Suzuki Music Academy of Hong Kong

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

Stanley Christmas Market Performance!

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String students finished off 2019 with a fun – and windy! – performance of Christmas, Chanukah, and Suzuki repertoire at the Stanley Christmas Market. They reorganised everything this year, spreading the booths and activities out throughout Stanley Plaza and Murray House; the performance “stage” was both smaller and in a different location much closer to Murray House. This made it much easier for the students to manoeuvre from the set-up location to the stage…especially helpful in the windy conditions! It also brought our audience closer to us. It was a great way for us to kick off the holiday season! Our best wishes to all for a joyous and relaxing holiday.

Grand Group Class Concert!

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In spite of a location change requiring additional logistics and organisation from every student and family, SMAHK held its annual Grand Group Class Concert on Sunday, 8 December.

Due to the efforts of Ester Li (mother of Caleb and Chloe), we were able to have the concert at the Church of All Nations chapel at Hong Kong International School. We are very grateful to Ester, and to Pastor Joel and Megan from HKIS. The chapel was a very warm and inviting environment; all week, we have been receiving comments by email and in person from people who thoroughly enjoyed the concert venue.

Our theme for this year is “Beautiful Tone, Beautiful Heart”. There is no better time for us to be sharing our hearts with one another through our music. The concert was a wonderful example of this, with all of the group classes performing repertoire designed to share our tone and hearts together.

Thank you to all of the parents who helped with the set up before the concert, as well as to all of the students and parents for their preparations before the concert. What a wonderful spirit of community to take with us into the holiday season!

MusiCares Performance: St James’ Settlement Wun Sha Elderly Centre

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MusiCares students donated their time on 14 December to perform for the elderly at St. James’ Settlement Wun Sha Elderly Centre. It was the first visit to an elderly home for some MusiCares members, and it was great that the audience was so engaged in the performance! Here are some of the MusiCares members’ reflections on the experience:

“I experienced altruism”

“The community there was very enthusiastic and interacted with our playing, making for a very heartwarming experience.”

“From this experience of playing violin at the elderly home, I really enjoyed the audience clapping along with us while we played, and interacting as well.”

“I genuinely enjoyed this experience, as I got to see the wonderful interactions between the music and the elderly. Such a pleasure to see!”

“I enjoyed this experience. This is the first time that I go to an elderly home and perform. I enjoyed the performance today, and I hope I can go to perform again next time”

“I enjoyed this unique experience very much. I was very, very glad to see the elderly be so happy because of the music. I am happy because I have the privilege to spread joy”

“This experience made me understand music can bring happiness to others. I enjoyed this experience very much. Next time I wish that more people can come and enjoy our performance”

“This experience made me really happy to see others so happy. I really hope that next time the same feeling will come and that more people will come to enjoy the sound of music”

“The opportunity today for people is one that doesn’t occur very often, and because of that, I found this experience very special. It makes me happy to bring some music to the elderly home and share the Christmas Spirit with them”

“Even though it was my first time I think I enjoyed it as much as everyone else did”

  • Presenting gifts to the audience members
  • After the performance, gift-giving
  • The audience suddenly started clapping along during one of the pieces, so we encouraged them to continue!
  • Charlotte was our spokesperson at this performance

Studio Recitals!

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SMAHK students were fortunate to have the opportunity to perform in studio recitals during the month of November. Recitals were held in the Lecture Hall at Sheung Wan Civic Centre, and in the Recital Hall at Hong Kong City Hall. It was so fun that all of our recitals were joint recitals this year, as that gave us another special opportunity to continue to build our feeling of community with many family members and friends supporting each student as they performed. Parents have commented about how much they have noticed the growth in the students from one year to the next. Congratulations to all of the students and their parents for their consistent listening and practicing that let them have such positive experiences! Please enjoy these photos from our studio recitals:

Reflections from the Performers: Sander & Ayden Book 2 Violin Recital

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Sander & Ayden’s Book 2 Violin Recital: 15 November, 2019

On Friday, 15 November, Ayden and Sander performed their Book 2 violin recital in front of a big audience of family and friends. Here are their thoughts on the experience:

Ayden

~Ayden’s reflection

Last Friday, I had my violin book 2 recital with Sander. Although I felt a little nervous, but mostly felt excited of having many friends came to support us. I was nervous on Gavotte from Mignon piece because I lost track a bit towards the end of the song. However, I felt very confident to play my solo pieces and pieces that I played with Sander. 

Many thank to Ms. Diane and Ms. Ryoko by teaching me how to perform well with my partner in the recital.  I learnt how to give more clearer cue as a leader and copy the articulations, dynamics and bow divisions from the leader. Last but not the least, thank you Ms. Shoko for piano accompaniment. I look forward to having my next book recital! 

Sander

~Sander’s reflection

At first I really didn’t want to do it. I didn’t want to do it at all until the actual recital. Now looking back I sort of wish that I could’ve had a more positive view on this. At the practice recitals they seemed more stressful than real one. In the end everything seemed to work out well. It was even a bit enjoying to play for our our guests.


My final thoughts are, hard work definitely pays off in the end and have fun while you’re doing it.

Thank you to all of the friends who joined the recital, and Congratulations to Ayden and Sander on their work!

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