Wednesday, December 12, 2012

CYM Strings at Phipps Conservatory- in review!

 
 

CYM Cellists and Violinists at Phipps Conservatory

The video above is just one of the fun pieces our group of students performed on Sunday. Bravo! and congratulations are in order for Anna, Elsa, Britta, Claire, Alexandra, and Karsten!
 
This past Sunday, an ensemble of CYM Cellists and violinists under the direction of Ms. Rochelle and Mr. Ryan were featured performers as part of Phipp's Candlelight Evenings Holidays. From 3:00-4:00, they shared a full range of holiday repertoire with appreciative crowds among the gorgeous botanical display.
 
A special thank you to Stella Bonilla for her lovely contribution on second violin!
 
See more photos on CYM's Facebook page here!

CYM Winter Break is December 23- January 6

Remember,

CYM Winter Break is December 23, 2012 - January 6, 2013.

We hope for our families a holiday full of the comfort of home and family, and every blessing in the coming new year.

 
"Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us." ~Hal Borland

Wintergarden at PPG Place 2012 is this Saturday!

Anders Villwock performs at Wintergarden 2011
 

Join us at Wintergarden at PPG Place- our final holiday concert of the season- this Saturday, December 15th.

CYM pianists and guitarists will perform to holiday crowds from 3:00-4:00pm. The hour will feature ten guitarists and twenty-two pianists in total. All performing pianists have achieved Suzuki Book level 2 and above, and/or Faber Book 2B and above. Performances will include holiday solos and duets!

This wonderful afternoon of music is featured among a wide array of holiday sights and sounds for everyone to enjoy. Make an evening of it! Be sure to check out the Spirits of Giving Around the World multi-cultural Santa Claus display and the enormous gingerbread house display, PPG's ice skating rink and lighted tree, and the array of lovely holiday retail displays in Pittsburgh's down town shopping district. Check here for a full listing of the many events and activities in the downtown area that evening!
 
Bonus! There is free parking on December 15th- more information on participating garages here.
 


Freya String Quartet in Concert


Freya String Quartet in concert

It might be a little hard to think past the winter holidays, but put this performance on your calendar: The Freya String Quartet and Arabesque Winds will perform Jan. 6 at Chatham University, 7 p.m. Tickets are $15.

CYM’s own Ashley Buckley (violin teacher, ECM) is a member of Freya String Quartet, a group dedicated to performing a wide range of music, advocating artistic evolution, and teaching the importance of classical music in the Pittsburgh area. You can learn more about them here.

This performance is presented by Alia Musica as part of Chatham University’s Chamber Music Series. The program includes new music by local composers as well as classics. Live music is a great way to chase away the post-holiday blues!

The Gift of Music




Gift List for Music Students

To help out Santa, parents, grandparents and others trying to select holiday gifts for young musicians, we’ve created a list of simple ideas to help celebrate the season. Many items are available for purchase at CYM:


  • Stockings stuffed with Percussion Instruments and Puppets. For Toddlers up through young instrumentalists, these musical toys help keep the fun going at home. See more great ideas for enjoying these items on the posters near CYM retail displays. 
  •  A Basket of Listening. Ask your child’s teacher for suggestions on favorite composers and performances. Place CDs, or gift cards with a note of suggested recordings attached, in a basket along with new ear buds, warm socks and your child’s favorite candy – all the things she needs to lie back and listen.
  •  Practice Tool Kit. You may already have the basics at home, but perhaps an upgrade would encourage your student? Think metronomes, tuners, lights, music-themed pencils and erasers, picks, rosen, composition paper, stools, etc.
  • Films with Great Soundtracks. From “Fantasia” to videos of “The Nutcracker Ballet” and your favorite action flicks, there is some great music to be found at the movies. Look also for films made about composers and musical groups.
  • Your Favorite Music. Share the gift of your choice in music, and maybe you’ll make another fan. 

Holiday gifts from Music Students

Music is a unique and special gift, and it won’t eat up your allowance savings. Here are some extra-special ways that music students can give to others this year. We’ll bet your music will be just the thing to bring a smile to your family and friends.


  • Prepare a candlelight performance. Ask a grownup for help in setting up and lighting candles in the living room, or other place where you like to play. Design and decorate your own programs. You can even pass out tickets, if you like.
  • Hot chocolate and music. As long as the weather is not too cold or wet, invite your family outdoors for a festive concert. Ask for help filling a thermos with hot chocolate or cider for your audience to enjoy.
  • Long-distance recital. Have a friend or relative who lives far away, and who you won’t get to see this holiday? Arrange a time that you will play for them over Skype or FaceTime, or even over the phone.
  • Record a ring tone. Offer to play a few lines of your favorite piece for your friend or parent to record as a ring tone on their mobile phone.
  • Complaint-free practices. Make gift coupons for your parent to redeem for “30 minutes of Practice with No Complaining.”
  • Share with a Sibling. Create a gift certificate for a younger brother or sister promising 10 minutes of getting to touch your instrument with your help, or playing along with you on a drum, or whatever other way your siblings like to share in your music.
 

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Light Up Night Sewickley Line-Up and ECM Invitation


 

It is a busy week here at CYM in Sewickley...
 
CYM Performers, look at the list above as a guide line for when you are performing on Friday evening. We can't wait to see and hear everyone tomorrow!
 
Special Invitation to ECM Families --Bring a friend to Light Up Night in Sewickley!

The Center for Young Musicians is excited to be hosting our own fun festivities as part of Sewickley’s annual Light Up Night on Friday Nov. 30. Please join us at our new cheery studio space at 434 Beaver Street from 6 to 8 p.m. for holiday activities for children ages 2 and up as well as musical performances by CYM students from the piano and strings departments.

All CYM families and friends are welcome, with a special invitation to Toddlers and Twinklers to bring a friend along! Introduce your friend to a teacher to get a holiday stamp, just like in class. 

Light Up Night is a Sewickley tradition featuring food vendors, horse drawn carriage rides, live entertainment and fireworks. Spend the evening, grab dinner or get an early start on your shopping. And keep an eye out for Mr. and Mrs. C. – they usually make an appearance!   

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Thanksgiving Break Reminder

We're all counting our blessings here at CYM- we hope you are, too.
 
CYM's Thanksgiving Break is  
Tuesday, November 20th-  Saturday, November 24th.
Classes resume Monday, November 26th. 
 
Regular classes and lessons are being held on Monday, November 19th as a make-up for classes missed on Labor Day 2012. Remember also to mark your calendar:
 
CYM's Winter Break is
Monday, December 24th- Saturday, January 5th.
Classes resume on Monday, January 7th, 2013.
 
 

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Open Stage with Danny Rectenwald at CYM Sewickley

 
Join us for a bit of a pre-holiday Hullabaloo- Open Stage- at 6:30 pm on Wednesday evening, November 28th at CYM Sewickley. Open to all CYM students, families, friends, and our communities in Wexford, Sewickley, and Shadyside, this fun evening will be a night of relaxed, fun performances. Performing for the upcoming holiday season and want a dress rehearsal? Open Stage is your opportunity!
 
Shhhhh! Someone told us that there might be super-secret special performances by CYM faculty members......   

Piano Department Group Class in Sewickley this Saturday, November 17!

The pre-concert line-up at CYM Sewickley
Piano Department Group Class in Sewickley

Attention all CYM Piano Students!
 
This is your reminder that Department Group meets this Saturday, November 17th at 9:00 a.m. in the Sewickley studio. We’ll be using the beautiful Steinway piano! All instrumental students are invited to attend. Please join us!

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Ms. Leah's new babies arrive, healthy and handsome!

Ms. Leah's new little bundles of love!

Congratulations to Ms. Leah, her husband Burkhardt, and daughter Josephine as they welcome little Charles Michael and Sylvia Givelber into the world! The darling duo arrived on Sunday, October 21- Charles arriving at 11:18 am, weighing 5 lbs, 12 oz. and sister Sylvia arriving soon after at 11:20 am weighing 4 lbs, 1 oz.

We couldn't be happier for this amazing family, and are happy to report that all are home and doing splendidly.
 

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Chance to catch...From the Top live!



Chance to catch...From the Top live!


From the Top, the NPR program all about young classical musicians, is taping a show at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, on Oct. 21, 3-4:30 p.m. Sophia Lee, a 13-year-old harpist from Wexford, will be featured on the show.

Here is a link to directions to the theater. Tickets are $28 for adults and $18 for students (ages 7 thru 18), and can be purchased online at thepalacetheatre.org or by calling 724-836-8000.

From the Top can be heard locally on WQED-FM 89.3 on Saturdays at 5 p.m. The shows include performances by some very talented musicians ages 8 to 18, followed by interviews about their interesting and unique takes on music study.
 
Catching it live could be a great motivator for your own practice!

Monday, October 8, 2012

CYM at Music Plus Pre-concert recital- this Sunday!

CYM's piano students- under the direction of Ms. Sonia Tripathi- will be performing at the "Classics Old and New" concert persented by the Music Plus Concert Series at St. James Church in Sewickley. Join us for a lovely afternoon of music! Pre-concert performers begin at 2:30 pm. See you there!

Friday, October 5, 2012

Ssssshhhhhhh! Lessons in progress!



Ssssshhhhhhh! Lessons in progress!


We love the sounds of children’s laughter, especially when our young musicians are having fun together. However, students must remain quiet while in CYM school hallways, waiting rooms and play areas so all students can have their lessons and classes without interruption or distraction.
 
 That means no roughhousing, shouting or running. PLEASE help your children learn respect for other musicians by making sure they follow this rule, and please remind your child if you are dropping off for his or her lesson.  THANK YOU!

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Lake Drive Closed at Route 19



Route 19 construction strikes again.

Hi, Thursday Night and Friday CYM-Wexford Families,

Just wanted to give you the heads up that Lake Drive is closed at Route 19 due to the road construction project.
 
You can still reach the CYM building by entering the parking lot at the plaza just south of Lake Drive and using the driveway (in front of the florist shop), or by turning at Wexford Plaza and following the road down and around to the bottom of Lake Drive.
 
We’d like to present each of you with the award for Most Patience in Driving to Music Class, for your dealings with our tight parking lot situation and Route 19 construction.
 
Thank you for hanging in there.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

CYM's Annual Ensemble Recital is November 3, 2012... in review!


Fall Ensemble Recital on Nov. 3


Coming up on Saturday November 3, at 3 p.m., is our first all school event of the season– the Fall Ensemble Recital at Marshall Middle School! All CYM students, families and friends are invited to attend. The recital features most CYM instrumental students, showcasing the work done in group classes and also independently. ECM families, please bring your Toddler or Twinkler for a chance to hear and see the different instruments in action! 


All performers need to arrive at Marshall Middle School by 2:30 pm in order to have their instruments tuned and to find their assigned seats before the concert time. The dress for all performers is black pants or skirts, white tops, or black dresses. All skirts and dresses should be at the knee or below, and no sneakers or flip flops on stage please.


See below for the review lists for ensemble performances. (ECM tip: Play recordings of these pieces for your child to listen to prior to the recital and they will recognize the music.)


Guitar:

Etude - F. Sor

Etude - N. Coste

Nonesuch - Anon.

Andantino - M. Carcassi

Long, Long Ago - T.H. Bayly

Meadow Minuet - F. Longay

Here Comes the Sun - G. Harrison


Cello:

Book 3

Humoresque

Book 2

Chorus from "Judas Maccabaeus"

Book 1

Long, Long Ago

Allegro

May Song

O Come, Little Children

Lightly Row

French Folk Song

Twinkle

Violin:

Book 4

Vivaldi am 3rd mvt.

Book 3

Minuet

Book 2

Musette

Waltz

Book 1

The Happy Farmer

Minuet 2

Etude (single bows only for recital)

Allegro

Go Tell Aunt Rhody

Song of the Wind

Lightly Row

Twinkle (2 variations plus theme for recital)


Enjoy these photos taken at Saturday's recital- more are available in the photo album on CYM's Facebook Page. 

Karsten, Celia, Annie, and Coleman follow Mr. Ryan's lead

All together now!

Heather and Alexandra share a bow.

Congratulations to our 200 day practice challenge winners! Bravo, Bob, Ava, and Kate!

Great job, to all our October practice challenge winners!

Britta, Alexandra, and Haley start the violin ensemble off on the right foot.

Josephine and Ava join in.

...can you believe that there are even more violinists yet to join?

Everyone in!
Mr. Mark's guitar department

Poised and ready to play.

Carl, Ben, Julian, Anders, and Allison

Here Comes the Sun!
 

Fall Community Concert featuring Ms. Rochelle Agnew, violin, and Ms. Ingrid Beute, piano


Join us next Saturday, October 13th, for our first Community Concert of the Season!

Free Pop-Up Classes at WT with Ms. Rochelle!




Friday, September 28, 2012

Parking Protocol for CYM Wexford Families

Parking protocol for Wexford School Families
The Wexford parking lot can seem like a mind-teasing puzzle on a busy day, but we have a solution: CYM’s handy-dandy parking protocol! Please follow it to maximize the number of vehicles that will fit. Please do not park in the entrace and exit driveways!
Parking Protocol
Please choose the space that is closest to Route 19 and back into your spot!
Keep the kiddos safe!
Please remember to back into your space. There are often young students exiting or walking across the lot, and back-in-parking makes it much easier to see them.
THANK YOU!
 
 

Monday, September 24, 2012

Carnegie Science Center- Guitar: The Instrument that Rocked the World



Catch it while you can!
 
 
Anyone who studies music of any kind can enjoy  “GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked The World”, a traveling exhibit at the Carnegie Science Center of Pittsburgh. It wraps up Sunday Sept. 30, so time is running short. This is an all-ages exhibit, with a giant guitar for tots to pluck on, tech-y demonstrations of how a guitar works and explanation of the evolution of the modern instrument. There are a few more live performances, as well.
 

Monday, September 17, 2012

Who's Who at the Center for Young Musicians: Tanya Satteson

Tanya Satteson


Who’s Who at the Center for Young Musicians: Tanya Satteson

 

A new school year will mean fresh faces at the Center for Young Musicians! We are excited to announce that new teachers for piano, cello and guitar will be joining the CYM family, bringing unique experiences and solid training in music education. And as always, we happily look forward to greeting new students and their families.

To help everyone get to know each other a little better, we’ll be posting short bios on all the CYM teachers and staff. Three cheers for Tanya Satteson, a Violin Teacher at CYM since 2007.

 

Tanya Satteson is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music where she earned her Master's Degree in Violin Performance, and was awarded the Dean's Award for Academic Achievement. Tanya completed her post-secondary studies with Scott St. John, Gwen Hoebig, and Paul Kantor. She completed her Suzuki pedagogical training with Kimberly Meier-Sims, director of the Sato Center for Suzuki Studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Tanya attended numerous summer festivals including the Banff Centre for the Arts and the Music Bridge Program where she worked with many distinguished teachers.

 

Tanya worked as a full- and part-time member of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra for four seasons, and was a member of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra for two seasons. She has appeared as soloist with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, University of Manitoba Symphony Orchestra, and the National Repertory Orchestra.  Tanya has won the Women's Musical Club Competition of Winnipeg, the University of Manitoba Concerto Competition, the Lawrence Genser  Performance Competition, and the Young Artists Performance Competition. She has been awarded a first place standing and scholarship at the National Finals of the Canadian Music Competition three times.

 

In 2006, she was appointed assistant concertmaster of the National Repertory Orchestra and was also awarded a generous grant from the Canada Arts Council.  In 2008 she performed with the Winnipeg Chamber Music Society. She served as a clinician for the Academy of Strings spring workshop in Tennessee in 2008 and 2009. In the fall of 2008, Tanya joined the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra on their North American tour. The group performed at six locations including Vancouver’s Orpheum Theater and Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall.

 

In 2010, Tanya returned to her hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada to serve as a clinician at the University of Manitoba’s Preparatory Studies Division Suzuki workshop.  Tanya has enjoyed working as an early childhood music and violin faculty member at the Center for Young Musicians since 2007.  She and her husband Jason reside in Cranberry Township, and are expecting their first child this fall.

 

This year, Ms. Tanya is taking a break from her many years leading Toddlers, Twinklers, Literacy and other group classes to focus on bringing her own young musician into the world. She will continue to teach a busy load of private technique classes to violin students.

 

 

Q & A with CYM

CYM: Favorite piece of music to play and/or favorite composer?
Ms. Tanya:
The unaccompanied Bach Violin Sonatas and Partitas.


CYM:  Do you play other instruments other than the instrument you teach/study?
Ms. Tanya:
A little piano. I also played marimba, timpani, and snare drum in band at school. We had a great teacher, and a really good percussion ensemble that actually competed and stuff, and i had a lot of fun with it. I can actually also play a basic rock beat on the drum set which i learned while playing "hit me with your best shot" with our Grade 8 band -- haha.
I learned it on an assortment of kitchen pots and pans, set up in drum set formation in my parent's kitchen (much to my mom's chagrin).

CYM: When/where/how do you listen to music for fun?

Ms. Tanya: I honestly don't listen to music much. I think i am over-saturated after a day of practicing, singing, listening, and teaching, and I actually often even drive home in silence. I listen to my current repertoire on my iPod while i run or walk sometimes. I do like listening to the radio in the car some days...and I might occasionally be caught singing along. Never at red lights, though :).


CYM: If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be (and what would you eat)?
Ms. Tanya: Well, I'm not really into famous people much. I would honestly probably cash in my ticket to have lunch with my best friend from Canada. We would have a picnic together, and I'd probably make some kind of allergen-free concoction that I could eat, and fruit salad for dessert.


CYM: Favorite childhood book?
Ms. Tanya: I loved Harriet the Spy as a kid. I even spent part of second grade walking around with a little red notebook trying to be just like her. And I went through a phase with Nancy Drew.