Voice Students:
There will no voice lessons from July 25 through August 22nd. Lessons will resume as normal the week of August 23rd.

Violin Students:
There will be no violin lessons between July 26-August 6. Lessons will resume as normal on Monday, August 9.

Have a safe, wonderful and musical summer. See you soon!

Bill and Melanie Alpert

Summer finds a bevy of Alpert Studio students learning, rehearsing and performing. Currently in performance are students Maggie Anderson and Genevieve Ellis in a wonderful production of Peter Pan at the Lewis Family Playhouse of the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center, Rancho Cucamonga. Tickets and information here.

More studio news will follow in the next few days. If you have news, and you’re part of our studio family, or know someone who is, let us know. We’ll be happy to post it for you.

Enjoy your summer!

I played the opening notes of two separate end of Suzuki Book 1 songs that Zach has yet to study. He was able to pick out the remaining notes of both songs without any assistance. He had absorbed them simply by listening.

Need to learn a new piece? Start by listening, listening, listening. Listening works in amazing ways.

At least two Alpert Studio students will be attending a summer Suzuki institute this summer. Here are some tips to assist your institute experiences.

Tips for the home teacher:

Explain to the student and parent that the purpose of a master class is not to learn new pieces.

Define and help student prepare a polished piece to play for the private lesson/master class. Often a good guideline is a piece four pieces behind the one on which they are currently working. The home teacher should designate this piece before the student leaves for the institute, and the piece must be in the Suzuki repertoire (even for advanced students).

Students should be expected to practice daily for the master class (and other classes, as well) during the Institute. Parents should take careful notes. The home teacher should be given a copy of the notes after the institute for their own reference.

The student may be asked to do something differently at the Institute—this is a good thing!

Make sure the students arrive with proper equipment:

CD and player or iPod to listen to their piece. Suzuki Books.
Piano Accompaniment, especially for any additional piece outside of the Suzuki repertoire. Metronome and Tuner. Rosin. A properly prepared instrument. Put on new strings, consider getting the bow rehaired before the institute. Check over your equipment!

Let students know beforehand whether they are ready for a new instrument or not. Often, vendors will attract students to upgrades that they are not quite ready for.

Let them know whether to accept instrument setup advice from the institute teacher.

Give the student questions to ask the institute teacher, when appropriate, concerning ongoing issues (such as posture, vibrato, set-up, etc).

Be content with ensemble placements. Remember that this is not the most important part of the Institute, and the chamber repertoire will require additional practice time.
Create an institute checklist to ensure that you have everything you need for a productive and fun week!

Urinetown Lives!

Urinetown The Musical

Back by popular demand, this stellar production will now be able to be seen for nine more performances at the Grove Theater in Upland. With brilliant score, book and cast, this production is not to be missed!

The Grove Theater – 276 E. Ninth, Upland CA
(909) 920-4343.

Friday and Saturday May 21 and 22 at 7:29 p.m.
Sunday May 23 at 2:00

Friday and Saturday May 28 and 29 at 7:29 p.m.
Sunday May 30 at 2:00

Friday and Saturday June 4 and 5 at 7:29 p.m.
Sunday June 6 at 2:00.

The Grove Theater – 276 E. Ninth, Upland CA
(909) 920-4343.

Call the box office (909) 920-4343 for ticket prices and reserve your tickets today

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SOS!
I am 14, I and I will be taking my ABRSM Grade 8 exam on Thursday and I am very worried about it. My pieces are fine, my scales are o.k…
I am a very last minute person, yet a perfectionist which is what I absolutely hate about myself. I am terrible at sight reading and I did my Grade 5 Theory when I was 9 and got a Merit. However five years later, I can’t remember anything at all and it has affected my Aural Training where I am required to recognize Cadences and Modulations. I don’t even know why I’m telling you all this but I’ve resolved to Google to try and solve my problems because I am in absolute desperation. My teacher is quite pleased with my work and everyone keeps telling me that my exam will be fine but I keep doubting myself and I really don’t know what will happen.

My question now is, How can I “get into the music” when I’m playing? When i play I stand up stiff as ever, occasionally I sway and my eyes are always closed but I just don’t know how to feel the music… Any suggestions?

There are many resources to help us relax and focus while performing. Yoga, meditation and breathing practice as well as jogging are helpful. A good diet, and avoidance of caffeine also help. Avoid eating just before performing. A light meal 3 or 4 hours before works well for me. Books such as The Inner Game of Music and A Soprano on Her Head are worth reading.

Learning how to practice correctly is HUGE. Last minute is not the right approach. When you’re on stage, what you are playing should be comfortable in every sense of the word. Avoid performance situations that are likely to go wrong. Yes, take chances on stage, but make them sensible. Practice only so long as you getting results and feeling focussed.

Go deep in the music you select. Choose pieces than inspire you. Learn a lot about the composer and his world.

Beyond that, I hear a lot of stress in this violinist’s question. As a musician, are you willing to accept where you are now? To be OK with what you’ve accomplished to date, and have faith that others will enjoy what you alone can share musically? It’s *you* that must be pleased with your work. Release any attachment to how you think you should be playing and go with the way things are NOW. Fighting with the present only makes the present worse.

Your teacher should help you select music that is appropriate for your current level of technique and musical maturity. Go on stage ready to enjoy the performance, and just let the music happen. In short, play what you can play well, and be happy.

Mark your calendars!

The Alpert Studio Spring ’10 Recital will be held on Saturday, May 15th at 3:00 p.m. All voice and violin students are required to participate.

Recital Rehearsal (with piano) will be held on Friday, May 15, between 3:30 and 6:00 p.m. for voice students and between 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. for violinists. You will be assigned an approximate arrival time at your lesson prior to the event.

Let’s all prepare for a wonderful and enjoyable event, in a fun and supportive environment. So polish up your song and get ready to perform!

Congratulations to students Jeremy Oh, Jessica Chao and Zachary Rustenberg who participated in the 2010 Suzuki Music Association’s Graduation Concert at Zipper Hall in Los Angeles. The Hall was packed, and all in attendance enjoyed a great afternoon of music in the company of the supportive greater Suzuki community. Kudos to all who attended!

Jessica Chao (lower left) and Jeremy Oh (upper right) lend their talents to Boccherini

Summer is ahead! Attending a summer Suzuki institute is a great way to inspire and motivate your young violinist, and can also be a fun, family oriented vacation. For those families interested in a summer Suzuki institute, here are a few options to consider:

Locally: http://scalsuzukiinstitute.org/ organized by our own SMAC LA.

Throughout the US: http://suzukiassociation.org/events/institutes/

Please let me know if you have questions.

Remember, no violin lessons this week. See you the week of March 29.

Mr. Alpert

We’re very proud of our voice and violin students whose accomplishments continue to impress and inspire. More student and studio news will be posted soon.

To receive updates via e-mail, follow this link.

No lessons will be held between March 22-27. This is our studio’s Spring Break week. Lessons will resume according to normal schedule on March 29!

Happy Spring to the entire Studio Family!