Last Wednesday, two of our cello groups and Ms. Sandra accompanied Ms. Diane to KinderU to perform at a parents seminar for parents of RightMind Kindergarten students.

Students and parents walked from KSMA to KinderU, carrying cellos and stools through the streets of Wanchai during rush hour.    It was exciting that our new t-shirts arrived just in time for the performance, so the cellists were the first to get to wear them!

All of the students did a great job with the logistics and playing, especially since the performance was after they had already had group class!

Many thanks to the students and parents for taking the time to allow your student to perform at the seminar.   Live performances make a big difference for prospective families!

by Audrey Sung

Today was my recital day.It was the eighth time I had done a book recital.

Ever since I was three,I had begged my mom to get me a violin teacher, and that is when I came to Kinder U Suzuki Academy. I had been playing for seven years, and I traveled through twinkle to book eight .

It was very different from book seven, since in this book, I had mostly focused on technique, bow strokes and listening to my tone. And also, I feel like I am really enjoying the success and love how the satisfied feeling in me.

There was a lot of difficulties,though. Since I started book eight a little before 5th grade started. At 5th grade you were supposed to learn a new instrument, so I had to juggle violin, piano, and flute in my spare time.

There are certain people who I want to thank. I would like to thank Ms.Yuko,first, for teaching me and having patience in me. Also, Ms.Yuko taught me how to be responsible for my own learning by taking notes by myself. Next, my mom,who continued supporting me in my violin studies. My mom always says,”Never rush,never rest in playing!” And she’s helping to look at the very tiny but important things such as bow hold and finger placement.I would also thank Emma, who took the time to come and practice the Handel Duo. And lastly, but not least,Ms.Diane, for being my group class teacher, teaching us what real Suzuki method was and supporting me.

On Sunday, 8 May, our families spent part of their Mother’s Day celebrating our students’ deep learning accomplishments.   KSMA hosted its first Graduation Concert, using the levels established for us by Dr. Suzuki.

Prior to the concert date, students whose teachers believed they were ready made video recordings of their graduation piece.   Our faculty watched each video and made comments on the student’s performance and overall development.   The comments will be shared with the students at the private teacher’s discretion.  Each student’s video is viewed and commented on by three teachers.

Dr. Suzuki chose the pieces which are graduation pieces because these pieces represent the first time that all of the skills learned up to that point appear together in the same piece.  So, while it may be that every skill in a particular graduation piece is something a student has had in at least one previous piece, it is the first time that all of the skills are in the same piece…what an accomplishment!

In our current society, there are far too few opportunities for our children (or us!) to experience the all-important opportunity for learning something deeply.  Polishing graduation pieces has given our students just the beginning of the opportunity to do what we would like to experience regularly…deep, multi-tiered and multi-faceted learning.

Dr. Suzuki often talked about how memorising the notes, fingerings, rhythm, articulation, intonation (strings), bowing and bow divisions (strings) and tempo of a piece are the beginning of the learning process.  Once we have learned the “nuts and bolts”, then we are ready to begin learning the music of the piece!  This idea is not unique to Suzuki, but how lucky we are that it is one of our foundational elements.

Congratulations to our students for their work in getting ready to really learn these pieces…both individually, and as members of their group class in preparing for the concert!

On Saturday, April 30, Cecilia and Jenevive had their Book 3 recital. At the rehearsals, they worked on collaboration– looking at each other, matching dynamics, listening to each other while playing, and finishing together.

                           

Jenevive’s Recital Experience

When I did my recital I felt scared because it was my first time doing a duet with Cecilia.  I also felt proud of my self because I was graduating book 3. Me and Cecilia rehearsal over and over again.  In the end it turned out really good and everyone was happy.  That was my first duet.
We played Bach Bourre, Gossec Gavotte , Martini Gavotte , Bach Minuet and twinkle variation.  My favorite one was Martini Gavotte.  It sounded great and it was fun to play. It was lots of team work and practice.  It it was GREAT.  I’m very appreciated Mr.Graham.

Jenevive

by Ms. Monica

On Saturday, 30 April, we celebrated the accomplishments of three students, Ben, Stacey and Liam.  Through their hard work and dedication, they performed all of the pieces in Violin Book One!  KSMA reports:

KSMA: Do you think you’re ready for book 2 now?

B: Yes

KSMA:  What did you think about the Book 1 Recital?

friends and family: Great!

KSMA: Did the performers seem prepared?

friends and family:  Yeah

KSMA: What was your favorite part of the recital?

friends and family: I like the part when everybody was playing together.

KSMA: What was your favorite part of the recital?

L: The start!

KSMA:  Why?
L: Because I like Gavotte.

KSMA:  Did you like playing it together?

L: Yeah

KSMA: What’s different about playing in a group?

L: It sounds louder.

KSMA: What did you think about having rehearsals before the performance? Do you think that was a good thing?

S: *nods yes*

KSMA:  Why is it important to have the rehearsals?

S: Rehearsal is better because we can practice.

KSMA: Together?
S: Yup!