December Studio News

Suzuki Strings Christmas Performance  
Wed., Dec. 5th at 6pm at the Frontier Homestead State Park, arrive 5:40 to tune and set up. Concert Dress: red, green, gold or silver to look festive.

Program:

Jolly Old St. Nick, beginners use open D (blue Kaleidoscope)  All on melody, then repeat with harmony

My Dreydel, beginners use open D,  All on melody, then repeat with harmony

Lightly Row, beginners use open A

Blue Bells, beginners use open D

O Come Little Children, beginners use open A, repeat

Frosty the Snowman, beginners use open D, once

Jingle Bells, beginners use open G, once

We Wish You a Merry Christmas, beginners use G  (blue Kaleidoscope)  All on melody, then repeat with harmony  AABA melody, AABA harmony

First Noel (blue Kaleidoscope)  All on melody, then repeat with harmony

Silent Night (pink Kaleidoscope)  All on melody, then repeat with harmony

More info here: Frontier Homestead

Cedar City Community Christmas Concert

Wed., Dec. 5th, 6-7:30pm

A community sing-a-long concert  sponsored by Gateway Preparatory Academy held every two years at the Heritage Theater. Community ensembles and choirs perform, then come together at the end to perform a group number with audience sing-a-long. 

Students, Ethan and Nisha will be performing in the combined community orchestra on the final numbers of "Happy Holidays/White Christmas" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"! 

Orchestra of Southern Utah's 78th performance of Handel's Messiah

Sun., Dec. 9th and Mon., Dec. 10th 

Free performance but tickets are required and can be picked up at the box office!

Studio Christmas Recital (Cedar City students)

Fri., Dec. 14th at 6pm at the Sonrise Christian Church (6843 W. 1800 N. Cedar City, Utah 84721)

Studio group pieces:

O Come Little Children (with duet- students should have received the duet in email)

Silent Night

Dress in Sunday best and arrive by 5:30 to get tuned and run the two group pieces with the accompanist. Remember to bring your music and a music stand if you have one. I will bring a few, too.  

Please bring a plate of goodies to share after the performance!

No Lessons Dec. 3rd-8th 

Some students are meeting with my cousin Karaly to rehearse their Christmas solos with the accompaniment this week. Schedule below: 

Hannah- Mon., Dec. 3 at 5pm at Whittlesticks

Kimberly- Mon., Dec. 3 at 5:30pm at Whittlesticks

Andrea- Tues. Dec. 4 at ___?___ at Lauana Carter's home in Enoch.

Mahina- Thurs., Dec. 6 at 5pm at Whittlesticks

Carvin- Thurs., Dec. 6 at 5:30pm at Whittlesticks

Southern Utah String Festival Registration Deadline is Sat., Dec. 15th
I will get level info./pieces to students at their next lesson -if I already emailed you festival info. register now so you don't forget and have to pay to $10 late fee!
Also, please get an accompanist scheduled for Sat., Mar. 2, 2019 now so it doesn't hold your registration up. 

November Studio News

Nov. 2-3, 2018 Suzuki Strings Fall Workshop and Concert
Classes start at 3pm on Fri., Nov. 2nd at the Heritage Theater (park on the second level and enter at the Festival Hall entrance). Check the full schedule here: Workshop Schedule

Concert details and guest clinician bios here.

ALL PARENTS ARE INVITED TO THE PARENT MEETING, 
Focusing on Student Success -including Note Reading Ideas
Clinicians will give ideas and answer parent questions. Fri., Nov. 2nd at 6:15pm in Conference Rm 7 (Park on the second level and enter at the Festival Hall entrance). 

Come to OSU's concert, Thurs., Nov. 8, 2018 7:30pm at the Heritage Theater. Music includes selections from West Side Story and the Overture to Candide in celebration of 100 years of Leonard Brenstein! 

















Nov. Studio Group (notice schedule change due to Thanksgiving Holiday)

Mon., Nov. 19th, 4-5pm at Whittlesticks. 

Ann

Elsie

Lyla

Tues. Nov. 20th, 4-5pm at the Longhurst home.

Andrea

Carvin

Hannah

Kimberly 

Ava

Tues. Nov. 20th, 5-6pm at the Longhurst home. 

Eva

Abbey

Trace

Kamri

Mahina

Wed., Nov. 21st, 3-4pm at Whittlesticks.

Ethan 

Nisha  

Studio Christmas Recital
Fri., Dec 14th, 6:00pm
Please put this on your calendars now. The recital is at the new Sonrise Christian Church, just off Hwy 56, 6843 W 1800 N Cedar City Utah 84721 Thank you to the Vogt's for arranging this location!

November Lessons
No Lessons Nov. 22nd-24th, 30th

Also, just a heads up for Dec. lessons. I will be gone Dec. 1st-9th to Europe on tour for the 200th year anniversary of the Christmas hymn, Silent Night! Check the Studio Calendar for exact lesson dates. 

Southern Utah String Festival registration due Dec. 15th. Submit forms and make payment here. Festival is Sat. Mar. 2, 2019 in Cedar City. Ask and confirm the date with your accompanist now! 

Violin "Advent" Calendar: DAY 26

DAY 26:

Practice Challenges

Here are some fun practice ideas from The Musical Monkeys.
Check out their website for monthly practice challenges and ideas.

Inspire your child to practice!

Violin "Advent" Calendar: DAY 25

DAY 25:

Merry Christmas!

Can you find the PANDA?

I'm just a little obsessed with pandas so I had to share this puzzle!

Violin "Advent" Calendar: DAY 24

DAY 24: 

Snowmen

Snowmen chart

Can you finish the snowmen? Draw eyes, a nose, buttons and scarf for every correct repetition of bow exercises or practice spots in your pieces.  

Violin "Advent" Calendar: DAY 23

DAY 23:

"Here we came a Caroling"

Give the gift of music. Go caroling to your neighbors with your violin.
Play some Christmas carols or your favorite pieces (fiddle songs are fun, too!).

Violin "Advent" Calendar: DAY 22

DAY 22:

Christmas around the World 

Violin "Advent" Calendar: DAY 21

DAY 21:

JOY to the World; The Christmas Scale

Play a descending D Major scale (D C# B A G F# E D). Add the pauses and see if you can play Joy to the World on your violin.   

Violin "Advent" Calendar: DAY 20

DAY 20:

Let's play a GAME!

Customize these game boards for a fun practice session.

Hello Kitty Game

Blank Game

I Can Practice

Swirl Game

Violin "Advent" Calendar: DAY 19

DAY 19:

O Come Little Children; A Christmas Hymn

 A few years ago my younger sister, Jenni, and I traveled to Germany to spend Christmas with our dad. Many Christmas traditions and carols come from Germany and there are Christmas markets in almost every town! 

 One night we were walking around a Christmas market enjoying the magical sights and I heard the familiar song of O Come, Little Children! It was exciting to be in a foreign country and hear a familiar tune!

  

Perhaps Dr. Suzuki heard it when he was studying violin in Germany many years ago and that is how it came to be in Vol. 1 of the Suzuki books!

This is the first song we learn that starts up bow. To help you learn the bowing follow these directions and bow in the air, keeping your bow very tall! (you'll notice that each line starts and ends with an up bow)

Up down with my bow 'til it comes to a stop,

Up down with my bow 'til it comes to a stop,

Up down with my bow 'til it comes to a stop,

Up down with my bow 'til it comes to a stop. 

Learn these words and sing them with the recording or while you do the bowing (air bow). 

 O come, little children, O come one and all,

To Bethlehem haste, to the manger so small,

God's son for a gift has been sent you this night

To be your redeemer, your joy and delight.

Learn the duet part and play with the recording, a sibling or friend!

Violin "Advent" Calendar: DAY 17

DAY 17:

Christmas around the World

Violin "Advent" Calendar: DAY 16

DAY 16:

Enjoy this Christmas playlist from ThePianoGuys!

Violin "Advent" Calendar: DAY 15

DAY 15:

"Sleigh Ride"

by Leroy Anderson



Play along using these homemade instruments:

Trumpet

Jingle Bell Shakers

Violin "Advent" Calendar: DAY 14

DAY 14:

Color by Numbers (music edition)

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/

Check your email for coloring pages.

Violin "Advent" Calendar: DAY 13

DAY 13:

"Let It Go/Vivaldi's Winter"

Violin "Advent" Calendar: DAY 12

DAY 12:

Easy Sheet Music Ornaments you can make

Christmas Tree

Star

Christmas Ball

Violin "Advent" Calendar: DAY 11

DAY 11:

"Do you hear what I hear?"

How often do you listen to the Suzuki recordings or your current piece?
Leslie Thackery of Practice Makes It Easy and owner of The Practice Shoppe shares some great ideas to make your listening more effective.

Practice Makes It Easy: Are you listening?: This post was contributed by the lovely Tabitha Ricks! This month's post is on the three types of listening. Edward Kreitman says t...

Practice Makes It Easy: The Playlist: I love my iPod. What I love most about my iPod that wasn't as easy or convenient with my good ol' portable DVD player or walkman is ...

What changes are you going to make at your house?

Violin "Advent" Calendar: DAY 10

DAY 10:

Practice Ideas

Use these ideas during practice this week. 

“6″ things a day—pick 6 things to practice. For example—10 perfect bow holds (counts as 1 thing), some drill work on the working piece, 3 review pieces, preview for next piece.

Birthday Candle—Light a birthday candle (make some type of holder) and have that be the length of the practice session. 

Violin Tour—take the student “on tour” —playing something different in each room of the house (the big tone produced in the bathroom is very exciting!), in a different place in the yard, or at different neighbor’s or relative’s homes.

Student as Parent—Let the student be the parent for one day of practice. This can have mixed blessings because a parent will often see his own behavior reflected in that of the child’s.

25 minutes = 25 cents—practice for 25 minutes, earn 25 cents.

Recital - Plan a recital for stuffed animals, friends, family, etc. and make a program and decorate it. Practice for a week in preparation and let the child decide the pieces that will be played, what favorite cookies will be served, etc. Set up a stage and make a spotlight!

Dice - Roll a dice to determine the number of repetitions of a piece or for drill work (ex—play this section the number of times you roll on the dice.) Or, roll the dice to determine the piece to play. Ex—1 = Twinkle variation A, 2 = variation B, etc.) Buy a package of math dice—these dice have more sides with higher numbers.

Deck of cards - like the dice game,, only use cards. Assign pieces to each card. Have child pick cards to determine the pieces to play and the order.

Draw a name—write the piece names on pieces of paper. Put in a hat and draw to determine piece to play and order. Or put practice item on paper (bow holds, scales, etc.)

Silly Cards - make silly cards and let child draw a silly card as a reward. Ex—stand on one foot, stick out your tongue, sing the piece, play pizzicato. For example, if child needs to play twinkle and draws “stick out your tongue,” must play twinkle with tongue out the whole time. It’s quite amusing.

Make a video—regularly video tape your child playing violin. You’ll be amazed at the progress they make.

Chip Game—use “chips” (pennies, marbles, any kind of token). Set a goal—for example, keeping thumb bent while playing piece or keeping a good violin posture for entire piece. Give child and parent 5 chips each. If child meets goal, gets a chip from parent. If misses goal, parent gets a chip. Keep playing until someone has all of the chips.

Violin "Advent" Calendar: DAY 9

DAY 9:

Be a Light

Violin "Advent" Calendar: DAY 8

DAY 8:

Handel's Messiah

Composer: George Frederick Handel

Born: Germany, 1685

Period: Baroque Era

Well-known compositions: Messiah, Water Music, Royal Fireworks

Do you know why everyone stands during the Hallelujah Chorus? 

"Legend has it that in 1743, the British monarch King George II was so moved by Handel's Hallelujah Chorus that he stood out of respect for the “Lord of Lords,” the only authority above his own. When the king stands, everybody stands. And since then everyone has followed suit."

Can you name any pieces in the Suzuki repertoire by G.F. Handel?

75th Cedar City Performance of 

Handel’s "Messiah"

By Kristin Beauchamp-Butt

The Orchestra of Southern Utah invites you to join them as they usher in the Christmas season with their 75th annual performance of Handel’s Messiah. Come celebrate the diamond anniversary of this Cedar City tradition, completely free of charge!

Performances will be on December 13th and 14th. The doors will open both evenings at 6:45, and the audience is asked to be seated by 7:15, at which time empty seats will be released to those waiting. The performance will begin at 7:30.

This production is funded by the generous sponsorships of State Bank of Southern Utah and the Leavitt Group, and performed with the volunteer service of the orchestra and choir. As a result, admission is free! Tickets are required and are available at the Heritage Center box office—105 North 100 East in Cedar City during regular business hours. Attendees are encouraged to collect their tickets in advance, as a full house is expected for both performances. Tickets are already gone for Sunday, but we always have a few people who have taken tickets and can't come, so please come even if you don't have a ticket and we will fill every seat.

Handel’s Messiah was written in 1741 and tells the story of the Christ in three chapters, corresponding to His birth, death, and resurrection. The piece takes its audience on an emotional and spiritual journey, climaxing with the famous “Hallelujah Chorus,” and ending with a reverent and uplifting series of “amen.”

The first performance of Handel’s Messiah in Cedar City was on New Year’s Day in 1925. Beginning in 1940, it became a winter tradition. Originally performed by Southern Utah University (called the Branch Agricultural College back then), the Orchestra of Southern Utah has since taken up the responsibility.

Cedar City has a long and vibrant history with the musical arts. From the earliest Mormon pioneers who used fiddle music to keep warm throughout the cold winters, to the Cedar City Band who would perform in the City Park and later as an official military unit with the US Army, the musical residents of Cedar City have consistently come together to support their community. Directed by ambitious and charitable leaders (such as Orien Dalley, who donated almost 100 string instruments to SUU as he retired, or the famous and benevolent Roy L. Halversen), the orchestral scene grew to proportions unheard of considering the small area. This growth culminated in the construction of the Heritage Center, which has provided a permanent home for the Orchestra of Southern Utah as well as a venue for even more areas of art to flourish.

Jackie Riddle-Jackson will be directing and conducting this year’s performances. A panel of judges including Harold Shirley (President of the Orchestra of Southern Utah), Ron Cardon (community member and Southern Utah University Alumnus), Mark Ganowsky (Cedar High School Chorale Director), and Carol Ann Modesitt (Professor of Voice at Southern Utah University) evaluated the auditions. After careful deliberation, the panel decided that the soloists for this year’s Messiah will include: Alex Byers, Taliah Byers, Taryn Thomas, Terri Metcalf-Peterson, Glen Reber, Corlissa Jensen, Shannon Birch, Tyler Melling, Brandi Hall, Leslie Perkins, and Taylor Rowley. These individuals come from a variety of backgrounds encompassing the Cedar City community, Southern Utah University, and Dixie State University. The famous trumpet solo for “The Trumpet Will Sound” will be performed by Adam Lambert on the Sunday performance, and Austin Clark for the Monday performance.

Please be seated by 7:15, at which time empty seats will be released. Children over 6 with adult supervision are welcome, but no babies please as the performance is recorded. Sometimes people take tickets and then are unable to use them.  If you have tickets to return please return as soon as possible.  Even if we run out of tickets please come and we will do everything possible to have you seated.

Further information:  Emily Hepworth, OSU Manager, 435-233-8213.