2010 Spring - Virtuosi School of Music

Newsletter – Spring 2010
Spring Concert - Saturday 19th June, 11:30
With the Conservatorium busy with final exams and ‘de Boskant kerk’
undergoing renovations in June, we have had to find an alternative
venue for our next Student Concert. This will be held in the Hall at the
Church of St John and St Philip in The Hague - Ary van der Spuyweg 1 –
on Saturday June 19, starting at 11:30 sharp, followed by coffee and
cake afterwards until 2pm. All students are encouraged to prepare a
piece to perform. Please talk with your teacher about which piece you
would like to perform and be sure to prepare it well!
New Premesis
As student numbers have doubled in the space of a semester, plans
have been bought forward for the opening of our new teaching
studio’s to September. The premesis is opposite the ‘Ziggo’ building in
Dintelstraat, just over the viaduct. This will enable us to provide a wider
range of lessons, including group Theory / Aural and Music Awareness
classes for younger children. The new building will also serve as an
office space and meeting place for other cultural activities such as
Storytelling out of teaching hours. If you know of any groups who may
be interested in using the space please feel free to get in touch.
Trinity & ABRSM Grade Exams
We have had recent contact with Lynne Edwards, the local
representative for Trinity College. In 2011 Virtuosi students will have the
possiblility of taking the Trinity College exams, held once a year at the
ISH (International School of The Hague) in Kijkduin. Registration is in
January. The Trinity syllabus is broader in scope, allowing pupils to sit
exams on contemporary instruments such as ‘Plectrum Guitar’,
incorporating rock music equally alongside classical and jazz.
The next round of ABRSM grade exams will be held in November, with
registration before September 25th. Good luck to those sitting the
coming May/June round. Support materials for the Aural component
are available through your teachers. A group Aural & Theory Exam
Preparation class is planned to run from September at the new space.
Brass Band
BSN Mum and ABRSM instructor Jenny Hall is working with Virtuosi and
the Music Heads at JSV, JSD & JSL to kick start the Virtuosi Brass Band.
The ensemble is open to all and will be offered free of charge as a
supplement to individual lessons on Cornet, Tenor Horn, Bariton and
Euphonium. Jenny will be giving demonstration sessions for interested
pupils at each of the three BSN campuses. You can register your
interest online, or via email. Watch ‘parent net’ for further
announcements, or email us at [email protected]
Practice Agenda’s
Below (Top to Bottom):
Each new student is issued a Practice Agenda, Manuscript Book &
Pencil and Folder along with the appropriate Course Book when they
begin thier lessons. Feedback from parents is that there are ‘far too
many’ things to pack off to school. Most teachers find the Agenda to
be useful to get started, though once momentum and a routine is
established are able to jot down the practice items on the music itself
or in the book. Therefore, this term we have only sent out Agenda’s to
new students. If any student would like a new Agenda at any point
simply send us an email and we’ll send one out to you.
JSD Drum Studio
Piet Klaasen (The Drum
Doctor, donated 3 new
drum kits to Virtuosi –
thank you Piet - with Drum
Instructor Stephen
Caruana & Trevor Howe
New teachers Young Mi
and Stefan (Piano)
Conrad, Ciara and Enya
Scheafer (2009 Christmas
Concert)
What’s in a name?
The term Virtuosi has been carefully chosen. It reflects the values of
excellence, and embodies a philosophy of openess as well as the goal
of self-enlightenment. Historically Virtuoso was a term used to honour a
person distinguished in any intellectual or artistic field, but by the late
17th century was more specifically used in reference to highly skilled
musicians. In England, the Virtuosi were a group of renaissance Doctors
who encouraged self-help and awareness.
Thus the Virtuosi teacher acts chiefly as a guide and facilitator,
allowing each pupil to realise their innate potential through to eventual
independence. By working together, we can achieve much that is
good. A good working relationship between teacher and pupil is like
gold, which is one reason we provide the free introductory lesson,
matching each new student to the most suitable teacher. The door to
knowledge is open to all who wish to enter! Likewise, A good student
will come well prepared, and constantly asks questions. If you don’t ask
questions, you will never know the answers! Ultimately, it will be up to
each student to get the most out of their teacher and music lessons.
We wish you every success!!!
Welcome new Teachers
Welcome to Young Mi and Stefan (pictured right), who joined the
team with the opening of The British School in the Netherland’s new
campus in Leidschenveen. Both have previously taught as substitutes
at JSD & JSV and are a great new addition to the Virtuosi team.
Community Notice Board
Got an instrument to sell? Pass on the details and we will list your
instrument on our website and in the Newsletter.
Our valued sponsors & business partners:
Vanilla Music (Guitars)
Albersens’s Music (Sheet Music)
Piet Klaassen (The Drum Doctor)
Debra Lambert (Usbourne Books)
The Royal Conservatiore
O’Caseys Irish Bar & Restaurant
The British School in the Netherlands
Elckerlyc International School
The ABRSM & Trinity College
De Boskantkerk
Tel. 0642677983
Bank: 1307.37.259 I KvK. 260340571
Email: [email protected] I Web: www.virtuosi.nl