studio marise mcneill

Happy New Year and Welcome to a New Year of Music Making.

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit – Aristotle

During a child’s infancy parents provide a stimulating environment to encourage musical exploration and curiosity. Starting any instrument early sets in motion motivational conditions that lead to outstanding achievement. There is opportunity to accumulate practice and therefore to make good progress. The recognition, attention and the feeling of specialness provide powerful motivation for continuing.

In reality, however, our lives are busy and organisational skills need to be zoned so that each child gets to practise regularly at a time that is suitable. (When the child is hungry, rushed or tired is NOT a good time!)

Should parents regulate their children to practise? Absolutely! Organise time for them to practise. Too much parental pressure can, indeed, destroy a child’s sense of motivation but commitment is fundamental to character. Commitment perseveres through low times and high times and helps individuals overcome difficulties. Children learn about commitment by being committed. As they grow, they learn responsibilities, (requirement to complete school homework and expectation to assist with household chores). Just as parents and teachers sometimes must encourage children with these obligations, so it is with music. It’s balance.

The expectation of a commitment underpins the importance attributed to an activity. If your household has expectations regarding music practice, your child will accept its importance. Daily practise eliminates arguing!

Having an explicit long-term commitment is also a key indicator of future progress. Violin learning is a long term undertaking. It is not “just for this year”. The idea that music learning is a lifelong commitment makes practising and hence progressing actually easier.

So here we go – another year - with wonderful opportunities, rewarding and positive experiences to work towards. Performance related Trinity Examinations, IRMT Recital, Group Lessons, June Competitions (Manawatu Performing Arts) and August Competitions (Registered Music Teachers of Manawatu). These require accompanist rehearsals at additional cost. Manawatu Youth Orchestra audition preparations are underway and the Training Orchestra (Fridays 4.15 pm-5.15 pm) for students mid Book II Suzuki begins in May.

I teach in and around public holidays so no-one misses out. If you can’t make your lesson please arrange a swap. This involves contacting someone within the studio who may be available for a one-off exchange.

Overleaf: Saturday Music Orchestral Concert November 2015 featuring: Leader Hiroshi Mukhopadhyay, Ethan Dodds and Lilith Sangrouber; Ally Prasitdamrong, Taylah Hodgetts and Sophie Ward; Lara Harjes, Iona Graham and Isabel Lu. Studio Concert Celebrating Success December 2015: Shauna Lane, Anna Prasitdamrong and Nathan Lau; Sophie Ward and Nathan Hayward; Jenny Song (excused as she was in Hohhot, China, playing in the snow); Emma Stein and Arwen Mason; Amanda Hayward, Gus Wallace and Elsie Battley; Torrence Cheung, James Lind and Sophie Ward; Torrence Cheung, Isabel Lu, Aaric Prasitdamrong, Lilith Sangrouber and Nicola Sutherland-Smith; Hana Linton; Nicola Sutherland-Smith, Aaric Prasitdamrong, Torrence Cheung, James Lind and Gus Wallace; Stella-Bree Timmins, Rebecca Chen, Lauren Stewart and Brianna Wilson.

Dates: Tuesday 9 February: MYO Auditions at Evelyn Rawlins, Square Edge.

19-21 February & 27-28 February: String Workshops for MYO students at Freyberg High School

Friday 11 March: Closing date for entry in June Examinations

Saturday 19 March 3.00 pm: Book I Group, 3.45 pm-4.30 pm: Book II Group at 93 Victoria Ave

Friday 13 May: Closing date for entry in September Examinations

Friday 5 August: Closing date for entry in October Examinations

Thank you – please continue not to park on the lawn outside 91 and 93 Victoria Ave. Best wishes - Marise