Macy and I had fun yesterday, although it was quite a long day. Registration was at 9:30, where we received our packet with our schedule of classes on it. Next we headed into the auditorium for the Play-ins. All the children go on stage, and if you know the song that they're playing, you play along. If not, you sit down. Each song was led by a different Faculty member, and some of them did some really fun games with the kids.
Our first class was Music Theory games on the computer. They're using a fun program called Music Ace Maestro (I believe). It says ages 8-adult on it, so I don't feel too guilty helping Macy with some of the tasks. There was a difficult rhythm one I helped her with today. She usually does really well on the pitch recognition and differentiation games. Mrs. Dalgleish is the teacher for that class.
We sat and observed a late Book One class, and then an early Book Two class. They were both really fun- especially the one by Robert Richardson, the Crazy Canuck... (that's what he calls himself). He's got a lot of personality and has a lot of fun with the kids. Macy especially enjoyed watching him, in between her coloring/playtime break.
Our second class yesterday was our Master Class. There were four children for Mrs. Yong to spend about 10-15 minutes with each. Macy tried to play Lightly Row, but somehow went into Song of the Wind, and then finished up Lightly Row. I was trying not to laugh, but it was cute- she just kept playing... didn't even realize the mistake she was making. She did mention it to me on the way home, though, so I know that she knew that it wasn't quite right. Mrs. Yong gave her some bowing exercises to work on.
We thoroughly enjoyed the Jenny Oaks Baker concert. She is playing again sometime soon at the Assembly Hall on Temple Square. I'll try to find the info and post it. Jenny gave us an assortment of dance pieces that were varied and fun together. I think she's playing basically the same program at the other venue, so I really recommend that you try to make it to that.
Yummy bbq beef sandwiches, fruit, chips, drinks, and Creamies were the end of our lovely first day... all included in the price of registration. I hope you all are able to attend next year- I know that your children will greatly benefit from the experience!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Poem of the Month
Teaching a Dream
Music is a joy for him
Teaching guitar is what he loves most,
Fingers plucking at the strings,
Twinkling out some notes.
Ev'ry student moves at their own pace,
Learning song by song,
But he's always there to help,
Never to steer them wrong.
He teaches of rhythm, tone and dynamics,
To make the music more precise,
But also to make it come alive,
He gives them some advice.
He says you have to get into the music,
To make it beautiful,
Look beyond what is really there,
so it doesn't sound dull.
For him, teaching is a dream come true,
It's like a blessing sent from above,
and as always he tells me,
Do always what you love."
- Serena Doyle, 13
Serena Doyle studies piano with Sara Chan. Her father, Jim Doyle teaches Suzuki guitar in his home studio where Serena hears him teaching daily. She wrote this poem about her dad.
Encouraging Practice
The below comments are taken from "Keeping the Ball Rolling" by Rochelle Pearson from the American Suzuki Association, Vol. 35, #4.
Back in Greek times there were three disciplines: Math for the mind, Gymnastics for the body and Music for the soul... It has been proven that you use more of the brain in playing music than you do in any other activity. It incorporates emotion, mathematics, history, language, etc. Children who play an instrument tend to perform better academically. Therefore, it should be part of a child's daily activity, like doing homework or brushing teeth...
Most children don't naturally migrate to the things that are good for them in life. If left to their own, they would likely want to watch TV and/or play video games most of the day.
It is important that we approach practicing with a positive attitude, encouragement, and constructive criticism. There is no reason why practicing can't be enjoyable... Go to concerts, listen to recordings... do whatever you can to make the love of music an integral part of your lives.
I have never ... had an adult come up to me and say sadly, "Why did my parents force me to take violin lessons?" I've only heard adults say to me remorsefully, "Why did my parents let me quit!?!"... Any fine art form like dance or music must be developed young, when the muscles are developing and the mind is quick to absorb new information.
Remember that it doesn't matter whether or not your children go into music professionally in the future. What matters is that they develop mentally, physically, and emotionally as they mature, and that they develop a true love and appreciation for music for the rest of their lives.
(Ideas for practice incentives:)
Practice 10 sessions without one complaint, receiving a star each time, and after 10 stars they get a little prize.
Media time: They don't get to do screen time until all homework and practicing is done.
Hang in there- it takes time to get into a groove. Just as with the laws of motion, once you get the ball rolling, it will continue to roll, but once it stops then it takes extra effort to get it rolling again.
Back in Greek times there were three disciplines: Math for the mind, Gymnastics for the body and Music for the soul... It has been proven that you use more of the brain in playing music than you do in any other activity. It incorporates emotion, mathematics, history, language, etc. Children who play an instrument tend to perform better academically. Therefore, it should be part of a child's daily activity, like doing homework or brushing teeth...
Most children don't naturally migrate to the things that are good for them in life. If left to their own, they would likely want to watch TV and/or play video games most of the day.
It is important that we approach practicing with a positive attitude, encouragement, and constructive criticism. There is no reason why practicing can't be enjoyable... Go to concerts, listen to recordings... do whatever you can to make the love of music an integral part of your lives.
I have never ... had an adult come up to me and say sadly, "Why did my parents force me to take violin lessons?" I've only heard adults say to me remorsefully, "Why did my parents let me quit!?!"... Any fine art form like dance or music must be developed young, when the muscles are developing and the mind is quick to absorb new information.
Remember that it doesn't matter whether or not your children go into music professionally in the future. What matters is that they develop mentally, physically, and emotionally as they mature, and that they develop a true love and appreciation for music for the rest of their lives.
(Ideas for practice incentives:)
Practice 10 sessions without one complaint, receiving a star each time, and after 10 stars they get a little prize.
Media time: They don't get to do screen time until all homework and practicing is done.
Hang in there- it takes time to get into a groove. Just as with the laws of motion, once you get the ball rolling, it will continue to roll, but once it stops then it takes extra effort to get it rolling again.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
SAU Super Activity
SALT LAKE VIOLIN REGION
INVITES YOU TO ATTEND
FIDDLE FEST SUPER ACTIVITY!
Saturday, September 13th 2008
6:00pm
“THIS IS THE PLACE”
HERITAGE PARK
2601 Sunnyside Avenue- across from Hogle Zoo
With Guest Artist
THE AARON ASHTON BAND!
Bring your fiddles, families, and western wear! All violin students will perform fiddle songs together featured in the “Fairfield Fiddle Farm” Books One & Two! The Aaron Ashton Band will also perform fun fiddle music! This will be a fun (and FREE!) evening for everyone!
Song Selections Include: Old McDonald, Bile them Cabbage Down*, Cripple Creek*, Old Joe Clark*, Polly Wolly Doodle*, Golden Slippers*, Down Yonder*, Ragtime Annie*,
INVITES YOU TO ATTEND
FIDDLE FEST SUPER ACTIVITY!
Saturday, September 13th 2008
6:00pm
“THIS IS THE PLACE”
HERITAGE PARK
2601 Sunnyside Avenue- across from Hogle Zoo
With Guest Artist
THE AARON ASHTON BAND!
Bring your fiddles, families, and western wear! All violin students will perform fiddle songs together featured in the “Fairfield Fiddle Farm” Books One & Two! The Aaron Ashton Band will also perform fun fiddle music! This will be a fun (and FREE!) evening for everyone!
Song Selections Include: Old McDonald, Bile them Cabbage Down*, Cripple Creek*, Old Joe Clark*, Polly Wolly Doodle*, Golden Slippers*, Down Yonder*, Ragtime Annie*,
and the Orange Blossom Special*
*duet parts offered in Fiddle Farm Book One or Two
*duet parts offered in Fiddle Farm Book One or Two
Friday, May 30, 2008
Riverton Metropolitan Orchestra
The group I play with is performing at the Riverton Arts Festival on Thursday, June 5th at approximately 8:00 p.m. I recommend you arrive around 7:30. We will be playing many favorite Patriotic Tunes, as well as a few fun Swing Numbers. Concert will be held at Riverton City Park. The address is 12800 South 1400 West. Hope to see you there!
Institute Guest Artist Performances
All concerts held at Juan Diego High School
11800 South 300 East, Draper Utah
Monday June 16th
5:00 p.m.
Jenny Oaks Baker - Violin
Tuesday June 17th
5:00 p.m.
Jesus Morales - Cello
Wednesday June 18th
1:00 p.m.
The Fry Street Quartet
I'm not sure if the concerts are supposed to be only for Institute Attendees or not. Last year my husband came and met me and my daughter. So, I think it should be ok. I especially recommend seeing Jenny Oaks Baker play... it will be very inspiring for the students.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Meeting Recaps
Hello Everyone!
Here are a few of the things that we talked about in our meetings this week. We mostly focused on practice ideas, and how to keep your child motivated as they learn the violin/viola. If you haven't filled out a feedback chart for me yet, please do. It gives me a lot of good info to work with as far as how I can help you in your home practice, and how I can help your child to achieve their musical goals.
Practice Ideas:
1- Have a 3-ring binder or other folder to help keep track of assignment sheets. It's important for your student to review their weekly sheets and use them in their daily practice. You can also include things like Note FlashCards, the Suzuki book, and any other non-Suzuki songs I give you copies of. This helps the student to remember what they need to practice each day, and it creates a good system for Review. Just have them play through everything in the book every day, and Review is easy!
2- Draw faces on the practice chart to tell me how that day went. This is especially effective for younger students. A smile means good practice, no fighting. A frown means the practice was a struggle. Eyes with a straight line means it was somewhere in between. This way I can see what areas of practice your student enjoys, and where you might need ideas to help practice be smoother.
3- Remember that Review and Listening are THE MOST IMPORTANT parts of daily practice. If you don't have much time some days, or if it's not a happy practice day, just do the Review and Listening. These days are okay periodically. Try to let your child have some control over what they're practicing- as long as they do what's on their chart, it doesn't matter too much what order they do it in. I recommend saving their "favorite" thing to do at the end of practice... it's the dessert, the reward for practicing well. Also, remember to use those practice charts and ideas I've given each of you. If you don't have any more, or never got them, let me know.
Motivation:
In the packet I give out when you start with me, there is a sheet called "Fun Practice Ideas". This has lots of good motivating ideas on it for you to use with your student. I will be incorporating some of the Practice Charts into our lessons and offering rewards for them.
Another great way to motivate students is for them to see musical performances. I will be posting information about the concerts available at Institute in a couple of weeks. I believe they are available to the public, and are free. I would especially encourage you to take your student to the Jenny Oaks Baker concert. She is an amazing and very accomplished violinist.
Whenever I hear about good performance opportunities for your students to see, I will let you know.
I will also be giving out Christmas music to start learning over the summer. I would like to have a Christmas Concert in December after I have my baby. So, we need plenty of time to practice before I take maternity leave.
We will not be having group lessons during the summer. I will let you know how group classes will be in the Fall.
Also, remember that the SLC Area Violin Graduation is in January. You must be a member of SAU to participate. The fee is $30 for the whole year. There will also be an activity in the fall, and I'll let you know when I get info about that.
Happy Practicing, Keep up the good work, and Remember your goals as you work with your child! Harmony in the parent-child relationship is one of the most important aspects of the Suzuki Method, so keep that in mind.
Here are a few of the things that we talked about in our meetings this week. We mostly focused on practice ideas, and how to keep your child motivated as they learn the violin/viola. If you haven't filled out a feedback chart for me yet, please do. It gives me a lot of good info to work with as far as how I can help you in your home practice, and how I can help your child to achieve their musical goals.
Practice Ideas:
1- Have a 3-ring binder or other folder to help keep track of assignment sheets. It's important for your student to review their weekly sheets and use them in their daily practice. You can also include things like Note FlashCards, the Suzuki book, and any other non-Suzuki songs I give you copies of. This helps the student to remember what they need to practice each day, and it creates a good system for Review. Just have them play through everything in the book every day, and Review is easy!
2- Draw faces on the practice chart to tell me how that day went. This is especially effective for younger students. A smile means good practice, no fighting. A frown means the practice was a struggle. Eyes with a straight line means it was somewhere in between. This way I can see what areas of practice your student enjoys, and where you might need ideas to help practice be smoother.
3- Remember that Review and Listening are THE MOST IMPORTANT parts of daily practice. If you don't have much time some days, or if it's not a happy practice day, just do the Review and Listening. These days are okay periodically. Try to let your child have some control over what they're practicing- as long as they do what's on their chart, it doesn't matter too much what order they do it in. I recommend saving their "favorite" thing to do at the end of practice... it's the dessert, the reward for practicing well. Also, remember to use those practice charts and ideas I've given each of you. If you don't have any more, or never got them, let me know.
Motivation:
In the packet I give out when you start with me, there is a sheet called "Fun Practice Ideas". This has lots of good motivating ideas on it for you to use with your student. I will be incorporating some of the Practice Charts into our lessons and offering rewards for them.
Another great way to motivate students is for them to see musical performances. I will be posting information about the concerts available at Institute in a couple of weeks. I believe they are available to the public, and are free. I would especially encourage you to take your student to the Jenny Oaks Baker concert. She is an amazing and very accomplished violinist.
Whenever I hear about good performance opportunities for your students to see, I will let you know.
I will also be giving out Christmas music to start learning over the summer. I would like to have a Christmas Concert in December after I have my baby. So, we need plenty of time to practice before I take maternity leave.
We will not be having group lessons during the summer. I will let you know how group classes will be in the Fall.
Also, remember that the SLC Area Violin Graduation is in January. You must be a member of SAU to participate. The fee is $30 for the whole year. There will also be an activity in the fall, and I'll let you know when I get info about that.
Happy Practicing, Keep up the good work, and Remember your goals as you work with your child! Harmony in the parent-child relationship is one of the most important aspects of the Suzuki Method, so keep that in mind.
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