APRIL studio news
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized
April tuition
is due at your first lesson of the month. Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount.
Ways to pay:
- IN PERSON at your lesson
- MAIL CHECK: 814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
- ONLINE PAYMENT: Venmo & Zelle
April Schedule
There are no regular lessons scheduled from April 14-18.
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!
Musical March Madness
Musical March Madness brackets are due whenever you complete them! Students who complete their bracket will be recognized at our May 3rd recitals. Please turn in your page when it is done. Looking forward to see which of your pieces made it to the WINNERS circle!
Sharing our gift of music is not only a motivating reason to practice, but a useful insight as to why we spend hours mastering an instrument. AND, a wonderful byproduct --- spreading joy to those around us! Be creative in ways you share your gift: knock on a neighbor's door, video call a family member who lives far away. Have another idea? Please share! I'd love to know about your experience.
Group Class
Group Classes will meet on Friday, April 11th. Location: Saint Francis UMC. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518, Sanctuary.
This month's classes will follow our usual schedule. Details for class that month can be found in the event on the studio calendar. Group schedule:
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*plan to arrive 10min prior to your assigned group time to unpack and be ready to tune.
May Solo Recitals
On Saturday, May 3 we will present our spring solo recitals! We will again have TWO recitals to accommodate the increase in number of students and limit the length of the recitals.
As with the outreach concerts, you can sign up for your recital time preference to avoid possible conflicts you have 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 May 3 event you wish to perform on and register your student. Any students not registered by April 21, will be assigned a recital time.
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 group piece, if you are there!
Outreach Concerts
All students are invite to participate in the final of our TWO outreach concerts this year at Spring Arbor of Cary. These events will require 14-16 studio participants. We will prepare (during weekly lessons) a 20-min concert for the residents on either the upper or lower level. If you did not participate in the September outreach, consider joining us for the one in May, there are still spaces remaining.
To participate, log into your MMS account. Go to the studio calendar tab and add your name to the event on the month you are available (See the How to Register for an Outreach Concert file in the online resources for more details).
Local Summer Music Camps
Lamar Stringfield Music Camp: https://stringfieldmusiccamp.com/home
Day camp Session 1: June 15-20
Day camp Session 2: June 22-27
A great opportunity for introducing your student to music camps and/or playing in a string ensemble. Past students have enjoyed the energy and excellence the camp faculty and directors pour into this week of music making. Plus, it's in our backyard! Take a moment to read more on their website.
Triangle Youth Music Camps: https://www.triangleyouthmusic.org/summer-programs
String Orchestra Half/Full Day Camp (all levels)
July 14th - July 18th Peace Presbyterian Church in Cary
Triangle Youth Music runs the largest, multi-level music education organization in Raleigh. During the school year, they host 5 orchestras, 4 jazz bands and multiple smaller ensembles. Their summer camp is a great way to experience their program on a smaller scale. Take a moment to read more on their website.
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
Our state has a local institute! Consider heading a little east to join them for a week of music making! North Carolina Suzuki Institute, July 13-18. https://www.ncsuzuki.org/ncsi-home
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 gained one whole year of musical growth in just one week!"
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.
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. There are a few more weeks to log listening days. In fact, if you don't complete the next 50-day chart by the May 3 recitals, Keep going!! Awards will be handed out anytime you complete a chart from now until we restart for the 2025-26 Listening Challenge!
****Everyday is a new opportunity to listen.****
****When you complete your second, third OR fourth 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 at our May recitals.
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 SooBeen Lee. (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!
Violinist SooBeen Lee has been called “Korea’s hottest violin prodigy” (HanCinema). She has already appeared as soloist with every major Korean orchestra, including the Seoul and Busan Philharmonics and KBS (Korean Broadcasting System) Symphony Orchestra.
SooBeen Lee began studying the violin at the age of four. At eight years old she won the National Competition of the Korean Chamber Orchestra, she won First Prize at the Russia International Youth Violin Competition the following year, and she captured First Prize at the 2013 Moscow International David Oistrakh Violin Competition. Ms. Lee studied with Miriam Fried at the New England Conservatory, where she performed the Sibelius Violin Concerto as winner of their Concerto Competition.
Introduction and Rondo Capriccio, Saint-Saens: https://youtu.be/18gX2pbB1mc
"Melodie", Tchaikovsky: https://youtu.be/tx31Ym8ui6Y
Four Seasons of Buenos Aires (Winter) A.Pizzolla: https://youtu.be/rG3K1FuNAIs
Piano Trio in B-flat, Schubert: https://youtu.be/53J56m_MP98
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/
NC Symphony upcoming concerts webpage: click here
*denotes Dr. Baker is performing
MARCH studio news
Sunday, March 2, 2025 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized
March tuition
is due at your first lesson of the month. Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount.
Ways to pay:
- IN PERSON at your lesson
- MAIL CHECK: 814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
- ONLINE PAYMENT: Venmo & Zelle
March Schedule
There are no changes to this month's schedule.
Log in to your MyMusicStaff portal to see your specific lesson dates, times and location. Also included in your account: the link to access the Zoom webpage, previous lesson notes, the monthly studio news, and much more!
Musical March Madness
Musical March Madness brackets were handed out at last Friday's dress rehearsal. Most students have 3-5 "games" to complete during the month of March (with April as a carry over month). So plan accordingly. Start those review engines!!
How it works: You will review two pieces that are connected by a bracket. When you are comfortable playing the pieces, choose a lucky friend or family member to be your audience and give them a personal concert! Before or after you play, ask them to choose the piece they enjoyed hearing you play the most. That piece, moves forward on the bracket to the next level! Repeat until you have a WINNER!
Sharing our gift of music is not only a motivating reason to practice, but a useful insight as to why we spend hours mastering an instrument. AND, a wonderful byproduct --- spreading joy to those around us! Be creative in ways you share your gift: knock on a neighbor's door, video call a family member who lives far away. Have another idea? Please share! I'd love to know about your experience.
Group Class
Group Classes will meet on Friday, March 21st. Location: Saint Francis UMC. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518, Sanctuary.
This month's classes will follow our usual schedule. Group schedule:
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*plan to arrive 10min prior to your assigned group time to unpack and be ready to tune.
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
Our state has a local institute! Consider heading a little east to join them for a week of music making! North Carolina Suzuki Institute, July 13-18https://www.ncsuzuki.org/ncsi-home
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 gained one whole year of musical growth in just one week!"
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.
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. AND handing out achievement awards for 50-, 100-, and 150-days of listening at our past recital was a joy!
Keep going!!
****Everyday is a new opportunity to listen.****
****When you complete your second, third OR fourth 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 at our May recitals.
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 Ray 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!
Vitali: Chaconne: https://youtu.be/HvMYJmO5lrE
Tartini: Devil's Trill Sonata https://youtu.be/orWePX13N3M
Massenet: Meditation from 'Thais': https://youtu.be/bnzQcP7x46g
Waltzing Matilda: https://youtu.be/4c364LnyOU4
Please share these links with the kids.
Ray Chen is a violinist who redefines what it is to be a classical musician in the 21st Century. With a media presence that enhances and inspires the classical audience, reaching out to millions through his unprecedented online following, Ray Chen's remarkable musicianship transmits to a global audience that is reflected in his engagements with the foremost orchestras and concert halls around the world.
Born in Taiwan and raised in Australia, Ray was accepted to the Curtis Institute of Music at age 15, where he studied with Aaron Rosand and was supported by Young Concert Artists. He plays the 1735 “Samazeuilh” Stradivarius violin on loan from the Nippon Music Foundation. This instrument was once owned by the famed American violinist, Mischa Elman (1891-1967).
https://www.raychenviolin.com/
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
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
