CYM's Solo Recital in Review

...just a sample of the great performers at last Saturday's recital. Find more pictures on CYM's Facebook page!

Twinkler Parents, we need your RSVP!

 

Meetings for parents of Twinkler students who will be moving to either the Classical or American Legends programs in the Fall of 2011. Questions will be answered regarding differences between the programs, starting an instrument, and the parent role in music study. Other questions are welcome as well. 

Twinkler Parent Meetings are being held:

CYM Wexford- Tuesday, April 26th at 7:00pm

CYM Sewickley- Wednesday, May 4th 6:30pm

Please RSVP immediately to Leah Givelber at lgivelber@youngmusicians.org or 724-935-0505.

Congratulations, Julia Solomon! ...with updates!

Julia at her Book Four Graduation Recital

Congratulations to Julia Solomon, who graduates Suzuki Cello Book Five! Julia's Graduation Recital will be held on Thursday, April 28th, at 4:45 p.m. during the Young Artists cello group class. The recital is open to family and friends.

Julia and Ms. Rowena Gutana are all smiles as Julia receives her Book 5 graduation certificate!

Julia, Ms. Ingrid Beute, and Ms. Rowena Gutana after the successful recital!

These wonderful photos were submitted by Ed and Ginger Solomon. Ms. Ingrid Beute provided a delightful accompaniment to Julia's performance. What a great evening- thank you to all in attendance, and congratulations to Julia, Ms. Rowena, and Ms. Ingrid for their fine efforts!

Spring Has Sprung at CYM! Looking ahead to an exciting concert season...

Upcoming Events:

•   Studio Music at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh
• Saturday, May 7 11:00am
• Art Studio at CMP
• Featuring Grant Goetze, violin

• CYM Community Concert
• Saturday, May 14, 1:00 pm
• Wexford Presbyterian Church
• Mr. Mark Marston, lead faculty 

• CYM Community Concert
• Saturday, June 4, 4:00 pm 
• Wexford Presbyterian Church
• Ms. Rowena Gutana, lead faculty

• CYM Community Concert 
• Friday in June, Date and Time TBA
• Wexford Presbyterian Church
• Ms. Sonia Tripathi, lead faculty

• CYM Outreach Concert- A pre-concert performance for Music Plus Recital Series
• Sunday, May 1
• St. James Church, Sewickley
• Ms. Sonia Tripathi, lead faculty
• Piano students are invited to perform upon approval from their teacher

See you there!

Saturday Classes Invited to Explore Instruments at CYM's Solo Recital

 

The above photos are from last year's Solo Recital. 

CYM’s annual all school solo recital day is on Saturday, April 23.  All recitals are held in the Marshall Middle School auditorium.  The piano recital is at 11 am, the violin at 1 pm, and the cello and guitar recital at 3 pm.  

There will be no Saturday classes held that day to allow all students to take advantage of the wonderful opportunity to see music education in action.   Please call CYM or send an email to reschedule.  The recital is a chance for parents to not only see and hear the different instruments but also to see what their children will be doing in just a few months or years.   

For all parents and students in the Twinkler Transtion this is an opportunity for your child to get to see all the instruments and decide which instrument calls to them.   All children are welcome at the recital for as long they can remain quiet, and parents can feel free to quietly slip out during applause when their child has seen and heard as much as he or she can. 

Before you take your seat...

Every Spring we look forward to the upcoming CYM Solo Recital- what an exciting time of year! Already, you can hear the sounds of polished pieces and excitement as each CYM instrumentalist prepares for the moment when they perform their piece on stage in front of their family, friends, and peers. 

We hope you are anticipating a wonderful concert as we all are, and will take a few moments to refresh yourself and your family on the best way to go about enjoying this concert experience to the fullest. Here are some tips to get you started... see you next Saturday!

Encouraging young people to use good manners and proper etiquette while attending musical and other performances is often easier said than done. The problem is that most people wait until just minutes before an event or performance to tell their children or students what to do and how to act. To teach a child proper manners requires a little bit more advanced planning.

Displaying Proper Concert Etiquette and Good Manners Begins With Respect

Being a musician requires practice. Being a great musician requires LOTS of practice. As adults we recognize the fact that good manners dictate that we respect the hard work and time that a performer has put in to prepare the performance we are watching. For younger students this intrinsic respect for the performer may not make as much sense. Try bringing the discussion down to their level and draw parallels to something that is important in their own lives.

Make Manners Mean Something To The Student

How would your children feel if their parents never attended their baseball games? How would they feel if they worked for days on a school project and then the teacher acted as though their hard work did not even matter? In both cases they would probably feel very sad or at least discouraged from continuing to work so hard. Psychologically young students are more aware of what makes someone sad or upset. If you can in some way demonstrate that bad concert etiquette makes the performer feel bad then you can more easily and effectively encourage good behavior and concert manners as the proper way to act at a musical performance. Once they have a point of reference a child is more likely to accept the change in behavior that you are trying to instill.

The whole idea of showing respect for a person by using good manners and proper concert etiquette is to build a sense of common courtesy that is important both in and out of the concert hall. Since good manners are so important in all areas of life it makes sense to try to get other teachers involved in teaching them as well. Most schools do an excellent job of encouraging good manners in the lower grades, but as students grow older the reinforcement of good manners and concert etiquette in the classroom takes a back seat to academic issues. Speak with other teachers and see if they can work with you to encourage the good and ignore the bad.

Teaching Concert Etiquette Should Be A Continuous Process

Don't wait until the day before your children are to go to see a concert to try to teach them proper concert etiquette. At that point it is often too late to have any real impact. Threatening a child with a negative consequence for bad manners only serves to make the child dislike the activity they are watching. Encouraging good manners and discouraging bad ones is something that takes time and constant reiteration. Above all, as with many things in education, praise your children publicly when they display the hallmarks of proper concert etiquette and manners. 

-by Chad Criswell 

*For very small children, a quiet activity such as coloring or a special quiet toy or book can also be helpful for a longer performance. Even attending a small portion of a concert is beneficial for youngsters. For CYM’s concert etiquette guidelines, please refer to the CYM guide.  

CYM Violinist and Cellist Share their Experiences with PYSO

Elsa Lagerquist

Sergei Adelman

Recently we had the chance to sit down with violinist Elsa Lagerquist and cellist Sergei Adelman to talk with them  about their experiences performing in the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra. Elsa, 14 and Sergei, 17, have both participated this year in the PYSO, and gave us their insights about being members of this exciting group...

CYM: What made you audition for the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony?


Elsa: After four years of performing in a symphonette, and hearing that PYSO was going to Italy this summer, I decided to audition. 

Sergei: My teachers suggested that I audition.

CYM: How did you prepare for your audition?

Elsa: I practiced a lot with Ms. Tanya to get ready for the audition to join, but also before the seating auditions at the beginning of the year (for placement within the orchestra). Thank you, Ms. Tanya!

Sergei: I practiced a lot for the audition- probably at hour-and-a-half sessions.

CYM: How much do you practice your orchestra music now?

Elsa: We mostly practice when we meet with the group- we go over tougher sections in lessons, too.

Sergei: I practice November-May, during the time PYSO meets.

CYM: What has been the biggest surprise about playing in a large orchestra?


Elsa: It is so much fun! Concerts are really fun and exciting, and it is great making new friends.

Sergei: Other members of PYSO are very good players- you have to show up and know what you are doing.

CYM: What is your favorite part about being a member of PYSO? Any favorite pieces?

Elsa: My favorite part so far has been the November concert, and I really like all of the pieces we are playing. I especially liked the William Tell Overture, Roman Carnival, and the fourth movement of the Symphonie Fantastique.

Sergei:  I've made friends with the players in my section. We support each other and help each other out when we make mistakes. I like all of the pieces we are working on.

CYM: What are you looking forward to now?


Elsa: I am really excited to travel to Italy- it will be an amazing experience!


Sergei: I'm looking forward to the May concert and trip to Italy- outside of PYSO, I'm looking forward to summer music camps.


CYM: Do you have any advice for other students interested in auditioning for PYSO?

Elsa: Know that if you put in the work, you will do a good job. Don't be nervous!

Sergei: Prepare yourself and practice for your audition.

Thank you, Elsa, and Sergei, for sharing with us- what a wonderful experience.
Best of luck to the both of you in your upcoming concerts, and travels to Italy!

Be sure to mark your calendar to see the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra perform:

May 1, 2011 at 2:00 PM at Heinz Hall
Dvorak - New World Symphony
Barber - School for Scandal Overture
Elgar - Cello Concerto - excerpts (Eleanor Lee, soloist)
Order Tickets for May 1, 2011

Manav Kathir Graduates Suzuki Book One

Manav Kathir with his fellow guitar group class

Manav and Mr. Mark Marston

Congratulations to Manav Kathir as he graduates from Suzuki Guitar Book One! Manav celebrated his completion of Book One with a recital held this Thursday evening at CYM Wexford. Thank you to all who attended. Bravo, Manav!

CYM Strings to Perform National Anthem at Pirates vs. Astros

CYM Strings perform during the 2009 Pirates baseball season

Mark your calendar for Wednesday evening, July 6th, as CYM Strings perform the National Anthem in the opening ceremonies of the Pirates vs. Astros game. Bring the whole family to enjoy the sights and sounds of Pirates baseball at PNC Park as well as cheer on your fellow young musicians.

CYM cellists and violinists of every age and skill level are invited to perform. Please contact us at info@youngmusicians.org  by June 1st if your child is interested in participating.

CYM performers, students, family, and friends may take advantage of discounted tickets in the Pittsburgh Baseball Club (sections 208-227), Infield Box (sections 109-124) and Infield Grandstands (308-325). Pick up a ticket order form (available in the information bins in Wexford and Sewickley) or call Tom Karayusuf at 412-325-4774 or email tom.karayusuf@pirates.com. Please note that performers and their families must purchase tickets to participate.

Play Ball!