East Cobb Violin Lessons at Fiddlestix String Studio

There are three local camps for Strings/Orchestra that parents should know about if they are looking for summer activities for their children.
The first is the ENCORE!  Orchestra Camp at Emory University in Atlanta, GA.  It runs from July 11-15, 2010 and the cost is $495.  For more information or to register, go to www.encoreorchestracamp.com.

The second is the Kennesaw State University Summer Clinic for Music and Dance.  It takes place from June 6-11, 2010 and the cost is $289.  For more information or to register, go to www.kennesaw.edu/music/music-clinic

If you are interested in a Day Camp option, Atlanta Violins is hosting one at Dickerson Middle School.  See http://www.atlantastreetviolins.com/images/UpbeatFlyer2010_Cobb_Web.pdf for more details.

How wonderful to have such great Arts Education programs so close by!

My lesson plans involve several themes this month.  Our composer is Antonio Vivaldi and our listening selection is “Spring” from the Four Seasons.  How appropriate with Spring right around the corner.  My younger classes will dramatize the various themes of the piece using scarves.  Older classes will harmonize themes using Boomwhackers accompanying me on both the violin or recorder.  They will learn the C Major scale and I, III and V chords for harmony.  In addition, both classes will play some rhythm games using rhythm sticks, play some musical games and the older groups will learn a rhythmic round!

In my string studio, I have several Middle School students learning “Allegro” by composer Joseph Hector Fiocco.  It is a great piece (and fun) for students who have learned how to shift positions and are ready to incorporate their shifting into a real piece of music.  The piece is three pages long and has one or two sections per page where the student needs to be in second or third position.  They are having fun learning!

Interestingly, I also have a Middle School student who wishes to switch from the clarinet to the violin and from Band into the Orchestra at school.  He has very committed to the switch and we have been able to get through the G,D and A Major Scales, slurring 2, 3, 4 and yes…………attempting 8 notes in a bow as well as learning some beginning solo pieces.  He will attempt to try out for the School Orchestra in the next few weeks to see if he can keep up.  It is fun to have a student who already reads music so we can concentrate on the actual playing of the instrument!

Thats all for now!