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.