Suzuki Music Academy of Hong Kong

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

SUZUKI SUMMER REFLECTION: Caleb Chung

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My WWSI experience

   By: Caleb Chung

Very few people have heard of Walla Walla, and some thought it was in Hawaii!  We drove 5 hours east of Seattle to this town of 50,000 – and mom and dad said it was very special. It has 200 wineries and no one really knows about it!  We found it because we met the institute director Miss Julia Salerno in another institute two years ago called GMSI( You should go too) – and we are so happy we did!

 

In Walla Walla, there were a lot of things to do but let me tell you about the learning.

 

It’s just like HK! You get private lessons and group lessons everyday for five days.  The private lessons are almost the same as typical lessons, but are called masterclasses, so most of the time you only get 15 minutes, but you get a lot out of it. In the group lessons, you get an advantage either way. If you are advanced for your book you get to review. If you just started your book, you get to work on the pieces that you are working on. You also get to meet new friends, and the next year, you will hopefully advance together and that is nice.

In the camp, you also get electives. Electives are musical related activities and there were four available – Steel drums, Dalcroze, Chamber, and orchestra. I chose Steel drums, chamber, and orchestra. They were very enjoyable.. In chamber, I got taught by renowned suzuki teacher named Dr Glenn Springs. The song that we learned was called six petite trios. In orchestra, our teacher was really funny. His name is Mr Bruce Walker and he has a super high voice!  I was in violin one and the song that we played was called symphony one. It was written by William boyce and was played at the royal wedding. My sister Chloe thinks he is very funny and calls him funny man. In steel drums, I had Mr Jaggabad. We learned song of the wind, Shake de papaya down, go tell aunt rhody, Twinkle Twinkle, and F major scale.

In WWSI, There is something called honors. You get to play a solo piece and it is really nerve wrecking but exciting. I played Vivaldi concerto in A minor second movement in book five. I think i did well and everyone clapped!

At camp everyone was very nice.. Sometimes if you are lucky enough, you get a free period or at the end of the day you get to swim in the university swimming pool which has a diving board and a basketball hoop!

Overall, I think WWSI was an amazing experience and you should come too! I hope to see you next year in Walla Walla Washington!  

Welcome to KSMA!

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As the first internationally recognised Suzuki Talent Education school in Hong Kong, KinderU Suzuki Music Academy (KSMA) has a long history of excellence in working with children and their families.

We work with children and their families from birth onward; the students from our initial group of “Twinklers” are now secondary students, participating in chamber music as well as our weekly foundation program of private lesson and group class.

 

 

At KSMA, we follow Dr. Suzuki’s belief that our children should develop “Character First, Then Ability”. Following the principle of the “Suzuki Triangle”, all of our classes include the student, parent and teacher working together.

 

 

We welcome children from birth, along with their parents, to join our Music Play program. Registration is on an ongoing basis, as long as their is space available.  Join us at any time!

Children ages 4 and older, together with their parents, are invited to join our Instrumental Program in cello, piano, viola or violin.  Although we do not do examinations, at KSMA we do have a 3-step admissions process, which takes place in the term preceding admission.

Please contact us to join the waiting list or get more information.

We look forward to welcoming your family into our Suzuki Community!

 

Suzuki Summer Send-Off…Success!

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Although we had to abandon our plans for performing outside at Stanley due to the uncertain weather, it was exciting to have so many students and parents join together for Saturday’s Suzuki Summer Send-Off!

                        

Some of the pieces were just for a specific instrument group, so cellos, pianos, violas and violins all had their own turn to be “in the spotlight”.  We also had quite a few pieces where we all got to join together to play.

  

 

Since it turned into a “private” event for our own families, we used the Takarakuji Box and had “Lucky Dip” for deciding the order of the pieces.  It was fun to learn what students had already done their listening or practicing before leaving home on Saturday, as well as other things like which students can play a piece using only one hand?  (PIANO), who has been playing the violin the longest (Mel), how many of our students are new Twinkle students this year (lots of hands!), and how many students have parents who need to ask more than once when it’s time to practice!   (we hope that talking about it will let that change!)

  

After we finished playing, there was a pizza party for everyone, including treats that families had brought to share.

Our Summer Send-Off was such a fun way to be all together one more time before the end of the Term!

  

Suzuki Summer Send-Off: Rain Plan Reminder

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KSMA SUZUKI SUMMER SEND-OFF

Rainy Day Plan

 

REMINDER!

Due to our unpredictable weather, the Suzuki Summer Send-Off Location has been CHANGED!

We look forward to seeing you at the Vine Centre Mini Hall at 10:30!

 

DETAILS REMINDER:

Date: Saturday, 9 June
Time:

  • Arrive 10:30
  • Play 11:00-12:00
  • Pizza Party 12:00-12:30
    • Pizza will be provided!   Please feel free to bring a treat to share

Location:

Notes

  • cello families should still bring stools
  • all Twinkle students should bring their foot charts
  • Parents are still invited to play!

Even though we won’t be able to enjoy Stanley together, we look forward to making music together and celebrating the end of a great school year!

 

1st Suzuki Convention of the Americas

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We have a chance to be a part of history!

The first-ever Suzuki Convention of the Americas will be held in Cancun, Mexico, 1-5 May, 2019.

The conference will include all instruments as well as Suzuki ECE, so we can all participate!

We are still learning more details from the Conference.

  • Registration will open 1 September.
  • Take a look at the Conference Hotel/venue!
    • https://www.iberostar.com/en/hotels/cancun/iberostar-cancun

Registration is open to all instruments.  Minimum level requirements by 1 September:

  • Cello:   Happy Farmer
  • Piano: Au Claire de la Lune (hands together)
  • Viola: Minuet 1
  • Violin: Minuet 1

*All Students in Book 4 and above need to send audition recordings for orchestra placement.  

*Piano students of every level must send an audition video for attendance.

Here are the video recording details:

  • Book  1-8 (piano), Book 4-8 (string) students polished performance of a Suzuki piece (with accompaniment for strings)
  • Book 8+ students polished performance of a piece from the standard repertoire (with accompaniment for strings)
  • Video must be uploaded/emailed by 1 July 2018
  • Students will be notified of acceptance by August (before registration opens)
  • For students Book 4 and above, there is a limit of
    • 100 violins
    • 44 violas
    • 36 cellos
    • 16 pianos
  • Ms. Sonomi will be available to record audition videos on Wednesday, 20 June
    • Recording accompaniment Fee of HK$300 per person should be paid to Ms. Lan.
    • Please sign up for a time here:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zkN52VjoBlluBJQWzvgJKdhO4zterBbe_hk4ADY0KXs/edit?usp=sharingWe will have more registration information as it becomes available.   

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