Pure Joy
Have you ever tried to play a cello outdoors in freezing weather? Playing a string instrument is challenging under any circumstance, but a quartet of America’s concert artists rose to the challenge. The performers braved the elements, actually playing their instruments, though they were playing along with their own prerecorded version of the piece.
Performing Air and Simple Gifts, a new composition by John Williams, were cellist Yo-Yo Ma, clarinetist Anthony McGill, pianist Gabriela Montero and the inimitable Itzhak Perlman on violin. This beautiful new composition truly set the tone for the event.
What’s it like to be a featured performer at one of the most historically significant moments in our nation’s history? Yo-Yo’s face pretty much said it all. When the music finally broke into that famous Shaker melody and the theme was passed to the cello, he was positively beaming. Catch the video on YouTube
Getting to Carnegie Hall
The irrepressible Mimi Zweig leads a master class at the String Academy of Wisconsin on the Campus of University of Wisconsin, in Milwaukee.
When accomplished 15 year old violinist Brian Zhang signed up to play for Mimi Zweig, he was probably thinking of Mozart, Bach or Barber. Little did he know he’d soon be taking a 90 minute journey through the A major scale! Ms. Zweig, noted violinist, pedagogue, educator and mentor to many world class musicians (including violin/celeb Joshua Bell) has a way of turning complex problems into simple solutions.
“There’s a Zen to playing scales,” says Zweig, “that can calm even a teenage student who just had a fight with her mother.” Within the scale routine, and its dozens of variant bowings and rhythms, can be found the technical basis for almost any element of violin playing. And today for Brian, the simple act of remembering to play an open D string instead of using his 4th finger, provided a challenge almost as great as the Sarasate showpiece he performed just hours earlier.
Be it playing first base for the Yankees or playing Brahms, the greatest performers and athletes always focus on the fundamentals. The slight over tilting of a head, a bit of tightness in the shoulder joint, a posture that looks a little closed at times: these are among the dozens of subtle elements that never escape Zweig’s eye. She seems to have a certain ESP that brings the most relevant issue into focus within just a few notes of a scale. It’s a pleasure and inspiration for teachers everywhere to see her in action.
So remember, students: If you’d like to get to Carnegie Hall, or even if you just need to polish up your next Suzuki recital, the fastest way might just be playing your scales!
Milwaukee’s brewing up some fine music
Master Teacher Darcy Drexler explains the finer points of violin vibrato to seven year old Academy student Margaret Knox.
Every summer, string teachers from across the country (myself included) make a pilgrimage to Milwaukee. They’re here to observe what is arguably one of the finest models of string education in the world. For teachers, it’s a four day intense program of immersion simply entitled Teaching the Violin to Children.
The String Academy of Wisconsin, founded in 1990 by well known pedagogue Mimi Zweig, takes its roots from the teaching philosophies of Shinichi Suzuki and Paul Rolland. These two violin luminaries were certainly some of the most influential violin educators of the 20th century. Currently Executive Director Darcy Drexler, along with Zweig form the core faculty of the Workshop. For violin teachers, it’s a rare opportunity to draw upon years of experience distilled by some of the most effective violin teachers in the world.
For me, a trip like this is great fun. Every day is non-stop violin: lecture, demonstration and recitals. It’s inspiring and motivating, exhausting and at the same time exhilarating. For my students: it means.. well they’ll be finding out soon enough 
Violin Class for Beginners
Thinking about violin lessons for your child, age 5-11?
Click HERE to Register
Foothill Suzuki strings is pleased to offer a new group class: Violin in your Family: an introduction to Suzuki instruction. Presented by conservatory trained, professional performing musicians, this 8 week class is designed to let your family experience the world of Suzuki instruction first hand, and enables you to decide if long term private instruction is a good fit for you and your child.
During this class your child will:
• Be properly fitted with a good, working instrument
• Learn to correctly hold the bow and violin
• Establish a habit of proper playing posture
• Create a foundation for a lifetime of healthy playing
• Have fun while at the same time learn music fundamentals!
In addition, parents will learn:
• How to encourage and motivate their children
• The unique benefits of the Suzuki Method
• Sure fire ways to make private lessons truly successful
Violin in the Family: a Suzuki Introduction
Thursdays at 5:00 - 5:50 p.m. from June 5 - July 24
Classes will be held in Claremont, CA
Tuition: $95 for orientation plus 7 week program
Register Early: Class size is strictly limited to only 9 families.
Registration
To participate, please fill out our online Registration Form. Directions to our Week 1 parent orientation (children need not attend) will be sent to you via e-mail or US Mail. Parents will be responsible to provide a properly sized instrument for their child by the third class. All details will be covered during orientation.
At the conclusion of the Week 1 orientation, tuition (non-refundable) and our official FSS application form must be submitted. Please fill it out in advance, to save time during the orientation.
For additional information: E-Mail Bill Alpert, FSS Group Coordinator
Making Magic
Fifty-six years ago, a handsome young Edwardo made the long journey to Mexico City with his new bride. It was their honeymoon, and though he had little money in those early days, he wanted to take her to the most elegant restaurant in town. And so he did, and he thus marked the beginning of a lifetime together.
Today, Edwardo and family came together to comfort his wife. Laying in a hospital bed, she was connected to oxygen and faced the end of her life. From their darkened room Edwardo heard strains of violin music floating down the hallway into the open doorway. It so happened he heard me playing selections of music for my mother, as I frequently do when visiting her convalescent home.
And so, a still very handsome 80 year old man appeared at our doorway. He shyly asked if they could listen for a while. Edwardo knew his music, and recognized everything I played, from Bach to Schubert. At one point he recited the Spanish version poem of Schubert’s lovely Serenade, while I played the melody.
It wasn’t long before I found myself down the hall, playing for Edwardo, his wife and company. The request: Monti’s Csardas, the very same piece the young married couple remembered from their honeymoon, more half a century ago. The proprietor of that Mexico City restaurant played it that night for the newly married couple. I had the honor and privilege of recreating that moment, as Edwardo cradled his very weak wife’s head in his arms, as he once again affirmed his love. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room, including mine. It was a tender moment I’ll never forget.
Such is the joy and magic of music. It transcends borders and crosses generations unabated. It’s truly a gift of the spirit and the highest expression of humanity.
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Welcome to Foothill Suzuki Strings
We are a cooperative of professional string players, students and families dedicated toward a truly comprehensive group string education program based in the greater Inland Empire area of Southern California
