JUNE Studio News

  Monday, May 31, 2021 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:

1. MAIL CHECK:  814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
2. ONLINE PAYMENT:  PayPal (include fee) or Google Pay (no fee) 

What to do:

Reply to your invoice email on the 1st and let me know how you will send tuition this month. 

1. Check is in the mail, 

2. PayPal link on invoice (you will pay the 2.9% fee), or 

3. Google Pay (I will need to send you money request to go this route.  I will send out requests to everyone who chose this option prior)

  June Schedule                                

There are no lessons Monday, May 31 to Tuesday, June 8. 

Summer lessons will begin on Wednesday, June 9.

There will be no lessons from Monday, June 21 to Friday, July 2.

 

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 not meet during the summer months.  

   Parent Education                                     

 I have loaded several articles to the Library & Downloads page in your MMS portal with articles and handouts for parents.  Find a title that interests you and read it!  I highly encourage you to take a moment this month to choose one and read it.  There is so much value in motivation for the Suzuki parent.  Let these articles give you that blessing!!    

This month I want to highlight a previous article:  

Beyond Technology by Laurie Stroup. A brief article that reminds us how practicing can be and is a great substitute for our children's technology time (be it for pleasure, school or other). I enjoy her insight each time I read this article. Let me know what you think!

Toggle over to the Online Resources Tab>Parent Education folder to find this article.  View it online, Download it or Print it!

If you have time, send me your reaction, thoughts. etc.  I would love to know what stands out to you.  

    Summer Suzuki Institutes                        

Its that time of year again!  This summer - 2021 -  is unique in that many institutes are already planning to be virtual!  You can reduce the cost and time commitment and check out what it is like to work with other teachers and students from around the country!  Several students in our studio and taken advantage of these opportunities in the past.  Each one has come away with a major boost in motivation and confidence!   

Due to uncertain summer COVID19 restrictions in many areas, several of the institutes have already decided to run online formats.  This might be the perfect summer to try out an institute without the added element of travel.  Here is the SAA webpage listing of all the Institute: https://suzukiassociation.org/events/institutes/

I will be on faculty at the Greater Washington Suzuki Institute again this summer.  The faculty at this camp are highly esteemed in the Suzuki community, and each summer proves to be an uplifting and motivating experience for participants.  I would love to have ALL of you join me at camp this summer.  Here is the SAA listing for the GWSI: https://suzukiassociation.org/events/loc/greater-washington-suzuki-institute/

A few others where colleagues of mine are on faculty or direct the institute, and I thought would be educational for you to read about:

https://www.ogontzsuzukiinstitute.com/

https://www.ithaca.edu/suzuki-institutes

https://www.atlantasuzuki.org/

AND, it looks like the North Caroline Institute (Greenville) is planning to be in person this year. Space is limited.  Registration opens this week, MAY 7.

https://music.ecu.edu/summer/suzuki/

    Suzuki Book Recordings                         

New recordings of the Suzuki Books 1-3 performed by violinist Hilary Hahn have just been released!   Use this link to read more and/or purchase from iTunes, Amazon Music or Alfred websites: https://www.alfred.com/suzuki-violin-overview/ 

   
   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 highlighted violinist is Joseph Szigeti (see notes below).  

There are other recordings - enjoy looking around and learning more about this great artist.

Enjoy!

Joseph Szigeti (1892)

Szigeti might not have had a grand technique, but his take on what music really means has earned him a top spot among famous violinists. He didn’t have a huge sound but made up for that in poetic intelligence. One of his most famous works is the recording of First Rhapsody by Bartok, along with other pieces, with the composer himself. As old age took a toll, he turned to writing about the craft, and produced beautiful texts.

here is a link to his biography on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Szigeti

 

Rhapsody No. 1, Bela Bartok  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuMTISOHRKg     (Bela Bartok is the pianist in this recording - how awesome would if be to perform with the composer of the piece you have learned?!?)
 
Here they are performing Bartok's Roumanian Folk Dances: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ydYQhM7kho

Schubert "The Bee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Pm6kBXkqT4

Hubay, "The Zephyr": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BUY55Onzkc   (Hubay was Szigeti's teacher.  Another fun connection - to play a piece of music written by your teacher!)

   ZOOM Virtual Lessons                         

Thank you all for continuing to work on establishing lesson etiquette online.  A few reminders:

• Set up your lesson space with ample time to log in 5 minutes before your lesson time.  (music stand, music, tuned instrument, etc)
• Please have the video in landscape (horizontal) setting so I can see both arms.  Test out your bow arm at the tip...can you see your bow hold in the picture with your arm extended?  I do not need to see your music stand, that can be off to the side of the camera (your left side when you are facing the screen).
• Turn off as many Wi-Fi devices in your house as you are able.  The more devices you have accessing your router, the more delays and cut outs happen when you are playing.  I will have most everything here at my house removed from our router during lesson times to help us out.  
• Mute yourself and even turn off your video to be less of a distraction to the lesson in progress.
• Feel free to experiment with speakers or mics on your end to be able to hear me / make your audio sharper. 
• Turn ON original sound, so that Zoom will relay your instrument's sound without delay. If you need help with this setting, please ask.

You can access the Zoom link through the MMS website.  Log into your user account and click on the link associated with the event.

MAY Studio News

  Wednesday, May 5, 2021 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:

1. MAIL CHECK:  814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
2. ONLINE PAYMENT:  PayPal (include fee) or Google Pay (no fee) 

What to do:

Reply to your invoice email on the 1st and let me know how you will send tuition this month. 

1. Check is in the mail, 

2. PayPal link on invoice (you will pay the 2.9% fee), or 

3. Google Pay (I will need to send you money request to go this route.  I will send out requests to everyone who chose this option prior)

  May Schedule                                

The final week of lessons for the 2020-21 school year is Mon, May 24 to Thurs, May 27. 

There will be no lessons scheduled from May 31 to June 4. 

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, May 21st.  Location: Saint Francis UMC, 2965 Kildaire Farm Rd.  Weather permitting we will be under the portico again.  This month we have fun playing ensemble games and wrapping up our year of learning!  

Here is our schedule:

 

   Summer Lesson Sign Up                      

Summer lesson sign up calendars are due by May 14 (next Friday).  I have been handing out sign up calendars in lessons this week.  They are also available in the email sent out May 5th or in your MyMusicStaff account>Online Resources>Registration Files.  If you have questions regarding how to fill out this calendar, please ask.  Looking forward to our summer months of lessons and practicing! ♫☺♥   Let's keep the momentum going!!

   Parent Education                                     

 I have loaded several articles to the Library & Downloads page in your MMS portal with articles and handouts for parents.  Find a title that interests you and read it!  I highly encourage you to take a moment this month to choose one and read it.  There is so much value in motivation for the Suzuki parent.  Let these articles give you that blessing!!    

This month I want to highlight two NEW articles:  

Long Term Practice Challenge Ideas by Samara Humbert-Hughes - 10 creative ways to set up a long term practice goal in your home.  Number One should look familiar!  ;-)  Is there a different idea that looks better for your child?  Let's talk and see what we can set up!

The Changing Role of the Suzuki Parent by Teri Einfeldt - a nice list of ideas for each stage of a student's growth through their musical education.  Looking for ideas of how to enhance your child's musical education?  Wondering when it is time to let your child practice more on their own?  Teri might have a few things to say that speak to your question(s)!  

One more idea...a few of the students in our studio have started meeting up on Zoom to practice together or to just play for each other.  Is this an idea you would like to explore for your child?  Talk with me and let's see what grows out of this seed that has been planted.

Toggle over to the Online Resources Tab>Parent Education folder to find this article.  View it online, Download it or Print it!

If you have time, send me your reaction, thoughts. etc.  I would love to know what stands out to you.  

Reminder:  This summer - 2021 -  is unique in that many institutes are already planning to be virtual!  You can reduce the cost and time commitment and check out what it is like to work with other teachers and students from around the country!  Several students in our studio and taken advantage of these opportunities in the past.  Each one has come away with a major boost in motivation and confidence!   

    Summer Suzuki Institutes                        

Its that time of year again!  Summer Suzuki institutes have started accepting enrollment.  Due to uncertain summer COVID19 restrictions in many areas, several of the institutes have already decided to run online formats.  This might be the perfect summer to try out an institute without the added element of travel.  Here is the SAA webpage listing of all the Institute: https://suzukiassociation.org/events/institutes/

I will be on faculty at the Greater Washington Suzuki Institute again this summer.  The faculty at this camp are highly esteemed in the Suzuki community, and each summer proves to be an uplifting and motivating experience for participants.  I would love to have ALL of you join me at camp this summer.  Here is the SAA listing for the GWSI: https://suzukiassociation.org/events/loc/greater-washington-suzuki-institute/

A few others where colleagues of mine are on faculty or direct the institute, and I thought would be educational for you to read about:

https://www.ogontzsuzukiinstitute.com/

https://www.ithaca.edu/suzuki-institutes

https://www.atlantasuzuki.org/

AND, it looks like the North Caroline Institute (Greenville) is planning to be in person this year. Space is limited.  Registration opens this week, MAY 7.

https://music.ecu.edu/summer/suzuki/

    Suzuki Book Recordings                         

New recordings of the Suzuki Books 1-3 performed by violinist Hilary Hahn have just been released!   Use this link to read more and/or purchase from iTunes, Amazon Music or Alfred websites: https://www.alfred.com/suzuki-violin-overview/ 

   
   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 highlighted violinist is Bronislav Huberman (see notes below).  

There are other recordings - enjoy looking around and learning more about this great artist.

Enjoy!

Mischa Elman (1891)

His admirers and the virtuosos today consider him to have been one of the greatest in the age of recording. He had a pristine technique and a tone quality.  The emotion he could express via his instrument was rich, full of passion and yet very refined.

Elman lived from 1891 to 1967.  By 11 years old, he could already play some of the most difficult pieces ever written, including Wieniawski’s 2nd Concerto. He was quite short, at about 5 feet 3 inches, and, along with his wide fingers, this hindered his ability to hit the very high notes. He practiced for years until he perfected his technique, and would bend over a bit during performances in order to play properly. It worked for him, and he used to say that he didn’t care what he looked like while he played.

He is also the progenitor of the famous joke, when walking home one evening in New York City, from a poorly received recital, he was stopped by a passerby who intended to go to his performance, but was late. The passerby asked, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” Elman winced and said, “Practice, practice, practice!” as he walked on.

 Dvorak's Humoresque (one of our Book 3 pieces! starts at 1:30) and Gavotte by Gossec (one of our Book 1 pieces at 6:00 minutes)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31uJT2IKsR0

Dvorak-Kreisler, "Slavonic Fantasy"  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQyVqB-HVTI

 Massenet, Meditation  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50SMNJyx5II

A fun collection of short pieces he recorded: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kD5aXaZBjs

   ZOOM Virtual Lessons                         

Thank you all for continuing to work on establishing lesson etiquette online.  A few reminders:

• Set up your lesson space with ample time to log in 5 minutes before your lesson time.  (music stand, music, tuned instrument, etc)
• Please have the video in landscape (horizontal) setting so I can see both arms.  Test out your bow arm at the tip...can you see your bow hold in the picture with your arm extended?  I do not need to see your music stand, that can be off to the side of the camera (your left side when you are facing the screen).
• Turn off as many Wi-Fi devices in your house as you are able.  The more devices you have accessing your router, the more delays and cut outs happen when you are playing.  I will have most everything here at my house removed from our router during lesson times to help us out.  
• Mute yourself and even turn off your video to be less of a distraction to the lesson in progress.
• Feel free to experiment with speakers or mics on your end to be able to hear me / make your audio sharper. 
• Turn ON original sound, so that Zoom will relay your instrument's sound without delay. If you need help with this setting, please ask.

You can access the Zoom link through the MMS website.  Log into your user account and click on the link associated with the event.