REFINING our MUSIC

Our performance repertoire for June 11 is established, and with two weeks to go, we are in good position now to refine and PERFECT our music.

Each  student now has the happy and most rewarding task of all:

                     practicing with a clear purpose : that is,
                                       to learn all notes and rhythms well,
                                       to play beautifully in tune,
                                       to be sure about all bowings.
Once you have done this on each program piece, you will THEN be able to                               listen to the music around you

and make a strong contribution to the sound of the whole group .

Next week we will perform the ensembles in Level 2 Class Time , since there is not enough time for this in the 30 min. joint rehearsal time. We may be adding one more item -a duet by Ryan and Steve-( the new #11)

REMINDER:
Level 2 Students have private lessons this week- see you Thursday!   

Level 1- you are doing well! Keep working for comfort and for the fun  of playing a concert for your friends and family!

They are going to LOVE it!      

                          

NEW SCHEDULE STARTS TUESDAY MAY 28th

NOTICE TO PARENTS:

Please note we are in the final phase of preparation for our

JUNE 11 CONCERT.

HERE IS THE NEW SCHEDULE:

Level 2
ARRIVE 3:50. START 4. Stay till 5:15 pm or until we have rehearsed all concert pieces with Level 1 students, as well as the two ensembles: Cello Trio and Quartet

Level 1
ARRIVE AT 4:25 start 4:30 . Class ends at 5:35 pm













Homework : All students are to carefully learn their program pieces, found below in the CONCERT PROGRAM, and come to class with any difficulties they would like to work on together.

CONCERT PROGRAM
(order may change)

Level 1:standing
Level 2: in semicircle

1. Scale of D  L1 in round-
2. Twinkle Variations Level 1 standing/Level 2 seated
3. Long Long Ago , L1 ,with cello accompaniment

LEVEL  1 sits down in reserved seating area

4. Cello Trio: O Come Little Children in center, in front of L2 students
5. Staff Trio: Mozart

6.Blue Danube Level 2 .

7. Student Quartet: Baroque Fanfare center

8.Haymaker Hoedown L2

9. Guest Performers: Rosebud Quartet center

10. Largo from "Serse" L2
11. Happy Blues L2

12. Staff Quartet: Tango center

13 . .FINALE "Beethoven Ninth"
All students and staff, in orchestra seating

Keep on practicing! Those who do so are showing the results!
 

THURSDAY LEVEL 2 LESSONS THIS WEEK-concert prep!

LEVELTWO Lessons this week will focus on your needs for the CONCERT. Take advantage of this session to ask for help with anything you are not totally comfortable with. Ask for practice ideas.

NEXT TUESDAY May 21st -same class schedule as today, May 14.

with 1.Cello Ensemble  and 2. Quartet Rehearsals 4:45 to 5:15

The last two classes before the concert will be similar to the earlier times , BUT will also be modified to allow joint class rehearsals in between:

MAY 28 AND JUNE 4 SCHEDULE

 

LEVEL 2: 4 pm to 5:00, with Quartet, Cello Ensemble, and "Bric Duet" run-through's included

Concert pieces: Blue Danube, Haymaker Hoedown, Largo

How about Jazzy Blues?-maybe, depending on timing of other pieces.

 

LEVEL 1 4:30 START time  till 5:30

 

The middle 30 minutes will be used for joint rehearsals of:

Twinkle Variations

Long, Long Ago with Steve Bric cello acc. (and others?TBA)

Beethoven Ninth - Finale

then

Baroque Fanfare

Cello Ensemble

 

 

HOMEWORK

All students prepare the above pieces carefully

Level 1 will also play a scale in a round AND "Run Pony" IS in Twinkle

(thank you Leah!)

 

Have a wonderful LONG WEEK-END!

ONE MONTH till CONCERT DAY

PARENTS:
1. THIS WEEK IS THURSDAY LESSON WEEK
2. Please be sure start now to invite your friends and family to our
June 11 Concert. As you know, people are very busy and need lots of notice.
3. Please speak to Ms Currie if you are willing to help with refreshments that day.

Homework Level 1:

Correct position Each child was given a pointer this week for improved/corrected position. Please work every day to improve this- it will be checked this Tuesday.

FOR CONCERT-FOUR THINGS:
1."Beethoven's Ninth": learn to play the first TWO LINES well-

2 . Scales of D and G, with straight bow and wrist pulling up and down
3.Twinkle with all 4 rhythms Practice all the way through to build stamina: :

(a) Twinkle song, (b) Mississippi hotdog, (c) I stop and You stop, (d)Run Pony,(e) Mrssippi Mrssippi
4. Long Long ago learn to play it from memory

 All for Strings Book : review, good tuning of fingers: #37,38 

LEVEL 2   INDIVIDUAL LESSONS THIS THURSDAY

FOR CONCERT:
 1.BLUE DANUBE - ALL parts to be practised. 2. LARGO: Scale of D check for perfect tuning and correct rhythms.

Careful work on tuning, timing and bowing is required.

 3.HAYMAKER HOEDOWN: (Scale of G) Add short notes for clear energetic sound
 WITH LEVEL 1 STUDENTS:

 4.CONCERT FINALE  BEETHOVEN: Tuning, smooth bowings.

 5.TWINKLE variations in  Key of D all rhythms .

and....6. ENSEMBLES
Quartet: Baroque Fanfare

Cellos: Long, Long Ago OR possibly, NEW PIECE: Allegro

How to have FUN playing a concert?

For the next month: Work hard, practice carefully every day .

                                     Make sure you know your part really well!

     Pencil mark your hard parts, and ask for help at your lesson.

                Be the one who helps the group most!

              

                          

ROSE ORCHESTRA CONCERT with Rosebud Youth Orchestra THIS Saturday Night

HELP foster your child 's Musical  Education by attending lots of live Orchestra concerts .This one has the Youth Orchestra performing- well worth seeing for MATT students!

 

"BROADWAY SPECTACULAR"

the last concert of the season by the Rose Orchestra 

with the "Rosebud" Youth Orchestra

Saturday May 4 at 7:30 pm

 

If you want tickets at $20 for adults and $10 total for your children, please bring your payment to the Party room this Thursday May 2  5pm to 5:30 or 8-8:30pm .

 

This week's Homework

LEVEL 2   INDIVIDUAL LESSONS THIS THURSDAY

AFS Book Review167,171,178,180

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 short notes for clear energetic sound

CONCERT FINALE  BEETHOVEN: Tuning, smooth bowings.

TWINKLE variations in  Key of D all rhythms .

NEW: BLUE DANUBE - ALL parts to be practised.

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 all the way through to build stamina: :

Twinkle song, then Mississippi hotdog,  I stop and You stop, Run Pony,  Mrssippi Mrssippi4. Long Long ago learn to play it from memory
5. AFS Book : review carefully with good tuning of fingers: #32-37                   

                             6. NEW CONCERT FINALE SONG

"Beethoven's Ninth": learn to play the first FOUR bars well- this is repeated throughout the song many times.

 

REMEMBER next class is Thursday May 9th NOT Tuesday May 7th

 

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.

 

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!