Suzuki Music Academy of Hong Kong

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

Reflections from the Performers: Oliver and Roger, Book 3 Recital

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On Saturday, 18 May, Oliver and Roger gave their Book 3 Recital. Here are their thoughts about the experience.

~from Roger

Over the course of these few months, me and my partner(Oliver) have been preparing for our annual book 3 recital, where we graduate from our books, in this case book 3, and move on to explore and learn new pieces to play in book 4. In order to get ready for this performance in the academy, we have prepared “Crossover Lessons”, where either of us would go to each others lessons to first discuss who would be doing what, call back our long memories fragments of pieces, learn a few extra duets and practice daily until we thought they were the best that we could make do for the program. Unfortunately, some of the lessons that we were supposed to attend were canceled, mostly because one of us was sick at the time and the other forgot to attend the lesson at all. But, surprisingly, we still managed to pull of a good recital.

~ from Oliver

Within a few months, my partner (Roger) and I worked together to prepare for our Annual Book Recital. The hardest part in the early stages was deciding who was going to play which piece. I think Roger and I handled it quite well as we decided to have Roger choose which he wants in the first two songs and I chose within the second two. To get ready for our duet pieces, we had to find a time in our classes to get together to practice. I, being the forgetful person I am, forgot about it twice. But we found time to make up for it and practised our pieces and duets. During that class we polished our duets and have the opportunity to play together instead of by ourselves at home. Practicing together allowed us to figure out how loud we should play or fix our timing. All in all, I think we managed to do a great recital and I am very proud of Roger and my work.

MusiCares: Ma Wan Easter Egg Hunt

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For months, MusiCares worked with the organisers of the Ma Wan Easter Egg hunt to make a plan for them to be able to assist with the easter egg hunt itself, as well as providing music for the event. In spite of weather, illness and other challenges which severely curtailed their numbers, a few MusiCares students did brave the weather to fulfil their group’s commitment. Here’s their story of the experience:

~by Amarbir, MaryChun and Naphat

We arrived at Ma Wan to play violin and help with the easter egg hunt. We were supposed to play violin at 1:00 and 3:00, but at 1 o’clock it started raining very lightly. We decided not to play that time because it would not be safe to take out our instruments as they would get wet.

We waited for the first easter egg hunt to finish, then held hands with the other staff and formed a human chain to clear the people off the sand. Then we joined assistants to help bury more easter eggs into the sand using spades. In some of the egg hunts there was light rain, but the staff didn’t allow the people doing the egg hunts to open their umbrella just in case the umbrella might hurt someone.

It was very fun helping the staff bury the eggs. After 1:30 the staff announced that this might be the last egg hunt for today because the weather started getting more humid and the sky looked very dark. When that egg hunt was finished the weather forecast said that it was becoming amber warning as the rain started pouring heavily. We had to hurry and clear off the last people and get all of our belongings and go on the coach.

Refections from the Performer: Audrey Shia

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Audrey gave her Book 8 violin recital, assisted by Ms. Ryoko and Ms. Sonomi. It was great to see that there were friends who came to listen to the recital as well!

Here are Audrey’s thoughts about her recital:

~by Audrey

After 3 years of hard work, I have finally finished my book 8 recital. This year’s recital was so much different compared to the Book 7 one. I feel so relieved and grateful. I want to thank my parents, for supporting and assisting me. I’d like to thank Ms. Ryoko, for putting so much effort into teaching me. I’d like to thank Miss Sonomi, for accompanying me in the recital, even though the recital was 90 minutes long. Last but not least, I’d like to thank my friends for coming to watch me and support me!

Reflections from the Performers: Angie and Emily

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Emily and Angie performed their Book 4 cello recital, assisted by Ms. Shoko on piano. They did some of the rehearsal preparation independently, and some with Ms. Sandra and Ms. Shoko. Here are their thoughts about the experience:

~from Angie

I am glad to have book 4 recital last Saturday. Thank you for coming. 

I’m very very nervous throughout the whole performance, my heart beat was more than 100 per minute (usually I am 80 something).

In my first piece Sonata in E minor by Marcello, I thought I was playing well with dynamics, however I was so nervous, I forgot to play with all vibrato.

For the second piece, Minuets in G major by J S Bach, the phrase was not clear enough and my dynamics should be more clear. Overall I think this one was average. I should be more confident while playing this piece.

While I am playing with Emily, I thought we did a good job. Most of the notes were clear and with dynamics. 

Finally I thought I did a great job in this recital. Next time I will do it better.

Thank you very much. 

~from Emily

I enjoyed playing in the  recital with Angie and I felt very good after doing it because it felt like a good goal to have completed . I think that Angie and Ms Shoko did very well and I’m very glad that I wasn’t playing all the pieces myself, partly because it ( as Ms Sandra said) was like running a marathon while playing Breval. Altogether I think that the recital went very well. 

Reflections from the Performers: Anais, Ayden and Lauren

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Lauren, Anais and Ayden joined together to give their Book 1 violin recital. Here are their thoughts about the experience:

from Lauren

First I was nervous but once I played it more smoothly I got more confident and I played it better.

I can improve more on following Aidan the leader and making Gavotte more staccato.

I enjoyed playing the songs I learned with my partners. What’s special about the recital is I can show my hard work and now I moved on to book two.

from Anais

First of all, I would like to say that the experience is unforgettable because the rehearsals were fun but involve a lot of hard work. The rehearsal and recital were also a great opportunity to learn how to follow and cooperate with others through the music. This recital was about Ayden, Lauren and I so when I was late a few times, I learnt that you have to make sacrifices because you are not the only person involved.

All the practices for the Book 1 recital also taught me that you do not just pass and interest others by only enjoying but by dedicating hard work into this.

The recital had begin with an extremely nervous feeling. My hands and legs were shaking uncontrollably which almost made my bow fall from my legs between my pieces. Slowly, as the recital almost reached the end, the relief had taken over and I was no longer sweating like crazy. When we finally last played Gavotte, I felt extremely comfortable with following Ayden because I finally realised that there would be nothing to worry about.

In conclusion, I would like to say that this Book 1 Recital experience has taught me many things. I really enjoyed this and found interesting. The main essentials to this experience are cooperation, teamwork…and fun.

I would also like to thank Ms Diane for helping and devoting her time and Ms Yuko because she fortunately replaced Ms Shoko when sick and accompanied our recital with the piano.

from Ayden

I thought my book 1 recital was only need to play a few songs on my own and a few songs with my partners at all. However, I knew I need to do more than I thought during the first rehearsal. I actually have a few roles to accomplish during my book 1 recital. I need to perform as a follower, solo performer and also a leader! Wow!


As a follower, I managed to follow my leader, Lauren all the time while we were playing twinkle variations together. 


As I played my solo, I started with a little nervous. I didn’t play as good as I normally did at first. However, I paid more attention from my third solo with using my thumb and elbow energy as well as dynamics that Ms Diane always reminds me. I then felt more confident and enjoy to perform more.
As a leader, I was leading Anais and Lauren to play Gossec Gavotte to end the recital. I felt a bit nervous since I need to remember all big cues to lead my partners so that we are able to play well altogether.  After the recital, my mom told me that she was proud of my accomplishment as a leader even though I knew I played a few mistakes. 


I have been practicing book 1 song everyday, so I felt so delighted to play successfully in my first violin book recital. Now, I have more confident to my future violin journey. 

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