Performing, Teaching

Recital preparation

I try to be very methodical when it comes to helping my students prepare for recitals.  Here’s a general timeline I follow:

1. One to two months out:  we select recital piece.  The piece (or pieces, if they are short) MUST be something they already know and would just be polishing. If it will be their first recital or if they are new to my studio, I will talk through what is going to happen on the day so they don’t get surprised. One more point about repertoire choice-I don’t require students to play their more recent piece-they can go back farther if they like.  My only requirement is to perform a piece they know and the goal is to play the best they can with the most beautiful sound!  It’s such a disaster when a student is struggling to learn notes a few weeks/days before the recital.  It’s so much better when they really know the piece and are comfortable with it.

2.  Each lesson, they play through recital piece at least one time, if not many more. I will be sure to mention one or two points to focus on (even if just posture or beautiful tone).

3.  For the last few lessons before recital, I make sure the student will perform the chosen piece several times in his or her lesson.  We also practice with applause and bowing.

4.  The past two weeks I have been asking my students to play through their piece (or pieces) 3 times each day.  This is in addition to any specific spot practicing they are doing.  I encourage them to think about good posture before starting each run through.

5.  I also encourage them to put together small “practice recitals” at home with their family or friends in preparation throughout the whole timeline, and particularly towards the end.

That pretty much sums it up!  This plan is more for beginning/intermediate students–though the 3x a day run through is an idea I got from Linda Cerone back in college.  She suggested running through your recital program 3x a day for a few weeks in advance of the recital.  She said after that, only playing it once would be a breeze!

Grand Ideas, Travel

Things I want to do this summer!

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Okay, so it’s pretty much unofficially summer time for me–that is, my school teaching is done, my recitals are near, and I have a lot more free time.  In the past I have made lists of things I want to do–this summer is no different, except I’m going to list some of them here in my blog!

First off, you should know that Chris and I have booked a cruise!  We are going on the Carnival Legend to the Western Caribbean in August, and could not be more excited (at least I can’t be!).  So that’s the big vacay this summer.  My sister wants me to come visit her in Boulder at Colorado Music Festival, and another friend wants me to visit her in Chicago, so we’ll see about those.  I’m also hoping my parents will come to visit (saving me a trip home plus they haven’t been to St. Louis to see me yet) and Chris’s sister is planning to come out for a bit as well.   So I came up with the following ideas of things I want to do IN town this summer, either with visitors or in town friends.

Here are some of my ideas in random order.

MOBOT Dinoquest.  Yes, it looks a little young perhaps, but there are dinosaurs and a geodesic dome involved, plus it’s just down the street from me.  So that might be fun, unless I end up playing too many weddings at mobot and hate it by then (sometimes it’s a looong walk, other times it’s really really hot, other times it’s both.)

Circus Flora.  This is a circus set up in Powell Symphony Hall parking lot.  Apparently they come every year, and it’s great fun.  I want to go!

Opera Theatre of St. Louis is putting on A Little Night Music.  Directed by Isaac Mizrahi!  I already have a ticket, and can’t wait.

Shakespeare Festival–I haven’t seen a Shakespeare play since I was young, but I remember enjoying them at Presbyterian College.  I have never seen Hamlet, and should probably remedy that.

The Zoo, of course.  My friend Browdy keeps wanting me to go with her-it’s her most favorite thing, and I haven’t managed to do so yet.  Maybe this week or next?  Fun fact–the zoo is celebrating its centennial!

SL Science Center.  There are a variety of neat things happening.  Firstly, the Darwin exhibition looks worthwhile.  Then there are a variety of Omnimax movies that look interesting, especially the ocean one.  I love ocean movies on the big screen.  (FYI, we saw the pirates exhibition at the Field Museum last year, so no need.)

Other ideas but without specifics right now:  Art Museum, St. Louis Cardinals game, and Six Flags!  Naturally there will also be a few movies I want to see (specifically a certain Twilight movie and SATC…even though I know it will probably be bad.)  Not to mention running…supposedly I am to be training for a half marathon in October!

This post is really for me to to refer to, but anybody have more ideas for me?  I would rather have too many ideas than sit around complaining of being bored!  My dear readers, please weigh in!

Performing

Maya Cafe revisited

My phone camera is not super great, but I tried to take a picture anyway.  Here’s one of the Death and the Maiden guys from Sunday night at Maya Cafe in Maplewood.

It’s a small room with a nice little stage.  Sunday nights is classical music/crossover stuff.  Friday and Saturdays  the owner is bringing in more typical live music (for this sort of venue).   It was a lot of fun hearing the music and chatting with friends.

Teaching, Travel

Can’t wait for Ottawa Suzuki Institute

In a few weeks, I will be going to study Suzuki Book Four in Kansas.  After completing the week, I’ll have my teacher training in Books 1 through 10!  (I’m still pondering doing book 1 again in the near future, since it’s been a long time).  I remember this time last year I was excited about going to Columbus for books 2/3.  So much has happened since then–I would not have guessed I would complete a whole year of Suzuki Pedagogy Classes and learn SO much more about teaching children than I could have guessed.  (Thanks to Carol Smith, and then of course, HUGE thanks to Vera McCoy-Sulentic for her generosity of time and spirit!).  Plus, a few weeks ago, I was so tired, and couldn’t believe I had to attend an Institute still…but now I am recharged and ready to go!  I know it will be a fantastic experience, and I look forward to meeting other teachers as well.

Weddings

Four down, one to go!

I can’t believe I’ve already played four weddings (well, technically three and a reception) this weekend.  I was totally exhausted last night–our first wedding was pretty tough. It was a difficult situation with the organist/music director at the church, where it seemed that he was very bitter that we were there at all. It was unfortunate for him, I think, because I think a surprise collaboration can be a wonderful thing, but not everyone is as open minded as I am (or eager to meet new people).

The second wedding was fun, except (as is all too common) they wanted to set us up in the sun. It seems no matter how many times you go over these things with people, they still can’t believe you won’t actually go against your contract and play in direct sunlight (it was 90 degrees without the sun). Even a bit of sun can really put the instruments out of whack (which we had already), and if we don’t get shade, basically the polish would buckle, the instrument would melt at the seams (glue), not to mention likely broken strings, etc. The people gave us a little attitude, and then complained that we were too far away (not loud enough) after they refused to let us set up where we suggested (much closer and more shaded). Any potential clients reading this: we are experienced at this and usually can figure out a good place to be that will meet our requirements, unless there are no trees at all, in which case, we do need a tent of sorts. It’s not a question of us personally not wanting to play in the sun, it’s that our instruments would be destroyed in potentially a very short period of time.

The last gig was a reception–it was great fun! We played for about 2 1/2 hours and I got to do some new arrangements of pieces that I hadn’t played before. The company was great, and the client were just wonderful.

After my wedding this afternoon, I get to go relax at Maya Cafe. Chris is playing Death and the Maiden with some of his colleagues, and then some of our friends/colleagues are playing Tangos and other Latin Music there. It should be a fun evening! My friend Lisa Chong is organizing “Maya Cafe Sundays” and the restaurant has a special menu for the evening (opens at 6:30 pm, music starts at 8 pm, no cover).

Food, Teaching, Weddings

Everybody’s working for the weekend?

Except me?  One wedding down,  four to go!  Tonight’s was a nice ceremony at the Piper Palm House in Tower Grove Park.  I’m looking forward to attending a wedding there in a little over a month, but it was a beautiful evening tonight.  Not too cold, not hot.

Tomorrow–two weddings and a reception, and Sunday another wedding.  Then Sunday night I look forward to seeing friends perform at Maya Cafe again–Chris is playing a quartet, and some of my friends are doing some tangos and such.  Should be fun, and they do have tasty margaritas there!

I went to have Nicaraguan food with a friend today.  We went to Fritanga, and I really enjoyed it.  It seems that plantains are the mainstay of Nicaraguan food (and I’m okay with that!).  I’ve been taking advantage of my newly found free time by meeting various friends for lunch or dinner, getting a pedicure, and catching up on all the things I was putting off.  It’s been a relaxing week, at least, though I’ve ended up being quite busy…odd combination.

It looks like next fall I might be much busier teaching.  I’m hoping so!  Busy is good, and I guess if I can’t do the performing I’d like to, I’ll teach more.

TGIF.

thoughts about violin, teaching, running, life.