Suzuki Music Academy of Hong Kong

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

Reflections of the Performers: Book 1 Recital ~ Elise and Hanson

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Elise and Hanson

Dear SMAHK

Thank you for teaching me and helping me with my Book 1 Recital. At first, I was really scared and nervous, but the more I practiced I got more and more comfortable with it. I thought the recital was very nice. It was nice to collaborate with someone I’ve never worked with. It was a wonderful experience for me, and for that I thank you.

by Elise

Today is my first violin book recital. I usually play the piano with other people.  This is the first time someone else has played the piano, and I am playing the violin. My partner is Elise, we didn’t play our pieces well together at first. After practicing in a few joint lessons, we got along better and better. 

When I arrived at the school, I felt calm and confident because I had practiced so many times with Ms. Diane, Ms. Sonomi, Elise, and my mom. After we finished playing twinkle, I knew this recital would go well. Sadly, I was wrong. After Lightly Row, I started to make a few wrong notes and wrong bowings. I got more nervous. but I still kept going until the end. Even though I knew this recital was not 100% awesome, I still feel very proud of my first violin book recital! 

Thank You!

by Hanson

A Happy Halloween!

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What a joy to be back at Stanley – almost two years after our last public performance! While we have been fortunate to have some “in person” performances – these have been limited to very small audiences comprised of immediate family members. It was so exciting to share our music and our costumes with an audience that included people we didn’t know at all.

There were lots of opportunities for the audience to join in the performance as well: singing, dancing, clapping…sometimes it seemed that the spooky sounds were happening in “surround sound”.

We are all excited to have more chances like this in the future.

Please enjoy some of the sights of our performance!

  • lower strings
  • pianists watching carefully
  • Two Grenadiers!
  • Everyone joined in Witches Dance
  • Pianists playing Gabby Ghost
  • French Folk Song
  • Ms Sonomi had a great costume!
  • Ms Susan’s first play-in in Hong Kong!
  • waiting…
  • SMAHK staff dressed for Halloween

SMAHK Students Join 4 Nations Virtual Concert!

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On Sunday, 22 November, several of our students were wearing their concert best at the early hour of 7:30a.m. Their instruments were in tune, and they had their pre-recorded accompaniment ready for the sound check before the 4 Nations Virtual Concert. Sponsored by the Centro Suzuki Buenos Aires, SMAHK students were joined by performers from Argentina, Chile and Japan. Here are the students’ thoughts about the concert:

~from Annika

I think the concert was brilliant, special, and very well organised. It was nice seeing kids from different countries (that study the Suzuki method) play their pieces too. Since it’s challenging to see kids in person even from HK, it was super special to see kids from Chilé, Argentina and Japan on Zoom. The part I enjoyed the most was watching kids play pieces familiar to me as well as new pieces. I also enjoyed getting to share my piece which was Minuet 2.

~from Bianca

It was fun! I liked hearing other students play from other countries. They all sounded pretty. I feel proud about how I did my song.

~from Cecilia

Overall, I was proud of my performance for the online concert. I was most confident about my intonation. I was happy that I could match with the piano accompaniment almost all the time. The vibrato was also consistent. Although the thumb and elbow technique were the ones I practiced most, and were the ones that were most important about playing the piece, I could have really thought about it more in the process of playing Rameau Gavotte. I could improve by checking and paying attention to it from time to time. I could have also had more dynamic differences, making the music more interesting for the audience to listen to. even though I practiced the sweet tone for Gavotte 2 for a long time, there still was not a very sweet tone when I played it, making it sound like I was playing a straight line out of my violin with no emotions. I am very grateful that I was invited to the 4 Nations Virtual Concert Performance held by the Suzuki staffs from Argentina!

~from Charlotte

This was an interesting concert. It was enlightening to know how music can transcend ethnicities to express feelings. While hearing the performances, although they were played by musicians from different cultures, I felt a sense of connection over the feelings that were expressed. Music is universal!

A memorable part was hearing Suzuki pieces played on guitar. The notes had a special vibration to it, emanating a distinctive, warm feeling compared to the violin, viola, cello, and piano. It surprised me like when I heard the Cello version of Gigue by Bach (Book 7). It broadened my understanding of sounds and musical interpretation. 

Thank you for this opportunity. 

~from Shreyas

I really enjoyed playing in the Four Nations Concert. It was inspiring to see how the love of music can connect communities from all around the world. Especially in times like these, when we can feel disconnected even from our own communities, it was exciting to perform alongside students from Argentina, Chile, Japan and Hong Kong. Thank you to SMAHK for providing us with this wonderful opportunity.

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

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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.  

Suzuki Music Academy of Hong Kong believes:

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