Day 5 (7/1/2007)

Was sick at Emily's house last night. Emily's mummy thought it was food poisoning but Dad ate everything that I did yesterday, and only I got sick.

So, I was feeling a bit sleepy when we started the day.

We had our final tutorial with Mrs Suzuki. We spent half of the tutorial playing early repertoire, perfecting particular bowing and tone production. Then we played small sections of the A minor using all the sounds and techniques we had just perfected. Dad said that the result was fantastic. He loves the way the early pieces can be used in so many different ways. We finished the tutorial with special games where we play and talk at the same time - not easy!

Then off to the final ensemble rehearsal. Our conductor was not satisfied with second best and worked us hard. We even went over time but later in the day, it became clear that the time spent was justified.

We played non-stop for 40 minutes in our play-in! Lots of pieces from book 3 and 4 - memory was working overtime.

Mr Tsuneo Kobayashi congratulated us on playing for so long and pointed out that we are now ready for the Mendelssohn (book 10) which lasts for only 30 minutes. I think that there is a bit more to it than just being able to play for a long time!
We finished out final play-in with the Bach Double and special games where you have to leave out any note played with a specified finger - very hard to do with some finger/piece combinations.

At the end of the play-in, I noticed that Jan Copper was at the back of the hall. Jan was one of my tutors at my 1st SS 4 years ago and she was lovely. She also wrote my graduation reports for levels 4 and 5 and had written some very positive comments. While I waited to chat to her, Lilly's mum told me that Jan's son Ian is a Jazz performer. So we had lots to talk about. Ian has his own web page here...

Dad is always amazed at the number of Australian performers who studied the Suzuki method.

At lunch I finished up some of the snacks and drinks that Dad and I had bought for morning teas. The caterers who ran the food outlet beside the Science Theatre had opened especially on the Sunday - they were very nice people.

My Aunty Elizabeth returned from her Enrichment Class very excited as her class had gone so well and everyone had had a great time.

Dad and I checked the schedule for the final concert and were very pleased to see that we were able to stay for the ensemble performance (We had to leave early to catch a flight to Brisbane)

We specially selected seats so that we could escape from the concert without causing a disturbance and I waited with my friend Emily in the designated spot for the Intermediate Ensemble B.

We listened to 2 performances before ours and they went very well. Emily's little brother Nicholas played the Cello in the 1st ensemble (photo) and he obviously enjoyed himself. Ms Toni Robson conducted the 2nd ensemble and they played something from the Vivaldi 4 Seasons. (photo)





Then it was our turn. We played so well that we were invited to play an encore! It is the first time that that has every happened to me. So, all the hard work payed off. We even got the 2 pauses at the end of the piece that had been so difficult to perfect in the rehearsal correct. Our conductor was very proud of us!

Day 4 (6/1/2007)

Slept in - I am really going to miss the breakfasts we have been having in the college. The Dinning hall is huge and there is so much to choose from.

Our tutorial this morning was taken by Mrs Suzuki. We feel that we have been spoilt with the calibre of the staff who have taken us at this conference.

Key points:

Tone
Phrasing
Tone
Tone

Our ensemble rehearsal had even fewer students today - I wonder where they have all gone? Our conductor spent lots of time on the opening (she listened to everyones opening notes individually!), on making players aware of the rest of the group (there are lots more of us 2nds than any other section), on watching her (as if she should need to point that out!) and on dynamics. (Photo - Emily and I)

We had Mr Tsuneo Kobayashi for the play-in. We did lots of tone exercises, games where we had to leave sections of the pieces out and we played the Bach Double twice! (I am getting better thank goodness)

Performed in a concert in the afternoon. Played 'Fly Me to the Moon' with Dad on the piano. Half way through, Dad noticed that I was playing to him rather than the audience - I hadn't noticed. I thought it went well. I loved hearing some of the other performers - especially the girl at the end who played Praeludium & Allegro by Kreisler - it was a great piece and wonderful performance!

Off to Emily's house now for a sleep-over.

Day 3 (5/1/2007)

Big day - everyone is in a routine now but there are lots of tired kids (and their parents and teachers) around.

Day began as normal with a smaller tutorial group then yesterday and fewer interruptions from late comers and parents.

We were lucky to have Cathryn Lee again who took us through the first solo in the Bach A minor.

Important points included:

scales
thumb pinches
phrasing

Then off to ensemble - again a smaller group who listened and responded to our conductor with more discipline than was evident in the 1st rehearsal.

Then off to the play-in - we had Mr Nakamura and we played the Bach Double - yeah!

But I had not revised it as carefully as I should have - I hope Mr Nakamura did not hear the wrong notes I played!

He was in a very good mood and I think was as hungry as we were - he let us all off 10 minutes early.

I was so hungry and had-it but as we got up to leave, a Jazz band began loading into the main hall. It was a really difficult decision but I'm so glad that we elected to stay, listen and participate.

The Band's name was kinderjazz and they have a website here...

They spent an hour explaining the history of Jazz and demonstrating with jazz standards that allowed us to hear the various different types and styles.


Aunty Elizabeth knows Mr George Washingmachine (he plays violin in the band) and he invited Essie and me to play the do-wahs in 'it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing' (photo)

Then we helped the band play 'Autumn Leaves'

It was fantastic having an opportunity like this - George is a really cool jazz violinist.

Christobel Llewellyn is the producer of the band and she taught us various dances that were associated with different jazz styles. It was great to see lots of mums, dads and kids jiving (go Tristan!), doing the Charleston (photo) and the Mambo.

The last piece that the band played was called St Thomas and we both knew this one really well - so, we grabbed our violins again and rushed back on stage.

Thanks so much KinderJazz, George, Christobel and the Gang. And a very special thank you to the Conference organisers. This was a very special opportunity and we loved it!

BTW, the band stayed around at the end and answered lots of questions.

Lunch at last - we have found a great lunch spot at the top of the campus (up 350 stairs!) and today we had Indian Curries and Nan bread - yum.

Then we headed into Edgecliff to A. R. Irwin Violins. Aunty Elizabeth is sure that I am ready for a full size violin so I tried lots of different ones out. I found one that I really like but when dad suggested that we might buy it,I started to cry

Trouble is that I have only had my 3/4 for 18 months and it has been my 1st serious instrument. I love it lots and am not sure that I am ready to part with it. Dad can't see that there is a problem (surprise?) and has lots of pros and cons worked out for me - but I am just not ready yet.

Then the exciting bit - into the City - David Jones smells so good - bought something for Mum - saw Flushed Away - dinner then back on the bus.

Another big day tomorrow - I have a concert performance in the afternoon...

Day 2 (4/1/2007)

Today we started with a breakfast supplied by our college and it was very nice. We had a choice between cereal, hot, fruit/yogurt, picklets, crumpets and even a hot chocolate.

The SS started with a tutorial session. Cathryn Lee, one of the guest faculty from the US taught us - she was very good. We spent most of the session on the 1st four lines of the piece (The Bach A minor)

Key points included:

rhythm, rests and intonation
we must see the shifts, not hear them
weak strong
bow tip, wrist, elbow and shoulder muscle
accent G#

Then off to an ensemble rehearsal (photo above) where Mineko Shioya conducted us. We had to concentrate very carefully as she only spoke Japanese. We are playing the Allegro from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by Mozart and it sounded fantastic when it was all put together.

After the ensemble rehearsal, we attended a play-in conducted by Hiroko Suzuki, Dr Suzuki's Niece from Japan. I have been lucky to have had tutorials and play-ins with her at earlier SS's.

She is always very happy with a wonderful smile on her face. We concentrated on tone and bow control playing Judas Maccabaeus by Handel and many other great suzuki pieces.

Here we are at the play-in.

At 6:30 we attended the faculty concert. It was very well attended - we had trouble getting a seat!

We enjoyed the concert very much - Cathryn and Cory Lee were a hit but the pieces performed by Amy Sue Barston the Celloist from USA stole the show.

We had a great Turkish meal again at the spot in Randwich.

Day 1 (3/1/2007)

This is my 4th Suzuki Summer School.

I began learning the violin when I was 3 years old from my Aunty, Elizabeth Scott, who now teaches at Bellingen.

This is a picture of me taken at the opening concert. My cousin Esther is in the middle and my Aunty Elizabeth is on the right.

Anyway, back to the SS - I flew from Coffs Harbour this morning - we made the registration and play-in with moments to spare (not enough moments to have any lunch!)

The play-in lasted for an hour (1:00pm to 2:00pm) and we played Country Dance, Song of the wind, the G minor, the Suzuki Allegro, O Come little children, the Gavotte in G minor, Concerto in A minor, The Allegro from Sonata No. 4 and 2 pieces from book 8 (that I don't know yet!)

The Violists also had a turn - it was interesting to hear them playing the repertoire in a different key and tone.

The opening concert went from 3:00pm until about 5 and we heard lots of fantastic performances. I really enjoyed listening to the celloist. He was so tiny and cute as well as that he played very beautifully.

Here is a photo of the NSW Suzuki Orchestra and the guest tutors. They come from the US, Japan, New Zealand and UK











I am up to Concerto No. 1 in book 7 and have been placed in the Vn 15 group - with my cousin Esther and my friends Emily and Emily. One of the great things about coming back to the SS each year has been catching up with friends that I have made here and checking out where all the others have gotten up to.

Another great thing about the SS are the tutors and the fact that you play along with lots of other musicians.

After the concert, Dad and I booked into our accommodation - we are in the Kensington Colleges this year - very handy because we are on campus but, very very quite. We then headed into Randwick, had a Thai dinner and watched 'A Night at the Museum' which we enjoyed very much.