Wisconsin Conservatory of Music: Suzuki Department

From poverty to prodigy: star violinist turns to other musicians in need Rachel Barton Pine is one of the most accomplished violinists in the world, but she would be the first to remember her less than refined upbringing -- as a ten-year-old prodigy with an out-of-work father, she bought her concert clothes in thrift stores and relied on space heaters for warmth. Now, Pi…

Looking forward to recitals this weekend!

A great article!
https://suzukiassociation.org/news/i-love-to-practice/

I Love to Practice! “I love to practice!” That’s what we all want our children to say. Here are some ideas for how parents can get there without resorting to things they wish they hadn’t! These suggestions can keep you motivated so that you…

Looks like these two fabulous players like movie concerts too! Stay tuned for our "Practice like a movie star" challenge!

with Yo-Yo Ma playing movie themes at the Oscars.

Here's some for our hardworking parents and teachers out there, from Joanne Martin's upcoming talk, "Why ARE we doing Suzuki, anyway?"

Quick reminder: Early-bird prices for individuals and studios are good only through Sunday night, 1/31! Learn more and get registered for Parents as Partners Online 2016 here: http://bit.ly/1PFTMLX

Parents and teachers, tell us in the comments: Why are YOU doing Suzuki, anyway??

Just a reminder, there is group class this week!

http://www.theviolinchannel.com/juilliard-masterclass-student-series-web-stream-bicket-luisi-finckel/

Juilliard School to Live-Stream New Free Student Masterclass Series The Juilliard School has announced the launch of a free live-stream masterclass series - hosted by Harry Bicket, Fabio Luisi and David Finckel.

Meet the Violin with Ms. Gretchen was lots of fun this morning!

Parents, need fun ideas for practicing? Check it out!
http://downloads.thepracticeshoppe.com/

The Practice Shoppe Bead Counters, Dice, Wands, and other simple toys that make priacticing fun for kids! You can also download free practice charts and weekly practice guides for Suzuki violin.

A few photos from the Suzuki Association of Wisconsin retreat! Julie and Gretchen both taught at the retreat and several of our WCM Suzuki students attended!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: STRING FACULTY RECITAL. APRIL 25TH AT 7P.M. AT THE PROSPECT LOCATION. IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT!

A reminder not to give up on music!

http://www.interlude.hk/front/science-great-news-people-cant-sing/

Science Has Great News for People Who Can’t Sing Forget the middle school haters who shamed you into believing you were tone-deaf. A new study reveals that singing is more like playing an instrument than previously thought: Singing accurately is a skill that can be taught and developed. And that means that even the worst singers among us should ju…

Mark your calendar: Group classes start January 23rd!

Jumpstart to Violin for ages 3-5! Be introduced to the wonderful world of music-making on the violin! Group classes and private lessons will both be scheduled on the same day making it convenient for you! 4 week session starting January 9th at 2p.m. at McIntoshlGoodrich. Enroll today by calling 414-276-5760!

The WCM Suzuki students will be peforming again, by popular demand, at the Mitchell Park Domes - in the Showdome. They will be accompanied by the lovely and talented Teresa Drews. Come see all the hard work our students have put in this semster!!

Suzuki teachers - come check out this fantastic offering at the Wisconsin Conservatory!!!

Don't forget to set your DVR's for Thursday, October 8th at 9:00 am. String faculty members Tatiana Migliaccio, Marie Sinco Warren, and Julie Bamberger Roubik will be performing as a promotion for the upcoming Voices of the Holocaust concert on October 19th.

Thank you to the parents who attended our first Parent Class. We had fun and learned a lot!! Looking forward to an exciting musical semester!!

Thank You, Suzuki Parents: Everything You Do is Much Appreciated Thank you, Suzuki parents. You do an amazing job. We teachers cannot even begin to express how deeply we value who you are—your vision, your commitment, your love for your child and music.

Among Wreckage Of Bombs In Baghdad, Composer Kareem Wasfi Serenades The Distraught Where: Baghdad, Iraq, in the midst of the ruins When: No specific time, whenever bombs drop Duration: 1.5 hours Invitees: An open invitation to every passerby and every soul that was claimed

Give them good music when they're young...

Anne-Marie Minhall has an afternoon of beautiful music coming up for you (and maybe for your little one too)

Bucket Drumming at Milwaukee Rescue Mission Thank YOU! Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for us in the 360 My Office! We really appreciate you helping us. We will let you know if we win. Bucket Drumming Meaghan Heinrich, Director, Conservatory Connections has been working like crazy to help bring music to life in Milwaukee. She…

Meeting violence with a violin at a West Bank checkpoint One evening, riding home from a concert in Bethlehem, Alá, Rasha, and a few of their fellow musicians suddenly came upon a military barrier erected hastily in the road. “Halt!” commanded a sign, in Arabic and Hebrew. Just beyond, an olive-clad soldier was checking documents.“Flying checkpoint,” Rasha said. These were temporary barriers the military erected on the fly for the stated purpose of catching suspected militants, and those without proper documents, who might try to evade the fixed checkpoints. Also known as random or “surprise” checkpoints, they were so ubiquitous that Alá and Rasha were never surprised to encounter them. “It’s normal,” Alá said.Encounters at checkpoints could be deadly, but mostly, for Alá and Rasha, they were humiliating – dehumanising reminders of who had control. At Huwara, at the height of the second intifada, two pregnant women had been shot on consecutive days; another had given birth to a stillborn baby after waiting for five hours to get to the hospital; a 10-year-old girl had died of a ruptured appendix when soldiers denied her passage; and a man with metastasising liver cancer, a 45-year-old who worked in a Nablus hummus shop, was denied his wish to die at home. He died at Huwara.At the flying checkpoint the van carrying Alá and Rasha slowed and came to a stop. The sisters gazed at the sign. Behind the soldier a military Humvee blocked the road. The soldier beckoned the van forward. He opened the sliding door.“What’s that?” the soldier asked Alá, pointing to her soft blue instrument case.“This is a violin,” replied Alá, now 10 years old. The soldier told her to step out of the van.“Do you know how to play?” he asked.“Yes.”“Play,” instructed the soldier.“Don’t play for him!” Rasha yelled in Arabic.“Play,” repeated the soldier.Alá frowned, looking into the van uncertainly.Muntasser, the clarinet player, said softly: “It’s OK. Play, habibti.” Play, my dear.Ramzi’s main purpose for founding Al Kamandjati, he had said many times, was to protect the children from the soldiers. The statement often sounded like a slogan or a sound bite. But Alá, Rasha and other children of Al Kamandjati had begun to wear their music as a kind of armour, and now, at the flying checkpoint, Alá calmly removed her violin, placed it under her chin, stood erect, and began to play. She had chosen El Helwadi, or The Beautiful Girl, a song by Sayed Darwish, made famous by Fairouz.A haunting melody floated from Alá’s little violin – an “Oriental” sound, …

Find the 'sweet spot' at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music | 88Nine Radio Milwaukee Have you ever passed this building and wondered, "what the heck goes on in there?" We have the answer this week on Urban Spelunking, as OnMilwaukee.com Managing Editor Bobby Tanzilo takes us inside the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. Chicago architect H.R. Wilson designed the Neo-Classical Revival…

Fox and Branch offer 'Jug Band Jamboree' day camp Dave Fox and Will Branch have been a musical duo and 'jug band' called Fox & Branch for two decades, bringing joyful sounds to grown ups and children. For the first time this July, they will offer a day camp for kids at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music.

String Camp is a fun way to experience orchestral, chamber, fiddling, and solo playing all in one week! Call or register online at www.wcmusic.org.

This history of the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music

Urban Spelunking: Wisconsin Conservatory of Music Though one of Milwaukee's most recognizable and historic Prospect Avenue mansions was erected as a home for a wealthy industrialist, it wasn't long before sweet melodies filled the air in the sprawling building ... and continue to do so a century later.

Every child can - and apparently every violin can too

Vivaldi Performed On World's Smallest Violin Listen to Venezuelan violinist Baltazar Monaca performing Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto in A Minor – on what has been described as ‘the world’s smallest violin.’