Suzuki Strings of Madison

Parent Talk with Terry Durbin and Gabe Bolkosky

Tenants of motivation and Review

1. Eye before ear
2. Parent involvement
3. Private and group instruction are both necessary
4. Review, review, review and then review some more!
5. Listen daily
6. Step-by-step learning

*pull the most difficult sections out of a song to practice again and again….Heidi calls                                          these “box sections”

1. Share a common repertoire

*one should not shoot for quantity, but rather for optimal technique-we’re in the game                                        of teaching technique not volumes of pieces

*Help the child develop a keen interest in self expression through music rather than                                         focusing on advancement to the next piece

Parent Talk with Terry Durbin and Gabe Bolkosky click here to download all of the notes

Special thanks to Amy Reid for taking and formatting the ideas of Terry and Gabe into such a clear document!

Tuesday May 14 5:00 pm in Bradfield Hall at CPC

Come and listen and ask questions as

Ralph Rabin and Nat Taft explain the importance of good violin care and repair, along with information on renting or purchasing an instrument.  Stay afterwards for :

a kids request PLAY IN!

to get you started please read:

Eleven Tips That Could Save Your Violin

Or At Least Help Keep it in Good Condition

Happy Baby … Happy Violin

If Your Baby Would Be Happy There, Your Violin Probably Will Be Too!

That’s probably a very good idea. If you follow that rule of thumb your violin will stay
1. Someplace with a moderate temperature.
2. Someplace with a moderate humidity.
3. Someplace out of direct sunlight.
4. Someplace you won’t easily forget it.
5. Someplace it won’t be easily kicked, dropped, knocked over, or damaged in some other way. 

These are all great ideas to follow when it comes to keeping your baby healthy. And following these rules will go a long way toward keeping your violin in good condition as well.

Never Leave Your Violin Someplace You Wouldn’t Put a Baby!

INTERESTED IN WHAT THE OTHER 10 tips are ???

Click HERE 11 Violin care tips

100 Days Club Celebration!

If you child completed 100 consecutive days of practice, please join us in celebrating

Tuesday, May 14, 2013
5:30pm
Vitense Golf Course

RSVP REQUIRED:  Michelle Donofrio

Please email Michelle, (NOT Diana) with your child’s name and the number of people from your family that will attend and eat pizza. We will meet in the area near the restaurant or right outside the restaurant if the weather is nice.

More details will be provided when you send Michelle your confirmation.

For all the years of coordinating the 100 Day Club, SSM families and faculty say:

MICHELLE

This will be the last 100 Days Club event that Michelle will coordinate.
She notes as a farewell, “I have truly enjoyed celebrating with you and your children! So many of you are repeat “100 Dayers” and that is something to be proud of! I give a lot of credit to your children and you for helping them practice. If you are interested in taking over, please let me or Diana know. Sincerely, Michelle Donofrio“. We will miss all of Michelle’s enthusiasm and hard work!

Saturday May 11th from 8 am to 1 pm
4020 Mandan Circle (in Nakoma neighborhood by the Golf Course)

Donations are needed for the Sonora Garage sale next Saturday 5/11! Anyone is welcome to donate to our Sonora St. Louis tour fundraiser.

You can drop off items at Diana’s house or bring to CPC this Tuesday 5/7 and place items in her truck.

Thank you in advance from Sonora Strings!

Happy May!

Sunday May 5 Spring Concert at Middleton Performing Arts Center                                 tune at 12:30 perform at 1:00

Tuesday May 7 at CPC Bradfield Hall:  5:00 pm  Potluck and Nurtured By LOVE movie

Told in his own words and through the reflections of those closest to him, the story of Suzuki is an inspirational celebration of the life and potential within all of us.

Potluck specifics:   All families bring a main dish to serve 8 and a side of your choice, appetizer, salad, dessert or beverage.  SSM provides table service or bring your own.

Saturday May 11     8-1 Sonora Strings Garage Sale in Nakoma 4020 Mandan Circle        donations accepted at address beforehand or in Diana’s truck on Tuesday 5/7

Tuesday May 14 5:00 pm at CPC Bradfield Hall                                                                            Join Ralph Rabin and Nate Taft  as they share their knowledge on                               violin care, renting or purchasing a violin, proper stringing technique, bow rehairs etc!       Question and Answer time as well.  Stock up on your violin supplies for the summer.        SUZUKI TUNES BY REQUEST PLAY IN TO FOLLOW– bring your instrument!

100 day club celebrates on this day as well  ( sign up required)– post forthcoming               last day to sign up for Madison Mallards June 1 event

Tuesday May 28 Graduation Recital  (6/2) rehearsal 4:30 — specific times to be assigned, check with your private instructor

SONORA rehearsals are at 5:30 in the choir room on 5/7  5/14  5/21  5/28

PRELUDE 5/14 rehearsal 4:30,  5/21 performance at Capitol Center Apts.

THE SSM ALL SCHOOL SPRING CONCERT WILL BE HELD AT THE MIDDLETON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

SUNDAY May 5, 2013
Prompt tuning is at 12:30 pm
Performance begins at 1:00 pm
Concert attire is black and white as outlined below

Middleton Performing Arts Center
Middleton High School
2100 Bristol Street
Middleton, WI 53562

MANDATORY DRESS REHEARSAL IS TUESDAY, APRIL 30th at 4:45 pm at the  Covenant Presbyterian Church in the Bradfield Hall.

Performers include:
Viola Ensemble, Pre-winklers, Books 1, Book 2, Book 3, Book 4, Prelude and Sonora

Repertoire:
Twinkles  Lightly Row   Song of the Wind  Aunt Rhody   May Song   Etude   Minuet 2    Gossec Gavotte Long Long Ago and Variation    Handel Bourree  Gavotte from Mignon Gavotte in G minor  Two Gavottes in D Major Seitz 5/3   Vivaldi a minor 3rd mvt  Bach Double Concerto  Country Dance Ensemble pieces, Pre- Twinkle demonstration, Prelude and Sonora pieces.

GROUP CONCERT DRESS CODE
Girls:
Blouse – white, long-sleeved, front buttons, conservative neckline, tucked into skirt or pants.
Skirt – black, mid-calf or ankle length OR Pants – black, dress pants (no jeans).
Hosiery – Black pantyhose/tights (with skirts) or black socks (no prints or patterns).
Shoes – black, dress shoes

Boys:
Shirt – white, long sleeved, button down, tucked into pants
Pants – black, dress pants, with black belt (no jeans)
Socks – black
Shoes – black, dress shoes (no tennis shoes)

The end of our 2012-13 SSM year of musical instruction is coming to a close mid May! Look for a final calendar of all events and classes coming in a blog post soon.

At this time we ask that you take the time to fill out  group class evaluation forms for

1- EACH of your children (there are two classes per child: repertoire and theory)
2- EACH class: Including repertoire class (Pre-twinks, Early book 1, Late book 1, Book 2, Book 3, Book 4, Prelude, and Sonora as well as Viola class) and theory class (Dalcroze, Theory 1, Theory 2, Theory 3/please note which section and ensemble).

During the weekend workshop evaluation forms were provided in your registration packet, however if you misplaced them you can re-download the forms here:
GROUP CLASS EVALUATION FORM 2013

Please turn in to either your private teacher or at the remaining Tuesday night group classes/events.

Your candid and thoughtful evaluation will help us continue to serve the needs of our families, self reflect on the individual group classes and make decisions as to next years offerings.

Thank you for your time and input,
Kind Regards from the SSM Faculty

This weekend  4/13-14 SSM will host it’s workshop at the Bishop O’Conner Center. (Click for map)

The Twinkle through Book 3 classes are held on Saturday.

The Book 4-Sonora classes are held on Sunday.

Please pick up your registration packets as  you enter the building. It will include your class grid, building map, clinician bios and name tag for your child.

Your child(rens) classes will be highlighted. Everyone is assigned a semi-private class, a singing or technique class and a group class.  There is time to observe at least one other class. Please be on time for all classes.

The concert by Mr Gabe Bolkosky is Saturday at 3:00 pm in the Chapel.

The Parent talks: Importance of Review or Getting over the Slumps will be held in Rooms 8 and 9 on Saturday immediately following the concert. Childcare provided.

Happy Monday SSM Families!
This Tuesday March 19th is a PLAY IN as it is SPRING BREAK on the 26th!
Twinkle-Book 3 Please arrive at 4:15 tune and 4:30 play                                           Ensemble and Book 4- Sonora please arrive ready to play at 5:00 pm

March is almost over! How are your listening logs going? Feel free to tell us on our Facebook, and in the meantime listening to a different take on your favorite Minuet (Boccherini!) sung by Bobby McFerrin below: