Double Congratulations!!!

Contratulations go to Melissa. This week she participated in her high school music festival and played a solo and duet before a judge. She got 5 out of 5 in all areas and actually got the only 1+ in her orchestra. Nice going, Melissa! We are proud of you!

Songs to Review for our Legacy House Program

I know we know these songs, but let's polish them up again.

Boil Them Cabbage Down
Cripple Creek
Old Joe Clark
Faded Love
Devil's Dream
Red Wing
Minuet 3 going into Little Brown Jug
Ragtime Annie
She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain
Witches Dance
I Am a Child of God

This will be a very fun program. One thing we like to remember is:
If we have a good time, our audience will have a good time.
Happy Practicing:)

We need more practicing!!

As I listen to students, I am disappointed that our songs are being learned so slowly! This is directly related to the amount and kind of practice we are doing at home. Here are some suggestions:

*Have a REGULAR practice time EVERY DAY, preferably in the morning before school while minds are fresh.
*Practice is like any other responsibility around the house and should be included on your job list (chart - whatever you do at your house).
*Always take time to review. This is where we get our best skills and sense of accomplishment. Also, when we are called upon to do a program, we are ready!
*Be your own teacher at home! Don't settle for less than the teacher would. Parents - help!
*When learning new songs, work in small steps, 2 measures at a time, over and over. Or one note, two notes, a measure. Connect the small steps and rejoice in your progress.
*Do NOT practice mistakes. PRACTICE PERFECT! It takes a long time and many repetitions to re-learn something the right way after it has been learned wrong. Remember: Perfect Practice Makes Perfect.
*LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN! People who listen do not have rhythm and intonation problems.
*Do not be a clock watcher. Enjoy playing your instrument. Get a feeling of accomplishment!
*Tape your practice sessions so you can hear yourself.
***Learn to love to play your violin!!! It is a part of you and your spirit. Let it speak for you! Let it express what you are feeling and want to say. "Music is Love in Search of a Word".

Legacy House Program

We have the opportunity to put on a program for the residents of Legacy House on April 5th at 6:30 p.m. We are excited to share some of our fiddle music as well as some classical music we have learned. Music bridges the generation gap and some of the songs we play were learned by people many many years ago and passed down from generation to generation. We are looking forward to sharing this music with our friends at Legacy House.

Fiddle Fair

Summerhays Music has an annual Fiddle Fair where they have good prices on instruments, strings, bows, rosin,etc. This will be held at the Murray store this coming week end, March 18-20. The address is 5420 Green Street, phone 801-268-4446. 10 am - 7 pm (6 pm on Sat.)

The Fiddle Fair at the Orem store will be March 25-27 at 1006 South State, phone 801-226-1760. If you are in need of anything, this is a good time to look:)

Practice, Practice, Practice!!!

The way you play is directly linked to how and how much you practice! If you practice mistakes, you will play mistakes. If you practice perfect just two measures at a time, you will play perfectly. We have some performances coming up so we need to improve our practice sessions to perfect our numbers. Regular practice is essential. Suzuki said, "You only have to practice on the days you eat."

Always play a review song that you already know how how to play. This boosts confidence and improves playing skills. Play scales. This teaches finger patterns. Fiddle! This gets our fingers moving. Remember, we are the Fantastic Fiddlers!