Suzuki Music Academy of Hong Kong

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

Reflection from the Performer: Julian Mak

By

One of the positive and exciting things that has come about as a result of the pandemic is the realisation by teachers worldwide that technology allows us to do things together no matter where in the world we might be!

Recently, SMAHK student Julian Mak had the opportunity to play for an international concert organised by the American Suzuki Institute as part of the lead-up to its (delayed) 50th Anniversary Celebration. Performers based in the ASI’s home of Stevens Point, Wisconsin played in person, while other students joined on zoom from around the world. Julian was the only performer from Asia, so the recital began at midnight Hong Kong time!

Here are his thoughts about the experience:

Last Saturday, I was invited to perform in a virtual studio recital which was based in Wisconsin.
Obviously, waking up at 7am and staying up until midnight is not the most promising sleep schedule for playing well in a concert, so I took a nap for around 4 hours, just in time to eat dinner. Dad also made a setup for the recital, which looked ridiculous. 
Overall, the concert was a very fun and new experience for me. I certainly never have had to stay up until midnight to perform in a concert, let alone a virtual one!   

Reflections from the Performers: SANDER & STEPHEN

By

Sander and Stephen gave their Book 3 recital on Saturday, 6 March, 2021. They each had one parent and their private teacher as part of the live audience, as well as family and friends joining on Zoom. Here are their thoughts about the experience:

from Sander

Recently I shared a book recital with Stephen. It was a fun and enjoyable experience playing at the recital and practicing/preparing for it. I learned one important piece of information about practicing for a performance in the process, and that is the importance of perfecting the beginning as everything stems off of it, so if you have a solid and confident beginning the piece will sound great.

from Stephen

Before the recital started I felt really nervous but when it started I felt more anxious. On the first song martini govatte I felt ok because I had been practicing it. After that I felt ok with the over songs until  Bach Bouree before I even played that song my hands started to sweat because when  I practiced Bach bouree it was the hardest song to practice. After Bach Bouree I felt ok again and after the recital finished I felt Happy. I loved playing the pieces that either Sanders would play the harmony and I play the melody or Sander would play the melody and I play the harmony, because I don’t feel so nervous playing with Sander even if I feel a bit nervous when I play the hard parts in Bach minuet or Govatte in G minor. When it  was picture time I made silly faces because I love doing that when it comes to picture time.

Studio Recitals

By

SMAHK was so fortunate to be able to have our studio recitals in person over the past several weeks. We all enjoyed having the opportunity to share music together in the same place! The audience was very enthusiastic, even though much smaller than usual due to distancing guidelines.

We hope you enjoy these photos as much as we all enjoyed the performances!

Reflections from the Performers: Book 1 Violin Recital ~ Eric, Lincoln & Miles

By

For our October Book Recitals, we were very fortunate that the performers were able to play in person with Ms Sonomi! Each performer was also able to have a parent watch the recital live, as well as inviting family and friends to join on Zoom. Here are our performers’ thoughts about the recital:

~from Miles

During my recital I felt really nervous, more nervous than when I did on other performances on stage.  I was also much more careful and actually tried to get the perfect performance. Before it began I already memorised what I had to do .  Including good behaviour,what to do during the pieces and following the leader when we have to . It went through pretty smoothly. I was also leader for the twinkles.

~from Lincoln

I was very happy about the recital because many of my friends complimented and congratulated me. I was also very nervous and embarrassed about the recital. I was very embarrassed because of the uniform.

~from Eric

I felt that this was a great experience for me because this is my first Book Recital. I liked how sometimes you can make mistakes but no one can correct you. I actually left out a bit of Happy Farmer but no one said I was wrong. I feel very proud because even though I made a few mistakes, I think I did a great job. I was very happy when I saw that people on zoom had watched us play. I thought that no one would come to our recital! 

Finally, I would like to give thanks to the following people:

Mrs.Diane, for helping us organise the recital.

Mrs.Yuko, for teaching me all the pieces I played in the recital.

My Mom, for encouraging me all the way through.

Mrs.Sonomi, for piano accompaniment with all of the performers.

Mrs.Lan, for the photography.

Miles and Lincoln, for performing with me. (their parents too!)

Finally, all the people who watched us perform on zoom.  

Reflections from the Performers: Book 3 Violin Recital ~ Margaret and Stacey

By

~from Margaret

This recital was such a learning curve. All throughout the past month or so we have been planning trying to make a recital in the situation we are in. I learned that making videos for a recital and having to play things virtually without a live accompaniment is really hard. When you play without someone beside you playing the piano can also be hard. When not on a speaker it can also affect not being on time with the piano like in the recital. I could not hear the accompaniment to Humoresque that is why I did not end on the same time. I and Stacey both did things wrong sometimes one started too early and somehow in the Twinkle we were not together. In Humoresque my speaker was not working and the pitch in the slow me downer app but then we fixed it on our side. 50% of the things that went wrong I blame me but the other half is because we were doing this online. I really enjoyed making this with Stacey but also hope I can do my next recital in person.

~ from Stacey

The coronavirus made our recital really hard to handle, We had to do it online and record videos in order to make me and Margaret’s duet work.

We had a lot of difficulties when making videos and practicing, for example for the duet videos we got notes and bowings wrong sometimes so we had to record all over again and I need to listen to Margaret and Miss Sonomi’s left hand while I play the Minuet duet.

I practiced hard and memorized my bowings and notes so I would not play it wrong when I am recording the videos, I also requested help from Miss Monica when I feel confused about the piano parts.

I understand that the coronavirus is making big changes in our life but I still enjoyed our virtual recital because I get to invite family and friends to my recital, unlike real life we can’t. The only part I did not like about the online recital was that I and Margaret could not really congratulate each other after playing and we always need to be on mute!

Next time I think I should focus more on my dynamics when recording and playing so that the audience can hear my rich strong tone also my light heavenly tone. 

Thanks to Suzuki my book three recital was still pretty perfect.

Suzuki Music Academy of Hong Kong believes:

Follow us on Facebook