Registration Available for 2015-2016

Registration is available for the 2015-2016 school year.

Registration is DUE June 13th, 2015.

This due date is IMPORTANT because it secures your spot in the Fall!

In your registration you will find information on purchasing additional summer lessons, along with Fiddle Camp Registration and the Saturday November 7th Suzuki Conference Date listed in the Calendar of Events.

Please mark in your calendars for all recitals/conference dates for next school year:

Sunday October 25th, 2015 at 2:00

Saturday November 7th, 2015 - Suzuki Conference Day!

Sunday November 29th, 2015 at 2:00

Sunday February 7th, 2016 at 2:00

Sunday May 1st, 2016 at 2:00

My Niece - hoping for a visit soon!

Has anyone else been feeling like the month of May slightly resembles the craziness of December? I've been hearing of this parallel throughout the blog world and I am completely feeling it. Schedules are completely up in the air, unexpected events pop up, there are illnesses and allergies that arise at inconvenient times, and there are too many events to schedule into too little time. Hopefully June will be a month of some relaxation, fresh air and a chance to breathe for us all.

Speaking of June and the summer months, how can we make it through summer and not have September be a month of review and struggling to get back into the practice routine?


KEEP LISTENING. KEEP PLAYING. It's not always about progress over the summer, it's about maintaining our skills and/or growing them in new ways such as attending music camps, going to festivals and shows, putting on a home concert for family and friends or trying something new. Check out an old post HERE which features festivals and shows near you!

KEEP LISTENING. KEEP PLAYING. Keep playing the pieces we love to play, review the pieces that may give us trouble and enjoy the process of using our skills learned in lesson to try and fix problem pieces. Enjoy playing just to play.

I love how quickly the gardens fill in (taken 3 weeks ago).
This gnome has vanished now!

Aside from maintaining our musical abilities over the summer, I encourage all of you to get outside and do something active. You will find me running and cycling around London, rock climbing at Junction (and if I build up the courage on an actual outdoor rock wall in Milton!) and working up to a run and cycle around Fanshawe Lake (20km). Whatever it is that interests you, get out there and do it and bring some family and friends along. The hardest part sometimes is just taking that first step out the door, but once you do, incredible things can happen.

Baby Sienna

Welcoming my niece Sienna to the world this week! 

Both parents (my brother and his wife) are doing well.

Congratulations!

We couldn't have asked for a better Year End Recital day. I had such a nice afternoon playing with all of you! I feel so grateful to be a small part of so many families lives and to share with you all the joy in making music. It's been a wonderful year and I was so impressed by how prepared everyone was and how we all worked together to put on a great show for our family and friends.

One last reminder that there are no lessons this week unless we spoke about making one up. I will see everyone back for regular lessons after Mother's Day weekend for 4 more weeks of lessons before summer schedule.

You can find the summer schedule sign up sheet in lessons next week. Already planning your summer schedule? Send me an e-mail and we can book your summer lesson times early. You all have two lessons included in your tuition to sign up for.

Anyone else enjoying their tulips?

One other bit of exciting news, it looks like I might become an Aunt today! More details soon.

T-shirts, Arrival Times, Wishing

T-shirts are in! Pick yours up in lesson this week.

The dress code for the recital will be your Amy's Violin School t-shirt and dark bottoms.

Arrival times for the recital will vary a bit:
EVERYONE should arrive no later than 1:40 to be tuned and to find your spot in the pews.

FIDDLE CLASS arrival is 1:20 to rehearse.

CHAMBER MUSIC (Tzena Tzena) arrival is 1:30 to rehearse.

Please be singing Wishing together in the car, on the way to school, on the way to lesson, while getting breakfast in the morning, during after dinner dishes, etc.

And here are a couple videos to help with your singing prep!



I love this video, those three boys are just too cute.

May 3rd Recital Repertoire

No Group Tuesday April 7th

3 Rehearsal Group Classes:

Tuesday April 14th

Tuesday April 21st

Tuesday April 28th

With only three group classes left we are on our way towards the year end recital on May 3rd at 2:00. Attendance is mandatory for these group classes so we can all be prepared for not only what pieces we will be playing but how we will be playing them as a group!

Start playing all the pieces you know from the list below everyday between now and the recital.

Parents: bring a note book to class so you can make note of what dynamics we use, how we start and end a piece, whether your child is playing the melody or harmony, and anything else you may want to remember and practice at home.

* means with duet part from Suzuki duet book. Those playing the duet parts will be assigned in lessons & group.

Book 1

Twinkle Theme*

Twinkle Variation*

Lightly Row*

O Come Little Children*

May Song*

Perpetual Motion

Andantino

Minuet 1*

Happy Farmer

Book 2

Musette

Long Long Ago

Two Grenadiers

Book 3

Martini Gavotte

Book 4

Vivaldi Concerto A Minor, 3rd Movement

Other Performances

Chamber Music - Tzena, Tzena

Advanced Repertoire - Csardas by V. Monti

Winter Fiddle Class

Wishing Sing Along!

Hope everyone had a nice Easter weekend!

Start Planning Your Musical Summer!

Leahy Camp - In Lakefield Ontario

I attended this camp last year. You get to stay at the beautiful Lakefield College. Spend the mornings learning fiddle tunes on your major instrument and the afternoon learning new skills on secondary instruments. I did fiddle and step dance. I took part in a recording and multiple live shows. The musicians they have running the camp (the Leahy Family) and the guest instructors were incredible and all had something different to offer.

If you've taken the step into playing Celtic Music, this is a great camp to attend.

Cost for living (room & all meals) + 5 days of instruction:
Approx. $650 - $800
Dates: June 28th - July 2nd


Summer Fiddle Camp - in London (my place!)

Stay close to home and join me every day for a week to play and learn fiddle tunes, step dance and percussion! Improve on your sight reading and listening skills and well as theory understanding and proficiency on the violin. Working together we will put on a show for the residence of Masonville Manor on the last day of camp. Don't miss out on this wonderful immersion of celtic music!


Cost: $90
Dates: July 6th - 11th, 10:00-11:30



Sunfest
July 9-12 in Victoria Park!
FREE!


Home County Folk Festival
July 17-19 in Victoria Park!
FREE!


Goderich Celtic Roots Festival: College & Kids Camp - in Goderich

I have not attended this college myself but my fiddle accompanist has and has enjoyed it the past two years.

They always bring in a wide variety of Canadian artists and even if the week camp won't work for your schedule, consider attending the festival for a day. Lots of craft shops, food, and live entertainment all day!

Click the link in the title to access registration information.
Classes run August 3-6. Festival runs August 7-9.


Suzuki Institutes - Across Canada and the United States

I have only attended these institutes as a teacher but have many students who have participated. As a teacher, it is a complete immersion into the Suzuki method. You come out of it motivated and energized, full of inspiration and new things to try! I've heard this same response from the parents and students who have attended. The institute is full of other people who live and support the same lifestyle that you do. What an incredible experience to share with your child and remember always!

Check out the SAA for all Suzuki summer camps across Canada and the United States.

I recommend Southwestern Ontario Suzuki Institute (SOSI)
Cost: click link above for registration information
Dates: August 9-14


Know of any other music camps or festivals through the summer you'd like to recommend? Comment below and tell me in lesson!

Fundraiser T-shirts

Well, March Break is coming to a close. Even though I've spent the week with a head cold, we got lots of spring cleaning accomplished and preparation for the upcoming weeks. I hope you all had a productive week whether you had to spend the week working, taking care of the kids, or vacationing in the sunshine! Let's head into spring feeling refreshed and ready to work!

We will be dressing in comfort for the upcoming May 3rd Year End Recital. As a way to continue adding to the school's fund, purchase a T-shirt to unite us at the recital. This will be the dress code for the recital along with black bottoms.


Click HERE to view sizing of the shirts.

Shirts are lightweight, preshrunk poly/cotton blend, tag-less and moisture wicking. Great to carry you through your summer activities! Here's what they will look like ------------->

I am also excited to announce that we will be taking some professional group photos at the recital! Every one must fill out a photo consent form (available in lesson and group). FREE digital copies of the pictures will be available after the recital upon request.

Tell your friends and family to schedule the May 3rd Recital at 2:00 in their calendars. It will be a great afternoon of music followed by a celebratory reception to a wonderful year of making music together at Siloam United Church! See you all there!