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!!!

Easter Greetings to All!

PARENTS:1. Today's class: We missed a few students today- REMINDER: parents are asked to call ahead if your child is going to be absent: 905-4509-9606. This is a responsibility of participation in any group.
    2. Level 2 class-will continue till 5:40, since the class actually starts at about 4:55 after tuning etc..

HOMEWORK THIS WEEK:
LEVEL 2: 
Continue in All for Strings book
 REVIEW up to #146, then on to #153.

LARGO by Handel: Play scale of D first- with perfect tuning! Then work carefully on the Largo to learn correct tuning and timing of notes. 

NEW:HAYMAKER HOEDOWN  Play scale of G first- no C# in this scale.
Then learn carefully the tuning and timing of notes.

LEVEL 1:
All for Strings: 16, 17, 18, 20, 21

D Scale: Play through slowly for good posture, bowing and position. Then play again with  NEW RHYTHM: "I stop (rest) and you stop(rest)"

Twinkle- Play through, then play with one of our rhythms Mississippi hot dog, Run Pony, Misssissippi, Mississippi

Long,long ago: continue learning this for our concert

Wishing you all a great Easter week-end!

The Spring Session Begins

Yes, we have more snow, but it is also nearly SPRING!
AND we are on the road to our annual Spring Concert as well. What we are learning now may well be on the CONCERT PROGRAM.
Within the next few weeks we'll have the date nailed down so you can plan to invite friends and family. It promises to be the best yet!

PARENTS' NOTES:

• PRIVATE LESSONS THIS WEEK
•  Please mark your calendars : Tuesday  May 7th class changed to Thursday May 9th. same  class times as usual Tuesdays!
• There are still two or three families that have not paid Session Three fees-                                                                      $65 OR       $35.00 now and  May 1st, $30 

Level 2 Class Practice Homework: BRING PRACTICE CHART TO CLASS

SCALES -to be practised every day D major -2 octaves  G major 2 octaves sliding shifts
              NEW SCALE F Major, one octave as done in class. (Remove F# and C#) add Bb
 VIOLA: start on C string  F(3)  G(0) A Bb(low2) C D(0) E F(low 2)
 CELLO: start on C String  F(4) G(0) A Bb(2) C(4) D(0) E F(2)
VIOLIN: start on D string F (low 2) G A(0) Bb(1 back)C D E(0) F (1 back)

Repertoire is growing:
1. NEW : " LARGO from Serse" by G.F. Handel: Practise to get comfortable with your part.

2. NEW All for Strings Book: #139: Learn your part well
  #141- NEW: F natural  no sharps
  #146 : listen for perfect  tuning, switching between F# (High 2)cello 3, and F natural (Low 2)cello 2

3. Review for PERFECT BOWING and TUNING : Celtic Dance, Pizzicato Magic, Rosa Lee

Level 1 Class Practice Homework: Each of these can be  entered onto your Practice Chart  each practice day. DON"T FORGET TO BRING THE CHART TO CLASS

                        1. Scale of D,
                        2. Scale of G 
                        3. Twinkle with rhythms, a different one each day.
                        4. Long Long Ago- try to finish learning this week
5. All for Strings Book :  Practise #15, 16, 17, #18

There's MUSIC IN THE AIR!

PARENT REMINDERS
Thank you for you patience with the renovation disruptions. I am glad they are keeping the place in good repair, but it does cause us some inconvenience from time to time!

FEES for the last (longer session -15 weeks) were due THIS WEEK.
Most level 2 Parents submitted payment Tiesday the 26th, but many Level 1 did not.
ONCE AGAIN, here are the options: pay for the rest of the year till end of  June $65.00
                                                             pay for the next 2 months till end of April $35.00
                                                             and May 7 pay $30.00 for remainder till end of June

NB Next payment opportunity: Thursday March 7 or Tuesday March12th - please have it ready!

LEVEL 2 Individual Lessons Thursday Feb 28  postponed from this week till next week- May 7th

PRACTICE CHARTS ARE IMPORTANT  . Keep this check going and please bring them to
                                                                          class every week for checking. Look around the class-
                                                           the confident children are the ones who review lots each week!

 

 

Homework Level 2: 
                    
1. SCALES: D Major, C Major- NO #'(sharps)
                 G Major- find instructions in last weeks' Blog ie:practice moving the WHOLE HAND up till your 1st finger is exactly on the 3rd finger spot (whole tone above 4th finger spot for cello)Repeat the shift alone MANY TIMES till you have memorized the movt accurately

2.Make sure you are comfortable reading in AFS BOOK# 129-quick tempo, and 133,134, 137.
RE #133 GO TO YOU TUBE! Find Beethoven violin concerto and listen to/watch a performance of the ANDANTE movement. Better still, watch the whole Cnncerto!!!

3. Work carefully on Songs:
Start by repeating more difficult spots till they are neat and clean and in tune :
Then play through and find more spots that need careful work, etc.

There's Music in the Air AFS # 126

Rosa Lee,

Pizzicato Magic

Celtic Dance- needs lots of work!

                                                                 .



























Homework Level 1

1. Eraser exercise : then open strings using wrist to keep bow straight
2. 0-1 string cycle- for 1st finger tuning
3. Scale of D, Scale of G
4. Twinkle- long bows,
then try a rhythm throughout eg. Mrssippi hot dog, etc.
5. NEW RHYTHM  first on open strings-"I stop and you stop"
6. All for Strings Book: Review up to #11
                                              

 

.

ENJOY YOUR MUSIC MAKING,
YOUNG MUSICIANS! 

Making Music: in Harmony Together

It is SO gratifying to see all of our students moving forward week by week, and it is clear to see the effects of the  practice going on at home. Some of our students -and their parents! clearly are putting in the time to review a little each day. This brings such confidence for your child when she or he comes to class with the improved understanding and  skills that your time together at home brings.

PARENT REMINDERS for next week:
1. Some still owe $20 for music stands.
2. Session fees are due next Tuesday: Please bring cash payment to class next week. Total for the last session of 15 weeks till the end of June: $65.00 This can be paid in one instalment or two:
For two instalments : Feb 26- $35.00 and April 30- $30.
3. THURSDAY LESSONS for  Feb 28, next week are changed to March 7th. Please mark you calendars.

Also ADVANCE PLANNING: The Tuesday class MAY 7th will be held on Thursday  MAY 9th instead. Please do what you can do make this switch, and let me know if there is any problem with this- your co-operation is greatly appreciated! By then we will be preparing for our year-end concert. The concert date is not yet decided.

HOMEWORK THIS WEEK:
LEVEL 2
1.TWO OCTAVE G Scale with "Shifting" for all instruments.
1st octave G to G is same as normal all students shift up on the A string as follows:
Viola and Violin: second octave:G-(3 on D) A(open) B-1 C-2 shift up to play D(normally 3) with 1, then  continue on same string E-2 F#-3 G-4 .
Cello : G-(4 on D) A(open) B-1 C-2 D- 4 , shift up to play E with 1 (thumb is at neck )
NEW #129- let's be ready to play this "up tp speed" next week.
NEW SONG: CELTIC DANCE
Review Concert Trio, Rosa Lee, Pizzicato Magic

LEVEL 1:
Review D scale, G scale with proper position of bow (tilted away from nose) and wrist pulling up on up bow strokes.
Twinkle with rhythms: Mississippi mississppi and Run Pony. Each rhythm is repeated 2 x on each note of song
Review: Long. Long Ago- use hand out if needed to remember notes
NEW: AFS Book #7, 8 .
ADD # 9 and 10

Have a very good week! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!