JULY Studio News
Tuesday, July 1, 2025 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized
July tuition
is due at your first lesson of the month. Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount.
Ways to pay:
- IN PERSON at your lesson
- MAIL CHECK: 814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
- ONLINE PAYMENT: Venmo & Zelle
July 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!
Group Class
Group Classes will be on break for June, July and August.
Local Summer Music Camps
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
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.
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!"
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. Keep recording those listening days! A new round of summer listening awards will be handed out at the September group classes,
****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:
Constant and varied listening experiences, both active and passive, are crucial for developing a child's musical ear, fostering familiarity with the repertoire, and nurturing a love for music.
Take a look at this article for an even deeper look at the importance of listening:
https://pluckyviolinteacher.com/listening-to-the-suzuki-recordings/
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. Starting this month and throughout the summer, we will focus on famous composers of violin literature.
This month's famous composer is Antonio Vivaldi. (see notes below).
There are other recordings - enjoy looking around and learning more about this great composer.
Please share these with the kids.
Enjoy!
Antonio Vivaldi
Vivaldi was 25 years Corelli’s junior and became his primary virtuoso rival during Corelli’s latter years. Vivaldi’s music faded into obscurity after his death, until Fritz Kreisler and Alfred Casella revived it in the 20th Century. Today he is one of the three most popular Baroque composers, alongside Bach and Handel. He seems to have had asthma, which prevented him from learning wind instruments, but not the violin, and by his twenties, he had become well known in much of Italy and France as a virtuoso of nearly unrivaled technical artistry.
Even without that virtuosity, he would have landed a spot on this list for introducing the idea of “tone painting,” or representing images through music. This he did marvelously with his “Four Seasons,” which are four concerti intended to depict, in four movement each, the appearances of nature throughout the year. With the solo violin, which he played in their premieres, he depicts birds singing, lightning and thunderstorms, frozen lakes, etc. The technical demands in these pieces are quite high.
Vivaldi: Four Seasons/Quattro Stagioni - Janine Jansen:
https://youtu.be/zzE-kVadtNw?si=GPh_t3C8IdfE8Md8
Vivaldi: Winter from The Four Seasons | Netherlands Bach Society (Baroque instruments):
https://youtu.be/31tkGPvdMjs?si=B82gVjj4or3zer26
Vivaldi: Concerto in D Minor for two violins & cello RV 565 |
Voices of Music. Moore, Wong & Skeen (Baroque instruments):
https://youtu.be/XEvsYkTSekY?si=VO0KwPpkFW3ypTeX
Vivaldi: Concerto for 2 Violins in A minor, RV 522 (Op. 3 No. 8) | Brian Lewis, Caroline Smoak
https://youtu.be/VbFv0PXKbQ4?si=Y30GRc5zoVluYRPc
Vivaldi: Concerto for 4 Violins, Op III No. 10 | Shlomo Mintz, Gil Shaham, Maxim Vengerov, Menahem Breuer, violins | Zubin Mehta, conductor:
https://youtu.be/9nvYfmqIbWU?si=cZJfUCm2EGt8JcW9
Local Performances
More to come in September!
NC Symphony upcoming concerts webpage: click here
*denotes Dr. Baker is performing
JUNE studio news
Friday, June 13, 2025 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized
June tuition
is due at your first lesson of the month. Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount.
Ways to pay:
- IN PERSON at your lesson
- MAIL CHECK: 814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
- ONLINE PAYMENT: Venmo & Zelle
June Schedule
There are no regular lessons scheduled June 1 to 15.
Summer 2025 lessons begin on June 16.
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 Class
Group Classes will be on break for June, July and August.
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.
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/
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!"
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. Keep recording those listening days! A new round of summer listening awards will be handed out at the September group classes,
****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:
Constant and varied listening experiences, both active and passive, are crucial for developing a child's musical ear, fostering familiarity with the repertoire, and nurturing a love for music.
Take a look at this article for an even deeper look at the importance of listening:https://pluckyviolinteacher.com/listening-to-the-suzuki-recordings/
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. Starting this month and throughout the summer, we will focus on famous composers of violin literature.
This month's famous composer is Arcangelo Corelli. (see notes below).
There are other recordings - enjoy looking around and learning more about this great composer.
Please share these with the kids.
Enjoy!
He did not like the idea of playing very high notes. Not to say he couldn’t, but he thought it always sounded screechy, no matter how well anyone played them. His own music almost never goes above D on the highest string.
There is a story claims that Handel wrote an A above this in one of his oratorios, which the visiting Corelli refused to play. He thought it sounded terrible. Handel, an organist, proceeded to play it on his own violin, and Corelli was offended. “I didn’t say, Herr Handel, that I couldn’t play it. I said it shouldn’t be played.” Handel himself remarked at the “voracity” with which Corelli could run through scales, faster than anyone else he had heard, and strike the perfect leaps, from octaves to 12ths, 15ths and more.
Corelli, Violin Sonatas, Op. 5 - Remy Baudet, violin: https://youtu.be/TAl1Inc5Y7E?si=R123rC0wShCu-uXu (12 sonatas in this opus. The final one, No. 12, "la folia" is also a piece in Suzuki Volume 6 - use the links in the description to move around from sonata to sonata.)
Corelli, Violin Sonatas, Op.5 - Andrew Manze, violin: https://youtu.be/M5ce15s4NYc?si=BDmNP0qUZ3FQinZJ (Same sonatas as above, but with a vastly different performer. How about listening to the same Sonata with each performer and compare the difference you hear?)
Corelli, Concerti Grossi, Op. 6 - Musica Amphion : https://youtu.be/pLSCaSUhaEU?si=Ro6HhJQLTyZ8Jkr3 Another collection of 12 works that Corelli wrote for string instruments. Choose a few minutes to listen to and notice the different between the sound of many instruments, vs. the fewer instruments in the Violin sonata recordings.
Local Performances
More to come in September!
NC Symphony upcoming concerts webpage: click here
*denotes Dr. Baker is performing
MAY studio news
Sunday, April 27, 2025 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized
May 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
May Schedule
There are no regular lessons scheduled on May 26 & 27.
2024-2025 lessons end on May 30. (2025 summer lesson schedule will begin in June 16.)
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!
Summer Lessons
2025 summer lesson sign up sheets will be handed out at group class on Friday. Sign ups are due by May 16, 2025 in order to receive your choice of lesson times. Sign ups handed in after the date will have to fit around lessons already scheduled.
Musical March Madness
This is the FINAL week to turn in your Musical March Madness brackets!! Feel free to send me a picture of your completed bracket if that is easier to remember. 😊
Students who complete their bracket will be recognized at our May 3rd recitals. Looking forward to see which of your pieces made it to the WINNERS circle!
Group Class
Group Classes will meet on Friday, May 2nd. Location: Saint Francis UMC. 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. 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.
May Solo Recitals
When: Saturday, May 3, 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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|
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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.
Outreach Concerts
All students are invite to participate in our 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 on May 18th, there are still spaces remaining.
As of today, no one has signed up to perform at the 1:00p outreach concert. Are you available? Join us!
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!"
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 at our May recitals 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. Starting this month and throughout the summer, we will focus on famous composers of violin literature.
This month's famous composer is Giuseppe Tartini. (see notes below).
There are other recordings - enjoy looking around and learning more about this great composer.
Please share these with the kids.
Enjoy!
Giuseppe Tartini
Tartini lived from 1692 to 1770, and his journey to becoming a musician is unique. His parents wanted him to be a friar, since that was one of the few careers that would guarantee he didn’t starve. All monasteries taught basic music as part of their schooling. He took up fencing at the University of Padua, where he studied law.
He went to the monastery of St. Francis of Assisi, and began studying the violin. He took to it well and had quite a talent for it. As the story goes, just when he considered himself a master, he went to a performance of Francesco Veracini, whose playing made Tartini flee to Ancona and practice a lot more. By 1821, he was famous all over Europe for his impeccable trills and tremolos and the primary performance rival of Antonio Vivaldi.
His most famous work makes extensive use of trills: the Devil’s Trill Sonata for solo violin, in which the performer must play rapid, grueling double-stop trills. Many professionals today cannot handle it. Some say that Tartini heard the devil play it in a dream, and his composition the next morning was terrible compared to what he remembered.
Augustin Hadelich* performs: Giuseppe Tartini: Sonata in g minor "Il trillo del diavolo" (The Devil's Trill): https://youtu.be/XIm3h5ykSlE?si=1Kiy-4dcc7iGpyI6 (original composition)
Itzhak Perlman performs: Sonata in G minor "Devil's Trill" (arr. Fritz Kreisler): https://youtu.be/KMQut2Khfcw?si=mUWdJ0QpSpv1RYTT
Andrew Manze (a Baroque specialist of our time) performs Tartini: https://youtu.be/codgEyXS5NA?si=XOTrbDIwuRFY_oQF Consider listening to the ending few tracks (around 1:09:28) ... can you tell that the violin is tuned differently than we tune ours? This Pastorale is for scordatura violin, meaning it is "mistuned" at the composers request.
Violin Sonatas of G. Tartini: https://youtu.be/xzhyBI9rKa8?si=u3suH6KIzgLCNKPQ This is a long recording, use the links in the description to move around between the movements. Choose a few to listen to!
*Augustin is the recording artist for the most recent recordings for Suzuki Volumes 4-6.
Local Performances
NC Symphony upcoming concerts webpage: click here
*denotes Dr. Baker is performing
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:
|
|
|
|
*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
