Suzuki Strings in Bath

The new term begins - at last!

2006-11-13T13:49:00.000-08:00

A huge welcome back to all students and parents for this Autumn 2006! You all did very well keeping up the review and technique over the (extended!) holidays; can't wait to continue moving forward!

Spring Concert!

2006-06-05T02:39:00.000-07:00

As we approach the end of the school year, it's time to celebrate the many accomplishments of our wonderful kids, especially on their violins/violas! Our Spring Concert is an opportunity to mark the wonderful progress and effort made by every student, as well as get some valuable performance experience and social time.

-What (it is): A recital, meaning every student (children and grown-ups!) will perform one piece with piano accompaniment. Don't forget to bow when you're finished!

-What (to bring): Like the group classes, 5pounds per student to cover costs. Also a snack or dish to share for after the playing, proud audience members, and, of course, your instruments!

-When: Saturday, June 10th, at 5pm. (Don't worry, we planned it for after the world-cup game). The concert should last for about an hour, and then we'll have about an hour social time.

-Where: The Lange household in Trowbrigde: #60 Wingfield Road. For a map, paste this (entire) address into your browser:

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&country=GB&addtohistory=&address=%2360+Wingfield+Road&city=Trowbridge&zipcode=

Can't wait to see and hear you all!

Lyrics for Book 1 Songs

2006-04-15T11:31:00.000-07:00

I've received several requests for 'the words' to the Book One songs, so here are as many as I can remember! Remember, singing counts as practicing!

"Twinkle"

Twinkle twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are

Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky

Twinkle twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are.

"Lightly Row"

Lightly row, lightly row
Down the river we will go
Always rowing, never slowing
In my bright new red canoe

See the fishes swimming by
See the birds up in the sky

Always rowing, never slowing
In my bright new red canoe.

"Song of the Wind"

Listen to the wind, it’s blowing
Listen to it blow
Listen to it blow

Tra la la la
Tra la la la
Tra la la la, hear it blow

Tra la la la
Tra la la la
Listen to it blow.

"Go Tell Aunt Rhody"

Go tell aunt Rhody, John is sick in bed
Go tell the doctor, John is sick in bed

He had some popcorn, and some chocolate bars
And peanut-butter, on his bread

Go tell aunt Rhody, John is sick in bed
Go tell the doctor, John is sick in bed.

"O Come Little Children"

(Either)
Up down with your bow
Till you come to a stop
(x4)

Or

Oh come little children
Oh, come one and all
To Bethlehem’s stable
In Bethlehem’s stall
And see with rejoicing this glorious sight
Our Father in heaven has sent us this night.

"May Song"

Spring is here, the birds are here
Listen to them singing

Red and yellow purple and white
Oh my what a beautiful sight

Spring is here, the birds are here
Listen to them singing.

"Long Long Ago"

There was a princess with dark eyes and hair
Long long ago, long long ago
Lived in a castle with her teddy bear
Long long ago, long ago.

Long long ago, Emma
Long long ago
Long long ago, Emma
Long long ago

There was a princess with dark eyes and hair
Long long ago, long ago.

"Allegro"

Toot toot toot, the train is in the station
Ding ding ding, put down the crossing gate
Wave wave wave, the engineer is waving
Down the track the train is moving straight

Round and round the wheels are turning
Slower, slower, till they stop…

Toot toot toot, the train is in the station
Ding ding ding, put up the crossing gate.

"Perpetual Motion"

Have you seen an alligator riding on an escalator?
I have seen an alligator riding on an elevator.

Have you seen a ballerina playing on her concertina?
I have seen a ballerina on her way to passadina.

Have you seen an armadillo sleeping on a big fat pillow?
Have you seen an armadillo sleeping on a big fat pillow?

Have you seen an alligator riding on an escalator?
I have seen an alligator riding on an elevator.

"Allegretto"

In the woods, far away, on a hot summer’s day
The three bears’ cabin stood, at the edge of the wood.
In the woods, far away, on a hot summer’s day
The three bears went away for a walk

First the big Papa bear
Then the kind Mama bear
Then behind, with his chair, came the small Baby bear

In the woods, far away, on a hot summer’s day
The three bears went away for a walk.

"Andantino"

Suzuki is the right method to take
On our small instruments, music we make
Suzuki is the right method to take
After we finish this, take a small break

Make sure that you listen each day
This will really help you to play

Suzuki is the right method to take
After we finish this, take a small break

"Etude"

Henrietta Poppeletta had a special friend to play
Named Willamina Window-Cleaner, and she brought along her football
Henrietta Poppeletta picked it up and threw it back
To Willamina Window-Cleaner, and it smashed right through a window

Father came right down the stairs and called to mother
Mother came right down the stairs and looked at Henrietta Poppeletta
And then picked her up and bawled her out and sent her off to bed.

"Minuet 2"

I like peanut butter sandwiches, I like peanut butter sandwiches
My mom makes them, my dad makes them, and I can make them too.
I like peanut butter sandwiches, I like peanut butter sandwiches.
My sister makes them, my brother makes them, and I can make them too.
(repeat)

Peanut butter goes with jelly and peanut butter goes with honey too.
Peanut butter goes with everything, chocolate-chip ice-cream bars, How I love
those peanut butter sandwiches that my mom and my dad and I can make too.
I like them, I like them, they taste so good inside!

I like peanut butter sandwiches, I like peanut butter sandwhiches.
My mom can make them, my dad can make them, and I can make them too.

"Happy Farmer"

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work we go,
we feed the chickens, cows and pigs the whole day long.
Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work we go,
we feed the chickens, cows and pigs the whole day long.
When we are finished, then we get to play.
Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work we go,
we feed the chickens, cows and pigs, this ends our song.
When we are finished, then we get to play.
Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work we go,
We feed the chickens, cows and pigs, this ends our song.

"Gossec Gavotte"

I can play this long gavotte the whole way through.
I can play this long gavotte as well as you.
I can play this long gavotte just like you too.
Doctor Suzuki would like that too.

Can you play the second section just as well?
I can play the second section, can't you tell?
I can play the second section quite as well.
Let's all play the second section, ding dong bell.

Let us take it all in turns to play.
I'll play first, then fingers very quickly down the scale come jumping.
I'll play it next and now altogether,
teeter, totter, then running up and down.

I'm playing very fast and jump about.
I'm playing very fast and I'm not out.
I'm playing very fast, and I'm playing at the last,
so let's play it altogether, roundabout.

2006-03-19T11:57:00.000-08:00

A huge congratulations to all the brilliant students who performed at St George's in Bristol! You were wonderful, both in your playing and in your concert-listening; you should all be very proud. I received many compliments on your behalf, everyone thought you were great and can't wait to see you up on stage again soon!

Saturday, Feb 18th-Group lessons begin!

2006-02-15T10:50:00.000-08:00

Where: The Percy Community Centre, on New King Street in Bath (near Sainsburys)

When: We will have two different groups, the twinklers and the book ones. Twinklers will be first, from 2:15pm-3:00pm, and book ones will be from 2:45pm-3:30pm. This overlap will allow us some time to practice our 'group numbers' for the Saint George's concert together.

How (much): 5pounds a head per month. Covers rental of the space, tuition, and hopefully some tea for the parents.

Why: Group lessons are an excellent experience for a violin student. They teach the student how to function in a group playing setting (such as an orchestra or chamber group), as well as exposing them to others their age doing the same thing as them. The more advanced students get a chance to demonstrate and lead, while the less experienced get something to look up to. It's also a great opportunity for violin parents to meet one another and swap practising advice etc! The group lesson is an integral part of the 'well balanced' suzuki method diet.

Other details: Apologies to those from Trowbridge. It was looking as though we might be able to use your Church facilities, however, they were just taking too long to sort through their red tape and find us a space! The Bath space is also a bit less expensive, so I'm able to charge a little less.