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
SEPTEMBER Studio News
Monday, September 2, 2024 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized
September tuition
is due at your first lesson of the month. Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount.
Ways to pay:
- IN PERSON at your lesson
- MAIL CHECK: 814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
- ONLINE PAYMENT: Venmo & Zelle
September Schedule
NO Lessons are scheduled from Sept 2, 11 & 12.
Our 2024-25 lesson schedule begins on Tues, Sept 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!
Group Classes
Group Classes will meet on Friday, September 20th. Location: Saint Francis UMC. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518, Sanctuary.
Group schedule:
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NC Suzuki Half-Day Play-in/Workshop
SEPTEMBER 14. Statewide Play-In and Workshop at Meredith College in the Wainwright Music Building. The day will run from 9AM-1PM, and will consist of a repertoire class, a supplemental class, and the play-in concert!
Youth Orchestra Opportunities
As many of our studio violinists begin their journey into music reading, I want to recommend joining a local youth orchestra to give them additional opportunities to use and strengthen their music reading knowledge. Several of our local schools do have orchestra programs and my first recommendation would be to support that program and sign up to participate. For those students who do not have that opportunity, there are a few local youth programs to consider.
Triangle Philharmonic Association:https://philharmonic-association.org Auditions have already taken place for the full orchestras. I would imagine they are still registering for the non audition orchestras that meet at the Cary Art Center. Be in touch if you are interested in participating this year.
Holly Strings Youth Orchestra:https://hsyouthorchestra.org/ There are 2 ensembles divided by age for students who have been playing over 1 year. This ensembles meet on the weekend.
North Carolina Chamber Music Institute:https://nccmi.org/ Provides young musicians in the area with experience playing in small chamber groups (typically 4 players). Read through their website to learn more about what they offer. Be in touch with me if you are interested in considering this option either now or in the future. Audition dates are very soon (that said, knowing about this program this year may simply be for you to look forward to auditioning in the future).
Studio Videos
Reminder: link to our YouTube folders: https://pinelandsuzukistrings.mymusicstaff.com/Video-Links
For now, I have posted links to the Pre-Twinkle videos, Book 1 accompaniment, Daily Do (for Music Mind Games class), and Christmas Carols.
Parent Education
I have loaded several articles to the Library & Downloads page in your MMS portal with articles and handouts for parents. Find a title that interests you and read it! I highly encourage you to take a moment this month to choose one and read it. There is so much value in motivation for the Suzuki parent. Let these articles give you that blessing!! This link might help to take you there: https://app.mymusicstaff.com/Teacher/v2/en/online-resources
This month I want to highlight an article in our Online Resource's folder>Parent Education:
"Finding a Balance of Deliberate and Informal Practice" by Rafael Videira, Suzuki viola teacher in the Northwest US, first defines for us the differences between Deliberate and Informal practice and then explains how balancing the two can motivate and energize a young musician. I thought this article was a good one to showcase again as we all kickstart our school year routines. What elements in this article spark ideas you can include in your practice routine this year?
Check it out! If you have time, send me your reaction, thoughts. etc. I would love to know what speaks to you.
The Year of Listening
Beginning September 9th!!
Are you ready to listen more? To encourage and build healthy habits, we will hold three Listening challenges over the course of the school year. 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 David Garrett (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!
N. Paganini Caprice No. 24: https://youtu.be/ITzcZia7fsQ?si=dKQzcBxJWUAhTyRT
V. Monti Chardas: https://youtu.be/lHw8Slg4V70?si=2Q8Oo1pgwGjZlbZV
N. Paganini "Carneval di Venezia": https://youtu.be/uoLc1hy3fUQ?si=mZYucgaFut7GKKtS
La Viva Vida: https://youtu.be/bZ_BoOlAXyk?si=VCsXTnmQ13hpxs0G
Tico Tico: https://youtu.be/LQx6nKSHoUo?si=icRW4bdU4yd0qTrq
David Garrett, is a German classical and crossover violinist and recording artist. When Garrett was four years old his father purchased a violin for his older brother. The young Garrett took an interest and soon learned to play. A year later, he took part in a competition and won first prize. By the age of seven, he studied violin at the Lübeck Conservatoire. When he was nine years old he gave his debut at the Festival Kissinger Sommer. In 1999 he moved to New York to attend the Juilliard School, in 2003 winning the School’s Composition Competition with a fugue composed in the style of Johann Sebastian Bach. At Juilliard he studied under Itzhak Perlman, one of the first people to do so, and graduated in 2004.
Garrett's 2008 album Encore pursues an aim of piquing young people’s interest in classical music. The release contains his own compositions and arrangements of pieces and melodies that have accompanied him in his life so far. Together with his band, consisting of keyboard, guitar and drums, he gives concerts that include classical sonatas (accompanied by a concert grand piano), arrangements, and compositions, as well as rock songs and movie themes.
Local Performances
*Sept 12, 7:30p - NC Opera in the Park, join us to hear some of the greatest hits from the opera repertoire: https://ncopera.org/2024-2025-season/opera-in-the-park/ tickets are available through the NC Art Museum, it is possible that if you are a member there is a discount to the ticket price. I have not looked into this, though.
*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
AUGUST Studio News
Thursday, August 1, 2024 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: Zelle, Venmo
August Schedule
2024 summer lessons conclude on Friday, August 23.
You can still add summer lessons this month, just be in touch!
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!
2024-25 Lesson Sign Up
Sign Up for Sept-May Lessons using this link: https://forms.gle/VB4PDeXCKhmKYqfe6
Deadline for signing up for school year lessons is NEXT FRIDAY, August 9. 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.
Group Class
Group Classes will take a break for the summer months. They will resume with the 2024-2025 school year schedule.
Studio Videos
Reminder: link to our YouTube folders: https://pinelandsuzukistrings.mymusicstaff.com/Video-Links
For now, there the folders are for 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/Teacher/v2/en/online-resources
The 2024-25 school year will be the YEAR of LISTENING, in our studio. I am excited to see the results of this studio-wide focus. BUT...you do not have to wait until September to get started. Our log in chart in the studio has already been transformed! Keep a tally of every day that you LISTEN (to Suzuki recordings, to special listening, to supplementary pieces, etc.) and bring in your tally to record. Let's use these summer months to add listening to the daily rhythm of our lives so we are ready for the studio-wide challenge coming in the fall.
Several of our online articles explain the importance of and benefits of daily listening to assist in a musical education. Take some time to read over these in the coming weeks:
Playing by Ear by Jeanne Ludeke. This article highlights the fundamentals of why daily listening is important to the process of learning pieces "by ear".
The Role of Listening by Cherie Robertson. Listening is essence of learning. Read her narrative to understand how she came to this conclusion.
Listening by Gilda Barston. I recently stumbled on this download from one of our well-known Suzuki cello teachers. She has raised several of her own Suzuki-trained musicians as well as impacted the lives of hundreds of cello students.
To access these articles, you can also log into MMS and use the tabs to find our Online Resource's folder>Parent Education.
Let me know what you think! 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 Arabella Steinbacher (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!
Steinbacher was born in Munich on November 14, 1981, to a Japanese mother and a German father. When she was three, her mother read that a German violin teacher had recently returned from Japan after studying the Suzuki method. Steinbacher started violin lessons at that time. When she was nine years old, she was enrolled at the Munich College of Music and mentored by Ana Chumachenco.
Arabella Steinbacher has been recording exclusively for PENTATONE since 2009. Among many international and national music prizes and nominations, she has been twice awarded the ECHO Klassik.
As CARE ambassador, Steinbacher is driven to use music as a means to uplift and support those in need. She launched a December 2011 Japan tour in response to the tsunami disaster earlier that year. The DVD release “Arabella Steinbacher – Music of Hope” featured her outreach, and youth recitals from this tour and was released shortly after.
Steinbacher currently plays the Booth Stradivarius (1716) provided by the Nippon Music Foundation.
A. Dvorak, 4 Romantic Pieces, Op 75: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekGzkCFFoxE
R. Vaughn Williams, The Lark Ascending: https://youtu.be/YsWNS5Tp5pI?si=K4xgA0kCvAkxUnLa
J. Massenet, Meditation from 'Thais': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sgsGWggCe8
W.A.Mozart, Concerto in G Major: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_EGP7pnVI0
Local Performances
*Sept 12, 7:30p - NC Opera in the Park, join us to hear some of the greatest hits from the opera repertoire: https://ncopera.org/2024-2025-season/opera-in-the-park/ tickets are available through the NC Art Museum, it is possible that if you are a member there is a discount to the ticket price. I have not looked into this, though.
*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
