SEE the REWARDS of PRACTICE!!

SOUND BYTES FROM ADMINISTRATION

January 28, 2016

musicatthetowers@gmail.com

Parents need to sign up this coming week for tickets for the Rose performance. It's going to be amazing!!

BEGINNER LESSONS:

We are making progress with the beginner lessons!  Please stay tuned.  We are expecting lessons still to be able to start the week of Feb 8th!

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Beginner parents:

We would appreciate if you could be present in class tomorrow for a special presentation by Councillor Medeiros at 430pm.  

Please bring your money if you ordered a music stand.

Please sign in (this week only) with Administration and confirm your private lesson time!!

THANKS!!

Marilyn

MATT Parents

Music stand order goes in this week. Sign up today with Marilyn.

Beginner lessons - see Marilyn to discuss your available times.

Up-coming event, February 13! "Classic Romance"
a program of audience requests.
INCLUDING the Rosebud Orchestra-Try not to miss this one!

Valentine's Day Weekend at the Rose Theatre.

Save The Date! Order your tickets starting Tuesday Feb.2nd!

Remember to sign up for Theory Lessons.

                                                                               Matt Parent--Patrenella

HOMEWORK THIS WEEK

ALL STUDENTS are REMINDED TO BRING YOUR CHART TO CLASS 

BEGINNERS

TUESDAY CLASS : FILL IN and BRING THEORY SHEETS to class next week 

1. Scale of D: long bows.          

    then again with these rhythms on each note:

2. TWINKLE -long bows- smooth, beautiful sound         

           (A) Mississippi Hot Dog - upper half of bow, use elbow 

          (B) Run Pony - long, short short full and half bows

          (C) Misissippi Mississippi middle bows

 3. TUESDAY Class : REVIEW  "Long, Long Ago" Line 1.
                                          USE HANDOUTS FOR THIS SONG

                                                                                                                                                       

                   

4. Wednesday Class :  PLEASE BRING YOUR MUSIC STANDS NEXT WEEK  IF you have ordered one, please bring payment . They will be available for you to pick up.

(a)Review all of above :Scale of D,

(b)TWINKLE with all BOWINGS 

 (c) ALL of Long Long Ago -with measured full and half bows.

                                                                              INTERMEDIATE

                                        

                                          PRACTICE FIVE DAYS A WEEK and....

                                                    bring chart to class!

              Practice your Suzuki song regularly

1. Scale of D, Scale of C

2. ALL FOR STRINGS: REVIEW #165 

NEW this week:167,, 168, 170, 171, 176, 177, 178, 179,  180, 181

3. REVIEW: MAMBO-  LEARN Up to ONE BAR before C: 
      TO PREPARE: Play Scale of C- NO SHARPS
       Start on YOUR LOWEST C and go to your highest note on A or C string 
                                                         F Bb and C are VERY low 
                                                

4.  ROSA LEE: Scale of D- 2 sharps F# and C# as usual  . LONG smooth bows

                                            

ADVANCED

                                          BRING YOUR CHART TO CLASS 

                                          PRACTICE FIVE DAYS A WEEK

              

1. Suzuki song practice 

2. Brandenburg: scale first, Baroque bowing styles:  first section to bar 43
3. Mozart: scale first- light style bars 75 to end. Last 3 unison bars- exactly in tune
4. Sine Nomine :scale first, intro to bar 61; ;dynamics: FULL BOWS --> FULL SOUND
5. Brother James Air-c major section to bar 29

6. Continue work to perfect details in the following re: NOTES, RHYTHMS, BOWINGS and DYNAMICS.  

                                    Londonderry Air 

                                    Billy Tell- review last section- especially dynamics at the end

                                    La Paloma perfect violin 2 soli  all melody parts

                                    Queen of Sheba: work on tricky bits

                           

           LET'S ALL FOLLOW AN EXCELLENT PRACTICE ROUTINE THIS WEEK.
                                        NO QUESTION, IT ALWAYS PAYS OFF!!!
                         

SOUNDING AMAZING!

SOUND BYTES FROM ADMINISTRATION

January 24th

musicatthetowers@gmail.com

HANDOUT SUMMARY:

     Two handouts were distributed this week.  If you missed the handouts, please see admin at class.

1     Letter to MATT parents - we have NEW spaces for lessons.  This allows us to be more flexible with lesson times and to have lessons free of distractions and disruptions!  How exciting!!  Violin studio - for Cecilia's students - 440 McMurchy Ave.  Cello studio - for Marilyn's students - 430 McMurchy Ave.  Lessons have already begun at these locations. There is parking available.  You can reach these locations through the tunnels.  If you have any challenges, security can assist you. (I could reach my studio through the tunnel without the use of a fob from 85 Charolais - class building)

• Theory - Theory room is located between the party room (where class is held) and the lunch room (down the hall).  We will accommodate 6 students maximum per time slot. Please stick with your allotted time! Hopefully theory books will be available on Tuesday at a cost of $5.00.  Also available will be the Alfred's Advanced Rudiments Workbook at a cost of $15.00 for those who have completed the AFS Book 1 Theory test.  Since students will be moving between buildings, students will need to sign in and out of theory lessons so we know they received their required time.
• For security, we suggest parents remain with the student outside the studio until their lesson begins.  Parents are welcome to remain in the studio with their student or return at the end of their lesson.  Please - NO FOOD OR DRINK IN THE STUDIOS OR THE THEORY ROOM!!

2    Parent's Corner @MATT letter - We look forward to another successful year at MATT!! We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our parents and caregivers who so generously gave of their time and expertise.  You put your heads, hearts and hands in all that we do and build our MATT community.  Thank you!

     Thank you Akilah for your warm, wonderful contribution to MATT!  We wish you continued success in your new endeavour and we look forward to seeing you and your son at class and continuing to work with you as a parent volunteer.

     Welcome Marilyn!  Marilyn McKay has assumed the administration role here at MATT.  She will continue to be our cello teacher.  Please feel free to liaise with her on Tuesday or Wednesday at class or via email at musicatthetowers@gmail.com or via text or voice at 647-286-9359.

PLEASE remember to contact administration (Marilyn) for any questions or concerns that don't need to be directly addressed by our terrific leader Ms Currie.

REMEMBER to let administration (Marilyn) know if you have to miss a class!!

N.B. -  For private lessons - you MUST bring your music books (AFS/Suzuki as directed by your teacher) AND a notebook for the teacher to write notes in for the student to review during practice!  Be responsible!  Be prepared!

BEGINNER LESSONS:
There have been some scheduling issues with the beginner lessons.  Please be advised more information will be forthcoming as soon as we get more teaching times available.  We cannot confirm lesson start dates or times at this point.  Please stay tuned!!

HOMEWORK THIS WEEK
PARENTS NOTES:

THEORY!!
Ampiire, our Tuesday/Wednesday Theory volunteer has begun this week. Already we are hearing some good results. This is an asset to your music performance.
Classes will be limited to 6 at a time, so please let Marilyn know your time choice as previously arranged and attend at that time.

FOR CECILIA'S STUDENTS and other Saturday theory students,  
Sydnie's Theory class WILL BEGIN NEXT LESSON CYCLE. Bring your AFS 1Theory book  until you 're tested and ready for the new one.

MUSIC STANDS

SOON BEGINNERS WILL BE GIVEN A BOOK AND WILL LEARN TO READ VIOLIN/VIOLA/CELLO MUSIC. 

FOR THIS YOU WILL NEED MUSIC STANDS.
 PLEASE LET MARILYN KNOW:
i. if you already have one OR
ii  which one you will purchase through MATT. 
There are two samples to choose from.

BEGINNER PRIVATE LESSONS
MATT is providing private lessons via scholarship fund, for all BEGINNERS, starting in February. This is important for each student to progress well. You will be required to participate consistently in these lessons to receive this assistance. 

BE SURE TO SIGN UP this week so we are able to arrange the schedule.


HOMEWORK THIS WEEK

BEGINNERS

1. Scale of D: long bows. 

    then again with these rhythms on each note:

          (A) Mississippi Hot Dog - start at middle, play in upper half of bow, use elbow 
          (B) Run Pony - long, short short

2. TWINKLE -long bows- smooth, beautiful sound 

 3. TUESDAY Class : NEW  "Long, Long Ago" Line 1. As below

                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                        LONG, LONG AGO

                                           Line 1 //:D____ D    E/   F#____ F#  G / A_____.

                                                                            

                

                                 violin / viola    (D0___ D0 D1/ D2____D2 D3/ A0_____A1 A0/ D2____) 

                                           cello     (D0___ Do D1/ D3____ D3 D4/A0_____A1A0  D3____) 

4. Wednesday Class Review: All of above with Excellent sitting/standing position 
               ALL of Long Long Ago -with measured full and half bows.

  

                                                          INTERMEDIATE

                                        

                                          PRACTICE FIVE DAYS A WEEK and
                                                     bring chart to class!

              Practice your Suzuki song regularly

1. Scale of D, Scale of C

2. ALL FOR STRINGS: NEW this week: #147,153, LOW C:155 ,156, 159. 
         161: C# and LOW C, 162 and 165 : violins upper staff- A line; violas and cellos- B

4. REVIEW: MAMBO- play Scale of C
      . Start on c and remember there are NO SHARPS: F and C are  low (2 on D and A for cello) LEARN Up to bar 8

5. NEW: ROSA LEE: Scale of D- 2 sharps F# and C# as usual  . LONG smooth bows

                                            

ADVANCED

                                          BRING YOUR CHART TO CLASS 

                                          PRACTICE FIVE DAYS A WEEK

              

1. Suzuki song practice 
2. Major scales to prepare for some of the pieces, especially those in f andc major

3.. Brandenburg: Rememberthe two Baroque bowing styles:  first section to bar 43
4. Queen of Sheba: Baroque style throughout. 
5. Sine Nomine: "dramatic" section from bar 91

6. Continue work to perfect details in the following re: NOTES, RHYTHMS, BOWINGS and DYNAMICS.  

                                    Londonderry Air review to 21

                                    Billy Tell- review last section- especially dynamics at the end

                                    Brother James Air- hard bits.solos

                                    La Paloma violin 2 soli, ALL: tricky bits, all melody parts
                                    Mozart: Clean clear texture ie. precise notes, intonation

                           

                      WHAT GREAT PROGRESS YOU ARE ALL MAKING!!!

                                    WORK HARD, PLAY EASY, SOUND BEAUTIFUL!
                         

ADMIN. CHANGES and lots of new things

THANK YOU, Admin Assistant, Akilah Andall, for all your work over the past few months !

We'll be seeing you with your "little guy", Terrece, in Tuesday's
 beginner class.

WELCOME, Marilyn McKay our new Admin Assistant, 

still  wearing her  Cello Teacher "HAT" as well! 

See Admin updates and Parent INFO below.

NEW!!!! New contact information!!
For any admin questions please contact me at email:
musicatthetowers@gmail.com
(Please make sure to add this address to your address book)
Alternatively, you can call or text to:
647-286-9359

WHAT do you contact Admin for????

1. Any questions about lessons.
2. Any questions about "books"
3. Any general questions that don't require Ms Currie's specific attention. (Remember, I'm here to support her)

LET'S TRY TO MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR OUR TERRIFIC LEADER!

I'm looking forward to helping the program grow and 
helping all the students reach their potential!

MUSIC STANDS!
Music stands are available as a convenience to all parents! 

Beginner students need a music stand.  Any other students can order a stand if they need one. We will be ordering music stands at the end of next week.  Sign up sheets will be at class on Tuesday.  There are 2 different music stands available - they will be at class for you to examine on Tuesday.  One is more "heavy duty" at $30 the other is $20 and comes with a carry case.  Please make sure you sign up for one on Tuesday or email me.  The fee for the stand will be due upon receipt.   

BEGINNER LESSONS!

Beginner private lessons are starting!!  How exciting!!  Parents, there will be a sign up sheet for the lessons at class on Tuesday.  Please SIGN UP!!  Lessons will be starting either the week of Feb 2 or Feb 9 depending on the teacher.  The lesson start up date will be on the sign up sheets.

HOMEWORK THIS WEEK

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

3 . MIssissippi Hot Dog  on each STRING PLAY: short short short short long long

4.  0-1 String Cycle: On each string, as above play 0-1 then go to next string. Listen for correct "doh-re: sound. Check correct round finger position

5. TWINKLE - line 1, 2 and 3. ALWAYS PLAY with correct position ! 

                 SEE "TWINKLE"  Hand out sheet TO LEARN lines 2 AND 3

-new- WHOLE NOTES, HALF NOTES  AND QUARTER NOTES 

6. RUN PONY, RUN PONY long short short on each note of D scale 

6.  SCALE OF D long bows  NEW: up  AND DOWN the D SCALE:
                                         UP:     D E F#G A B C# D then DOWN :  D C #B A G F# E D

                                                     

7. Wednesday Class: Continue "Long, Long Ago" Line 1.

                                                                            

                                                                        LONG, LONG AGO

                                           Line 1 //:D____ D    E/   F#____ F#  G / A_____  B A / F#____

                                 violin / viola    (D0___ D0 D1/ D2____D2 D3/ A0_____A1 A0/ D2____) 

                                           cello     (D0___ Do D1/ D3____ D3 D4/A0_____A1A0  D3____)   

                                                           Intermediate

                                        BRING YOUR CHART TO CLASS 

                                          PRACTICE FIVE DAYS A WEEK

                 Be sure to be working on your Suzuki song for your lesson regularly

1. Scale of D, Scale of C

2. ALL FOR STRINGS: NEW this week: #124, 126, 132, 134,137,141, 146 

3. REVIEW : Beethoven's Fifth 

4. REVIEW: MAMBO- play Scale of C
      . Start on c and remember there are NO SHARPS: F and C are  low (2 on D and A for cello) LEARN Up to bar 8

5. NEW: ROSA LEE: Scale of D- 2 sharps F# and C# as usual  . LONG smooth bows

                                            

Advanced

                                          BRING YOUR CHART TO CLASS 

                                          PRACTICE FIVE DAYS A WEEK

                               Cover all of the following two or three times each

                             Be sure to be working on your Suzuki songs regularly

1. Practice ALL scales in your MAJOR SCALE SHEET.

2. Review all pieces-perfect NOTES, RHYTHMS, BOWINGS and DYNAMICS.  

                                    Londonderry Air

                                    Billy Tell

                                    Brother James Air

                                    La Paloma

                            

3. NEW:Queen of Sheba : all
             Sine Nomine- all MAJESTIC, FULL SOUND long separated notes in cello/ bass
             Brandenburg #5 - Find and work on tricky passages at home.
                                            We'll start this, this week.- 
                                very fun and energetic music- with LOTS of notes!
              

ALWAYS ENJOY SOUNDING BEAUTFUL AS YOU PRACTICE!

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK!!

PRESSING THE RE-START BUTTON

     
             FROM ALL OF US ,  your teachers and supporters, of Music at the Towers,

                                             to all of you, STUDENTS and PARENTS

                                                                                                

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Let's MAKE the most BEAUTIFUL MUSIC EVER in 2016...

IN OUR LIVES, AND IN OUR CLASSES!

STAND BY FOR FURTHER UPDATES FRIDAY

THEORY

Theory classes will begin this week. 

Please remember to sign up with Akilah to save a spot!

Also, theory books can be purchased from Akilah for $5.00.

Additional theory books will be purchased asap.

 Thank you for your patience. 

Class Re-location

Cecelia and Marilyn's class will be re-located in a few weeks.

  Please stay connected for further details.

Beginner Classes

Private lessons for Beginner students will commence in February at no extra cost.  Private lessons will possibly be offered on a different day than regular classes. Further details to follow.

Have a wonderful week! 

(Patrenella---MATT parent)

THIS WEEK"S HOMEWORK

THIS WEEK WE'LL  GET BACK TO OUR CONSISTENT PRACTICE ROUTINES!

Beginners

BRING YOUR CHART TO CLASS EVERY WEEK

1. REVIEW :  PRACTICE WARM UP:

• Sitting position, FEET FLAT ON FLOOR/ SIT FRONT of CHAIR
• PERFECT Bow Hold: all fingers rounded
• Bow exercises: Windshield wiper, Monkey crawl up/ down, Twinkle with coin.
• Correct Instrument hold- NO HANDS REQUIRED!
• Placing bow on string: LIFT arm above your string, drop weight of arm onto string, feel it "settle into" the string. 
• Careful placement of LEFT HAND , VIOLIN/VIOLA at end of fingerboard.  CELLO tape or index finger measurement/ thumb behind 2nd finger, on back of neck

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

3 . MIssissippi Hot Dog  on each STRING PLAY: short short short short long long

4.  0-1 String Cycle: On each string, as above play 0-1 then go to next string. Listen for correct "doh-re: sound. Check correct round finger position

5. TWINKLE - line 1, 2 and 3. ALWAYS PLAY with correct position ! 

                 SEE "TWINKLE"  Hand out sheet TO LEARN lines 2 AND 3

6. RUN PONY, RUN PONY -on each Twinkle note

6.  SCALE OF D long bows 

                                                     

7. Wednesday Class: Continue "Long, Long Ago" Line 1.

                                                                            

                                                                        LONG, LONG AGO

                                           Line 1 //:D____ D    E/   F#____ F#  G / A_____  B A / F#____

                                 violin / viola    (D0___ D0 D1/ D2____D2 D3/ A0_____A1 A0/ D2____) 

                                           cello     (D0___ Do D1/ D3____ D3 D4/A0_____A1A0  D3____)   

                                                           Intermediate

                                        BRING YOUR CHART TO CLASS 

                                          PRACTICE FIVE DAYS A WEEK

                        Be sure to be working on your Suzuki songs regularly

1. Scale of D, Scale of C

2. ALL FOR STRINGS: Review #103 to # 113

3. REVIEW : Beethoven's Fifth 

4. REVIEW: MAMBO- Let's LEARN THIS ! If needed write in note manes /finger numbers to help you read and loearn this music. Be ready to p-lay the first two lines in class Tuesday. 

                                              NEW MUSIC COMING!

Advanced

                                          BRING YOUR CHART TO CLASS 

                                          PRACTICE FIVE DAYS A WEEK

                               Cover all of the following two or three times each

                             Be sure to be working on your Suzuki songs regularly

1. Practice ALL scales in your MAJOR SCALE SHEET.

2. Review all pieces:For each one ensure you are playing the marked BOWINGS and DYNAMICS.  PRACTICE INCORRECT PARTS SLOWLY TO GET THEM 

                                    Londonderry Air

                                    Billy Tell

                                    Brother James Air

                                    La Paloma

                                          LET'S MASTER ALL OF THESE NOW

                I HAVE SOME MORE EXCELLENT AND LIVELY MUSIC FOR YOU!

                               I  LOVE watching each of you progress 

                                      step by step individually and together!

                                                        Have a great week!