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09/24/09 Suzuki News Sept 24 2009
Hello Suzuki families!
A few reminders for the weekend:
· Amarillo Symphony open dress rehearsal tonight from 7:30-10:00 PM in the Globe News Center for the Performing Arts. Come and go as you need to. Those will very young children or ones who tend to speak out loudly should sit near the doors – if you need to make a quick exit, you can still hear the rehearsal inside (even in the restrooms!). I just found out today that the rehearsal order will be the Dvorak Symphony, the Bartok Violin Concerto and then the Mozart Sinfonia Concertante (the violin/viola duet). It may be too late in the evening for many students to hear this duet, but come and hear what you can.
· Drew Irvin, violin, recital this Sunday at 3:00 PM at St. Andrews Church. General admission is $15 and Suzuki students are free (I’ll get a couple extra student tickets in case you didn’t already sign up). Drew is the guest Concertmaster for the Amarillo Symphony for this concert, and grew up a Suzuki kid. Come and hear some fabulous playing in a great venue!
WOW! What a GREAT group of new students were represented at the Play-in this past Saturday! You guys are off to an awesome start and we really had some good group play happening. Kudos also to the older students who helped "show the ropes" to our newbies and provided some great assistant teaching and guidance - you were truly the backbone of our group on Saturday.
Unfortunately, we had a high percentage of intermediate and advanced students who were NOT there which meant that the students from these groups were not able to play most of the pieces at these level that we had planned for them. Please show consideration for the fellow students, teachers (who are not paid for these extra events, btw!) and the volunteers who plan refreshments and other activities by making all of our Suzuki required activities a priority in your schedules NOW - we keep these required events to a minimum while still providing a full Suzuki experience for each child.
I did hear from a few about unavoidable schedule conflicts ahead of time - thank you again for your consideration. I do need to hear of such conflicts ASAP so I can pass along this information to those who are planning for events - we had almost 40 "no-shows" (no notice of absence) this past Saturday, which can REALLY skew the lesson plan and materials/refreshments provided. This is just not an acceptable plan for success.
We DO, of course, truly appreciate the majority faithful of you who consistently make juggling your crazy family schedules a priority, and truly work to show your children how to make long-term commitments work. We even had a couple of students who interrupted their boy scout overnight trip to drive back into town for the play-in and return to camping afterwards!
Calendars for the year’s events are available online at www.actx.edu/suzuki, and anything in bold type on the printable calendar is considered a required event. Thanks for checking over the rest of the year’s activities and getting them on your schedules now J
Thanks again for all the daily work you are doing to build not only fine musical skills, but consistency and character in your child. I am truly looking forward to a very successful year!
8/17/09 10:18 AM AC Suzuki Registration THIS WEDNESDAY August 19
Hello Suzuki families!
Please note the unique timing of our registration this fall -- BE SURE TO CHECK IN WITH ME FIRST at the special Suzuki table in the Assistance Center for your registration materials.
Families newly joining our program, if I've missed communicating this to you before, please accept my apologies -- feel free to email or call with any questions you might have!
We are looking forward to a terrific year, and I'm excited to see everyone on Wednesday! This information can also be found at www.actx.edu/suzuki.
AC Suzuki Fall Registration
Wednesday, August 19
11:00 AM -1:00 PM & 4:00 - 5:45 PM
11:00 AM -1:00 PM & 4:00 - 5:45 PM
LOCATION: Student Services Building (see map below)
You will need 2 separate payments to complete registration:
1) $15 per student Parent Fund Fee (check or cash ONLY, have this with you) payable to AC Suzuki
2) Tuition payment (check, cash or credit card) payable to Amarillo College :
$325 for 30-minute lesson students
$435 for 45-minute lesson students
$550 for 60-minute lesson students
The above rates include any Wednesday groups, orchestras, solo recitals and play-ins for the enrolled student.
Optional additional fees (at the discretion of the teacher) include:
$25 for Advanced Ensemble*
$50 for Orff for Children NOT studying an instrument*
$75 for Orchestra/Group for students NOT in the Suzuki program*
*$2 technology fee may apply to these sections
$325 for 30-minute lesson students
$435 for 45-minute lesson students
$550 for 60-minute lesson students
The above rates include any Wednesday groups, orchestras, solo recitals and play-ins for the enrolled student.
Optional additional fees (at the discretion of the teacher) include:
$25 for Advanced Ensemble*
$50 for Orff for Children NOT studying an instrument*
$75 for Orchestra/Group for students NOT in the Suzuki program*
*$2 technology fee may apply to these sections
Check in first at the Suzuki Registration table where I will provide you with forms and course ID numbers for your child(ren). All Suzuki students MUST register by 5:45 PM on this date, and full payment must be made at the time of registration. Students will be entered directly into the AC continuing education system, so bring along the following information:
* Child's social security #
* Child's date of birth
THERE WILL BE A $25 per student late fee assessed for any registrations after this date.
Registration will occur in the Student Service Building.
Park in Visitor Parking off of 22nd or in the Music Building lot and walk past the clock tower in center of campus.
Tue 4/21/2009 8:31 AM Saturday Play-in at St. Andrews Church
Very Exciting Play-in THIS Saturday!!
**LOCATION CHANGE** - St. Andrews Episcopal Church
9:15 Students arrive at St. Andrews Church.
9:30 Student Play-in (all-levels violin, viola & cello students).
10:00 Avanti Group breaks out to rehearse in choir room.
K, pre-K & younger students break out for games in the courtyard.
All other students stay in the sanctuary to hear Manny Lopez' Bach informance.
10:30-10:45 As rehearsal/presentation is finished, students go to the courtyard.
10:45 Announcements and practice-a-thon awards, then refreshments!
10:00 Avanti Group breaks out to rehearse in choir room.
K, pre-K & younger students break out for games in the courtyard.
All other students stay in the sanctuary to hear Manny Lopez' Bach informance.
10:30-10:45 As rehearsal/presentation is finished, students go to the courtyard.
10:45 Announcements and practice-a-thon awards, then refreshments!
We'll be finished about 11:15 as usual :)
Why is this a REALLY cool play-in?
* we get to play in the unique acoustical space that only St. Andrews Church provides!
* Manny Lopez, cellist of the Harrington String Quartet, is bringing TWO cellos to play and talk about what instruments/musicians/performing was like during Bach's time (the Baroque period, for you research oriented parents). I'm excited to hear not only Manny's fabulous playing, but to have this music transport us back a few hundred years...! Homework for the week: Have your child identify the pieces by Bach that they play/know.
* We get Practice-a-thon Prizes! - Be sure to stay through the announcements and awards!
05/02/09 Greater Southwest Cancelled
Dear Suzuki Families:
Greater Southwest Music Festival has been CANCELLED, so Mr. Hinds (although disappointed that this great group will not get to perform) and his orchestra students will have this Wednesday off with the rest of our students.
The Avanti Recital is still planned for Friday, May 8 at 7:00 PM in the Oak Acorn Room of the College Union Building at AC. Everyone is invited to come and support our most advanced students in their solo and group works.
Rehearsals for those performing in the Ronald McDonald Concert will be the following two Wednesdays, May 13 & 20, from 4:30-5:30 PM. Those families will be receiving a confirmation email and rehearsal reminder by the end of next week.
Everyone keep washing those hands and stay well :)
Tue 4/21/2009 8:50 AM Suzuki End of Semester Announcements
A few reminders as we wrap up the Suzuki Spring 2009 semester:
Turn in your Practice-a-thon Forms and money by Wednesday, April 22 (put in drop box at room 308) to be in the running for the prizes!!
Last Solo Recital - Tuesday, April 28 7:00 PM - sign up THIS WEEK on the 2nd floor bulletin board.
Play-in THIS SATURDAY at St. Andrews Episcopal Church on Georgia - students arrive by 9:15 (see other email for details).
Our last Wednesday group meetings will be next week, April 29 -- what a roaring halt we're coming to!
Mr. Hind's Orchestra Competes at Greater Southwest Music Festival - Wednesday, May 6
Students will wear concert dress - white shirt, black pants or skirts.
3:50 PM** - Mr. Hind's Orchestra students arrive at the Civic Center
4:40 PM - Performance - family members and friends are invited to watch the competition performance at 4:40 PM in the Civic Center Auditorium.
Students will wear concert dress - white shirt, black pants or skirts.
3:50 PM** - Mr. Hind's Orchestra students arrive at the Civic Center
4:40 PM - Performance - family members and friends are invited to watch the competition performance at 4:40 PM in the Civic Center Auditorium.
Avanti will give a final recital on Friday, May 8, in the Oak Acorn Room at Amarillo College. Everyone is encouraged to come and hear the great work our most advanced students are doing -- sure to be an inspiration and encouragement for ALL levels of students and parents!
Welcome Back - March 22, 2009
If you haven't already, remember to visit with your private teachers this week about performing on Solo Recital next Tuesday (March 31) - visit http://www.actx.edu/suzuki/index.php...d=1 for more info.
As we ALL intend to get back into a great routine of daily practice, here are a few websites resources that might be helpful for your families:
http://www.practicepal...icing-tips.html
http://www.practicepal...icing-tips.html
It is common to ease out of regular listening practices as schedules/seasons change -- remember this is the single most important tool your child can use to more easily learn new pieces as well as keep review pieces in the memory banks. In addition to listening to your newest piece(s) try making a custom CD of two or three books and set your player on shuffle to keep the literature "fresh" for everyone in the house.
Parents, don't forget your most important role during your child's lesson is to take notes. Whether you sit moment to moment and assist your young child's home practice or mainly check-in on your older child's self-guided work, your notes serve as clear reminders to you and/or your child as to the specifics to be practiced. Personally, I think I'll have a "wrist back/soft thumb" stamp made as that is what I've been writing down almost weekly for years now :)
Hope everyone has an easy week back into the routine -- see you at Wednesday groups!
01/25/09 10:40 PM Suzuki Announcements
Review of Announcements from Saturday's Play-In:
KUDOS to Barbara Woody who coordinated the Play-In Refreshments (and everyone who remembered to bring the goodies!)-- everything was GREAT!
Workshop Review list (and the Book III revisions for Bach Bouree) is available on the new and improved Suzuki website -- go to www.actx.edu/suzuki , go to the "Current Students" link and the drop-down menu will include 2009 Workshop Review. Photos from Saturday's Play-In will also be posted later this week -- check back often!
The safety of our students continues to be a concern -- there were reports last Wednesday of many students waiting (and running!) in front of the music building and in the parking lot. It is unacceptable to leave children unsupervised for Suzuki activities. There was also an unconfirmed report of a panhandler approaching one of our students and asking for money this past week. If you have more than one child in groups, have a plan for another responsible adult (other than the class teacher) your child can check-in with in case of restroom or any other need to leave the class, and who can help younger students get to their next group. Even middle-school students should have an adult ensure they are getting to their classes. Your attendance and supervision not only strengthens the safety of ALL of our students, but reminds your child of your support. Helping students be prepared for their next group class is an extra benefit!
The star high-school student award goes to Paige W, who, even with her school orchestra event that started at 10 AM Saturday morning at the mall, made the effort to attend as much of the Suzuki Play-in as was possible! Paige was there early and helped younger students tune and get settled in for the morning. Paige, you are AWEsome!
Also, Kudos go to high-school student Tori H for her attendance and leadership when the other students in her group all had conflicts with the Play-in :) Each of your efforts in regular attendance is SO appreciated, as it is vital to the continued strength of the student's musical and personal growth and the quality of our unique program.
Everyone have a great week!
01/13/09 5:16 PM Suzuki Registration Wednesday Jan 14
Just a reminder – Suzuki registration is tomorrow (Wednesday) January 14 from 2 – 5:45 PM. For more info on fees, what to bring to register and where to go, visit www.actx.edu/suzuki and click on the nifty calendar listing under the block calendar in the left-hand side of the window.
Also, please note and make this change in your address books – my email has changed to cdnies@actx.edu. Along with this change, I have found many of your email addresses did not make the conversion process intact – please check yours at registration tomorrow.
The website has been officially updated --which you noticed when you checked it for registration details as noted above :) You should more easily be able to find pertinent information and a listing of upcoming events. Please bookmark it and regularly check there for information – it’s too much work for me if it is not being used.
Looking forward to a great new semester and seeing each of you at registration!
03/12/09 3:29 PM Spring Break Schedule and Other Suzuki Stuff
Just a reminder: We will NOT have group or private lessons next week (March 16-20) during Spring Break. Happy practicing and listening on your own! J
Now, while you have some spare(?!) time, you might want to check out this article. What an inspiration for why we are involved in teaching our children music! (Thanks to Carajean Archer for forwarding this to me!)
Also, so we don’t get lost in the spring shuffle, here are some dates to keep in mind for when we return:
March 31 – Solo Recital - PLEASE consider playing in this one if you haven’t yet this year – we have quite a few folks needing to play and only this and the April 28th Solo Recital left.
Student Practice-a-thon – mid-April – (more info TBA after Spring Break) – Again, I know this is yet another fundraiser for your family to consider, but with no big gala fundraising concert scheduled this year (yeah!) to supplement our tuition rates, our yearly budget is in the red (boo!). Also, I received word that our AC foundation accounts that annually contribute up to $9,000 to our still deficit budget will most likely not be high enough to supplement us at ALL in 2009-2010, so I’m looking ahead at a probable $25,000 - $30,000 shortfall for next year (really a bummer!). Now, if each student in our program participates in the practice-a-thon at $100, we will meet our shortfall for the current 2008-2009 year (whew!). Of course, if each student participates at a higher level, we will get a head-start on our anticipated deficit for next year (whoo hoo!!!). So, PLEASE plan on participating in this opportunity to have neighbors, relatives and friends help us keep our individual tuition rates from rising (thanks!).
April 25 – Play-in – We have something REALLY special in the works for this one, so clear those conflicts now…
May 6 – Suzuki Orchestra competes at Greater Southwest Music Festival – as soon as Mr. Hinds replies to this email with his schedule and other info for this afternoon, I’ll put the info on our website J
May 8 – Avanti Recital – our most advanced violin students will be performing – all other students please make plans to attend!
May 22 & 23 – Rehearsal/Performance with Amarillo Symphony for the Ronald McDonald Anniversary Concert – more info on students involved and performance pieces will also be posted on the website after spring break.
So, everyone be safe and have a great week ahead! See you back the week of March 23rd J
01/06/09 6:32 PM Suzuki Registration Spring 2009
Suzuki Spring Registration
Wednesday, January 14
2:00 - 5:45 PM
2:00 - 5:45 PM
Lessons begin the week of January 19th -- Wednesday group classes will begin January 21. Check the website at www.actx.edu/suzuki for more calendar information.
LOCATION: Student Services Building (map available at http://www.actx.edu/suzuki - click on the calendar listing "Spring Registration")
You will need 2 separate payments to complete registration:
1) $35 Suzuki Association of the Americas Membership Fee (check or cash ONLY, have this with you) payable to AC Suzuki
2) Tuition payment (check, cash or credit card) payable to Amarillo College
$315 for 30-minute lesson students
$425 for 45-minute lesson students
$540 for 60-minute lesson students
The above rates include any Wednesday groups, orchestras, solo recitals and play-ins for the enrolled student.
Optional additional fees (at the discretion of the teacher) include:
$25 for Advanced Ensemble
$50 for Orff for Children NOT studying an instrument
$75 for Orchestra/Group for students NOT in the Suzuki program
Check in first at the Suzuki Registration table where I will provide you with forms and course ID numbers for your child(ren). All Suzuki students MUST register between 2:00 and 5:45 PM on this date, and full payment must be made at the time of registration. Students will be entered directly into the AC continuing education system, so bring along the following information:
* Child's social security #
* Child's date of birth
THERE WILL BE A $25 per student late fee assessed for any registrations after this date.