All Posts by billalpert

Summer Institute Time

By billalpert | violin

By Teri Einfeldt, extracted from SAA Website

At least two Alpert Studio students will be attending a summer Suzuki institute this summer. Here are some tips to assist your institute experiences.

Tips for the home teacher:

Explain to the student and parent that the purpose of a master class is not to learn new pieces.

Define and help student prepare a polished piece to play for the private lesson/master class. Often a good guideline is a piece four pieces behind the one on which they are currently working. The home teacher should designate this piece before the student leaves for the institute, and the piece must be in the Suzuki repertoire (even for advanced students).

Students should be expected to practice daily for the master class (and other classes, as well) during the Institute. Parents should take careful notes. The home teacher should be given a copy of the notes after the institute for their own reference.

The student may be asked to do something differently at the Institute—this is a good thing!

Make sure the students arrive with proper equipment:

CD and player or iPod to listen to their piece. Suzuki Books.
Piano Accompaniment, especially for any additional piece outside of the Suzuki repertoire. Metronome and Tuner. Rosin. A properly prepared instrument. Put on new strings, consider getting the bow rehaired before the institute. Check over your equipment!

Let students know beforehand whether they are ready for a new instrument or not. Often, vendors will attract students to upgrades that they are not quite ready for.

Let them know whether to accept instrument setup advice from the institute teacher.

Give the student questions to ask the institute teacher, when appropriate, concerning ongoing issues (such as posture, vibrato, set-up, etc).

Be content with ensemble placements. Remember that this is not the most important part of the Institute, and the chamber repertoire will require additional practice time.
Create an institute checklist to ensure that you have everything you need for a productive and fun week!

Broadway Musical Returns to Upland at the Grove

By billalpert | The Kitchen Sink

Urinetown Lives!

Urinetown The Musical

Back by popular demand, this stellar production will now be able to be seen for nine more performances at the Grove Theater in Upland. With brilliant score, book and cast, this production is not to be missed!

The Grove Theater – 276 E. Ninth, Upland CA
(909) 920-4343.

Friday and Saturday May 21 and 22 at 7:29 p.m.
Sunday May 23 at 2:00

Friday and Saturday May 28 and 29 at 7:29 p.m.
Sunday May 30 at 2:00

Friday and Saturday June 4 and 5 at 7:29 p.m.
Sunday June 6 at 2:00.

The Grove Theater – 276 E. Ninth, Upland CA
(909) 920-4343.

Call the box office (909) 920-4343 for ticket prices and reserve your tickets today

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Performing in the Now

By billalpert | Bill Alpert Journal , violin

The panicked questions arrived:

SOS!
I am 14, I and I will be taking my ABRSM Grade 8 exam on Thursday and I am very worried about it. My pieces are fine, my scales are o.k…
I am a very last minute person, yet a perfectionist which is what I absolutely hate about myself. I am terrible at sight reading and I did my Grade 5 Theory when I was 9 and got a Merit. However five years later, I can’t remember anything at all and it has affected my Aural Training where I am required to recognize Cadences and Modulations. I don’t even know why I’m telling you all this but I’ve resolved to Google to try and solve my problems because I am in absolute desperation. My teacher is quite pleased with my work and everyone keeps telling me that my exam will be fine but I keep doubting myself and I really don’t know what will happen.

My question now is, How can I “get into the music” when I’m playing? When i play I stand up stiff as ever, occasionally I sway and my eyes are always closed but I just don’t know how to feel the music… Any suggestions?

There are many resources to help us relax and focus while performing. Yoga, meditation and breathing practice as well as jogging are helpful. A good diet, and avoidance of caffeine also help. Avoid eating just before performing. A light meal 3 or 4 hours before works well for me. Books such as The Inner Game of Music and A Soprano on Her Head are worth reading.

Learning how to practice correctly is HUGE. Last minute is not the right approach. When you’re on stage, what you are playing should be comfortable in every sense of the word. Avoid performance situations that are likely to go wrong. Yes, take chances on stage, but make them sensible. Practice only so long as you getting results and feeling focussed.

Go deep in the music you select. Choose pieces than inspire you. Learn a lot about the composer and his world.

Beyond that, I hear a lot of stress in this violinist’s question. As a musician, are you willing to accept where you are now? To be OK with what you’ve accomplished to date, and have faith that others will enjoy what you alone can share musically? It’s *you* that must be pleased with your work. Release any attachment to how you think you should be playing and go with the way things are NOW. Fighting with the present only makes the present worse.

Your teacher should help you select music that is appropriate for your current level of technique and musical maturity. Go on stage ready to enjoy the performance, and just let the music happen. In short, play what you can play well, and be happy.

Alpert Studio Spring Recital Announced

By billalpert | Events , violin , voice

Mark your calendars!

The Alpert Studio Spring ’10 Recital will be held on Saturday, May 15th at 3:00 p.m. All voice and violin students are required to participate.

Recital Rehearsal (with piano) will be held on Friday, May 15, between 3:30 and 6:00 p.m. for voice students and between 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. for violinists. You will be assigned an approximate arrival time at your lesson prior to the event.

Let’s all prepare for a wonderful and enjoyable event, in a fun and supportive environment. So polish up your song and get ready to perform!

Alpert Violin Studio @ LA 2010 Suzuki Graduation Event

By billalpert | Student News , Studio News

Zachary Rustenberg: Giving it His All

Congratulations to students Jeremy Oh, Jessica Chao and Zachary Rustenberg who participated in the 2010 Suzuki Music Association’s Graduation Concert at Zipper Hall in Los Angeles. The Hall was packed, and all in attendance enjoyed a great afternoon of music in the company of the supportive greater Suzuki community. Kudos to all who attended!

Jessica Chao (lower left) and Jeremy Oh (upper right) lend their talents to Boccherini

Summer is ahead! Attending a summer Suzuki institute is a great way to inspire and motivate your young violinist, and can also be a fun, family oriented vacation. For those families interested in a summer Suzuki institute, here are a few options to consider:

Locally: http://scalsuzukiinstitute.org/ organized by our own SMAC LA.

Throughout the US: http://suzukiassociation.org/events/institutes/

Please let me know if you have questions.

Remember, no violin lessons this week. See you the week of March 29.

Mr. Alpert

Alpert Studio Students Shine

By billalpert | Student News , Studio News , violin , voice

Eryn Moore as Belle in Beauty in the Beast, with Melanie Alpert

We’re very proud of our voice and violin students whose accomplishments continue to impress and inspire. More student and studio news will be posted soon.

To receive updates via e-mail, follow this link.

Spring Break

By billalpert | Student News , violin , voice

Just a reminder for all students, voice and violin:

No lessons will be held between March 22-27. This is our studio’s Spring Break week. Lessons will resume according to normal schedule on March 29!

Happy Spring to the entire Studio Family!

Urinetown the Musical

By billalpert | Events , Studio News

The Alpert Studio of Voice and Violin invites you to join us for a hysterically irreverent musical with one of the best musical theater scores ever written. With a wonderful professional cast and a live band, this will be a memorable theatrical experience. Seating is very limited, so order your tickets soon! Opens Friday, February 19th!

Featured studio students and alumni include: Brandon Alpert, Taylor Pearson, Kari Kennedy, Marissa Henkel, Tommy Tafoya, Hannah Meisser and Chris Small

Urinetown: The Musical is a satirical comedy musical, with music by Mark Hollmann, lyrics by Hollmann and Greg Kotis, and book by Kotis. It satirizes capitalism, socialism, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, and petty small town politics. It also is a satire of the Broadway musical as a form. In reverse pantomime style, the unconventional plotline shatters audience expectations of a pleasant ending (from Wikipedia)

Event Flyer

For tickets and/or information call 909-982-5736

Finding Balance

By billalpert | violin , voice

How do you balance family life and the Suzuki method, from the busy life and extra activities, to the time spent, to the growth of the child and parent?

from:Ask the Experts, part 11: Balance – by Carol Ourada
from the Suzuki Association of the Americas Expert’s Column

Embrace the philosophy: “When love is deep, much can be accomplished.” Dr. Suzuki’s philosophy of love, step-by-step accomplishment, character building, and striving for excellence leads parents, children, and families to bond together on a journey that positively impacts the family as a whole.

Prioritize: With so many choices available, families will need to prioritize what is important. Practicing, listening, lessons, group class, concerts, and workshops/institutes need to be high on the list. This means a lifestyle change, with the benefit of time together scheduled regularly!

Reality: A daily commitment to practicing and listening is what will keep things going. Certain weeks, however, another activity or obligation might take more time than usual. If practice is still daily, even though shortened, the student will be able to at least maintain their level and motivation. Goals can be adjusted, then readjusted.

Limit how many extra activities the student is involved in. Most families can tell when the calendar is too full. Plan; rotate when those extra classes and activities will occur. Realize that there will be conflicts and recognize the commitments that need priority. Many families find that along with Suzuki lessons, one other activity per child is realistic.

Teamwork: Parents can work as a team and even friends and extended family can help too. In my studio, there is a mother who is the sole caregiver for the child. Certain times of the year, her work schedule causes her to be unable to get the child to group class on time. Another family picks up the child and brings her to group, and then the mom arrives a little later. For the youngest students, however, the primary practicing parent is the one needed at both lesson and group.

Support: Invite grandparents, friends, and schoolteachers to concerts, recitals, and lessons. Their enthusiasm and amazement at the process will give a boost to parent, child, and the Suzuki teacher. There are also wonderful resources to help support parents and teachers: Winning Ways, available from the SAA, Helping Parents Practice by Ed Sprunger, American Suzuki Journal articles such as Jeanne Luetke’s viewpoint for parents in Volume 35 #4 and To Learn with Love by Constance and William Starr. Visit the SAA website for more suggestions.

Island experience: Give yourself and your family the gift of an “island experience” at a workshop and especially at a Suzuki Institute. In Journey Down the Kriesler Highway Craig Timmerman relates how special events and trips heighten our awareness and memories for learning. Institute is a special time for new perspective, renewed spirits, and time together for the parent and child. The motivational benefits last a long time, as parents exclaim year after year!

A journey together: Being on both sides of the process, as a Suzuki teacher and a Suzuki parent, I have seen firsthand how the Suzuki philosophy of learning an instrument blends into our lifestyle, our parenting style and our family as a whole. It is a journey that bonds together families, well worth the time, effort, and especially the love that envelops it all.

Studio Events

By billalpert | Events , Studio News

The Alpert Studio is proud to announce Brandon Alpert will be appearing in the rock musical Rent, at the Grove Theater in Upland. Brandon is appearing the role of Mark Cohen.

Please join us in supporting Brandon, and also supporting high quality theater in our own community. Performances run between January 15 – February 7. Ticket information here. Please note, the production contains very mature themes.

Rent is a rock musical with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson based on Giacomo Puccini’s opera La bohème. It tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side in the thriving days of Bohemian Alphabet City, under the shadow of AIDS.
The musical was first seen in a limited three-week Workshop production at the New York Theatre Workshop in 1994. This same New York City off-Broadway theatre was also the musical’s initial home following its official January 25, 1996, opening. The show’s creator, Jonathan Larson, died suddenly the night before the off-Broadway premiere. The show won a Pulitzer Prize, and the production was a hit. The musical moved to Broadway’s larger Nederlander Theatre on April 29, 1996.[2] On Broadway, Rent gained critical acclaim and won a Tony Award for Best Musical among other awards. The musical is largely responsible for helping to increase the popularity of musical theater amongst the younger generation.[3] The Broadway production closed on September 7, 2008, after a 12-year run and 5,124 performances, making it the eighth-longest-running Broadway show, nine years behind The Phantom of the Opera as of December 2009. The production grossed over $280 million.[4] The success of the show led to several national tours and numerous foreign productions, and in 2005, it was also adapted into a motion picture that features most of the original cast members. (Courtesy Wikipedia)