Hi All,
Quick reminder of our upcoming Saturday Classes:
1:45 Theory class in Laura's studio
3pm Studio class 2 at Ivy Chapel (downstairs)
Also, I'd like to post a couple of assignments from the classes over this past weekend.
Suzuki Group 3:
Start reviewing Gossec Gavotte now if you've already learned it. It will be on the spring festival and it takes a lot of work to get it sounding good as a group.
Keep working on using more bow!!!!!! You sound so fantastic when you do!!!
Also, start practicing identifying your note names for G Major on the violin. You should know the note names (G, A, B, rather than open, G1, G2, etc.) going up and down the scale.
Suzuki Group 4: Start your review for festival NOW! A lot of the pieces are ones you learned a long time ago and consequently harder to remember. Start learning the fiddle tunes now as well.
Fiddle: I know you all are working hard to play super in tune which is pretty grueling, so thank you for your efforts. Be sure to do lots of SLOOOOOOOWWWW practice and be sure to bring Bonaparte's retreat to your teacher. We've improved but we're still pretty out of tune on that one. Listen for the ringing tone on the 3rd fingers. We also need to tune up the 1st and 2nd fingers - so basically, all the fingers can be more in tune!
Experiment with slides and double stops in Fiddler's Dream. Don't forget to do slow boring practice on this one too. We're not really in tune yet on this one either....
Mariachi: be sure to take all shifts on page 2 to your teacher if you have trouble with them. We're trying to avoid crossing over to the E string (ick!) as much as possible. Be sure to practice all shifts individually for good intonation and relaxed, smooth shifts.
Good job guys and thanks for your hard work!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Stars of Tomorrow Concert
I just got this message about an upcoming music concert featuring kids. It looks interesting although it's a bit of a trek from us here in St. Louis since it's out in Belleville. The little girl on the TV promo also plays quite nicely (note the beautiful intonation, good bow distribution, and nice vibrato!) and is worth watching.
"The Belleville Philharmonic "Stars of Tomorrow" concert will be on Sat Oct. 16th at 7:30 in Union United Methodist Church in Belleville. 3 soloists will be featured including Henry Meyers on cello, a pianist, and 9 yr-old Julia Harris on violin. The concert may be of special interest to violin, cello, and piano students. A promo for the performance was on Fox News this past Tuesday.
Here is a link to that TV broadcast:
http://www.fox2now.com/videobeta/b06af07c-c19f-4290-a632-01e8579ad8eb/News/Belleville-Philharmonic-Orchestra
If you find yourself in Illinois this weekend, check it out!
"The Belleville Philharmonic "Stars of Tomorrow" concert will be on Sat Oct. 16th at 7:30 in Union United Methodist Church in Belleville. 3 soloists will be featured including Henry Meyers on cello, a pianist, and 9 yr-old Julia Harris on violin. The concert may be of special interest to violin, cello, and piano students. A promo for the performance was on Fox News this past Tuesday.
Here is a link to that TV broadcast:
http://www.fox2now.com/videobeta/b06af07c-c19f-4290-a632-01e8579ad8eb/News/Belleville-Philharmonic-Orchestra
If you find yourself in Illinois this weekend, check it out!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Calendar Changes and upcoming recitals
Hi All,
We hope you are having a good fall so far. This weekend we have theory and studio classes:
1:45pm Theory in Laura's studio (note that we have moved the class 15 minutes earlier)
3pm Studio 2 - 3 octave scales and masterclass at Ivy Chapel (note the changed location)
There are a couple of changes in our calendar and location. First of all, all theory B classes will now be at 1:45 instead of 2pm to give Kirby time to get to the next class. Theory will still be held in Laura's studio at the school. The studio classes at 3pm have been moved to Ivy Chapel since attendance is higher than expected (great!) and the space in Laura's studio is a bit too tight for comfort.
Also, Suzuki group classes 1 and 4 have been moved to a larger classroom downstairs in the Sunday School at Ivy Chapel rather than in the multipurpose room as attendance at Suzuki classes has been very high (yay!) and we need some more space for everyone to feel comfortable. Hopefully with these changes everyone will feel a bit more comfortable and less cramped at classes now.
Halloween Recitals!
They are coming up!! Our Halloween recitals are for students up through 5th grade. (Sorry older students! You're getting too big now!) It's really snuck up on us as the recitals will be happening in just a few weeks on Saturday, October 30th at 2pm and 4pm. Students need to have their pieces ready no less than 3-4 weeks before the recital to be adequately prepared and perform their best, so be sure to get your piece picked out and be doing lots of practice! We don't like for kids to feel stressed at the last minute getting ready (it's hard to play well in those circumstances) so being ready well in advanced will make for a relaxed recital for everyone, including us teachers!
Dress: Students are invited to wear their Halloween costume as long as they can comfortably play in it so be sure to check ahead of time that the costume is comfortable for playing whatever instrument your child plays. Parents are welcome to come in costume too if they'd like!
Volunteers: We'll need parent volunteers to help us with set up, providing spooky treats and punch for the reception, clean up, etc. We'll have a sign up sheet at the school in a few days for the specific jobs. If you can help out, please do sign up as we really appreciate all parent support we receive.
Recital Times: There are two Halloween Recitals, one at 2pm and one at 4pm. Because we only have a limited amount of time booked at the church (they charge hourly instead of the flat fee we paid at our other church) and since we like to keep recitals for the little ones to an hour or less, we need to make sure that we have two fairly equal length recitals. For this reason, we'll have a sign up sheet at the school in a couple of days. These sign ups will have a number of spots available on each recital. Please be sure to sign up for a time!
Happy Practicing!
We hope you are having a good fall so far. This weekend we have theory and studio classes:
1:45pm Theory in Laura's studio (note that we have moved the class 15 minutes earlier)
3pm Studio 2 - 3 octave scales and masterclass at Ivy Chapel (note the changed location)
There are a couple of changes in our calendar and location. First of all, all theory B classes will now be at 1:45 instead of 2pm to give Kirby time to get to the next class. Theory will still be held in Laura's studio at the school. The studio classes at 3pm have been moved to Ivy Chapel since attendance is higher than expected (great!) and the space in Laura's studio is a bit too tight for comfort.
Also, Suzuki group classes 1 and 4 have been moved to a larger classroom downstairs in the Sunday School at Ivy Chapel rather than in the multipurpose room as attendance at Suzuki classes has been very high (yay!) and we need some more space for everyone to feel comfortable. Hopefully with these changes everyone will feel a bit more comfortable and less cramped at classes now.
Halloween Recitals!
They are coming up!! Our Halloween recitals are for students up through 5th grade. (Sorry older students! You're getting too big now!) It's really snuck up on us as the recitals will be happening in just a few weeks on Saturday, October 30th at 2pm and 4pm. Students need to have their pieces ready no less than 3-4 weeks before the recital to be adequately prepared and perform their best, so be sure to get your piece picked out and be doing lots of practice! We don't like for kids to feel stressed at the last minute getting ready (it's hard to play well in those circumstances) so being ready well in advanced will make for a relaxed recital for everyone, including us teachers!
Dress: Students are invited to wear their Halloween costume as long as they can comfortably play in it so be sure to check ahead of time that the costume is comfortable for playing whatever instrument your child plays. Parents are welcome to come in costume too if they'd like!
Volunteers: We'll need parent volunteers to help us with set up, providing spooky treats and punch for the reception, clean up, etc. We'll have a sign up sheet at the school in a few days for the specific jobs. If you can help out, please do sign up as we really appreciate all parent support we receive.
Recital Times: There are two Halloween Recitals, one at 2pm and one at 4pm. Because we only have a limited amount of time booked at the church (they charge hourly instead of the flat fee we paid at our other church) and since we like to keep recitals for the little ones to an hour or less, we need to make sure that we have two fairly equal length recitals. For this reason, we'll have a sign up sheet at the school in a couple of days. These sign ups will have a number of spots available on each recital. Please be sure to sign up for a time!
Happy Practicing!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Labor Day weekend
Hi All!
In honor of Labor Day weekend we have no group classes scheduled this Saturday. However, all private lessons for this weekend and on Labor Day are scheduled as usual unless you have already worked out an alternative time with your teacher. Have a great weekend!
In honor of Labor Day weekend we have no group classes scheduled this Saturday. However, all private lessons for this weekend and on Labor Day are scheduled as usual unless you have already worked out an alternative time with your teacher. Have a great weekend!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Group classes this Saturday
Hi all,
Welcome back! We hope you had a good summer!
This Saturday we'll start our group classes. The schedule is as follows:
1pm Theory class A (students up through 3rd grade enrolled in theory class)
2pm Theory class B (students 4-6th grade enrolled in theory class)
3pm Intermediate violin/viola studio class.
We'll be meeting in Laura's studio at the school. If we have plenty of space, theory and studio classes will continue at the school. If it's a bit cramped, we'll book space at Ivy Chapel just down the street from the school for all future classes.
Theory students should plan to bring any theory materials they own as well as their instrument. We may or may not use instruments in each class, but it's good to have in case you need it.
Studio class students need their music, any scale books they use, and their instruments. Some of you will play a solo for the class, so come prepared to play at least a portion of something you've polished.
Fiddle students are invited to Laura and Dennis' house for a fiddle jam session party this Saturday from 4:30-6pm. Students should come knowing at least a couple of fiddle tunes we've played in past semesters and should bring their instruments. If you are planning to come and have not yet RSVPed, please email Laura by Thursday so she knows how much food to order. We'll be ordering pizza and good stuff. Parents are welcome to stay but are not required to attend. If anyone attending has any special food needs, please let Laura know. Vegetarian food will be available.
Looking forward to seeing you Saturday!
Welcome back! We hope you had a good summer!
This Saturday we'll start our group classes. The schedule is as follows:
1pm Theory class A (students up through 3rd grade enrolled in theory class)
2pm Theory class B (students 4-6th grade enrolled in theory class)
3pm Intermediate violin/viola studio class.
We'll be meeting in Laura's studio at the school. If we have plenty of space, theory and studio classes will continue at the school. If it's a bit cramped, we'll book space at Ivy Chapel just down the street from the school for all future classes.
Theory students should plan to bring any theory materials they own as well as their instrument. We may or may not use instruments in each class, but it's good to have in case you need it.
Studio class students need their music, any scale books they use, and their instruments. Some of you will play a solo for the class, so come prepared to play at least a portion of something you've polished.
Fiddle students are invited to Laura and Dennis' house for a fiddle jam session party this Saturday from 4:30-6pm. Students should come knowing at least a couple of fiddle tunes we've played in past semesters and should bring their instruments. If you are planning to come and have not yet RSVPed, please email Laura by Thursday so she knows how much food to order. We'll be ordering pizza and good stuff. Parents are welcome to stay but are not required to attend. If anyone attending has any special food needs, please let Laura know. Vegetarian food will be available.
Looking forward to seeing you Saturday!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Fall calendar and TV stuff
Hi all,
We hope you've been having a good summer! Our fall semester is starting up in just 3 weeks, so I just posed the calendar for the fall on this blog and will post a copy at the school next Tuesday. Please be sure to look it over and get the dates into you calendar. Please note that some group classes this semester are at our school location and some are at Ivy Chapel, at 620 N. Woods Mill Road just down the street from the school. Also take note that if you are enrolled in group classes and theory, or Suzuki classes and studio classes, then you will have some kind of group class almost every Saturday and should plan accordingly so you can attend regularly. (This may seem like a lot of time, but is necessary for quicker progress.) This year, the fall will be a full 20 weeks, starting on Monday, August 9th. Unfortunately we cannot afford to accomodate requests to start late and cancel those first few lessons, so please let your teacher know now if you'll be on vacation during the first part of the semester so those lessons can be rescheduled.
Here's what I was doing this morning. This was on Fox 2 St. Louis. Enjoy!
We're looking forward to seeing you all soon and hearing about your summer!
We hope you've been having a good summer! Our fall semester is starting up in just 3 weeks, so I just posed the calendar for the fall on this blog and will post a copy at the school next Tuesday. Please be sure to look it over and get the dates into you calendar. Please note that some group classes this semester are at our school location and some are at Ivy Chapel, at 620 N. Woods Mill Road just down the street from the school. Also take note that if you are enrolled in group classes and theory, or Suzuki classes and studio classes, then you will have some kind of group class almost every Saturday and should plan accordingly so you can attend regularly. (This may seem like a lot of time, but is necessary for quicker progress.) This year, the fall will be a full 20 weeks, starting on Monday, August 9th. Unfortunately we cannot afford to accomodate requests to start late and cancel those first few lessons, so please let your teacher know now if you'll be on vacation during the first part of the semester so those lessons can be rescheduled.
Here's what I was doing this morning. This was on Fox 2 St. Louis. Enjoy!
We're looking forward to seeing you all soon and hearing about your summer!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Recitals this Saturday and end of semester stuff
Hi All,
Congratulations on another set of successful recitals! We've got our last two recitals this Saturday (May 22) at 11am and 2pm at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church. We're looking forward to seeing all the performances!
We're coming to the end of our semester. The last day of the spring semester is Saturday, June 5th and the summer semester will begin Monday, June 7th. Those of you who have lessons on Fridays through Mondays, you are scheduled for a lesson on Memorial Day weekend unless you already made other plans with your teacher. Because of the large number of make up lessons we all have to give before the end of the semester, we really cannot accomodate any more changes in lesson schedule over the next couple of weeks, so please aim to make your own plans accordingly.
The practice challenge is coming to an end next Saturday, May 29th. Be sure you've reported all your practice days to your teacher since we cannot count any unreported days. Be sure to get lots of practice in this week too so you have as many days as possible. We'll be tallying up the winners as well as comparing studio numbers to find out which teacher's "team" won. We'll have that information for you soon.
Have a good week!
Congratulations on another set of successful recitals! We've got our last two recitals this Saturday (May 22) at 11am and 2pm at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church. We're looking forward to seeing all the performances!
We're coming to the end of our semester. The last day of the spring semester is Saturday, June 5th and the summer semester will begin Monday, June 7th. Those of you who have lessons on Fridays through Mondays, you are scheduled for a lesson on Memorial Day weekend unless you already made other plans with your teacher. Because of the large number of make up lessons we all have to give before the end of the semester, we really cannot accomodate any more changes in lesson schedule over the next couple of weeks, so please aim to make your own plans accordingly.
The practice challenge is coming to an end next Saturday, May 29th. Be sure you've reported all your practice days to your teacher since we cannot count any unreported days. Be sure to get lots of practice in this week too so you have as many days as possible. We'll be tallying up the winners as well as comparing studio numbers to find out which teacher's "team" won. We'll have that information for you soon.
Have a good week!
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