Suzuki Music Academy of Hong Kong

"Music Exists for the purpose of growing an admirable heart" ~Shinichi Suzuki

Welcome, Pablito!

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All of our cello families have surely seen Pablito by now…he is Ms. Sandra’s new cello!
She visited an instrument factory in Guangzhou in order to select Pablito.  This is a story about the process of making a fine instrument:
Welcome to Pablito! 
(In honor of amazing cellist, Pablo Casals)
~by Ms. Sandra
Wait for at least 20 years for them to begin, have materials from 3 different Continents, have at least 30 specialists working full time. Next, wait 6 months… and the result will be to have Pablito, the beautiful new cello that is living now in our School.
 
each piece of wood must be aged for at least 20 years before it is ready to use
the wood is stacked and arranged so that it has enough room to “breathe”
this is African ebony – especially for pegs and tailpieces!
 
If you want to have a good quality stringed instrument, you need to follow the same recipe  (sometimes it takes even more time if is only one person working on it). The handmade ones are really art masterpieces, done by Luthiers (instrument builders) with high skills carving and selecting wood, endless patience measuring every tiny part of the instruments, and having good taste for the ending details like colour and selecting right accessories.
this luthier specialises in carving the back of the instrument
This is the f-hole specialist. He is so skilled he can carve holes for 4 violin f-holes in one hour!
This luthier specialises in making the scroll and neck of the instrument
This is what the top of the instrument looks like on the inside!
Interesting facts:
 
*Only 1 tree of 1000 planted to be used to make instruments will have the perfect quality.
 
*The ebony, the wood that is used for the pegs and the fingerboard, is black and is the most resistant and dense in the world. If you put it in the water it will sink … Better never make a boat with it!
 
Take a look at the photos of how it is inside the handmade instrument factory (Violins, Violas and Cellos), I don’t know how you feel, but for me, it was like being in heaven!
Violas and Violins waiting to find their perfect match
A wall made of violin wood…so beautiful!
Have a long a beautiful life with us Pablito!
Have a long and wonderful life with us, Pablito!

MusiCares helps out our Stray Friends

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What a beautiful day for a bbq!

On 26 November, MusiCares Outreach team volunteered and performed at the Sai Kung Stray “Friends Paws for Xmas” event.

Members helped out by walking dogs,  organising, and helping to sell.

They also had a chance to taste some of the food from the bbq.

After a visit from “Father Christmas”, it was time to share a bit of music with the guests.  MusiCares played We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, and Hallelujah.  It was a bit distracting to have our own mic operator!

Things didn’t operate on a set schedule, so this was also an opportunity to practice growing our skills of adaptability and flexibility when dealing with things beyond our control.

In 2018, MusiCares will be performing a benefit concert for Sai Kung Stray Friends.  We’ll share the details when it is all arranged, and hope you will all plan to attend!

Stanley Christmas Market Performance!

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2017 Stanley Christmas Market Performance

We are excited to return to Stanley for this year’s Christmas Market!   

This year, we will have two back-to-back performances so that all of our students have enough space to play.

Please see the details and sign up below!

DATE: Saturday, 16 December
WHO: Everyone!

Group A: cello, viola, violin                                                  
Group B: piano, violin

WHERE:  

Meeting and performance locations are the same as last year:

~Meet, tune and Line-up at Murray House.

~Performance at the stage area of the market.

TIME: Group A

12:00 Tuning and Line Up
12:30 Performance begins
  1:30 Performance ends

Group B

12:45 Tuning and Line Up
 1:15  Performance Begins
 2:15 Performance Ends

DRESS:   

  • Black pants or skirt
  • Green KSMA t-shirt or Red/White/Green Christmas shirt

 

SIGN UP:


REPERTOIRE:
Jingle Bells (A & D)  (Jingle-Dashing-Jingle)
Joy to the World (A & D)  2x
We Wish You a Merry Christmas (G) (We Wish – Good Tidings – We Wish)
Silent Night (G) 3x
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (D)
Frosty the Snowman (D)
Christmas Day Secrets (piano only)
O Come Little Children (A & D)
Goodbye to Winter (piano only)
French Folk Song (D) (viola/cello only)
Chorus from Judas Maccabeus (G)
Musette (Piano + Book 1 string students play drone on A/D)                
Humoresque (G)  (violin students have “special” C section)
Vivaldi a minor, 1st mvt.
Allegro (A &D)
Long, Long Ago (G, C)
Twinkle (D, A, C)

CHAMBER MUSIC STUDENTS: Special Schedule
9:00 Borodin
9:45 Ms. Sandra, Mr. Daniel, Ms. Ryoko’s Mozart
10:30 Ms. Ryoko’s Bach
**Chamber Music violists & Cellists will ride to Stanley with Ms. Monica, Ms. Sandra and Ms. Luna in Coach**

Mrs. A at KSMA!

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On Monday, 6 November, some of our piano students were fortunate to have the opportunity to have a masterclass with Professor Carmencita Arambulo, Suzuki Piano Teacher-Trainer from the Philippines and Chair of the Asia Region Suzuki Association.

String students may have seen her on Saturday, as we were lucky enough that she had time to observe many of our group classes and chamber coachings, and also attended Mr. Jason, Ms. Monica, and Ms. Sandra’s studio recitals!

Here are the students’ reflections from their masterclasses:

Aidan: “I found the Mrs A masterclass interesting. I learnt that book one and twinkles are  the foundation for everything, even for advanced piano students. I am going to use her techniques when I practise my songs to create a beautiful tone. I especially liked her “draw the line” tip and I found it funny when she drew on the piano.”

 

 

Anais: “I liked this class because it was interesting and it gave me more ideas on how to play my music. I think it was a good educational experience.”

 

Ayden: “I have learned how important of “Piano Technique” that can make good sound out of the piano”

 

 

 

Ezra: “She was happy with what I played and taught me how to get better. She helped me on how to play and the dynamics.

I feel happy and joyful because she has helped me with things.”

 

Hanson:  “I have been practicing finger walking on the piano since master class. It’s very helpful to strengthen my fingers and helps me to make good rainbow finger.”

 

Nathan: “Mrs A says that twinkles are most important. I will do my twinkles everyday I do my piano practice. I especially liked her walking warmup technique but I am not a fan of Spider-Man stickers.”

 

On Tuesday,  all of the Hong Kong Suzuki teachers got together and had dim sum lunch with Mrs. A!

Thanks for finding time for us during your visit, Mrs. A!   We look forward to seeing you again in Manila next July!

 

Fall Term, 2017-2018 Registration is now open!

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Fall Term Registration is now open to families currently studying in our instrumental program

 

Please use the link below to register for Fall Term, 2017-2018.   The registration deadline is 9 June:

https://suzukihk.wufoo.eu/forms/m2hrg1g16lqsfp/

 

It is also still possible to register for summer lessons!   Use this link for summer lesson registration:

https://suzukihk.wufoo.eu/forms/xm5crsi1emlneg/

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