Silver Music

 

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SM Bow Hold Challenge!

January 19, 2021

Check out our bow holds during the month of January!

 


Filed Under: Upcoming

Faculty Feature: Blythe

January 13, 2021

Blythe Bonnaffons is Program Director at Silver Music. Here is a bit of insight into her early study:

Age you began studying:
I began flute in fourth grade through my school’s band program and began taking private flute lessons that summer. I also started taking piano lessons around the same time. 

Why did you choose the flute?
I thought it was the most beautiful instrument and I had a hard time understanding why anyone would NOT choose to play the flute if they heard it (played well). I still feel that way!

One memory from your lessons or early study:
One of the only negatives of playing a woodwind instrument is that you cannot LAUGH. I loved the social aspect of playing in band and in chamber ensembles but not laughing was a challenge throughout my early flute-playing life. Goofy rehearsals sometimes led to barely making it through a performance. And a couple times I didn’t make it. I have a pretty vivid memory of a NYSSMA flute trio that ended as a solo because two of us were behind our stands laughing. 

Did you always like to practice? If not, how did you, or your parent motivate you to practice?
I didn’t mind practicing, but in middle and high school it was really challenging finding the time. Like many of our Silver Music students, I had a lot going on in school, and after school, and I was exhausted! Being consistent helped–if I could get in practice most days, even for just 10 minutes, it felt like I had kept a promise to myself and it was way easier to keep going. Of course concerts, recitals, and auditions, definitely motivated me too.  

Did you ever want to quit?
I never did! Flute felt like a big part of my identity.

Current Favorite Suzuki Piece:
Humoresque. I’m glad that almost all the Suzuki students at Silver Music (violin, viola, cello, flute) learn this piece because I enjoy hearing everyone play it!

What else do you enjoy doing besides playing flute?
In the pandemic, I have enjoyed getting outside and hiking almost every weekend. During this time I’m also catching up on iconic series that I’ve somehow missed up until to this point. I’ve now watched all of Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and I’m halfway through the seventh Harry Potter book.

Filed Under: Faculty Feature, Spotlight, Upcoming

2020-2021 Honors

December 11, 2020

Congratulations to our online Fall 2020 Twinkle Grads!:



 

 

 

 

Congratulations for our Spring 2021 Book Recital Graduates!

Filed Under: Spotlight, Upcoming

Donate

December 7, 2020

If you’d like make a monetary contribution to our school, please submit this Donation Form. Thank you!

We happily accept donated instruments, sheet music, and supplies too!

Filed Under: Upcoming

December Playing Party

November 18, 2020

Join us for our December Playing Party!

Playing Parties are an opportunity for students to come share music and support their peers! Everyone is invited to perform a piece for the group, or join just to listen. Please RSVP to silvermusic@silvermusic.org to receive the Zoom link.

Details below:

December 21: Open to all ages and levels!
Date: Monday, Dec. 21, 2020*
Time: 8:00am
Host: Ellen Silver
Location: Zoom

*This month’s playing party is held on a Monday morning! December 21 is the last day of Silver Music classes before break, and the first official day of winter. Come celebrate the Winter solstice with music!

Filed Under: Extracurricular, Upcoming

Spring 2020 Honors

June 30, 2020

It has been a challenging spring and we are extra proud of all our students who met milestones in 2020!

Congratulations to our online Spring 2020 Twinkle Grads!:

Congratulations to online Book Recital students!:


 








 

 

 

 

Congratulations to our Practice Challenge Champions!
100 POINTS ACHIEVED!
Pippa C, flute
Zadie L, flute
Chase L, violin
Cora T, violin
Emily M, violin
Jackson H, violin
Lila Jane H, violin
Suzanna A, violin
Tristan V, violin
Lisa S, cello
Maddie Y, cello
Sebby K, cello
Nora B, piano

200 POINTS ACHIEVED!
Emery C, violin
Remi W, violin
Francie L, cello
Ollie W, cello

Congratulations to our online Suzuki 2020 Festival Participants!:

Filed Under: Extracurricular, On practicing, Spotlight, Upcoming

Faculty Feature: Victor

May 13, 2020

Victor Dizon teaches private piano lessons at Silver Music. Here is a little insight into his early study:

Age I began studying piano:  Around 5/6, like most of us!

Why did I choose piano?  Good question, I actually did not choose piano, my mom decided…sounds familiar? 😉 I also tried guitar at some point, as well as the electone organ (folks who grew up in the late 70’s and early 80’s would know what it is)! I enjoyed the electone more at some point, but, with a wonderful twist of fate, I ended up being a pianist…

One memory from my lessons or early studies:  One thing that comes to mind as of writing this (during my early studies) is that my piano teacher (1st piano teacher) would use note flashcards and she will make me arrange them from lowest to highest, from left to right against the fallboard of the piano.

Did I always like to practice? If not, how did I (or my parents) motivate me to practice?  Of course not! I was a kid…;) for myself, I did enjoy practicing music that I liked, even those that are way to difficult for me at that time.  As for my parents motivating me? Well…I grew up in Asia…go figure 😀 …(just kidding)!

Did I ever want to quit?  Yes, and I did, for a while, BUT…my mom and I had an agreement: That I will keep playing on my own, and I’m proud to say that I kept my promise!

How did music education affect my life?  Oh, this will need to be a book, but then you won’t read it, so…I would say music has made me the person I am today. Key words that come to mind: respect, patience, understanding, tradition, hard work, love, perseverance.  Everyday of my adult life I’m grateful that I decided to be a musician, both as a performer, and as a music educator.

Do I have a musical role model?  Yes I do, but I will have to say model(s) because there are five! They would be my piano teachers, because each of them, in their own way have helped me grow into who I am both as a person and as a musician!

Current favorite student piece to teach: I would say, for the young ones, it would be pieces that will make the student light up! And that is different for each student! For the advanced student, the moment we get to the level of a classical Sonata, i.e. Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, that would be any of them, because each of them (to me) are musical journeys in their own unique way. Personally (as a musician), I have been in a Mozart phase for a number of years now – that would be specific to the Classical period. However, given the choice, I will always gravitate to repertoire from the Romantic period.

My advice to budding piano players:  Keep at it especially the moment it gets challenging, because that’s when you will really start to grow with music.  The moment you realize that it’s not about mastering a piece(s), but rather growing with them, that’s when music will become a lifetime companion.

What else do I enjoy doing besides playing the piano?  There are many…I love exploring/walking around NYC (though not feasible at the moment), photography, spending time with friends, travelling, and definitely a foodie here…and many more!!!

Filed Under: Faculty Feature, Spotlight, Upcoming

Musical Movies

March 26, 2020

While we all practice social-distancing and are encouraged to stay inside, Silver Music has put together a list of movies that feature classical music or highlight a musician, music teacher, or composer. (Ratings and streaming platforms are listed). Enjoy!

Fantasia 1940 version NR (Disney+)
Walt Disney’s timeless masterpiece is an extravaganza of sight and sound! See the music come to life, hear the pictures burst into song and experience the excitement that is Fantasia over and over again.

Fantasia 2000 version NR (Disney+)
Walt Disney’s animated musical masterpiece is an extravaganza of sight and sound-now brilliantly restored for the first time ever in high definition!

Abominable PG (Amazon Prime, Youtube, Vudu, Google Play)
When mischievous friends Yi (Chloe Bennet), Jin, and Peng discover a young yeti on their roof, they name him Everest and embark on a thrilling adventure to reunite the magical creature with his family. On the journey of their lifetimes, Everest helps Yi, Jin, and Peng unlock an inner bravery they didn’t know they had. Yi is also a violinist who misses her late father, who was also a violinist.

The Music Man NR (Amazon Prime, Youtube, Vudu, Google Play, iTunes)
Based on the Broadway musical, Harold Hill arrives in River City, Iowa masquerading as a band instructor and plans to con the townspeople into paying him to create a boys’ marching band and then leave town. Enjoy the music and songs from one of Broadway’s biggest hits.

The Sound of Music or Sing-Along Edition G (Amazon Prime, Youtube, Google Play, iTunes, Disney+)
Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s cinematic treasure is the true story of Maria (Julie Andrews), a spirited young Austrian Woman who leaves the convent to become a governess for Captain von Trapp’s (Christopher Plumber) seven unruly children. Enjoy some of the most beloved Broadway songs of all time!

Mr. Holland’s Opus PG (Amazon Prime, Youtube, Vudu, iTunes, Hulu)
A composer turned teacher spends 30 years in the classroom inspiring students.

Amadeus PG (Amazon Prime, Yutube, Vudu, iTunes)
Based upon a Viennese urban legend, this film recounts the downfall of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as orchestrated by his nemesis, the less talented but politically favored Antonin Salieri.

School of Rock PG-13 (Amazon Prime, Youtube, Vudu, Google Play) iTunes, Hulu
Overly enthusiastic guitarist Dewey Finn (Jack Black) gets thrown out of his bar band and finds himself in desperate need of work. Posing as a substitute music teacher at an elite private elementary school, he exposes his students to the hard rock gods he idolizes and emulates, helping students get in touch with their inner rock ‘n’ roll animals.

Filed Under: Upcoming

ALL PROGRAMS ONLINE through Spring 2021

March 19, 2020

This 2020-2021 academic year, all lessons and classes will remain virtual for the health and safety of our families, faculty, and staff. 

Registration is open for our Spring Ready, Set, Play! program. Classes will be offered throughout the week and students will be grouped by age/experience. Late starts will be prorated.

On Saturdays, Violin/Viola, Flute, and Piano Readiness Classes will be offered.

Instrumental Lessons and Group classes are offered throughout the week. This year, online group classes have been shortened to 45 minutes for string players, and 30 minutes for piano students. (All flute, guitar, and beginning string groups will also be 30 minutes). We are also offering Suzuki group classes in select levels to string/flute students outside our instrumental program this fall.

One-on-One Composition Lessons are available in 5 week sessions. Music & Yoga classes are available in 10 week sessions. Music Theory is offered for multiple levels, in 7-week sessions.

Check out our Online Tips & Resources page to find helpful information regarding online lessons and additional resources to engage with music.

The best way to reach us while the school is online: silvermusic@silvermusic.org. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions! 

We are thankful that we have music in our lives and in our homes to help keep us present and focused on what is beautiful. 

Our Fall Semester begins September 12th and ends January 15th. Our Spring Semester begins January 19th and ends June 6th. Our academic calendar is available online here.

Filed Under: Extracurricular, Spotlight, Upcoming

Summer Instrumental Camp Registration

February 27, 2020

Summer Registration is open for instrumental students! 

We are offering String Camps during select weeks this summer for violin, viola, and cello students at multiple levels. For intermediate/advanced students, we offer Chamber Music Camps. This year, we are also offering Piano Camp!

Summer camp is a wonderful opportunity for kids to stay motivated in their music studies! Students at Silver Music camps can expect to polish technique and playing concepts, explore their instrument with new pieces or styles, and bond with music friends. On Fridays of each week, students perform repertoire in a mini-concert for parents. Learn more about our camp options below! Interested participants are asked to submit an application form before registering so that we can confirm your preferred camp is appropriate.

How do I know which Silver Music Camp is best for my child?
Chamber Music camps (including Cello Choir) are offered by teacher recommendation for students in Suzuki Books 3+ who can read music. (Advanced piano students may apply).
Students in Book 1-2 and beginners (Twinklers) are encouraged to join a String Camp.
Piano Camp is for students who have played for at least a year.

Please email silvermusic@silvermusic.org if you have any questions!

Summer String Camps

$465 Early Registration/$515 after April 1

Violin/Viola Camp June 22-26
Violin/Viola Camp July 13-17
Cello/Viola Camp July 27-31
Violin/Viola Camp August 24-28
Twinkle Cello Camp August 31-Sept 4


Click Here to read more about these camp offerings! All camps meets from 1-4pm at our 72nd St location. To register, please submit this Application Form.

Summer Piano Camp

$465 Early Registration/$515 after April 1

Piano Camp August 3-7

Click Here to read more about this camp! Camp meets from 1-4pm at our 72nd St location. To register, please submit this Application Form.
 

Summer Chamber Music Camp

Camp Cost: $565/$515 early registration
Early Registration before April 1 (registration closes June 1)
July 20-24
August 31-Sept 4


Click Here to read more about this camp! All camps meet 9-12pm at 45 Tiemann Place. To register, please submit an Application Form and email a short video of our child’s playing to kayla@silvermusic.org

Summer Cello Choir Camp

Camp Cost: $565/$515 early registration
Early Registration before April 1 (registration closes June 1)
July 20-24

Click Here to read more about this camp! Camp meets from 1-4pm at 45 Tiemann Place. To register, please submit an Application Form and email a short video of our child’s playing to kayla@silvermusic.org

Filed Under: Upcoming

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Practicing help and other timely info ~ Our Blog

  • Faculty Feature: Blythe
  • 2020-2021 Honors

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STUDIO LOCATIONS: 218 W 72nd St, Second Fl, New York, NY 10023 & 45 Tiemann Place, Ground Level, New York, NY 10027