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Tag: recital

  • Time for a String Check!

    With the solo recital coming up, this is the ideal moment to take a hard look at the condition of your strings. The quality and lifespan of violin strings have a measurable impact on sound. When strings get worn out, tone dulls, tuning becomes unstable, and even strong playing can sound muted.

    If your strings are older than 9–12 months (or 6 months with heavy practice), it’s likely time to replace them.

    Recommendations:

    Strong suggestion going forward:

    • Keep one spare full set of strings in the case at all times. It prevents last-minute panic if a string breaks the week (or the day) of a performance.
    • Don’t throw out the old ones; keep them as emergency backups.

  • MAY 23 RECITAL

    In this message: 

    • Making it an event
    • Recital date/time/location details
    • Dress code details
    • What to bring
    • Performance sequence
    • Concert etiquette

    MAKING IT AN EVENT

    Please make sure to treat this as an EVENT.  Soloists have been working hard all year and this recital is their chance to be recognized for that.  

    Bring flowers for the soloist, take pictures and video, invite friends and family, and stay for the reception.  

    Please give plenty of time in your schedule for this, and do not rush off immediately afterwards for that other thing you wanted to cram in.  Since this is an afternoon event, please make sure that everyone is well-rested and your morning is not over-scheduled. 

    Solo recitals only happen once a year – give this the priority that it deserves.

    DATE/TIME/LOCATION

    RECITAL DETAILS
    DATE:Saturday, May 23rd
    TIME:Piano run-throughs: 12:00pm
    Performance: 2:00pm 
    reception to follow
    LOCATION:Kitsap Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
    4418 Perry Ave NE
    Bremerton, WA 98310


    RUNTHROUGH AT NOON
    Our accompanist, Brian Kenny, will be at the church at 12:00 for run-throughs.  This will be the only opportunity to do a warmup/check-in/test run with him.  Each student will only have a few minutes for their runthrough so please come prepared. 

    Please take a moment on Saturday to thank Brian for his collaboration with our studio.

     

    RECITAL DRESS
    Dress nicely but comfortably.   
    No high-heeled shoes. 
    Wear a top that allows for free movement of the arms.
    Hair must be away from your face. 
    Fingernails must be short.

     

    RECEPTION

    We will have a dessert/hors d’oeuvres reception afterwards
    Please bring something to share.

    BRING

    Your violin – check that your bow and shoulder rest is in the case
    A snack or treat to share afterwards
    Your friends and family

    PERFORMANCE (practice all of this at home!):

    1. rest position
    2. walk onto the stage
    3. introduce yourself and your piece “my name is _______ and I will be playing _______”
    4. playing position
    5. make eye contact with accompanist and nod when you are ready for him to start
    6. play your piece
    7. rest position
    8. smile
    9. bow for three seconds
    10. walk back to your seat


    RECITAL PROGRAM

    1. Jakob                  Hoedown
    2. Nicole                Twinkle Theme
    3. Phoebe              Second Twinkle Variation, “Ice Cream – shh – Cone”
    4. Mira                   Third Twinkle Variation, “Run Suzy, Run Suzy”
    5. Lexi                     First Twinkle Variation, “Taka Taka Stop Stop”
    6. Camille              Fifth Twinkle Variation, “Grandma Rides a Motorcycle”
    7. Danica               French Folk Song
    8. Wren                 Long Long Ago
    9. Angela              Perpetual Motion
    10. Leora                 Fifth Twinkle Variation, “Grandma Rides a Motorcycle”
    11. Nathan              The Two Grenadiers
    12. Ryane                The Happy Farmer
    13. Isabel                 Hunter’s Chorus
    14. Clark                  Minuet 1 (Bach)
    15. Whitney            Allegro
    16. Cordelia             Gavotte (Lully)
    17. Blythe                 Minuet 1 (Bach)
    18. Ellie                     Minuet and Trio (Beethoven)
    19. Harper                Minuet 3 (Bach)
    20. Megan                Allegro
    21. Sezzy                  Gavotte in g minor (Bach)
    22. Minah                Concerto in a minor, movement III (Vivaldi)
    23. Yunah                 Concerto no. 2, movement III (Seitz)
    24. Jason                   Concerto no. 5, movement III (Seitz)


    CONCERT ETIQUETTE:

    Please silence phones and other devices completely. During performances, we ask that audience members avoid talking or moving around, since even small distractions can make it difficult for performers to concentrate.

    At the end of each piece, clap enthusiastically! The students have worked hard for this. If you need to leave the room, please wait until a performer has finished before getting up or returning to your seat.

  • Upcoming Performances

    Saturday, 5/23 at 2:00 PM
    Solo Recital
    Kitsap Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
    4418 Perry Ave NE, Bremerton, WA 98310

    This recital will be with a highly skilled professional accompanist, which makes it a rare chance to bring a piece to a very high level of refinement.

    Solo pieces need to be chosen this week. Students are being asked to select something they already play well so the next few months can focus on polishing, comfort, and musical depth …while still continuing to work on new material in lessons.

    Saturday, 5/30 at 3:00 PM
    Celtic Group Performance
    Otherwise Society Commons, Poulsbo

    Indoors, cozy space, seating for about 50 people – and yes, there’s a popcorn machine.

    We’ll follow it up with a celebration picnic at the Poulsbo waterfront park. Bring snacks and good vibes.

    Saturday, 6/13 at 12:00 PM
    Celtic Group Performance
    Port Orchard Farmers Market

    This one includes amplification for as many students as I can support electronically, which is a great experience to have. If you’re excited about playing with sound reinforcement, this is your moment.

    The May 30 and June 13 performances are the two Celtic dates. You don’t need to commit to both, but if you do, there will be surprise goodies. No further comment. :)

  • Rehearsal, Recital, Cookie Party!

    Rehearsal, Recital, Cookie Party!

    12/20/2025

    • dress rehearsal is Saturday at 4:00 PM at the String Beans Studio (1667 SE Ellis Ct.)
    • “dress rehearsal” in the context of a music performance means we are rehearsing the music.  Wear whatever clothes you want to today.
    • if you have a sturdy music stand, please bring it (no wire stands)
    • We’ll do two full run-throughs of the entire program.  I’m hoping to keep the rehearsal down to an hour but it may take longer.  
    • This is not a practice session; it’s a run-through, and you’ll get one chance during each run.


    12/21/2025

    Performance is Sunday at Key Peninsula Civic Center
    17010 S Vaughn Rd NW
    Key Center, WA 98394

    • Setup: 3:30 PM
    • Performance: 4:00 PM
    • wear anything festive and nice-looking that you want, as long as you can comfortably and effectively play in it without distracting yourself or others.  You will be on an elevated stage, so no short skirts.  As always, no heels and hair must be away from your face.
    • if you have a sturdy music stand, please bring it (no wire stands)
    • Afterward: snack/cookie party. Please bring something to share – it doesn’t necessarily have to be cookies. Any snack or drink is great.
    • Help with cleanup afterwards is always appreciated.  Many hands makes for light work!
  • Time for a string check!

    Time for a string check!

    With the holiday recital coming up, this is the ideal moment to take a hard look at the condition of your strings. The quality and lifespan of violin strings have a measurable impact on sound. When strings get worn out, tone dulls, tuning becomes unstable, and even strong playing can sound muted.

    If your strings are older than 9–12 months (or 6 months with heavy practice), it’s likely time to replace them.

    Recommendations:

    Strong suggestion going forward:

    • Keep one spare full set of strings in the case at all times. It prevents last-minute panic if a string breaks the week (or the day) of a performance.
    • Don’t throw out the old ones; keep them as emergency backups.

  • Motivation

    As we move deeper into the semester, I want to acknowledge a stage of the learning cycle that applies to all levels, beginners and “veterans” alike. The early excitement of the new school year has faded, and we’re entering the phase where lasting progress depends on consistency and follow-through. This is true whether a student is working on Twinkles or polishing a concerto.

    A dip in motivation right now is not a problem; it simply means we’ve reached the point where craft begins. Repetition, stamina, attention, and detail become the real drivers of progress. Students who stay steady through this stretch make noticeable leaps by January, regardless of where they are in the repertoire.

    Practice doesn’t need to be long or miserable. It needs to be structured and repeatable. Five focused minutes a day will always produce more growth than one heroic session the day before your lesson or rehearsal. If practice at home has become emotional, chaotic, or inconsistent, that’s not failure; it just means the routine needs a better system. I’m happy to help troubleshoot and share practice-game strategies and tools for anyone who needs new ideas.

    Holiday performance opportunities are coming up, and the work done now determines whether students walk on stage confident or anxious. This is a chance to share music with loved ones and to experience the payoff of steady effort.

    Thank you for supporting your student through this essential phase of the process. Your consistency at home matters more than talent, age, or “natural enthusiasm.” If you’d like help making practice smoother, more efficient, or more enjoyable while still productive, reach out anytime.

  • Holiday Recital Info

    Holiday Recital Info

    Sunday, Dec. 21st
    setup starts 3:30pm
    first piece starts at 4:15pm

    cookie reception to follow

    invite your friends and family!

    Key Peninsula Civic Center

    17010 S Vaughn Rd NW
    Key Center, WA 98394

    program order:

    Screenshot