A Glimpse at Our Year End

Dear Parents:
Level 1 Class Starts for the next few weeks at 5:15-thank you again for your co-operation with this change. Returning in a few weeks to normal times-SEE BELOW.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE NEXT TWO MONTHS:

CLASS DATE CHANGE:
                        Tuesday, May 7th class is changed to Thursday May 9th                               
                         with Regular Class times Level 2 4 -4:45 Ensembles 4:45- 5:15
                                    Level 1 5:15-6:05, same as this week and next week.

May 28 1.LEVEL 1 RESUMES Earlier class time  :3:45 start 4pm Last Tuesday in May
                 LEVEL 2 stays extra 15  minutes, for joint concert rehearsal. Ensembles play for Level 1.
             2. LAST PAY DATE final fee - $30 PER STUDENT is due.

CONCERT  DATE June 11: Dress Rehearsal for all Arrive 3:45 4pm start
                                    Students wear their Matt shirts and light or colourful skirts /pants.
                                                            CONCERT start 5 to 6 pm
                                               INVITE your friends and family NOW to attend.
     Parents who would be willing to provide and set up some simple refreshments for performers and guests for after the concert, are invited to do so. MATT will provide some (60 or so )cookies, but additional goodies and drinks would help. Set up and cover during Dress rehearsal -unveil at end of concert. Thank you to any who can help! We can discuss this at any time between now and then.

Tuesday June 18th Last regular class.
Tuesday June 25th 4-6pm Annual Year-end Pizza and Pool Party for students and parents.
                                Swimming for  students whose parents/guardian supervise them
                                    at Ms Currie's home  (1 block from MATT class room)

This week's Homework
LEVEL 2
AFS Book Review167 and  171. NEW #172 and #176 .
LARGO: Scale of D check for perfect tuning and correct rhythms.
                Careful work on tuning, timing and bowing is required.
HAYMAKER HOEDOWN: Scale of G Add strong energetic bowing
BEETHOVEN: Tuning, smooth bowings.
TWINKLE variations in new Key of D
NEW: BLUE DANUBE slow careful work up to bar 27.
                           and.... PRACTICE YOUR ENSEMBLE MUSIC TOO!

LEVEL 1
Careful review of position, both R.hand and L.hand. Relax hands , arms and shoulders
2. Scales of D and G, with straight bow and wrist pulling up and down
3.Twinkle with all 4 rhythms  Practice Pattern: Day 1:
 Play the Twinkle song, then Mississippi hotdog . Day 2 same as Day 1, but add I stop and You stop, Day 3 same but add Run Pony and Day 4 Play all rhythms-last one is Mrssippi Mrssippi

4. Long Long ago from memory
5. AFS Book : review carefully with good tuning of fingers:#32-34                    
                             NEXT WEEK OUR NEW CONCERT FINALE SONG!

CONCERT Preparations UNDERWAY!

CONCERT PLANNING
Our Concert Date is tentatively set for June 4th at 5 pm
That day class will be held for all students at 4PM-A WARM UP RUN THROUGH of the concert.
This year we  are hoping to have as a guest ensemble, a "Rosebud Orchestra" String Quartet, featuring Cecilia Lee as first violinist.  Also we will have performances by a MATT string Quartet, and cello ensemble. Exciting new stuff which demonstrates the progress of our Little Music School!

SURVEY RESULTS: In order to find rehearsal time for the ensembles, we have asked Parents to fill in a survey about class time changes. The results show everyone as quite settled in their usual times.

So we will be asking the Level ONE class students if they can help out with the timing . Level 2 students need to be able to have ENSEMBLE  rehearsals RIGHT AFTER THEIR CLASS.

LEVEL ONE PARENTS!
question: Would it be possible to come to class at 5:05, STARTING CLASS AT 5:15 till 6:05?This would start on Tuesday April 23rd.
This would help us immensely! IF it can be done, the problem is solved.
We are growing, and these adjustments are part of the expanding process-thank you for your help!

THIS WEEK'S HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
LEVEL 1
It is time to review our beautiful playing positions very carefully- please check on open string cycle :

• JW bow grip for ALL fingers rounded, thumb bent
• LT violin holding position for high -on top of shoulder position. (No left shoulder should be showing, violin parallel to floor)
• HM left hand -open position -left forearm- straight line, from left pinkie 1st knuckle to elbow.
• all: left hand "mouse hole" space between first finger and thumb, elbow pulled in 

HOMEWORK assignment:
1. Long,Long Ago- keep learning- with perfect tuning-1st finger on tape.
                                      
2.Twinkle- start with theme-long bows, then each day do a different rhythm: mississippi hotdog,
                                                             I stop and you stop, run pony, and mississippi mississippi.
3. In All for Strings:review # 24, 25 and then NEW #26 to #30.

LEVEL 2
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
1. All for Strings: continue work on f natural and f#-NEW: 159, 160, 161
                           then review164 and 165, with perfect tuning.
2. Pieces: LARGO; Work on timing and tuning
            HAYMAKER HOEDOWN: pizz. sections- strong left hand and right hand!
                                                            double strings: strong and clear
                                                            melody parts clear
Quartet ENSEMBLE: Work on new Mouret  piece to learn notes and rhythms for next rehearsal.

GREAT STUFF!  If you are doing the careful practice, you know you are progressing!!
                                            BRING IN THOSE PRACTICE CHARTS each week!
            

Private lessons this week/Concert planning

Parents' Notes:

Please let Nikeeta know your preference for CONCERT TIME: Tuesday 5pm
                                                                                   OR Tuesday 7pm
We will base our planning on your votes!
Date is still to be arranged
Students will need black pants or skirt and our Orch t-shirt for concert performance.

LEVEL 2 HOMEWORK

NOTES: 1. Bring your practice charts to class, with dates and record of work done on each homework ass't FIVE days of practice will help you achieve real progress!
2. Please use clear tape to tape your pieces together -eg. Variations on Twinkle
 All fo Strings book- #147 to #153 working in the key of F major

Scales of F, G and D

Pieces: Largo-scale of D major
           Haymaker Hoedown  scale of G major

LEVEL 1 HOMEWORK Don't forget you practice charts-

you need to practice 4 days a week to really see improvement.

All for strings Book : #21, 22,23, 25

Scales: D Major and G major
Play with all 3 rhythms
and now adding  "I stop and you stop" on each note.

SONGS: Twinkle
             Long, Long Ago

   HAVE A WONDERFUL AND MUSICAL WEEK!!!