Cello repair in the neighborhood

Here is the instrument repair information I have promised all of you. The closest full time Luthier (string instrument repair person) lives and works in Monroe, Michigan. His name is Ed McCoppin, he is the president of the Michigan Violinmakers Association, and he has done work for several families in the studio. You can reach him by phone at (734) 755-9680 or email at emviolins@gmail.com.

Another repair person in the area is Joeseph Morin, who lives and works in Maumee, OH. He is a retired Maumee School District employee who may have time to do your repair for you. He can be reached at (419) 893-1706.

If you are renting your instrument, the rental shop is responsible for repairs. Make sure they give you a replacement instrument for the time that yours is in the shop.

Study article

A fun, quick article about study habits.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/07/health/views/07mind.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2

Recital video

Hello Students and Parents:

Do you have a performance video to share? I would be happy to post a link right here for the whole studio to enjoy. Here is a link to Lucy's performance of Kangaroo Song.

Here are the words to the song, just in case.....

Enjoy!

Kangaroo Song

This is a song I learned from Cheryl Trace. It is a great opportunity to spend some time playing the A string. Here are the words:

Kangaroos can hop-hop

Baby, Mom and Pop-Pop

Hopping to the top-top

Will they ever Stop-Stop?

Hop, Hop, Hop;

Hop, Hop, Hop;

Hop, Hop, Hop;

Hop, Hop, Hop.

(Kerplunk!)

Twinkle Graduation

When a student is confidently performing the complete Twinkle Variations it is time to celebrate with a Twinkle Graduation event. Here is link to a youtube video from a performance at such an event this winter. Friends, family, and teachers were invited for a lovely meal and an equally lovely performance.

French Folk Song Performance

Please leave your compliments in the comments section.

Online Music Resource

I have recently discovered a great online music resource for Ohio residents. The Columbus Metropolitan Library has an online service that allows cardholders to download albums from its collection for a 3 week loan. The collection is extensive; what a great resource for those of you in orchestras!

Any Ohio resident may apply for a library card here. The music search service link is located at the bottom right corner of the Columbus Metropolitan Library homepage, or here.

Summer Institutes

I know there is still snow on the ground, but it is not too early to think about summer. The Toledo Symphony School of Music is planning a half-day music day camp in Toledo for the mornings of July 12, 13, 14, and 15 this summer. More details will follow soon.

As students of Suzuki-method cello, my students are ready to participate in any of the many summer Suzuki Institutes. These are often overnight summer camps for the home teacher and student(s) to attend together. They are a great way to hear other young performers, learn from master teachers, and make new friends.

Blue Lake is one of the closest to us geographically, but the Suzuki Association of the Americas has a searchable Institute listing. For the last three summers, I have attended the Chicago Suzuki Institute for teacher training. It features many, many cellists.

Happy practicing!

Monkey Song

The Monkey Song is one of the very first songs a cellist learns to play. It is very closely related to Twinkle. Please note that the last line comes in at least two different versions. Cellists traditionally learn this song beginning on the note G.

I'm a little Monkey

climbing down a ladder

reaching very far to

grab a *big* banana.

(*pink* is also used here)

Alexander Technique and the cello

As most of my cello students and parents know, I am a long time student and fan of the Alexander Technique. Here is a link to an article by Selma Gokcen that does a nice job of explaining this practice that defies easy description. My Alexander Technique teacher is Nancy Crego, a Toledo native.

Happy practicing!

Ants!

These are the words to "Ants". Once you've seen it performed a few times you may discover a hidden message! I was taught this by Barbara Wampner, who may or may not have learned it from Margaret Rowell.

Ants, ants, ants

digging in the

dirt, dirt dirt.

Going underground, ground ground.

Carrying their cellos, cellos, cellos.