Hi Everyone!
This Saturday we have:
1pm: Advanced Violin Studio class (This is the last class till next fall)
2pm: Theory class A
3pm: Theory class B
For theory, we've unfortunately had to cancel the June 5 class so this Saturday will be the last class this semester, but we will be giving you all a refund for the June 5 class. We'll be resuming theory class in the fall.
Kirby will be teaching studio class and I'll be teaching theory this week.
We'll be at St. Timothy's as usual. See you all there!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Fiddle and Suzuki Groups this Saturday
Hi All!
We've got Fiddle and Suzuki classes this Saturday at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church.
2pm: Suzuki groups 3 and 5.
3pm: Fiddle group. (We should be having our accordion player again!)
Treats will be available after Suzuki classes. In addition to some regular cookies, I've bought some allergy free, vegan cookies since some students have trouble with being able to eat the cookies we've had in the past. They might be good, they might be gross. You never know! Let us know what you think of them!
We've got Fiddle and Suzuki classes this Saturday at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church.
2pm: Suzuki groups 3 and 5.
3pm: Fiddle group. (We should be having our accordion player again!)
Treats will be available after Suzuki classes. In addition to some regular cookies, I've bought some allergy free, vegan cookies since some students have trouble with being able to eat the cookies we've had in the past. They might be good, they might be gross. You never know! Let us know what you think of them!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Bowfire
Bowfire is coming to St. Louis this week and will be performing at Powell Hall this Wednesday.
The information can be found here. http://www.slso.org/concert/index.htm#031710
I've had a chance to see one of the fiddlers, Shane Cook, in concert and he's fantastic.
Check it out. Should be a good concert!
The information can be found here. http://www.slso.org/concert/index.htm#031710
I've had a chance to see one of the fiddlers, Shane Cook, in concert and he's fantastic.
Check it out. Should be a good concert!
Spring Break
No lessons this week for spring break.
Have a great break and we'll see you all next week (week of March 22).
Have a great break and we'll see you all next week (week of March 22).
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Theory and studio classes this Saturday, March 14. Assignements from fiddle and group classes
Hi all,
First of an apology to those students who did not get a juice box this Saturday. I bought enough for everyone, but I forgot to bring one of the packs I'd bought so we ended up a bit short at the end there. Sorry about that, but hopefully the cookies were delicious in spite of having nothing with which to wash them down. They were a new brand I thought we'd try, so let me know if you all liked them.
This Saturday we have studio and theory classes with Ms. Kirby at St. Timothy's. The schedule is:
1pm: Beginning/intermediate studio class (50 minutes)
2pm: Theory group A (45 minutes)
3pm: Theory group B (45 minutes)
Group class assignment:
Continue to practice festival pieces during your review sessions. If you have not received a festival review sheet by now, please pester your teacher for one this week! Pieces need to be polished and performance ready 3 weeks before the Festival so it's necessary to start reviewing now!
Also, group class 2, in regard to metronomes, they can be purchased for $10-$40 or there are free ones online as well as very cheap iphone applications. (I have a terrific app called "Tempo" on iphone which was only $4.99.)
For online metronomes, these are rather fun because of mimicking the old-fashion type. You get to "wind" it before it starts!
http://simple.bestmetronome.com/
This one is pretty good I think.
http://www.metronomeonline.com/
I would definately recommend some kind of metronome to help develop rhythmic steadiness. They are also fun!
Fiddle Assignment:
We ran out of time to practice Bill Cheatem and Redwing this past week so be prepared to do a lot of them both at our next rehearsal on March 27th! I have a harmony part for the second half of Redwing that some of us will be adding in as well. We'll be trying it out to see how it sounds. Tango players, please do A LOT of intonation and articulation practice during practice sessions and lessons! We'll definately be rehearsing Tango at the next fiddle class.
Also, all fiddlers, be sure to practice "spelling" chords (ex. A C E, or D F A). If you feel courageous enough, try droning some back up notes with your teacher on Finnish Polka in your lessons this week.
Happy Spring everyone! Looks like it's arriving soon!
First of an apology to those students who did not get a juice box this Saturday. I bought enough for everyone, but I forgot to bring one of the packs I'd bought so we ended up a bit short at the end there. Sorry about that, but hopefully the cookies were delicious in spite of having nothing with which to wash them down. They were a new brand I thought we'd try, so let me know if you all liked them.
This Saturday we have studio and theory classes with Ms. Kirby at St. Timothy's. The schedule is:
1pm: Beginning/intermediate studio class (50 minutes)
2pm: Theory group A (45 minutes)
3pm: Theory group B (45 minutes)
Group class assignment:
Continue to practice festival pieces during your review sessions. If you have not received a festival review sheet by now, please pester your teacher for one this week! Pieces need to be polished and performance ready 3 weeks before the Festival so it's necessary to start reviewing now!
Also, group class 2, in regard to metronomes, they can be purchased for $10-$40 or there are free ones online as well as very cheap iphone applications. (I have a terrific app called "Tempo" on iphone which was only $4.99.)
For online metronomes, these are rather fun because of mimicking the old-fashion type. You get to "wind" it before it starts!
http://simple.bestmetronome.com/
This one is pretty good I think.
http://www.metronomeonline.com/
I would definately recommend some kind of metronome to help develop rhythmic steadiness. They are also fun!
Fiddle Assignment:
We ran out of time to practice Bill Cheatem and Redwing this past week so be prepared to do a lot of them both at our next rehearsal on March 27th! I have a harmony part for the second half of Redwing that some of us will be adding in as well. We'll be trying it out to see how it sounds. Tango players, please do A LOT of intonation and articulation practice during practice sessions and lessons! We'll definately be rehearsing Tango at the next fiddle class.
Also, all fiddlers, be sure to practice "spelling" chords (ex. A C E, or D F A). If you feel courageous enough, try droning some back up notes with your teacher on Finnish Polka in your lessons this week.
Happy Spring everyone! Looks like it's arriving soon!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Group and Fiddle this Saturday
Hi all,
We have more Suzuki and fiddle classes this weekend, Saturday, March 6th. We're back at St. Timothy's. We found out that we will unfortunately not have use of the Parish Hall downstairs, so one class will be in the choir room, one in the double classroom upstairs, and one in the main lobby. We'll show you where to go if you're not sure!
The schedule is:
1pm Advanced violin studio class (don't forget to bring your assignment that Kirby emailed!)
2pm Suzuki groups 1, 2, and 4
3pm Fiddle group
We have more Suzuki and fiddle classes this weekend, Saturday, March 6th. We're back at St. Timothy's. We found out that we will unfortunately not have use of the Parish Hall downstairs, so one class will be in the choir room, one in the double classroom upstairs, and one in the main lobby. We'll show you where to go if you're not sure!
The schedule is:
1pm Advanced violin studio class (don't forget to bring your assignment that Kirby emailed!)
2pm Suzuki groups 1, 2, and 4
3pm Fiddle group
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Thanks and Assignments/Another Summer Suzuki Institute
Hi all,
Thank you all for your flexibility this weekend with the location change for group and fiddle classes. Although it was stressful to find out last minute that we couldn't be in our usual spot, Ivy Chapel was wonderfully accomodating and a beautiful space, so it was a nice provision. Thanks again to you all for bearing with us as we got things sorted out.
I'd like to pass along the assignments for the group and fiddle classes.
For Suzuki groups:
We'll be passing out review lists this week that will have all of the songs we'll be performing as a group on the Spring Festival at 2pm Sunday, May 9th. Students should plan to extensively review these pieces to have them performance ready. As pieces are ready, your teacher will give you a check for each piece on your review sheet. Once you receive a check for a piece, it should stay that good which means continually reviewing it. If you work on it really hard and then forget it, your teacher will have to erase the check! Any piece you would like to perform in the festival must be performance ready (have a check) at least 3 weeks before the Festival. Students must also attend the dress rehearsal on May 8th. (2pm-3pm Suzuki students, 3pm-4pm fiddle students.)
For fiddle students:
Please, please, please work on getting first fingers more in tune! We sound so great when we are all in tune! A great way to practice intonation is to practice scales or twinkles very slowly and really listen to the pitch. When you play too fast, you don't have time to hear if you are in tune. Try also practicing your fiddle music slowly and try stopping on the first fingers to hear if they sound in tune. Have your teacher help you with this if necessary.
Mason's Apron (fast version): in the second half, practice making sure your first finger doesn't "lean" when you place it on the E and A strings. If it leans you will be out of tune on one of the strings. Be sure to work on this with your teacher. (It's called playing on the "inside corners")
Mason's Apron (slower version): rememer the circle bows! and remember to watch the leader!
Finnish Polka: Have at least the first line learned for next week's rehearsal if you have not already learned this piece.
Tango students: I believe we may have our accordion player joining us for a bit this weekend. It's not confirmed yet, but we may get to rehearse with him a bit on Saturday. Because of that, let's really do some good practice on tango at home and in lessons this week.
Redwing: please work on the spot where there is a D# (high 3). We want to be really in tune there!
Overall, please really listen that you are in tune. Be picky! We sound great when we all match pitch together so let's do more of it.
Last of all, I received an email about another summer Suzuki institute. It's in Idaho. You can learn more here http://idahosuzuki.org/
Thank you all for your flexibility this weekend with the location change for group and fiddle classes. Although it was stressful to find out last minute that we couldn't be in our usual spot, Ivy Chapel was wonderfully accomodating and a beautiful space, so it was a nice provision. Thanks again to you all for bearing with us as we got things sorted out.
I'd like to pass along the assignments for the group and fiddle classes.
For Suzuki groups:
We'll be passing out review lists this week that will have all of the songs we'll be performing as a group on the Spring Festival at 2pm Sunday, May 9th. Students should plan to extensively review these pieces to have them performance ready. As pieces are ready, your teacher will give you a check for each piece on your review sheet. Once you receive a check for a piece, it should stay that good which means continually reviewing it. If you work on it really hard and then forget it, your teacher will have to erase the check! Any piece you would like to perform in the festival must be performance ready (have a check) at least 3 weeks before the Festival. Students must also attend the dress rehearsal on May 8th. (2pm-3pm Suzuki students, 3pm-4pm fiddle students.)
For fiddle students:
Please, please, please work on getting first fingers more in tune! We sound so great when we are all in tune! A great way to practice intonation is to practice scales or twinkles very slowly and really listen to the pitch. When you play too fast, you don't have time to hear if you are in tune. Try also practicing your fiddle music slowly and try stopping on the first fingers to hear if they sound in tune. Have your teacher help you with this if necessary.
Mason's Apron (fast version): in the second half, practice making sure your first finger doesn't "lean" when you place it on the E and A strings. If it leans you will be out of tune on one of the strings. Be sure to work on this with your teacher. (It's called playing on the "inside corners")
Mason's Apron (slower version): rememer the circle bows! and remember to watch the leader!
Finnish Polka: Have at least the first line learned for next week's rehearsal if you have not already learned this piece.
Tango students: I believe we may have our accordion player joining us for a bit this weekend. It's not confirmed yet, but we may get to rehearse with him a bit on Saturday. Because of that, let's really do some good practice on tango at home and in lessons this week.
Redwing: please work on the spot where there is a D# (high 3). We want to be really in tune there!
Overall, please really listen that you are in tune. Be picky! We sound great when we all match pitch together so let's do more of it.
Last of all, I received an email about another summer Suzuki institute. It's in Idaho. You can learn more here http://idahosuzuki.org/
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