Greetings!
I continue, even a month later, to resonate with the beauty of the students' playing in December's recital. Many thanks again to all NWISC students and parents for contributing to building a better world as we all grow through this process of practicing and performing. I wish great enjoyment for all students participating in ISSMA. Allow connection to occur through the music you play. Enjoy this opportunity! |
 "Maybe music will save the world. That is, if we work for that purpose."
"In 1961 I invited Pablo Casals, the great cellist, to Tokyo. Four hundred children performed to welcome him. When little children of five and six played concertos by Vivaldi and Bach, Casals was very moved. He hugged me with tears in his eyes, went up on the stage, and gave a wonderful speech. That speech started with 'Music is not just sound.' He also said, 'Maybe music will save the world.' The words, 'Music will save the world,' are held deep in my heart.
"Recently I went to America, and when I lectured to university professors, I borrowed those words of Casals and used them in the same way that he did. However, I added something. 'Maybe music will save the world. That is, if we work for that purpose,' I said, and then continued, 'There are people who think that art exists for its own sake, but I do not think so. Art exists for the human species. I think that all of the people who love art, those who teach art, and all of you, should burn with the obligation to save the world. It is necessary to be concerned about the importance of educating a really beautiful human spirit.' Everyone gave me a standing ovation.
"Teaching intonation, and teaching technique will never be more than a method. We are burning with a deeper mission that we must do something for the future. Everyone sympathized with me from their hearts. Everyone was moved by the words, if we work hard, music can save the world.
"I often say the following to my students and their mothers: 'We do not have to become professional musicians. It is enough to grow up playing the violin.'
"'If, as a person works at playing the violin well, he develops the talent to overcome any difficult problem by working, then the talent will be born to accomplish even the hardest problems easily. As a person practices the violin, he creates this talent.'"
"Music exists for the purpose of growing an admirable heart."
Shinichi Suzuki, Ability Development From Age Zero
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  "Performing means communicating with others, so music comes into its own as a magical language when it takes to the stage. It's the sharing of music that gives it its fullest meaning." Out of Control: The Drama of Performing
"In our culture of specialization, performance tends to be thought of as a big deal, an event that invites public scrutiny and critical judgment. This is not a viewpoint shared by all cultures, however. Apparently in certain tribal societies the spoken language contains no word that corresponds to musician. The reason is simple: they have no concept of a set-apart class of specialists who might be known as musicians as opposed to all the nonmusicians - virtually everyone in these tribal cultures, both young and old, is used to singing, dancing, and beating on drums with communal spirit and without apology or fear. Apparently musical activity is accepted as normal and basic; music is considered an enjoyable component of life, of celebration, and of oneness with the tribe. But in industrialized society, the idea of performance is daunting to many people. Yet like all challenges, of course, it presents an opportunity.
"Why bother with performing at all? For one thing, it's the crucial culminating step of the learning process, the capstone experience that pulls it all together. When you perform something well onstage, it is really part of you, in a way that no practice-room moment can duplicate. Even more importantly, performing means communicating with others, so music comes into its own as a magical language when it takes to the stage. It's the sharing of music that gives it its fullest meaning."
William Westney, The Perfect Wrong Note: Learning to Trust Your Musical Self |
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On that note (fun pun), please be sure to RSVP - with either yes or no - regarding March 25. Many thanks for all your practicing and commitment to contributing beauty to our world!
For Joy!
Kassie
NWI Suzuki Conservatory
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 | Important Dates
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Below are a few highlights.
This time (January) also is the time to look towards summer festivals. Many offer discounts for early registration. There are music opportunities throughout the summer, including specifically for adults of all levels, specifically for teens, specifically for beginners, specifically for advanced students, and more. Please ask for more information.
2013
February 1 (Friday) RSVP deadline
for participating in March 25 performance
February 11 (Monday) SPRING TERM TUITION DUE
March
25 (Monday) NWISC Students' Performance at Pines Village
March 25-29 No Lessons (Mon.-Fri.): Spring Break
TBA March or April Leah Alicea's Book Graduation Recital
April or May
TBA Shannon Yardley's Solo Recital
TBA Andy Steingass's Solo Recital
May 11 (Saturday) Rehearsals for Recital
May 13 (Monday) SUMMER TERM Scheduling Selection sheets, with accompanying TUITION DUE
May 17 (Friday) Student Recital @ NWISC, 6:30 p.m.
May 27-31 No Lessons (Mon.-Fri.) Memorial Break
June 3 Mon. SUMMER TERM BEGINS
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