If you're interested in seeing another side of musical life, you might be interested in following a blog I'm keeping for teachers and performers called "Alt Strings":
www.altstrings.blogspot.com
The term "Alternative Styles" is what string musicians call anything that's not strictly classical - so, that includes rock, blues, jazz, hip hop, funk, big band, swing, emo, etc... every genre you can imagine.
Before I was a teacher here at West, I was a clinician and a facilitator - helping teachers and players find ways of navigating the 'world' of alternative styles. My husband, Danny (whom many of you know), was the violist in an 'alternative style' string quartet - Turtle Island String Quartet - for 11 years and you know that I was in acoustic-folk rock groups when I was in LA, before coming here to Salem.
The blog will have artist profiles and interesting links on it... who knows, you just might find something interesting to explore if you check in there every now and then...
:)
Friday, July 31, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
El Sistema
I don't know if you're heard about this system of orchestral and choir training, but in Venezuela, since 1975, there has been a vigorous training program for the young children of that country - mainly children from the poor and middle class - who are trained in a classical music tradition. The results have been phenomenal - Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra's newest director is a young man in this 20's who came from this program - called "El Sistema".
Here is video of Gustavo Dudamel conducting the Youth Orchestra of Venezuela - watch how much the kids move!!!
http://www.ted.com/talks/jose_abreu_on_kids_transformed_by_music.html
And, for anyone interested, here's the acceptance speech that the head director of El Sistema - Jose Abreu - gave upon receiving the TED prize last February:
http://www.ted.com/talks/jose_abreu_on_kids_transformed_by_music.html
I find this incredibly inspirational - hope you do too!
Here is video of Gustavo Dudamel conducting the Youth Orchestra of Venezuela - watch how much the kids move!!!
http://www.ted.com/talks/jose_abreu_on_kids_transformed_by_music.html
And, for anyone interested, here's the acceptance speech that the head director of El Sistema - Jose Abreu - gave upon receiving the TED prize last February:
http://www.ted.com/talks/jose_abreu_on_kids_transformed_by_music.html
I find this incredibly inspirational - hope you do too!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
KAMA (Keizer Academy of Music and the Arts)
Our very own cello coach Noah Seitz and his pianist wife Sarah Greenleaf have started a new Academy in Keizer - this will be a great resource for those looking for lessons, rehearsal space, and chamber music. Here's the article from the SJ:
statesmanjournal.com
July 8, 2009
Teachers launch music and arts academy
Keizer center will offer classes, private lessons starting in August
By Jillian Daley
Statesman Journal
Two music teachers are raising the curtain on an arts academy in Keizer next month.
Parents can register their children or themselves online for Sara Greenleaf Seitz and Noah Seitz's Keizer Academy of Music & Arts, which will open Aug. 1. The grand opening will be Aug. 15.
A theater arts camp for kids that includes vocal and dance training is coming up next month as well, and classes start in September.
Classes and private lessons are available for all ages and fall into four main groups: music, dance, acting and visual arts.
"We want to make sure that there's quality, convenient, comprehensive arts education in Keizer," Greenleaf Seitz said. "That's our first goal. Our second goal is to integrate all of the arts, so if you have a piano student who wants to switch to guitar, they can easily do that within our school."
The aim of the academy is to complement Salem-Keizer School District's already successful music programs, Greenleaf Seitz said. Some fine arts-loving students just might need a little extra attention. Plus, she said, every community needs a dose of fine arts.
"It brings people together," she said.
What does the academy offer?
-The music classes are: theory/ear training, beginning guitar, preschool music, a children's choir as well as private lessons in piano, oboe, percussion, cello, violin, saxophone, clarinet, flute and voice.
-Acting courses are: acting for children, acting for teens, acting for adults and private acting lessons.
-Dance classes are: ballet classes grouped by age and skill level for ages 5 and older. Plus, 3- and 4-year-olds can take a special creative movement class.
-Visual arts classes are: an in-depth look at photography, collage making and photography basics.
All of the fine arts are forms of expression, Greenleaf Seitz said. And the fine arts afford children — and all people — something special.
"They need a structured way to express themselves," she said.
Costs vary, from $38 for one semester of the creative movement class to $167 a month for private music lessons from a master teacher, according to the Web site.
Scholarships will be available for two winners of an essay contest. A winner can have one year's worth of any class or a year's worth of private lessons — but of only one kind. For example, a winner could get lessons in guitar or acting, not both.
The essay question and instructions on how to apply for a scholarship should be on the academy's Web site this week.
Classes and lessons are just the beginning for the little academy, located on River Road N. Greenleaf Seitz and Seitz plan in the future to get accredited, create a fine arts high school and put on theater productions for the community.
The couple has 18 teachers on board. Two of them were easy to recruit: Greenleaf Seitz and Seitz.
Greenleaf Seitz is an instrumental staff accompanist at Linfield College, where she teaches piano. Piano will be her subject at the academy, too.
Seitz teaches cello at Pacific University in Forest Grove. At the academy, he will teach cello and guitar.
Seitz offered one reason for the couple's opening the academy while still shouldering their regular teaching positions.
"It was just to get out of the house," said the father of two.
Two of the first students at the academy will be the couple's daughters, Clara, 3; and Lilla, 6. Clara will take creative movement.
"I want to take acting and ballet," Lilla said.
Before the academy even has opened, she already is recommending it — and her parents.
"I think they're pretty amazing," she said.
jdaley@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6714
Additional Facts
If you go
What: Open house at Keizer Academy of Music & Arts, 4904 River Road N
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 15
register: www.Keizeracademyofmusic.org or call (503) 569-0043.
statesmanjournal.com
July 8, 2009
Teachers launch music and arts academy
Keizer center will offer classes, private lessons starting in August
By Jillian Daley
Statesman Journal
Two music teachers are raising the curtain on an arts academy in Keizer next month.
Parents can register their children or themselves online for Sara Greenleaf Seitz and Noah Seitz's Keizer Academy of Music & Arts, which will open Aug. 1. The grand opening will be Aug. 15.
A theater arts camp for kids that includes vocal and dance training is coming up next month as well, and classes start in September.
Classes and private lessons are available for all ages and fall into four main groups: music, dance, acting and visual arts.
"We want to make sure that there's quality, convenient, comprehensive arts education in Keizer," Greenleaf Seitz said. "That's our first goal. Our second goal is to integrate all of the arts, so if you have a piano student who wants to switch to guitar, they can easily do that within our school."
The aim of the academy is to complement Salem-Keizer School District's already successful music programs, Greenleaf Seitz said. Some fine arts-loving students just might need a little extra attention. Plus, she said, every community needs a dose of fine arts.
"It brings people together," she said.
What does the academy offer?
-The music classes are: theory/ear training, beginning guitar, preschool music, a children's choir as well as private lessons in piano, oboe, percussion, cello, violin, saxophone, clarinet, flute and voice.
-Acting courses are: acting for children, acting for teens, acting for adults and private acting lessons.
-Dance classes are: ballet classes grouped by age and skill level for ages 5 and older. Plus, 3- and 4-year-olds can take a special creative movement class.
-Visual arts classes are: an in-depth look at photography, collage making and photography basics.
All of the fine arts are forms of expression, Greenleaf Seitz said. And the fine arts afford children — and all people — something special.
"They need a structured way to express themselves," she said.
Costs vary, from $38 for one semester of the creative movement class to $167 a month for private music lessons from a master teacher, according to the Web site.
Scholarships will be available for two winners of an essay contest. A winner can have one year's worth of any class or a year's worth of private lessons — but of only one kind. For example, a winner could get lessons in guitar or acting, not both.
The essay question and instructions on how to apply for a scholarship should be on the academy's Web site this week.
Classes and lessons are just the beginning for the little academy, located on River Road N. Greenleaf Seitz and Seitz plan in the future to get accredited, create a fine arts high school and put on theater productions for the community.
The couple has 18 teachers on board. Two of them were easy to recruit: Greenleaf Seitz and Seitz.
Greenleaf Seitz is an instrumental staff accompanist at Linfield College, where she teaches piano. Piano will be her subject at the academy, too.
Seitz teaches cello at Pacific University in Forest Grove. At the academy, he will teach cello and guitar.
Seitz offered one reason for the couple's opening the academy while still shouldering their regular teaching positions.
"It was just to get out of the house," said the father of two.
Two of the first students at the academy will be the couple's daughters, Clara, 3; and Lilla, 6. Clara will take creative movement.
"I want to take acting and ballet," Lilla said.
Before the academy even has opened, she already is recommending it — and her parents.
"I think they're pretty amazing," she said.
jdaley@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6714
Additional Facts
If you go
What: Open house at Keizer Academy of Music & Arts, 4904 River Road N
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 15
register: www.Keizeracademyofmusic.org or call (503) 569-0043.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Boot Camp info
Hi all. Here's a reminder of the info for Boot Camp:
Boot Camp is the week of August 24 - Monday through Thursday. This year, each newly formed orchestra will rehearse as a group during camp, so the times are as follows:
9 - 11:30am String Orchestra
10 - 12:30pm Sinfonietta (currently called Symphony Strings)
10 - 1:30pm Chamber (currently called Advanced Orchestra)
At 10am each day there will be a guest artist (Salem Baroque and UnBande are currently on tap) and a group musical event. The fee for camp is $40 - those on reduced or free lunch can receive a waiver of the fee in exchange for 4 hours of work time.
Boot Camp is a required event - this way all students can bond, plan leadership, and get the year off to a great start. Students are of course excused if they are involved with Band Camp or organized sports events. If there are any questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Silberman - silberman_daryl@salkeiz.k12.or.us or call my cell: 818-317-8218
Boot Camp is the week of August 24 - Monday through Thursday. This year, each newly formed orchestra will rehearse as a group during camp, so the times are as follows:
9 - 11:30am String Orchestra
10 - 12:30pm Sinfonietta (currently called Symphony Strings)
10 - 1:30pm Chamber (currently called Advanced Orchestra)
At 10am each day there will be a guest artist (Salem Baroque and UnBande are currently on tap) and a group musical event. The fee for camp is $40 - those on reduced or free lunch can receive a waiver of the fee in exchange for 4 hours of work time.
Boot Camp is a required event - this way all students can bond, plan leadership, and get the year off to a great start. Students are of course excused if they are involved with Band Camp or organized sports events. If there are any questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Silberman - silberman_daryl@salkeiz.k12.or.us or call my cell: 818-317-8218
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
