Where did April go?

I can't believe it is nearly half term!  Half way through this terms whole class string projects, past the point of report writing & parents evenings & on the home straight towards the end of the academic year & the summer holidays.  Whilst all has been very busy recently, I have also been thinking about the future & how I can improve my teaching next year.  I know there are many jobs out there where tweeks & review are necessary, but no job is this more important than in teaching!  In my group & whole class teaching I am currently wondering if it would be a good idea to write some of my arrangements down as I have spent lots of time developing increasingly complex parts for groups so that they sound less lime a Suzuki class & more & more like a proper string orchestra.  If I do write some of my arrangements down, what kind of notation would be best & is it worth looking into getting a book published?  So many questions going around my head & not enough time to sit & think them through properly!
So much about the move to Rutland was about finding more time.  However, I am just beginning to learn that much of that finding time is learning when to say no!  A good musician & teacher is always in demand & as I set up new work in Oakham & take on more music trust responsibilities it is becoming clear that I need to think much more carefully before saying yes when opportunities arise or I will burn myself out.Yes it's lovely to take on that new beginner group in a rural school, yes it would be lovely to play that Sunday evening gig with some really talented local players.  But sometimes you can find yourself with a full calendar for the next 8 days & evenings wondering when you might snatch some very much needed sleep!
So my moto for the rest of this year is this.  Check the diary, check the diary, check the diary!

COncerts & Concerts

Exhausting as it is, the last week of term is always by far the most exciting for any music teacher.  But when you are working on some Strings Whole Class Projects they become something entirely different!  I did my first 2 concerts today.  60 pupils in each in 2 different schools.  Incredibly good fun, but more interesting is the feedback we get from these events.  Teachers are constantly telling about pupils that have gone from not wanting to join in with the first few sessions, to throwing themselves into the concert with gustow.  Today, we had 2 boys who find school very challenging playing in the top performance groups.  Parents & teachers absolutely amazed that not only had their child joined in, but really shone.  A deaf child performed in the concert this morning & taught her classmates that ability is not just about joining in, but listening & collaborating together.  All having learnt a life lesson that working together & helping each other is an important skill to learn.  We managed to find a couple of children who have lessons outside of school some solo work too.
Looking forward to 3 more school concerts like this later in the week.  You never know just who is going to shine once the parents are in & the cameras are all pointed towards them!

Strings That Sing comes to Rutland!

Good morning Rutland!

After over a year of planning, myself & my family have finally made the move from Bedfordshire to Oakham in Rutland.  Now that the boxes are beginning to get unpacked & we are getting settled, I am ready to start accepting new students in my new home!
I guess the first question I should answer is who am I & what do I do?......
I started my musical journey by asking to join the free group violin class at my local primary school in Kent.  Thus I started with Fiona McLean who now runs Camerata South West.  I eventually went on to join Sgt Roy Slade for private lessons in my teens.  It was here that I heard tales from the Royal Artillery Orchestra where he was leader for many years & met so many famous musicians during & just after WW2.  His stories fascinated me & after a while he introduced me to his Viola which had been lovingly restored by a maker at Hills in London & given to him as a present.  I soon fell in love with its sound & eventually convinced my parents to buy me one & so began my love affair with playing in orchestras.  Over the years I have played with many different regional orchestras in the UK & have been lucky enough to play in such venues as the Royal Festival Hall (London), Barbican (London), Corn Exchange (Bedford), Orchard Theatre (Kent) & West Road Concert Hall (Cambridge) to name but a few.  I actually met my husband in one of the first semi-professional orchestras I played with (Dartford Symphony).
Now to my teaching!  I am happy to teach anyone of any age from the age of  just 3.  I was introduced to Kay Tucker - inventor of the Stringbabies method just a few years ago & have been blown away by the results I am able to achieve using this method.  Within weeks, pupils are able to read simple notation & compose their own music whilst having lots of fun.  My most advanced student at the moment is working towards her grade 8 but I have helped people of various different ages towards their diplomas in the past.  The most rewarding part of my work though, has to be my whole class year 3 sessions.  Introducing so many children at once to the violin or cello & helping them to come into my musical world is the greatest of joys.  I am never disappointed with the enthusiasm they bring despite any personal challenges they might have (I once taught a child with no fingers on her left hand).  All have approached the lessons with the best possible attitude & ready to learn.  And it is incredible what they are able to achieve in just 10 weekly sessions.
That's me nearly finished for today!  But before I go, I would like to invite anybody of any age & any ability that thinks they might like to try the Violin or Viola a free trial session in my studio.  The relationship between teacher & student is such an important one, I like to make sure everybody is happy before I ask for any money.  Why not drop me a line? worthlodge@gmail.com