THANKS TO YOU, PARENTS!

PARENTS NOTES

BEGINNERS' PARENTS
NOW THAT THE INSTRUMENTS ARE HERE AND WE ARE UP AND RUNNING,
please be advised that YOU are now in training also !! (LOL)
TWO THINGS:
1. Please arrive no less than 10 min before class time.
2. Remember you should be observing the class, helping your child, 
taking notes if needed, 
Then you can help your child practice.
Find a time, (10 or 15 min max for now, the same time every day, which works for your family. Then it is built into the schedule, just like bedtime, or dinner time.

THANKS SO MUCH, TO 

Susan dal Dosso, Tammie Thompson and Bradley Georges

for spending their morning helping with this rather large task!

Tuesday morning was a BIG EVENT for MATT!

We unloaded our NEW INSTRUMENTS , labelled them and organized them for delivery to our VERY PATIENT TUESDAY BEGINNERS!

 We are very happy with the quality of our new instruments,

 which were made especially for us!

  A HUGE THANK YOU TO REMENYI HOUSE OF MUSIC,

AND ESPECIALLY TO TD MUSICOUNTS!!

Next week we hope to  have photos of our beginners!

HOMEWORK THIS WEEK
BEGINNERS

 MARK YOUR PRACTICE CHART SESSION EACH DAY WITH CHECK MARKS.

During tuning time before class, show it to your teacher- if you have 4 days practice marked you may choose a sticker for your chart! 

EACH DAY REVIEW THE FOLLOWING:

1. Sitting position- front of chair, back straight, feet flat on floor

2. Bow hold . All fingers stay curved. Use your hand-out  photo  to make sure it is correct. PRACTICE the bow hold 5 times before holding your instrument

4. Bow exercises: Windshield wiper, Monkey crawl up and down, Twinkle with coin.

3. Instrument hold. Take the time to practice the correct hold position 5 times, before putting the bow on the string.

4. Placing bow on strings. LIFT arm above your string, drop weight of arm onto string, feel it "settle into" the string. Pull four short strokes-down ,up ,down, up. Keep bow in centre between bridge and fingerboard. Keep it in line (parallel) to the bridge.

5. String Cycle: Drop bow onto your lowest (thickest) string. Pull four short strokes, then move to next string and repeat bow strokes. 

                  MAKE SURE YOUR ARM LEVEL IS CORRECT FOR EACH STRING.
                                     AND YOUR RIGHT ELBOW IS RELAXED.

NEW: 1. LEFT HAND POSITION.

VIOLIN - VIOLA: . Curve all LEFT HAND FINGERS. Move your hand away from you, palm up, to the end of the string. Your first finger joint from the hand sits beside the end of the fingerboard. Drop hand down from this knuckle, 1st finger joint touches side of neck. Keep elbow under the instrument and forearm straight, place finger tip on string. Sing DOH RE. (remember Doh a deer song?)

CELLO: Align your let knuckle with top of fingerboard, poin tfingertip down on string. This is your 1st finger spot. Keep finger on spot and bring hand down, palm facing you. All finger sit above the string. Always keep thumb opposite second finger tip

NEW: 2. 0-1 string cycle. Place your first finger above the correct spot to play "doh re" -(open string then 1 on each string) as you practice four short strokes on each string. Play 0 0 0 0   1 1  1  1  
                   A A A A  B B B B     etc on each string as in string cycle.

INTERMEDIATE

Those who wish TO AUDITION  for  ADVANCED CLASS 
MAY MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO DO SO.
You will be expected to play 3 selections from AFS  Book 1, from the last 10 pages, correctly with correct tuning and rhythms.

BRING DETAILED PRACTICE CHARTS to class
PRACTICE 5 DAYS EACH WEEK

1. THIS WEEK all students are required to: 
Review the hard parts from Ex 71 to 81.
THEN
 READ AND LEARN ALL EXERCISES IN THE BOOK, FROM # 82 to #92

                            

 2.  CONTINUE : MAMBO from the CONGO- bars 1-8. Count carefully.

3. Review: MOUNTAIN WILLIAM- long bows. VIOLINS, PLEASE ADD THE BOTTOM LINE UNDER YOUR LAST LINE OF SHEET MUSIC

REMEMBER:

 CLASS TIME EXTRA HELP Those who are not yet able to easily read the assigned AFS material, will be receiving special help sessions for part of the class, while others move forward with new material.

ADVANCED

BRING DETAILED PRACTICE CHARTS to class

1. BRING YOUR SCALE SHEET, with  correct fingerings marked in by your teacher, to class. Be ready to play all of these scales well in class, with shifting as required.

2. Mozart Quartet 2 : PRACTICE SPICCATO (BOUNCED BOW) on your D scale
 NEW: BAR 17 to the end. AIM FOR a LIGHT CLEAR SOUND a la MOZART!

3. BROTHER JAMES AIR:   Play Scale of C+
                               PRACTICE separately ALL EIGHTH NOTE BARS counting 1+2+3+

4. LONDONDERRY AIR: Scale of F Major.     Listen on YOUTUBE !!

NEW: Learn  AL!L

       ALL- write in counting under eighth note parts: mark in 1+2+3+4+ every bar. 

5. LA PALOMA: Play scale of G Major Learn to Bar 64!  Continue working on MELODY PARTS. "Woodshed" (DRILL repeatedly) in groups of 4 notes , 16th notes sections, till very clear and perfect.

BILLY TELL:  (G Major) Learn  ALL- practice 16th note passages, in small groups, then eighths, etc to gallop speed! 

HAVE A VERY HAPPY ( IF SPOOKY ) HALLOWE"EN, EVERYONE!

LET'S GO, TUESDAY BEGINNERS!

PARENTS' NOTES

PRIVATE LESSONS WILL BE HELD THIS WEEK- BE EARLY!

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TUESDAY BEGINNERS' CLASSES WILL RESUME THIS TUESDAY.

As you know we have all been very disappointed with the delay in receiving instruments.

BUT THIS TUESDAY you will each have your BRAND NEW VIOLIN, VIOLA OR CELLO FINALLY IN YOUR HANDS.

Please arrive as early as you can before 4pm if possible ,so we can get the instruments signed out quickly and resume our learning.

Parents will not be charged for previous classes. Your 12 weeks will begin Tuesday October 27 and end February 16th!

Many thanks to the parents who can help unload and prepare our new instruments

 Tuesday Morning: Susan dal Dosso, Arlene and Bradley Georges, and Tammie Thompson! 

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SANTA CLAUSE PARADE

WE WERE NOT ABLE TO GET THIS PROJECT OFF THE GROUND FOR THIS YEAR. WE MAY TRY FOR NEXT YEAR, WITH AN EARLIER START.

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ROSE ORCHESTRA and ROSEBUDS IN CONCERT ON HALLOWE'EN

If you possibly can attend this concert, you'll enjoy some very famous scary music, 

including the beautiful Phantom of the Opera, Night on Bald Mountain and more! a\

See the Rosebuds Youth Orchestra perform in costume as well!

Akilah can arrange tickets for you Tuesday at the usual LOW rates!

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HOMEWORK THIS WEEK

BEGINNERS
TUESDAY CLASS- ARRIVE BY 4PM
We are hoping to have our new instruments for next Tuesday, so please arrive in lots of time to receive and sign out your instrument, and equipment.
Check this blog again Monday for further info re new instruments

WEDNESDAY CLASS: Review ALL of the following, 4 days this week:
NEW: MARK YOUR PRACTICE CHART SESSION EACH DAY WITH CHECK MARKS

1. Sitting position- front of chair, back straight, feet flat on floor

2. Bow hold . All fingers stay curved. Use your hand-out  photo  to make sure it is correct. PRACTICE the bow hold 5 times before holding your instrument

4. Bow exercises: Windshield wiper, Monkey crawl up and down, Twinkle with coin.

3. Instrument hold. Take the time to practice the correct hold position 5 times, before putting the bow on the string.

4. Placing bow on strings. LIFT arm above your string, drop weight of arm onto string, feel it "settle into" the string. Pull four short strokes-down ,up ,down, up. Keep bow in centre between bridge and fingerboard. Keep it in line (parallel) to the bridge.

5. String Cycle: Drop bow onto your lowest (thickest) string. Pull four short strokes, then move to next string and repeat bow strokes. 

MAKE SURE YOUR ARM LEVEL IS CORRECT FOR EACH STRING AND YOUR RIGHT ELBOW ARE RELAXED 

NOW YOU ARE READY TO PLACE YOUR FINGERS ON THE STRINGS!

INTERMEDIATE

BRING DETAILED PRACTICE CHARTS to class
PRACTICE 5 DAYS EACH WEEK

1. THIS WEEK all students are required to: 
 READ AND LEARN ALL EXERCISES IN THE BOOK, FROM # 70 p. 25 to #81, p.27

For #75, violins play solo line and cellos the ensemble line

                            

 2.  NEW : MAMBO from the CONGO- bars 1-8. Count carefully.

3. Review: MOUNTAIN WILLIAM- long bows. VIOLINS, PLEASE ADD THE BOTTOM LINE UNDER YOUR LAST LINE OF SHEET MUSIC

REMEMBER:

 CLASS TIME EXTRA HELP Those who are not yet able to easily read the assigned AFS material, will be receiving special help sessions for part of the class, while others move forward with new material.

ADVANCED

BRING DETAILED PRACTICE CHARTS to class

1. PRIVATE LESSONS THIS WEEK:  BE SURE to TAKE your NEW SCALES SHEET with you. Your two octave scales may will need to have correct fingering inserted for your correct practice.

2. Mozart Quartet 2 : Play scale D major - bars 1 to 16. 
NEW: PRACTICE SPICCATO (BOUNCED BOW) on your D scale

3. BROTHER JAMES AIR:   Play Scale of C+
                               PRACTICE separately ALL EIGHTH NOTE BARS counting 1+2+3+

4. LONDONDERRY AIR: Scale of F Major. Review up to 27. Listen on YOUTUBE
NEW: Learn  BARS 28 to 36: 
       ALL- write in counting under eighth note parts: 1+2+3+4+ every bar. 

5. LA PALOMA: Play scale of G Major Learn to Bar 64!  Continue working on MELODY PARTS. "Woodshed" in groups of 4 , 16th notes sections, till very clear and perfect.

BILLY TELL:  (G Major) Learn  ALL- practice 16th note passages, in small groups, then eights, etc to gallop speed! 

It's almost November- we'll be starting CHRISTMAS MUSIC SOON
for Christmas Concerts to come!!

INSTRUMENTS WERE NOT DELIVERED MONDAY

 UPDATE NOTICE FOR 

TUESDAY BEGINNERS CLASS PARENTS:

Tuesday October 20, 2015 

NO TUESDAY BEGINNER CLASS TODAY.
Since our instruments unfortunately did not arrive on schedule yesterday we will be unable to have them picked up and ready by this afternoon. They will arrive some time today, but this does not allow us enough time to pick them up from downtown Toronto,label all pieces, record assignments, and have them ready by class time.
Of course we are all very disappointed with this but it can't be helped. 
We sincerely apologize for this delay.

PARENTS will be pleased to hear that, due to the unforseen late arrival of instruments this term, we will credit you for the 3 classes held so far, and begin your 12 week series of lessons starting next week  October 27th. A FRESH START for all!

NEXT WEEK PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY so we can hand them out in an orderly fashion and resume our classes! 
IN the meantime, be sure to prepare by reviewing bow exercises and you string names

Still looking forward with great anticipation ! 

Again, thank you for your understanding and patience.

Andrea Currie Jefferson,

Director, Music At The Towers, (MATT)

----------------------------------------

Monday's BLOG as posted previously is below:

Later today, we will learn (a) whether in fact the instruments for Tuesday Beginners                                         arrive,as expected today into the downtown shop .

       (b) whether we will be not be able to deliver them to our students tomorrow Tues. October 20th

      Please be sure to check back to this BLOG before leaving for Tuesday class.

 If for any reason we are not able to pick up and prepare instruments for tomorrow's 4pm class, there will be a notice indicating that the class will be cancelled till next Tuesday.

We are very sorry for this delay, but as you know this cannot be avoided, if we are to receive these new instruments for your children, courtesy of the TD Musicounts Program.

We are certain that our classes so far along with your support, will enable the children to move forward quickly once we have handed them into your care. 

Looking forward with great anticipation ! 

Again, thank you for your understanding and patience.

Andrea Currie Jefferson,

Director, Music At The Towers, (MATT)

OCT 14: LESSONS START THIS WEEK FOR INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED CLASSES

PARENT NOTES:

PRIVATE LESSONS THIS WEEK

Please be sure to arrange and attend this week- your first lesson of  2015/16 MATT Year.

These lessons are very important to your child's progress and mandatory for every Intermediate and Advanced student.

Check by text with Akilah- or call her after 4pm weekdays if  unsure of your time.

Missing lessons may lead to charges for them.

SANTA CLAUSE PARADE- SIGN UP BY FRIDAY

Brampton Santa Claus Parade, November 21st, 2015 

This is always a beautiful night time family event . We will NOT be playing, just displaying our banner, and marching in the parade, or possibly sitting on a float. 

IF we have 20 students signed up THIS WEEK, we will register. The deadline is this Friday. If we have the numbers, then Shannon Dickson will head up the details. 

We will ask a $10 fee for each student.. We are a non- profit organization, and are willing to contribute up to $100, as a form of advertising and community goodwill, if necessary. 

Please speak to Shannon about this if you have any questions - Akilah has her number. 

Thanks so much Shannon for taking the initiative on this!

BEGINNERS
TUESDAY CLASS- ARRIVE BY 4PM
We are hoping to have our new instruments for next Tuesday, so please arrive in lots of time to receive and sign out your instrument, and equipment.
Check this blog again Monday for further info re new instruments

Review ALL of the following, 4 days this week:

1. Sitting position- front of chair, back straight, feet flat on floor

2. Bow hold with a pencil, then with your bow .All fingers stay curved. Use your hand-out  photo  to make sure it is correct. PRACTICE the bow hold 5 times before holding your instrument

4. Bow exercises: Windshield wiper, Monkey crawl up and down, Twinkle with coin.

3. Instrument hold. Take the time to practice the correct hold position 5 times, before putting the bow on the string.

4. Placing bow on strings. LIFT arm above your string, drop weight of arm onto string, feel it "settle into" the string. Pull four short strokes-down ,up ,down, up. Keep bow in centre between bridge and fingerbard. Keep it in line (parallel

5. String Cycle: Drop bow onto your lowest (thickest) string. Pull four short strokes, then move to next string and repeat bow strokes. Continue on each string.

INTERMEDIATE

BRING DETAILED PRACTICE CHARTS to class

1. THIS WEEK all students must have a good knowledge of ALL AFS exercises covered so far :

                             numbers: 46, 70,110, 123, 127, 183, 134

                             NEW : MAMBO from the CONGO- bars 1-4
2. Review: MOUNTAIN WILLIAM

 CLASS TIME EXTRA HELP Those who are not yet able to easily read the assigned AFS material, will be receiving special help sessions for part of the class, while others move forward with new material.

ADVANCED

BRING DETAILED PRACTICE CHARTS to class

BE SURE to TAKE your NEW SCALES SHEET to your PRIVATE LESSON. At least One of them will need to have correct fingering inserted for your careful practice.

NEW PIECE: Mozart Quartet 2 in D major -bars 1 to 14.

BROTHER JAMES AIR:   Scale of C+ till bar 33, then D +. Violin 2:  melody b 33 to 43.
                                          PRACTICE ALL 

LONDONDERRY AIR: Scale of F Major. Learn to BAR 27: 
       VIOLIN 1- write in counting for melody: 1+2+3+4+ every bar. Listen on YOUTUBE

LA PALOMA: G Major Learn to Bar 64!  Play YOUR MELODY PARTS with confidence

BILLY TELL:  G Major Learn  ALL- practice 16th note passages to gallop speed!

HAVE FUN LEARNING ALL YOUR GREAT MUSIC!

SANTA CLAUSE PARADE?

PARENTS NOTES

Shannon Dickson (Mom of Ali and Meghan) has suggested we participate in the 

Brampton Santa Claus Parade, November 21st 

This is always a beautiful night time family event . We will NOT be playing, just displaying our banner, and marching in the parade, or possibly sitting on a float. The plan is to broadcast some beautiful music as we go by, if that can be done.

IF we have 20 students signed up by this Tuesday, we will register. The deadline is this Friday. If we have the numbers, then Shannon will head up the details. 

It costs $300 to join in, and so we will ask a $10 fee for each student.. We are a non- profit organization, and would contribute up to $100, as a form of advertising and community goodwill, if necessary. The Parade Organization covers most other costs for us as a Non Profit.

Please speak to Shannon about this if you have any questions - Akilah has her number. 

I think the children would enjoy the experience; we would need to be sure to keep ourselves warm and dry- no guarantee that it will be excellent weather. 

 PRIVATE LESSONS START THIS WEEK Oct 13 to 17  

for all Intermediate and Advanced students.

If you haven't signed up, call or speak to Akilah Tuesday and book your lesson slot.

ALL STUDENTS are REQUIRED to have a PRIVATE LESSON every two weeks.

Theory lessons will be added once we have our teachers in place.

HOMEWORK THIS WEEK

BEGINNERS

Review ALL of the following, 4 days this week:

1. Sitting position- front of chair, back straight, feet flat on floor

2. Bow hold with a pencil, then with your bow .All fingers stay curved. Use your hand-out  photo  to make sure it is correct. PRACTICE the bow hold 5 times before holding your instrument

4. Bow exercises: Windshield wiper, Monkey crawl up and down, Twinkle with coin.

3. Instrument hold. Take the time to practice the correct hold position 5 times, before putting the bow on the string.

4. Placing bow on strings. LIFT arm above your string, drop weight of arm onto string, feel it "settle into" the string. Pull four short strokes-down ,up ,down, up. Keep bow in centre between bridge and fingerbard. Keep it in line (parallel

5. String Cycle: Drop bow onto your lowest (thickest) string. Pull four short strokes, then move to next string and repeat bow strokes. Continue on each string.

INTERMEDIATE

BRING DETAILED PRACTICE CHARTS to class

1. THIS WEEK all students must have a good knowledge of ALL AFS exercises covered so far :

                             numbers: 46, 70,110, 123, 127, 183, 

                             NEW : 134:  Can Can

NEW THIS WEEK: CLASS TIME EXTRA HELP  If needed, those who are not yet able to easily read the assigned AFS material, will be receiving special help sessions for part of the class, while others move forward with new material.

2. Review: MOUNTAIN WILLIAM

ADVANCED

BRING DETAILED PRACTICE CHARTS to class

BE SURE to PLAY the SCALES before working on the pieces.

BROTHER JAMES AIR:   Scale of C major PRACTICE ALL

LONDONDERRY AIR: Scale of F Major. Learn to BAR 27: 

LA PALOMA: G Major Learn to Bar 26

BILLY TELL:  G Major Learn  ALL

THANK YOU ALL FOR SHARING IN THE APPRECIATION OF OUR CHILDREN!

HAVE A  BOUNTIFUL THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

PARENT MEETINGS BEGINNING OF CLASS TUESDAY!

PARENTS' NOTES:

CLASS TIMES, as posted in Sept. 17th Blog

BEGINNERS:   Tuesday arrive at 4pm. Class: 4:15 - 4:45
Wed: arrive at 4:45 pm. Class: 5 - 5:30

      INTERMEDIATES: ARRIVE 4:45 class 5PM till 5:45

           ADVANCED CLASS: ARRIVE 5:45 class 6 TO 7 PM

INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED PARENTS' MEETINGS
There are a few adjustments to our Private Lesson offerings this year. We would like to make sure everyone understands the changes before we start the lessons, so please come to the beginning of your child's class to hear what's up!

NEW: PARENTS' COUNCIL

Thanks to all the parents who have been helping out with various aspects of our program at concerts, before/after classes, and in other ways as well! I so appreciate that you just jump in and offer assistance when needed. 

This year an interested parent has agreed to help co-ordinate these efforts in a more organized way,and to help take over a few of the "non'musical" tasks which are naturally growing bigger as we grow! 

Arlene Saunders Georges, has considerable experience and skill with these kinds of organizations, and is a very caring and supportive member of our MATT family (Mom of Marianna and Graeme). She will be introducing herself to you at some point and planning a few short class-time meetings with you, to get started. I know you will all help if you can, in a way in which you are interested and comfortable.

 THANKS TO ARLENE, and TO YOU ALL, IN ADVANCE. 

                                                The load feels lighter already! 

OUR MATT MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAM OFFERS  

LIVE ORCHESTRA CONCERT OPPORTUNITIES

HERE at  BRAMPTON"S ROSE THEATRE!

This Saturday is the first performance . This has been a quick turn around so if you miss it , just be ready to jump in for the next, and as many as you can! Because it is so important for us, we arrange for lowest possible ticket prices, but we have to plan ahead. 

You will be informed early for each future concert.- the next one is on Hallowe'en, after trick or treating, at 8pm,and features the youth orchestra as well- "the Rosebuds" We have found this to be very inspiring for our students, so make sure you provide them with as many  chances as possible  to see what they can do with their instruments! 

Our students eventually move into the Rosebuds as the next step in their learning!

HOMEWORK THIS WEEK

BEGINNERS
Spend 10 minutes 4 days of the week to carefully review all of the info below.:
1.How to sit on your chair for easiest hold position
2.How to hold the bow- practice with a pencil -all fingers slightly spread, gently curved  and relaxed- no straight fingers or thumb.
3. MUSIC ALPHABET:
Review the 7 different notes of the music alphabet, starting with A
4.Name your strings- :Start with C (cello and viola) on the lowest (thickest string) and count up 5 to name the next one, etc-till you have all four names. 
violins start with G lowest as 1 .count to 5th note , next string name
(We all have three of the same strings.) 

Wednesday Class: BUNNY HOPS ONTO BOW
how to open case carefully, put on shoulder rest,
sit on chair correctly
Correct way to hold the violin/cello ,no left hand. REPEAT, REPEAT, SLOWLY, CARFEULLY!

INTERMEDIATES
practice 5 times per week- 30 min
Bring practice record to class.

Continuing our REVIEW in ALL FOR STRINGS BOOK:
Read the hints and charts on each page to help remember notes:

1. PERFECT last week's exercises: P.21 46, P.25 70, P.33 #110

2. Use the #1 homework exercises above to remember the notes for exercises and songs below.  You may write NOTE NAMES AND FINGERS in, in pencil if needed : #123, 127

3. REVIEW, write in notes/fingerings AS NEEDED and learn all notes for "Happy Blues"

4. "Mountain William" same review notes as above- pencil in if needed
 count correctly: 4/4 time that is: 1,2 3,4 in each bar
 quarter notes (black notes) = 1 beat   half notes (empty with stem) = 2 beats

ADVANCED
Practice 5 times per week- 40 to 60 min
Bring practice record to class.

1. Continue LONDONDERRY AIR: SCALE OF F : Bb mark them in! 
                                                                                 NO SHARPS   - Learn to bar 27
2. Continue BROTHER JAMES AIR:  SCALE OF C NO #'s or b's- Learn to bar 29
3. Continue LA PALOMA : SCALE OF G : F# only. Learn to bar 40
4. Continue BILLY TELL : SCALE OF G  Learn to bar 32

HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE ROSE SATURDAY NIGHT!