Institute Day Two

Our day was a little more eventful today. We started at 9:00 with a group Technique class. Macy learned some fun new games to play with bow hands - focusing on bent thumbs, round pinkies, and flat knuckles. She also worked on having a heavy head to keep the violin up tall. Mrs. Keddington, the teacher was very upbeat and fun with the children.

Next was a group Repertoire class at 10:00, where the children worked on playing in unison. They mostly played through the Twinkles, but also did Lightly Row, Song of the Wind, Go Tell Aunt Rhody and O Come, Little Children. Macy really wanted to play the songs she doesn't know yet, and was a little discouraged that she couldn't. But she still did really well with following directions and playing her best on the songs she knows. Mrs. White (teacher) also had some fun new games. I'm really enjoying my observation time and the ideas it gives me as a teacher.

Our computer class was at 11:00. Macy is supposed to try to make it through 5 lessons a day. We're averaging two... Some of them are really difficult. But it's ok, she's still learning a lot about theory and enjoying herself. Tonight when I asked her what her favorite class is, she said, "I just like all my classes!" I'm really glad we're doing this together. I hope it will become a yearly tradition, and that next year we can include Elise as well.

We came home for a couple of hours to have lunch and play with Isaak, then Rob picked him up and we went back for our Master Class with Mrs. Yong. Macy did really well with the bowing exercises she was given yesterday, so she got some more to work on. I'm videotaping her classes too, so we can watch and review what she needs to work on. Can't wait for tomorrow!

Come to the Final Concert!

ISSI FINAL CONCERT

Saturday June 21st, 11:00 a.m.

Juan Diego High School Auditorium

I recommend you come early to find seats- it will fill up FAST. We are not allowed to save seats beforehand. This is the concert where all the students get to show off the things they've been working on this week. Please come and support them, and see what fun things YOU could be doing NEXT SUMMER!!!

Jenny Oaks Baker

SATURDAY JUNE 28, 2008
7:30 PM
Temple Square Performances:

Jenny Oaks Baker, Violin
Location: Assembly Hall

Please go see her perform! Your children need to see this wonderful violin virtuoso!

Institute Day One

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!

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.

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*,

and the Orange Blossom Special*
*duet parts offered in Fiddle Farm Book One or Two