MARCH Studio News

  Friday, February 24, 2023 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:

1. IN PERSON at your lesson
2. MAIL CHECK:  814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
3. ONLINE PAYMENT:  Google Pay or Zelle (no fee) 

   March 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 Recital Dress Rehearsal    

Our Recital Rehearsal is on Friday, March 10th.  Location: Saint Francis UMC. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518, Sanctuary.  We will be wrapping up our preparations for the March chamber/group recital.  No Zoom will be offered as playing with the group in person and learning the choreography for the recital is the priority.  DUET rehearsals will take place during the rehearsal, feel free to meet prior to your time to run through your duet, but it is not necessary.

Plan to arrive 5-10 min prior to your group's start time to unpack and be ready to tune.

Rehearsal schedule:  

^We will begin with the duets at 5:00.  Please be unpacked and ready to tune and play through your duets at 5:00.  I will start with the duos that are ready to go.  We have 15 minutes scheduled for 4 duet piece.

*NOTE the earlier time this month.  As we are adding all new harmonies parts for this concert, we need the extra rehearsal time to play through it all as a large group.

   March Group Recital                        

Our studio group recital is Saturday, March 11 at 4:30 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 4:10 PM to unpack and tune

  

Repertoire for the Group Recital:

We will be going over these pieces in lessons for the next 2 weeks to ensure all students are individually prepared for the recital.

Book 1	Twinkle
	Lightly Row
	May Song
	Allegretto
	Minuet 3
Book 2	Musette
Book 3	Minuet, Bach
Book 4	Concerto No.5, mvt. I, Seitz
Book 5	Gavotte, Bach

    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 month I want to highlight an article in our Online Resource's folder>Parent Education. 

"25 Reasons to You Will Want to Attend a Suzuki Institute" a quick overview of the benefits of summer institutes.  After reading this list, you will see why David Strom mentioned that attendance at a summer institute nets 1 year of musical growth in 1 week!   An excellent return!!

Check it out!  If you have time, send me your reaction, thoughts. etc. I would love to know what speaks to you.

   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/events/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 26-30.  It will be held in person and virtually.  I would love for you to consider joining me.  Here is the link for more info: https://suzukiassociation.org/events/loc/greater-washington-suzuki-institute/

I will also be teaching at the Univ of Louisville Suzuki Institute, June 11-16.  Here is the link for more info: https://suzukiassociation.org/events/loc/university-louisville-suzuki-string-institute/

It seems that many Institutes are continuing virtual classes.  I highly encourage in person learning, but you can reduce the cost and time commitment and still experience some of 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!  

   
   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 Gil Shaham  (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!

Gil Shaham (1971)

Shaham made a name for himself in 1989 when he was called in to replace Perlman for a series of shows in London. Since then, he has kept busy with a healthy discography and international tour, and recording violin concertos of the 1930s.

 

Bach, Partita No. 3 in E major, Gavotte en Rondeau:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBl1CFZvY0o&index=2&list=RDjMrLnjp1O_g

Sarasate, Carmen Fantasy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIaOyur3Qcw

Mendelssohn, Concerto in E minor, Op. 64: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78q-jbzk-Vg

Paganini, Sonata Concertata In A Major For Guitar & Violin, Op. 61:  https://youtu.be/XXxy0lbcMSo

    Local Performances                            

*April 14 & 16, NC Opera presents Porgy & Bess, https://ncopera.org/2022-2023-season/porgy-and-bess/

*April 18, NC Master Chorale, Verdi's Requiem, https://www.ncmasterchorale.org/season

*denotes Dr. Baker is performing

FEBRUARY Studio News

  Wednesday, February 1, 2023 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:

1. IN PERSON at your lesson
2. MAIL CHECK:  814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
3. ONLINE PAYMENT:  PayPal (include fee) or Google Pay (no fee) 

  February Schedule                            

NO Lessons are scheduled for THIS THURSDAY, Feb 2 or Monday - Thursday Feb 20-24 (with the exceptions of the added Feb 23 date)

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 meet this month on Friday, Febuary 10th.  Location: Saint Francis UMC. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518, Sanctuary.   We will continue our preparations for the March chamber/group recital.  The option to Zoom these group classes will be offered again. However, please note that if you are participating in a duet piece, that rehearsal takes place outside of the group time and Zoom is not an option.   Group schedule:

Plan to arrive 5-10 min prior to your group's start time to unpack and be ready to tune. 

  Suzuki Weekend Workshops          

Our upcoming weekend workshop is THIS WEEKEND,FEBRUARY 4.  Below are the schedule details. If you haven't signed up to participate yet and would like to, let me know!  We will make arrangements for your student to participate.

Fellow Suzuki teachers-Please share this information with your students.

Repertoire to prepare:

Book 1: Twinkles, Song of Wind, May Song, Etude

Book 2: Chorus and Hunters’ Chorus

Book 3: Bach Minuet

Book 4: Seitz #5, 1st mvt.

Book 5: Country Dance

Book 6+: Wieniawski Violin Concerto mvt. 2

Group Violin Schedule:

Friday at White Memorial Presbyterian Church

7:40-8:40pm Book 6+ 

Saturday at Hays Barton United Methodist Church

Please note this is the Methodist church at 2209 Fairview Rd. 

9am Book 1

10am Book 2-3

11am Book 4-5

12pm Lunch on your own

1pm Book 6+ 

2pm Break

2:30pm Concert

Concert attire: Casual. 

Please note:

1. This is not a drop off situation, parents are expected to attend class with your child. 
2. All events are mask required. This is for everyone including audience members, no exceptions. We will not supply masks, please bring your own.

 

    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 month I want to highlight an article in our Online Resource's folder>Parent Education. 

"The Skill of Inspiring Children to Practice" By Dr. Shinichi Suzuki from his book Where Love is Deep.  His description of what motivates a young violin student is somewhat different in approach to how we each started, but his point of the role of group class as motivation, is a good one to remember.  Enjoy this short article reprinted in the 2016 summer institutes mini-journal. ;-)     

Check it out!  If you have time, send me your reaction, thoughts. etc. I would love to know what speaks to you.

   
   Special Listening                            

Just a reminder that wonderful videos and audio recordings of professional performers can be seen/heard on YouTube.  Use this as the Special Listening assignment for each week.  This month's famous performer is Leonidas Kavakos  (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!

Leonidas Kavakos (1967)

This Greek violinist had won numerous competitions by the tender age of 21, but he didn’t become popular until recently, when his exacting technique became appreciated by more mainstream listeners. He has close attention to detail and can perform very demanding pieces.

 

Brahms Violin Concerto (first 3 min are orchestra alone):  https://youtu.be/aknyQ2sp6J4

Bach, Partita No. 2 in D minor:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYHQmjAbwXw

Brahms, Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor, mvt 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RjyE7xtEI8

Bach, Concerto for 2 Violin in D minor (this is a book 4 & 5 piece - enjoy!):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ohsBg6onXY

    Local Performance                                

I have been wanted to post about local performances again and have forgotten each month.  Adding now, even though I don't have a lot to share yet.

*April 14 & 16, NCOpera presents Porgy & Bess, https://ncopera.org/2022-2023-season/porgy-and-bess/

*April 18, NC Master Chorale, Verdi's Requiem, https://www.ncmasterchorale.org/season

*denotes Dr. Baker is performing