October 2008

Delectable Delights

October 30, 2008 19:57

Ann Arbor violin teacher Gerri Arnold prepared a feast for us tonight.

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Mall Madness

October 30, 2008 19:50

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Ford's Fantasy

October 30, 2008 16:33

Bermuda students get a guided tour of Ford's "Greenfield Village"

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Violin GangSTARS!

October 30, 2008 11:56

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Sally O'reilly once said to me in a lesson "If you don't have intonation....you don't have anything!" Last night the Bermuda tour group possessed far more than just perfect intonation in their first formal program of their Michigan Tour. Last night's audience sat on the edge of their seats as the music resonated deep within the soul of the attendees. As one of the teachers on the tour I was able to detect that the prestige of our audience members helped to channel an impressive degree of focus from the young musicians. The group's ability to take the listeners through a variety of moods coupled with sophisticated dynamics lent to the program's professional feel. Throughout the evening after the performance they received accolades from all in attendance.

The Bermuda students performance was followed by the Ann Arbor group. Immediately the room was hushed by their deep soulful Ging sound. Each of their pieces possessed such a rich tone that continued the grandiose nature of the evening. The Bermuda students had a chance to see a high level of technical proficiency and some of the cathartic pieces in the violin repertoire. The two groups ended the concert together producing an ocean of sound.

After the concert the students gathered in the basement of the Church for a potluck dinner provided by the Ann Arbor group. The unity between the students was heartwarming. The evening can be summed up in a single word, inspirational!

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Ann Arbor Comes out to Support Bermuda Strings!

October 29, 2008 04:22

If you are in Ann Arbor you can see us perform LIVE tonight at Northside Church in Ann Arbor which is located on 929 Barton Drive. Tonight's concert will be played along with the Arbor Creek Suzuki Violin Program. This is nationally recognized group who have appeared most recently at the 2007 National ASTA conference. The concert will start at 4:45PM. You can also catch up with us on thursday when we will be performing publicly at Briarwood Mall. This performance commences at 3:15PM

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The First 24 Hours!

October 28, 2008 18:40

The excitement brewing for half a year has found its gratification. We have arrived in Ann Arbor but not without the travel joys of turbulence and missing luggage. These woes found their appeasement when we arrived at our great hotel with a pool open until 10pm, a ping pong and pool tables. We are in hotel heaven. The morning commenced with our last serious rehearsal with our local accompanist and then an afternoon lunch at State Street, the University of Michigan's trendy strip of sophisticated fast food joints. We were not dissappointed by our delectable array of savory choices.

After this we bombarded Shar Music with our energy, questions, and pocket books. Ms. Appert, one of the employees and sister to Bermuda School of Music teacher Laura Appert, graciously organized a tour of the impressive facility. I was very much surprised by the infectious enthusiasm of both students and parents. Chas Arnold, tour organizer, had to pry us all away from the store to keep us on schedule for the rest of the day.

Later in the afternoon Halloween costumes were donned as the students joined the Ann Arbor Suzuki Institute's annual Halloween group class. The music provided the common language and the bond between the nearly 200 participants. Teachers and students went to great lengths to dignify the occasion with a pleasant and sometimes "creepy" array of Halloween wear.

We've taken Ann Arbor by storm. In the last 24 hours we haven't "strolled" anywhere, rather we have brought 19 bright eyed, enthusiastic, pleasant, talented, and friendly young adults beaming with questions and energy that has set this city ablaze.

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Bermudian Musicians Debut in Michigan!

October 27, 2008 21:42

The Bermuda Suzuki Association in cooperation with the Bermuda School of Music hit the skies for their first ever tour outside of the Island. 39 excited students, parents, and teachers spent the day traveling across the United States to their final destination of Ann Arbor Michigan. The students have been preparing for a year and half doing local tours around the Island in the Spring of 2007 and this last spring.

Along with the concerts, classes, and trick or treating they will get a chance to see the highlights of the surrounding Ann Arbor area.

Please follow us this week as we embark on this inaugural tour!