STRING NEWS
Dear String parents
I hope you all had a safe fun-filled school holidays and enjoyed the break. Ensemble rehearsals and tutorials have commenced this week and will continue to do so til the end of Term 4.
We are working through the audition process and will keep you informed with dates and Covid Safe methods as soon as we can.
I read that music practice is the utmost importance in developing any player. Jascha Heifetz, regarded as the 20th Century’s most amazing violinist, sums it up perfectly. "If I don't practice one day, I know it; two days, the critics know it; three days, the public knows it."
It is surprising for something so crucial to musicians that many players resist practice. From experience, telling a child to practice can be like asking him to clean his room or do his homework. What’s so terrible about practicing?
Here’s a few helpful tips on ‘how to practice,’ which may help with the resistance.
How to Practice
We know that students understand the benefits and rewards of practice but sometimes don’t know exactly “how” to practice. This uses a start/focus/playtime routine which works well.
Start
Students to start with stretches and warm ups with long, clear tones, then scales and arpeggios and finally a warm up piece or exercise.
Focus
This is where the student works on new and challenging pieces, paying close attention to detail, correcting mistakes and also focussing on their strengths. Focus helps the player to make improvements and build confidence at the same time.
Playtime
Saving the best for last, is when you get to have fun, play your favourite Frozen/Disney movie tune. Play chopsticks. Record yourself, make up a tune, improvise your pieces, compose a piece, try and beat your mum at chromatic scales (this happens at my household). The fun ideas are endless.
Til the next newsletter.
Ellen Hird
(Strings Convenor 2020)
Ensemble rehearsals:
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Training Strings: |
12:50-1:40pm Tuesdays lunchtime -Students are to unpack their instruments outside the Music Room at 12:50pm.
- Please make sure they bring the training Strings music to rehearsal.
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Junior Strings: |
7:45-8:45am Tuesdays, school hall - Parents are to drop off students at the school gate. Students must make their way to the hall by themselves, no later than 7:45am.
- Students will set up their own chairs and school music stands. At the end of each rehearsal they will pack up their own chair/stand. |
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Concert Strings:
Split into two sessions |
7:45-8:45 Thursdays, school hall Stage 3 (years 5-6) 7:45 - 8:25am
Stage 2 (year 3-4) 8:25 - 8:55am
- Parents are to drop off students at the school gate. Students must make their way to the hall by themselves, no later than 7:45am. - Students will set up their own chairs and school music stands. At the end of each rehearsal they will pack up their own chair/stand. |
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Senior Strings: |
3-4pm Tuesdays, music room Upon conclusion of each rehearsal, students will pack up and head towards the school gate, to be picked up by parents.
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Got a question?
If it is about your hired instrument or instrumental tutorial please contact your tutor firstly, then our instrument coordinator or strings coordinator if required. For anything else please contact your strings convenor.
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ROLE |
PERSON |
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Training Strings Coordinator |
Jenny Wang |
wjenny27564@gmail.com |
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Junior Strings Coordinator |
Karen P’ng |
artarmonmusic@msmusic.com.au |
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Concert Strings Coordinator |
Vandana Vasudevan |
hamsinv@gmail.com |
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Senior Strings Coordinator |
Ada Pan |
Yingpan2002@yahoo.com |
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Strings Convenor |
Ellen Hird |
strings.artarmonpandc@gmail.com |