your first 50-day chart, please hand it to Dr. Baker in your lesson.****
A reminder of why listening is a focus:
This year, to encourage and build healthy habits, we will hold three Listening challenges. Each semester, there will be a 50-day listening challenge and throughout the winter a 100-day challenge. Students who complete a challenge will be recognized during the recital at the end of each timeframe, with a MASTER LISTENER award being presented to students who achieve the maximum 200-day listening challenge.
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 Augustin Hadelich (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!
Augustin Hadelich
Augustin Hadelich was born in Cecina, Italy, to German parents. When he was five he began his studies on the violin with his father, an amateur cellist. In 1999, Augustin was injured in a fire on his family's farm in Italy, and was airlifted to be treated in Germany. The accident left Hadelich unable to play for over a year. "It is perhaps because of this experience—because I had this moment where I wasn't sure if I would ever play the violin again—that I appreciate what is happening in my life more. I really try to enjoy every moment. It made me realize how important music was to me" After graduating from The Juilliard School, Hadelich continued to make his home in New York and became an American citizen in 2014.
Hadelich is known to perform a wide range of repertoire. Although he is often scheduled to perform from the standard violin concerto repertoire (Beethoven, Brahms, Sibelius, Tchaikovsky, etc), he is also a champion of contemporary works, such as the violin concertos by Thomas Adès, Henri Dutilleux and György Ligeti, and recital works by Brett Dean, David Lang, György Kurtag, Toru Takemitsu and Bernd Alois Zimmermann.
He is the recording artist for the most recent Suzuki Method recordings for Volumes 4-6.
NPR Tiny Desk: https://www.npr.org/2020/05/11/847834279/augustin-hadelich-tiny-desk-concert
- Adams: Road Movies, III. "40% Swing" - (1st 5 minutes)
- Dvořák: Humoresque in G-flat (arr. Kreisler) – (2nd 5 minutes)
- Suk: 4 Pieces for Violin and Piano, Op. 17: IV. Burleska – (starts at 10:30)
Kreisler, Praeludium and Allegro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT-Fgag0OT4
Handel-Halverson, Passacgalia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1odhcjdcUDc
Local Performances
*Nov 10, 2:00p - NC Opera presents Ernani by Verdi: https://ncopera.org/2024-2025-season/ernani/
*Jan 31 & Feb 2 - NC Opera presents Florencia en el Amazonas by Daniel Catán: https://ncopera.org/2024-2025-season/florencia-en-el-amazonas/
*April 4 & 6 - NC Opera presents The Marriage of Figaro by W.A.Mozart: https://ncopera.org/2024-2025-season/the-marriage-of-figaro/
*denotes Dr. Baker is performing
OCTOBER Studio News
Tuesday, October 1, 2024 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:
- IN PERSON at your lesson
- MAIL CHECK: 814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
- ONLINE PAYMENT: Venmo & Zelle
October Schedule
NO Lessons are scheduled Tuesday Oct 8 or Wednesday, Oct 9.
NO Lessons are scheduled Thursday Oct 31
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!
Inclement Weather
During seasons when school could be cancelled and storms cause travel to be unsafe, remember that we have many options for moving the lesson to an online format. Of course, this is given that we still have power to run our devices! The missed lesson policy will remain in place if you do not attend a lesson that we have agreed to move to an online format. In the event of a location change, I will contact you via text or email and will update the lesson location in the MMS calendar of events.
Group Classes
Group Classes will meet on Friday, October 25th. Location: Saint Francis UMC. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518, Sanctuary.
Group schedule:
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*plan to arrive 10min prior to your assigned group time to unpack and be ready to tune.
November Solo Recitals
On Saturday, November 16 we will present our fall solo recitals! This year, we will have TWO recitals to accommodate the increase in number of students and limit the length of the recitals. To facilitate this change, I will be assigning families to the recitals. However, in some instances you might have a need to attend one of the recital times over the other. Let Dr. Baker know if your family/student has this need.
As with the outreach concerts, you can sign up for your recital time preference if there is a conflict with one of the recital times. To sign up via the MMS calendar: Log into your MMS account. Go to the Calendar tab. Click on the November 16 event you wish to perform on and register your student.
Families are invited to attend the recital they are not assigned to and support all the students in the studio. Join us for the final piece, if you are there!
Christmas Caroling Outreach
I know...we haven't even enjoyed the festivities of Oct and Nov yet. Nevertheless, musicians are always planning ahead!! We will be performing TWO outreach caroling concerts at Spring Arbor again this December. Students should sign up to participate in ONE of these events. Due to space, we have to limit the size of each group.
Music will be decided and handed out soon.
SIGN UP via the MMS calendar for one of the TWO caroling outreach concerts. Log into your MMS account. Go to the Calendar tab. Click on the December 21 event you wish to perform on and register your student.
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 link might help to take you there:https://app.mymusicstaff.com/Student/v3/en/online-resources
This month I want to highlight an article in our Online Resource's folder>Parent Education: Developing the WHOLE CHILD through the Study of an Instrument by Jeanne Ludeke. This is an article that most of you read during their Parent Education sessions with me. (for some that was several years ago!!) I have recently been reminded of how wonderful her collected ideas are. Reread (or read) this article for insight on ALL of the benefits of music education and in particular Suzuki-style learning.
Check it out! If you have time, send me your reaction, thoughts. etc. I would love to know what speaks to you.
The Year of Listening
On September 9th we began an adventure...to document our listening habits. Start those recordings! Keep track of those days! We are off!!
This year, to encourage and build healthy habits, we will hold three Listening challenges. Each semester, there will be a 50-day listening challenge and throughout the winter a 100-day challenge. Students who complete a challenge will be recognized during the recital at the end of each timeframe, with a MASTER LISTENER award being presented to students who achieve the maximum 200-day listening challenge.
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 Sayaka Shoji (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!
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor: https://youtu.be/R-Ef-YysDe4?si=2mpyMig_M4ok-wBE
Prokofiev Concerto No. 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGlgAZlde3Y&list=RD0Ze45maxD9Q&index=2
Dvorak, Slavonic Dance No.10: https://youtu.be/hZSgFV6SYPk?si=vok97JSVZSKolnyR
Bach Chaconne from Partita No.2: https://youtu.be/sU9lrF4h52w
Sibelius Water Drops: https://youtu.be/uAlQu4Kk4j0
Paganini La Campanella: https://youtu.be/YAAKOXR44Q4
Paganini Concerto (performance when she was young): https://youtu.be/9KtmZxaTx20
Born in Tokyo, Shoji moved to Siena, Italy when she was three. She studied at Accademia Musicale Chigiana and Cologne’s Musikhochschule and made her European debut with Lucerne Festival Strings and Rudolf Baumgartner at the Lucerne Festival and then at the Musikverein, Vienna at the age of fourteen.
She won first prize at the Paganini Competition in 1999, and has since performed with leading orchetras of the world. Recent highlights include five concerts for the opening of the 2022/23 season with Israel Philharmonic Orchestra/Shani, an Italian tour with Philharmonia Orchestra/Matias-Rouvali, and a collaboration with dancer/choreographer Saburo Teshigawara performing Bach and Bartok’s solo works at the Philharmonie de Paris. She also had a return to NHK Symphony Orchestra/Noseda, Brussells Philharmonic/Ono, and an extensive recital tour in Japan with Gianluca Cascioli.
Local Performances
*Nov 10, 2:00p - NC Opera presents Ernani by Verdi: https://ncopera.org/2024-2025-season/ernani/
*Jan 31 & Feb 2 - NC Opera presents Florencia en el Amazonas by Daniel Catán: https://ncopera.org/2024-2025-season/florencia-en-el-amazonas/
*April 4 & 6 - NC Opera presents The Marriage of Figaro by W.A.Mozart: https://ncopera.org/2024-2025-season/the-marriage-of-figaro/
*denotes Dr. Baker is performing
