Category Archives for "violin"

Milwaukee’s brewing up some fine music

By billalpert | Events , violin

Master Teacher Darcy Drexler explains the finer points of violin vibrato to seven year old Academy student Margaret Knox.

Every summer, string teachers from across the country make a pilgrimage to Milwaukee. This week, I’m here with a dozen other teachers to observe what is arguably one of the finest models of string education in the world. For teachers, it’s a four day intense program of immersion simply entitled Teaching the Violin to Children.

The String Academy of Wisconsin, founded in 1990 by well known pedagogue Mimi Zweig, is hosted at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. The event draws its inspiration from the teaching philosophies of Shinichi Suzuki and Paul Rolland. These two violin luminaries were certainly some of the most influential violin educators of the 20th century. Currently Executive Director Darcy Drexler, along with Zweig form the core faculty of the Workshop. For violin teachers, it’s a rare opportunity to draw upon years of experience distilled by some of the most effective violin teachers in the world.

For me, a trip like this is great fun. Every day is non-stop violin: lecture, demonstration and recitals. It’s inspiring and motivating, exhausting and at the same time exhilarating. For my students: it means.. well they’ll be finding out soon enough 😉

The Touch of the Master’s Hand

By billalpert | The Kitchen Sink , violin , voice

I ran across the following old poem, and thought I’d share:

’twas battered and scarred and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile:

“What am bidden, good folks?” he cried,
“Who’ll start the bidding for me?”
“A dollar! A dollar!” then “Two! Only two?”
“Two dollars, and who’ll make it three?”

“Three dollars once, three dollars twice . . .
And going for three . . . ” but no.
From the room, far back, a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow.

Then, wiping the dust from the the old violin,
And tightening the loosened strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet,
As a carolling angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low
Said, “What am I bid for the old violin?”
And he held it up with the bow.

“A thousand dollars! And who’ll make it two?
“Two thousand! Who’ll make it three?
“Three going once? Three going twice?
“And going . . . and gone!” said he.

The people cheered but some of them cried,
“We do not understand!
What changed its worth?” — Swift came the reply,
“The touch of the Master’s Hand.”

And many a man with life out of tune
And battered and scarred with sin
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd
Much like the old violin.

A “mess ‘o pottage”
A glass of wine
A game and he travels on.
He’s “going” once
And “going” twice
And “going” . . . and almost “gone”

Then along comes the Master, and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul or the change that’s wrought
By the touch of the Master’s Hand.

By Myra Ross Welch (1926)

July and August Studio Lesson Schedule

By billalpert | violin , voice

VIOLIN STUDENTS:

There will be NO lessons the week of July 6-12. I’ll be attending a special session for for violin teachers at the String Academy of Wisconsin.

Yes, I will be teaching from July 13-19.

However, I’ll be taking an extended vacation in late July. Hence there will be no lessons between July 20-August 8. Lessons will resume as normal on August 11.

VOICE STUDENTS:

Due to our vacation and Beauty and the Beast production schedule there will be no lessons between July 21-August 21. Lessons will resume as normal on Monday, August 25.

Please make a note of these dates.

Thank You,
Bill and Melanie Alpert

Studio Recital photos

By billalpert | Events , Student News , violin , voice

Alpert Studio Recital, June 2008
Photo courtesy: Deb Tracey Photography

Congrats to the over 30 studio students who performed at the June 7th recital. It was an exciting afternoon in a packed full recital hall. Of special note are the following students who made their very first recital performance, Faith Ferry, John Ferry, Marylou Ferry and Zachary Rustenburg in violin and Marissa Henkel, Zeke Gonzalez, Eryn Moore and David Mao in voice.

Senior students performing were Cesar Quintero and Gabi Martinez in voice. Gabi will be attending Oberin Conservatory of music in the Fall, and Cesar is planning on attending the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles. Kudos to all of our performers!

Cesar Quintero making Mozart’s Dalla sua pace sound easy

Relaxing after a job well done (from left): Sarah Hinrichsen, Michael Sturgis, Sarah Jackson, Cesar Quintero, Maggie Anderson and Kaitlin Orr.

Studio Recital Reminder

By billalpert | Events , violin , voice

Just a last minute reminder: our Spring studio recital will be held on Saturday, June 7 at 4:00 p.m. in the studio performance hall.

Rehearsal will begin between 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 6, also at the performance hall. Students will be assigned a specific rehearsal time slot during their lesson. We will try to accommodate your specific time request, if possible. Please try to be flexible.

Remember, all violin and voice students are expected to participate in the recital. Please remember to bring your music, properly taped up and in order for our accompanist. Please dress appropriately for a performance; no jeans or flip flops. Thank You.

Making Magic

By billalpert | The Kitchen Sink , violin , voice

Fifty-six years ago, a handsome young Edwardo made the long journey to Mexico City with his new bride. It was their honeymoon, and though he had little money in those early days, he wanted to take her to the most elegant restaurant in town. And so he did, and he thus marked the beginning of a lifetime together.

Today, Edwardo and family came together to comfort his wife. Laying in a hospital bed, she was connected to oxygen and faced the end of her life. From their darkened room Edwardo heard strains of violin music floating down the hallway into the open doorway. It so happened he heard me playing selections of music for my mother, as I frequently do when visiting her convalescent home.

And so, a still very handsome 80 year old man appeared at our doorway. He shyly asked if they could listen for a while. Edwardo knew his music, and recognized everything I played, from Bach to Schubert. At one point he recited the Spanish version poem of Schubert’s lovely Serenade, while I played the melody.

It wasn’t long before I found myself down the hall, playing for Edwardo, his wife and company. The request: Monti’s Csardas, the very same piece the young married couple remembered from their honeymoon, more half a century ago. The proprietor of that Mexico City restaurant played it that night for the newly married couple. I had the honor and privilege of recreating that moment, as Edwardo cradled his very weak wife’s head in his arms, as he once again affirmed his love. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room, including mine. It was a tender moment I’ll never forget.

Such is the joy and magic of music. It transcends borders and crosses generations unabated. It’s truly a gift of the spirit and the highest expression of humanity.

Solofest and Recital Update

By Melanie Alpert | Events , violin , voice

Congratulations to all Alpert Studio students who participated in this year’s San Bernardino County Solofest; each one of you performed beautifully. I have seen such growth in each and every one of you; it’s makes me so proud!
Special congrats go out to those students who advanced to the finals: Mackenzie Orr, Elementary division, Kaitlin Orr, Michael Sturgis and Mercedes Machado, Junior High division (we swept this category!) and Cesar Quintero, High School division.
Our finalists will be competing this 10:00 a.m. Saturday, at the Cal State San Bernardino theater. Please come out and support your fellow students!

Also a quick note to studio voice and violin students: The date for our Spring Recital has been set. PLEASE SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, June 7, 4:00 p.m. at the studio recital hall.

When Less is More

By billalpert | Music Picks , violin

Nathan Milstein – Perpetuum Mobile by Novacek.

One can find just about anything on YouTube. This clip from 1957 fits into the “sublime” category. Violinist Nathan Milstein gives us an absolutely sparkling rendition of Novack’s Perpetual Motion, a piece I’ve recently discovered. It’s a wonderful technical study, also worthy of the concert stage.

The challenge in music like this, indeed when learning anything new, is making it effortless. To that end, it appears that Milstein is barely working during this highly technical selection. Indeed, in this case it is the economy of motion and simplicity in approach that makes lets the music shine.

Violin (and voice) is frequently about working less, removing tension and preparing the music to a cellular level. When applied diligently, this philosophy can bring about stunning results, as I’m sure you’ll appreciate if you’ll invest three minutes and watch the video. Enjoy!

Melanie Alpert appears in The King and I

By Melanie Alpert | Events , violin

Many of you have expressed interest in attending Melanie’s performance of Lady Thiang, in the Performance Riverside production of The King and I. Also appearing in the production are Alpert Studio students Michael Sturgis and Gracie Unger.

Evening and matinee performances are scheduled between Feb 1st – Feb 10th, 2008 at Landis Auditorium on the campus of Riverside City College.

Because your are all considered friends and family, you are eligible for discounted tickets to the performances. Just call the box office at (951) 222-8100 and mention the code “PUZZLEMENT” along with the name “Melanie Alpert.” You will receive a 20-25% discount.

I think it will be a wonderful show; we hope many of you can attend!

For additional information here’s a link to the Performance Riverside website

Studio 2008 Updates

By billalpert | violin , voice

Voice and Violin lessons will resume this week! Your lesson will be at your regular scheduled time, unless otherwise discussed. If you are unsure about your lesson time, please call or e-mail as soon as possible.

Note from Melanie Alpert to Voice Students:
Please try to be flexible during the month of January. Because of my rehearsal schedule, some lesson times may need to be rearranged. I’ll do my best to find a convenient time for everyone.

SCVA Participants Reminder:
This year’s competition will be held on Saturday, January 12 at 9:00 a.m. Location: at the recital hall at 10722 Arrow Rte., Suite 104, Rancho Cucamonga

Note to Violin Students from Bill Alpert:
The violin studio is going to a flat monthly tuition rate. The monthly tuition will include approx. 45 lessons per year and all recital fees. Note that the tuition rate for each month will remain the same whether there are 4 or 5 weeks in the month. For continuing students, the monthly rate will be equivalent to the cost of 4 regular lessons. Please read my complete studio policies which includes information about cancellations, studio requirements and more.

Let’s all plan and enjoy and musically exciting and rewarding 2008. See you soon!