Pasadena Suzuki Music Program

Sunset Tower Tonight 7-11pm
The things I get to do ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QywMUIiCN1k

Rain Dance iMovie Original Music by bassist Leslie BakerA dance, a prayer for peace.

We are deeply saddened, but incredibly grateful for the vibrant life of Shirley Virginia Bellemuer. Virginia’s granddaughter, Leah Thompson Snell, recently informed us that Virginia passed away at the young age of 100 years and 6 months.

Virginia Bellemeur was an integral part of our Pasadena Suzuki Music Program during its formative years in the early 60s. Many eager students of Elizabeth & Harlow Mills have fond memories of chatting with Virginia at the office while waiting for our music lessons. Virginia was the one who did most of the scheduling, and she helped create our practice sheets, newsletters and recital programs too. Those were the days of carbon copy paper and clunky mimeograph machines. There were no fancy computers with apps or instant printers to make Virginia’s tasks easier! For nearly 40 years, Virginia put together the PSMP directories so that all of our families could be connected through music and participate together in home concerts, fundraisers and social activities. One of the most valuable tasks Virginia did was to type out and edit the meticulous notes the Mills’ had taken on the philosophy and teaching techniques of Dr. Suzuki. It was an exciting time to be part of the national Suzuki music movement. Virginia’s efforts definitely made things go much smoother.

Virginia treasured the kind of travel experiences that brought children and their families closer together. She even organized some of our group trips to visit Dr. Shinichi Suzuki and his wife Waltraud in Matsumoto, Japan. Virginia did all this for PSMP despite being divorced while raising 3 children and going back to school for her Master’s degree. She also had other work as a preschool director.

Virginia ‘showed up’ in many of our lives beyond our Suzuki program. She was known to be one who knocks at the door saying, “I heard you need…” and then she hands over a surprise check to help cover the cost of an expensive item.

Many of us were surprised to learn that Virginia had been a ‘Rosie the Riveter’ worker during WW2. She never talked with us about the sea planes she repaired. In 2023, Virginia was finally honored with a Congressional Leadership Award for stepping up to help our country during one of its biggest crises (we will post the links to articles about it in the comments section). Virginia was quoted as saying,“If you want to do something, do it. You only have one life – go for it!”

What a vital way to live your life, Virginia. Well Done. Well Done. Thank you for your service and for spending your one precious life with all of us. Godspeed to you. Your spirit will live on in us, and your memory will continue to be a blessing in our hearts!

Tomorrow night (5-18)
Sunset Tower 7-11pm
Piano Bass duo.....cocktails anyone?

Getting ready for a great Spring Concert tonight!

Happy heavenly birthday to my great teacher and mentor Red Callender. I read his Wikipedia page this morning and much to my surprise there are 2 paragraphs about me studying with him!!
These paragraphs are true, just as I remember them & would say myself in certain conversations with certain people.
This makes me very proud, the documentation of my time with Red at Wikipedia.
He changed my life, was like a 2nd Father to me & made me a much better bassist on string bass. Here are the paragraphs:

Sharron remembers that her father and grandparents spoke little about race. Her mother was white, and Sharron believes her mother “didn’t pursue a career because she thought there would be blowback for being married to a Black man.” Even in what might appear to be a free-flowing jazz world, Red was mindful that he, along with Buddy Collette, were “the token Blacks in San Kenton’s Neophonic Orchestra.”

Decades later, while teaching Leslie Baker Red asked himself, aloud, “Why am I telling you all my [bass-playing] secrets?” Baker was one of the few bass students he accepted at the Wind College, and one of the first female bassists to emerge in the early 1980s. “He answered himself,” she recalls. “‘Oh, because I was a token, and you will be one all your life…. I hate prejudice. I want you to play great—to drive those sexist players up the wall!’” Later, Baker remembers, he returned to that theme: “Leslie, play like you got nothin’ to prove. You’re not a lone wolf; whatever emotion you might be feeling, somebody else on this planet has felt that, too.’”
Leslie Baker, an LA-based electric and acoustic bassist and vocalist, echoes Gargano’s impressions of him.
“Red was kind, wise and generous. Our lessons stretched well beyond an hour. We played a duo gig, duets with him on Tuba, me on string bass. Red taught that if you can play in a duo you’ll be able to play in any size group. I liked his versatility musically and was encouraged to be a well-rounded musician. He invited me to his daughter April’s wedding after only studying with him a couple weeks. I was welcomed into the family.”

I am forever grateful to Red Callender

Leslie Baker Trio @ Urban Press Winery Burbank January 14,2024 2-5pm
Brian O'Rourke Keyboard. Joe Goldberger Drums. Leslie Baker Bass
plus guests. Reservations recommended

Wishing everyone a great New Year.
my deep thought upon waking this last day of 2023:
Music Bands are like Avocados.....You really don't know what you've got 'til you get into them.

Party Time!!

Brrr it's cold! Our heat is out so we're changing class to online tonight!

Concert night is tomorrow @5:30pm at the Church of Truth in Pasadena! We’re excited to present a mix of solo and group pieces in person again!

Hi PSMP students, online 🎻classes resume on Jan 24th! Practice well and we'll see you soon! 🎶

Congrats to PSMP families on putting on a lovely Recital Night last week! Check out a few screenshots on our website at https://psmp.org/ #!/7/featured/2021/167

2021 The Suzuki Music Assoc of CA - PSMP chapter is a nonprofit music education organization offering instruction on violin, viola, piano, flute, guitar, and Suzuki Early Childhood Education music and movement classes.