September Studio News

I love the feeling of a new month! I'm sad summer is coming to an end but I kind of like the routine that fall brings -it feels good to have a plan! 

I know you're all getting back in to a regular practice routine now that school is back in session and I've been thinking of what I can do to make practicing easier and more meaningful this year. 

There are two books, by Christine E. Goodner, that I highly recommend! Beyond the Music Lesson: Habits of Successful Suzuki Families and Positive Practice: 5 Steps to Help your Child Develop a Love of Music. I have ordered 10 copies of the first one and I'll have them available on loan from the studio or you can purchase your own copy. 

I think these will be great resources whether your child is 5 years old or 15 years old!

No Lessons, Mon., Sept 3rd

These lessons will be made up during studio group week, Mon., Sept. 24, regular lesson schedule. 

SAU Family membership dues

It's time to renew your Suzuki Association of Utah membership. Annual dues are $30 family. This includes 4 publications, $10 discount to the Suzuki Strings or Fall Workshop and registration to SAU graduation recital. Make payment to 'Marin Colby' and I'll register you online.

Suzuki Strings Group (click here for more info)

Suzuki Strings fall semester begins on Wed., Sept. 5th at 5pm at the SUU Music building. 

Twinkle and Early Bk 1 students will be in Rm 104 (downstairs) at 5-5:30pm. 

Late Bk 1 students will be in Rm 206 (upstairs) at 5-5:30pm and will go down to Rm 104 at 5:30-6:15pm. 

Bk 2 and 3 students will be in Rm 206 at 5-5:30 and then go to Rm 207 5:30-6:15pm

Bk 4 and up students will be in Orchestra, Rm 206 5:00-6:15 and stay in Rm 206 for Adv. violin class 6:15-7pm. 

Let me know if you have any questions about where to go. 

I'll have registration forms at lessons and you can give them to me or your group teacher. Make checks payable to Suzuki Strings. The semester fee is $70 for one student, $80 for two students, $90 for family. Make sure your current email address is on the form so you get all the updates! SAU families can take $10 discount. 

Regional Fall Workshop and Concert, Nov. 2-3, 2018

Denise Willey and two of her daughters, Lara Willey and Catherine Schultze are the guest clinicians. You can read more about them here. The Fall Workshop fee is included in your Suzuki Strings Fall Semester registration.

If you are not part of Suzuki Strings group this semester you can register for the 2-day workshop before Oct. 15th. It is $20 for Twinkle to Allegretto students (the $10 SAU discount does not apply to these students), $40 for individual students (the $10 SAU discount can be applied to these students).

You can access the supplementary pieces and orchestra music on your MMS account (My Music Staff). Print and put in your binder before your next lesson or Suzuki Strings class.    

OSU Fall Recital Series

Recitals are held every Tuesday this month, 7:30pm at 2111 North Main St. Cedar City.

Suggested donation $8 adults, $5 student.

Ethan Calvasina will be performing a few fiddle pieces on the Patriotic Gala recital, Tues., Sept. 11th. Come out and support him! See the full series here.

Studio Group Lessons

Studio group lessons will resume this month. 

Wed., Sept. 26th 4-5pm at Whittlesticks.

Ethan 

Nisha

Thurs., Sept. 27th, 4-5pm at the Longhurst home.

Andrea

Carvin

Hannah

Kimberly 

Ava

Thurs., Sept. 27th, 5-6pm at the Longhurst home. 

Eva

Abbey

Trace

Kamri

Mahina

Fri., Sept. 28th, 4-5pm at Whittlesticks. 

Ann

Elsie

Lyla 

Congratulations to these Graduates!

Lyla held her Twinkle Graduation on July 25th. Kamri (sister) and some cousins performed as well! 

SAU Graduation was on Aug, 25th in St. George at the beautiful Westside Baptist Church. 

Abbey participated in the Pre-level and performed Long Long Ago by T.H. Bayley. 

Ethan graduated from Level 4 and performed Concerto in G minor, 1st mvt by Vivaldi.

August Studio News

Fall Schedule officially begins Sept. 1, 2018. Tuition is due the first lesson of the month (Sept.-May). Tuition prices are $60/30 min. lesson, $90/45 min. lesson, $120/60 min. lesson- Studio group fee included. 

See the student schedule on the blog studio Calendar or your My Music Staff account. Sign-in through the quick link on blog banner: Student Login. (Note: the MMS calendar will always be the most up-to-date as it takes time for the blog calendar to sync)

Parents as Partners Online (PPO)
Fall kick-off! All talks/videos, plus 5 newly added videos, will be available through Oct. 15, 2018! It's only $12 to register and you get access to topics including practice, student/parent relationships, character development, building independence and many more! Videos range between 4 min. - 17 min. long and you can watch, listen or read the transcript when you have a few minutes.  

SAU Graduation Recital Sat., Aug. 25, 7pm
Students need to register. If you're an SAU member you don't need to pay the $5 fee. They have added a new level this year, a pre-level 1: Bk 1 Long Long Ago.

From Kirsten Candland, SAU graduation director: "The hope is that this pre-level will encourage more audience members, participation from teachers and students, and even more goal setting for future years. The pre-level will not include certificates, but will give those early book one students the experience of participating in the graduation. We ask that the pre-level students who are not members of SAU pay $2."

NEW Pre-Level 1: Long Long Ago by T.H. Bayly
Level 1: Bk 1 Gavotte by Gossec
Level 2: Bk 3 Bourree by Bach
Level 3: Bk 5 Concerto in g minor, 1st mvt by Vivaldi
Level 4: Bk 6 La Folia by Coreli
A dress-rehearsal is held before the recital, starting with advanced levels. Specific times TBA.
Register here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd7r_ghZegvDOwe_QspYKCf0yl7_FgvLCy8P-QHygnhUf4hfg/viewform?usp=sf_link

STUDIO GROUP will begin in September
Tentative Schedule:
Sept. 26- Ethan and Nisha 3:30-4:30
Sept. 27- Andrea, Ava, Carvin, Hannah, Kimberly 4:00-5:00
Sept. 27- Abbey, Kamri, Mahina, Trace 5:00-6:00
Sept. 28- Ann, Elsie, Lyla 4:00-5:00

SUZUKI STRINGS weekly group classes at SUU
Classes start Wed., Sept. 5, at 5pm.
Everyone is invited to a Parent Orientation meeting on Wed., Aug. 29, 5pm at the SUU Music Building. You don't need to register to attend the meeting. It's just a general information meeting for parents to meet the teachers and ask any questions they might have. There are several new teachers this semester that will be great addition!
Semester Group fees:
$70 for one student
$80 for two students
$90 3 or more students

The Fall Workshop is included in your semester fee.

FALL WORKSHOP with Denise Willey family
Nov. 2-3, 2018 in Cedar City, UT
More info here: http://suzukistringscedar.blogspot.com/

I encourage all students to participate in the Fall Workshop sponsored by Suzuki Strings. We've had phenomenal guest clinicians from all over the US and students come from throughout the southern Utah region and Las Vegas! 
Workshop schedule includes afternoon classes on Friday, morning classes on Saturday, dress rehearsal in the afternoon and a concert in the evening!

Registration is due by Oct. 15, 2018
Fees: Twinkle-Allegretto $20
Etude and above $40 (SAU members can take $10 off, $30 total) 

SAU Graduation

The annual Southern Utah Suzuki Association of Utah’s graduation recital will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at The Westside Baptist Church - 2299 W. 2000 N., St. George. 

History of Suzuki Graduations:  Dr. Suzuki would wake up at 4:00 a.m. each day and listen to hundreds of tape recordings sent to him from all over Japan.  Dr. Suzuki incorporated a Suzuki Graduation System where students, when they reached certain playing levels, would record several polished review pieces, and in return receive Dr. Suzuki’s constructive comments about their playing.  This was a celebration of accomplishment.  It was never a “pass or fail” situation since Dr. Suzuki trusted that a teacher would only have a student prepare and submit a recording when they were musically ready.  Dr. Suzuki also knew it was the process of preparing these recordings where the real learning and progress took place. 

Suzuki Graduation in Southern Utah:  In an effort and wish to continue Dr. Suzuki’s vision of excellence, this recital strengthens our programs collectively and individually, and gives students an opportunity to play their polished pieces in a beautiful setting, with often new musical friends unified in their commonality of music.  Each student will receive a signed certificate for completion of their levels.  Non-SAU members submit a $5 participation fee.  SAU members receive a replica of Dr. Suzuki’s watercolor and participation is included in their membership dues.  

Rehearsals will start at 5:00pm, likely beginning with the most advanced pieces and ending with violins on Gossec Gavotte.  Plan to have students dress in best dress and expect they will stay to the end of the recital, to hear all the performances and receive their certificates.  Where possible, we encourage families and young musicians to attend even if they are not graduating from a particular level this year, as it gives them motivation to work for next year.


Below you will find pieces that correlate with the graduation levels.  Students should be prepared with revised editions.  If you see a need for changes or additional levels, please let us know.  It is not uncommon for students to perform in more than one level in a year.  Many teachers have students prepare recordings in preparation for this recital.  You will know your student is ready to perform these pieces when they are in “review mode” rather than newly learned; playing up to the CD tempo, with accuracy and ease, concentrating on musical intent with beautiful tone.  

Instrument	LEVEL 1	LEVEL 2	LEVEL 3	LEVEL 4	LEVEL 5	LEVEL 6
Violin	Gossec Gavotte	Bach Bourree	Vivaldi, am, mvt. 1	Vivaldi, gm, mvt. 1	Corelli, La Folia	Bach, am, mvt. 1