We’re considering lots of fun ways to continue and expand what we’re doing; maybe a program mixed with an instrument-petting-zoo, so that kids can get more involved, and see that they can do more than listen to us make music – they can make music themselves! We want to help them create lasting relationships with music, because we think it is an amazing gift to have in your life.  And this summer has shown us that children really can get excited about classic music, if they are exposed to it.

Anna shows her harp to kids at Maudslay Park this summer (courtesy of Heartstrings' Facebook Page)

You should have seen the kids at the last event we played – they were genuinely excited to sit and listen to piece after piece.  One little girl came up to us with an amazed expression on her face and said, “You make the prettiest sounds I’ve ever heard”. She proceeded to sit on the ground in front of us and listen for about 20 minutes, before her parents told her it was time to leave, when she blew us a kiss goodbye. I honestly wanted to jump up and put an instrument in her hands, because I just knew it could be something she’d love for the rest of her life.

Stay tuned, as we will continue to update you on Anna and Heartstrings‘ plans! You can also check out their Facebook page here.

His latest project is the “Wings and Roots” tour, where he’s pledged to present concerts in each of Iowa’s 99 counties.

“I want to share the gift of voice God has given me and give something back. I want to introduce audiences to classical music and a trained voice, and I want to raise funds to provide scholarships for outstanding students. The cost of college is high and many families need help. I know when I was young, I struggled. I scrubbed floors, shined shoes, carried luggage and anything I could do. I want to help young people because I believe in the value and importance of education,” Estes said.

Simon attended our From the Top Show #216 in Ames, Iowa this spring, where he met From the Top alums Caroline Weeks (viola) and Bryanne Presley (obeo), both of whom he ultimately ended up inviting to join him to perform at several concerts this fall! So far Bryanne is scheduled to perform with Simon on October 30 in Vinton, Iowa, and November 13 in Manning, Iowa.  Caroline will be performing with him this December. Stay tuned, as we’ll post more information about those concerts as we get it.

Bryanne on From the Top in Ames, Iowa

Caroline on From the Top in Ames, Iowa

From the Top is taping the next Iowa show in Davenport on October 12 at 8pm. If you’re in the area, come on down and grab a seat in the Adler Theater. Tickets & info here.

Today’s topic: Your kid wants to study an instrument – now what? Our parent panel gives some tips on finding music teachers.

Word of mouth can be a very powerful tool!

Gabriel Cabezas, 2007

Emmanuel Cabezas remembers, “After Gabriel went through most of the Suzuki program, his teacher suggested a traditional teacher who also performed with a symphony orchestra.  Once Gabriel studied with him for a couple of years, he in turn suggested another teacher from a university.”

Roberta McGuire says, “Word of mouth referrals from trusted and respected sources can help shorten the time in finding what you are looking for. When shopping around for an instrument, you should ask your teacher to help out with the assessment of each so that you get the instrument that best fits your child at that given point in time.”

Barbara Nakazawa advises, “School band and orchestra teachers tend to know the better private instrumental teachers so they are a great source.”

Use the Internet!

“The Internet has made it possible for us all to see what is available in music stores, music schools for classes, teachers, sheet music and music related supplies.”  – Roberta McGuire

Some online resources you may find helpful:

MTNA – Music Teachers National Association

NAMM – National Association of Music Merchants

NAMM Foundation: Best Communities for Music Education

MENC – The National Association for Music Education

National Guild for Community Arts Education

*Many states have music teacher associations. Try a Google search with your state or city + music teachers.

Additional Words of Advice:

From Barbara Nakazawa:

“Finding the right teacher for your child is very important. It’s not only the material that is taught and technique, it has to be the right personality match. Most teachers offer a trial lesson.  A good teacher should be able to direct their student to the appropriate orchestra/band auditions and help with suggestions for instruments, supplies, etc.”

From Roberta McGuire:

“You don’t want to swap [teachers] a lot because it would disrupt the continuity in learning. The other key element in the teacher search process (when you are switching from one teacher to another) is to be honest with your wish to make a change.  No one appreciates being blind sighted and a burnt bridge can never be a helpful one in the future!  Honesty is always the best policy!”

If your child’s school has an orchestra or a band program, encourage them to join up. Through that experience, they will start to make friends with other like-minded students and you will start to build a network of musical friends to connect with.

Scales:  They do matter! Nobody likes to play their scales, but they do help with ear training, so one way to get your scales into your practice routine is to start with your scales! Your sound quality will improve and your teacher will love you for it!

From Naomi Aldort:

“We parents are gullible when it comes to talent. We tend to live our own dreams of glory through our children. Unfortunately children sense it and will go on the path of our dream, missing their own, if we are not careful. They will look happy and we will be fooled to think that they love the lessons, when what they really love is to please us and be the sunshine of our dreams. Eventually this becomes old and the child’s search for herself collides with her need to please her parents or other adults. Depression is one of the most common results of such inner confusion.

Oliver Aldort on From the Top, 2005

Therefore, I often recommend offering music education to a child without formal lessons.  Not offering lessons does not meant not nurturing the child’s talent. On the contrary, when not relying on a weekly teacher to do the job, you take more responsibility and the child learns a whole lot more. I offered such “home lessons” to my children, and by the time they started to study with teachers, they were already reading notes and skillful with the fundamentals of rhythms, tonality, chords, and feeling the music. They were also freely improvising and totally passionate about music. Instead of a weekly or bi-weekly lessons, their musical learning occurred a few times per day, every day of the week. I avoided praise so their love of music stayed authentic and not confused with pleasing me.”

Naomi Aldort is the author of, Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves and the mother of two musicians. Her advice columns are published in progressive parenting magazines worldwide. Aldort offers guidance and counseling by phone/Skype internationally regarding all ages, babies through teens: attachment parenting; natural learning; peaceful and powerful parent-child relationships and more. Products, counseling, and free newsletter: www.authenticparent.com

Please feel free to comment below with questions or your own personal stories! We’d love to hear from you.

Even if you’re not a musician, you can probably imagine the difficulties of hauling a large cello around. The video below shows one ordeal Octet Abbraccio, featured on our 2010 Ames, Iowa show, went through in trying to return home to Ohio. (Starts around 1:15). In true From the Top style, these young musicians kept a light heart and a humorous approach to the situation.

You can show your support for young musicians with large instruments by signing the petition here.

This is the first blog in what we hope will be an on-going series.

Musical beginnings: How do you know your child is ready to study an instrument & are you ready to help them? Whether or not you have any musical background, our parents share why studying music is a family affair.

Barbara Nakazawa is a musician and teacher, but she looked to her son Joshua for signs he was interested:

Josh, age 6

“Starting at age three, I dragged him to one of my community orchestra rehearsals (I’m a flutist)…After a few weeks he got to be friendly with the cellists and trombonists as they sat near him.

One day he said, ”Mommy, I need a cello.”  I gave him the whole lecture about need vs. want and told him that he was too young…He was persistent as is his nature and just to change the subject I told him, “Tomorrow after nursery school we will go home and call a cello teacher.” The following day when I picked him up from nursery school I asked him if he wanted to go to Toys R Us and he said, “No, Mommy, you promised that we would go right home and call a cello teacher.” Twenty-one years later he is now a professional cellist.”

Emmanuel Cabezas says that his son Gabriel’s journey through music has been shared by their family:

Gabriel Cabezas

“We could tell Gabriel had an affinity to sound, movement and music from an early age.  I grew up among musicians, mostly pianists and violinists, and could tell Gabriel was inherently interested in it.  I played the piano for many years and took lessons at my family’s conservatory in San José, Costa Rica.  Historically, my family has not encouraged a young child to study music until he/she expresses sincere interest and commitment, as Gabriel did.

If I could take the liberty to express my perception of my wife Mary’s entrance into the world of music without much preliminary experience, I’d say she took it with much courage and enthusiasm, learning from every opportunity and developing a keen sense of musical appreciation and knowledge.  What I admired the most about Mary is her unconditional support toward Gabriel without being over protective (what is commonly referred to as “stage mothering”).  Gabriel’s journey through music has provided Mary with an extraordinary insight in an area that she naturally loves and intrinsically understands (albeit without any practical background).”

Roberta McGuire is not  a musician, but she had a general knowledge of music that helped her when Patrick started out:

Patrick McGuire

“I am not a musician, but I did study a few instruments while growing up. This gave me an appreciation for music and the ability to appreciate the work involved in learning to play an instrument and to learn new pieces on that instrument. Studying the piano helped me when my child was starting out on piano and on his other instruments…The basics were the same, i.e. being able to read the music, to fine tune the notes so that they are in tune, etc. i.e. age appropriate critical listening skills.  What was different in each was the method of producing the sound.

I sat in on the private lessons for a few years and by doing that, I learned a lot about the approach and about the instrument.

I don’t think you need to be a musician in order to help your child learn an instrument. Being a parent musician is obviously helpful, but not a must.  What you do need is the ability to ask questions and know where to obtain the information you need. There is help out there. So, don’t be afraid to ask.”

Susie Wuest wanted to give Eric the chance she never had:

Eric, 1991

“I had grown up very involved in athletics [figure skating] and there was never the time nor money for me to learn to play an instrument, something I felt that I had missed out on.  So after my two children were born, I decided that I would give them that musical opportunity.  My daughter started with piano, and when it was time for her brother Eric [two years younger] to maybe start an instrument at age 6, he…decided on violin since his father had played violin through junior high and still owned a violin.

It worked out well that my husband was musical so he could tune Eric’s violin strings in between lessons and after a short time Eric was able to play duets with him.  Once Eric realized that he could read music, he started going through his father’s stash of old violin etude books and sheet music.  That early beginning with reading music turned into a great strength for him.

I was a stay-at-home mom so I was able to plan his days so that there was always time for both practice violin and other activities.  It was almost never a question about practicing.  It was not “IF” but “WHEN.” I feel that I handled venturing into this new territory because there were many parallels to my skating days in practicing, learning, and performing.  I think that I was able to offer Eric non-musical advice through analogies to my skating life.”

Next time, we explore how to find the right resources to support your child in their musical studies. Please feel free to comment below with questions or your own personal stories! We’d love to hear from you.

Anna joined forces with two musician friends, Nash Ryder and Keith Williams,  who were also staying home for the summer, to collaborate with her on this project and help create Heartstrings. They put together a chamber music program, created a Facebook fan page to spread the word, and started contacting a wide range of places, from music festivals to local libraries to schedule performances. She passed up a prestigious spot at Boston University’s Tanglewood Institute this summer to pursue her passion of giving back through music. Among the festivals they have visited this summer are the Marblehead Arts Festival, Somersworth Children’s Festival, and Old Homes Days of Plaistow, NH. As a result of their efforts, CureSearch, has been receiving support and donations from town committees and audience members. Anna shares more about her summer experiences:

At the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital (Courtesy Heartstrings Facebook Page)

We’re having an amazing time!! Being able to interact with our audiences at these events has been especially rewarding for us. At festivals, it’s easy for people come up to talk to us about what we’re doing this summer. Everyone has been so supportive! We especially love when we can fulfill requests of favorite classical pieces, and make our performances more personal and exciting. The informal atmosphere is like none we’ve performed in before, but it’s refreshing! Classical music doesn’t need to be “stuffy”, after all!

At Plaistow Old Home Day (Courtesy Heartstings Facebook Page)

One of my favorite moments was at the Somersworth Children’s festival, when Keith showed a little girl – she was probably 5 or 6 – how to play the cello. It’s fun to let kids try my harp, too – they’re always so excited to get involved. It’s great to see how interested they are in classical music!

There have also been more emotional moments, though. At the Marblehead Arts Festival Street Fair, we talked to a woman who’s son had died of cancer a year and a half before. I think we all poured our hearts into the music a little more after that. And last week, we played at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, Maine. We set up in a beautiful Atrium, and the music could travel into surrounding patient’s rooms. Hopefully we made their day a little brighter!

There are many more events we’re looking forward to in August, including two performances at Yankee Homecoming in Newburyport, a performance at Old Sturbridge Village, and multiple private functions – all raising money for CureSearch, of course. In fact, so many opportunities have come up this summer, we’ve decided to continue playing together in the fall. There is just so much more we want to do (plus, there’s nothing better than playing with friends)!! Once the school year starts, and there are no more fun-summer-busking opportunities, we’ll be putting together chamber concerts. We’ll also be giving classical music programs for kids – which we’re developing now – at elementary schools and libraries.

At the Marblehead Arts Street Festival

*We recently received an update from Anna on her travels and performances with Heartstrings. They performed at the Yankee Homecoming Festival in Newburyport, MA, and were part of that festival’s Family Day at Maudslay Park, then visited Old Sturbrudge Village in Sturbridge, MA. Anna shares more on future plans for the group:

We’ll be playing a couple of private functions… and then we’ll start doing concerts! We’ll soon have a date for our first fall chamber concert. Also, any new events will be posted on our facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heartstrings/110695205643361?ref=ts.

Family Day at Maudslay Park

To learn more about the Heartstrings initiative and their inspiring story, visit their Facebook page. We will also keep you posted on further developments with the group here on our blog. Take a moment to visit the CureSearch website to help support finding the cure for children’s cancer.

Mr. Perlman and Bella

When I received the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award last year, the first thing that I considered was attending the Perlman Music Program again (PMP). Last summer (2009) I spent 6 1/2 weeks on Shelter Island, New York studying under the direction of Itzhak and Toby Perlman. It was the most amazing staff of instructors. I studied with Heidi Castleman, one of the most incredible viola instructors I have ever studied with. It was the most inspirational and challenging musical experience that I have ever had. It was there, last summer that I made the decision that I wanted to be a professional violist for a lifelong career! I knew that my goal was to make this program a part of my education and development as a musician an annual priority. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation made it possible for me to attend again this summer! It truly was a gift not only to me but to others in the world that I can share with.

A typical day at PMP would start off with breakfast, some aerobics class to pump us up for practicing, then practice time from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, of course with 10 minute breaks at each hour. After lunch, we usually have chamber rehearsals and coaching with the head chamber instructor Merry Peckham. If time allows then it’s always nice to go relax on the beach or go swimming! Sometimes I took my sketchbook to draw the beautiful outlook on the beach. At 5:00, we all go to chorus where we have a wide variety of music to sing, from Mozart’s Requiem to Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. I never imagined myself being able to sing such amazing works of music, chorus is so much fun! After chorus, we have dinner. And let me tell you, there will never be a camp that has better food than PMP! For example, we have a special Korean Barbeque every year. It’s my favorite dinner! After dinner, we have orchestra in which Mr. Perlman, or “Mr. P” as we all call him, conducts us. We do orchestra for about 2 hours and by 10:00 P.M. it’s the “little’s” curfew time. When it comes to the weekends, we have many outreach opportunities such as going to perform at Vineyards and High schools and so many cool places.

But one of the most special things at PMP is the friendships that are formed. It’s so refreshing in a sense to be able to connect with other young people that are the same age as you. And it’s not awkward to have musical conversations or talk about what pieces you are working on. It’s so inspiring to be around them. I encourage you to go online to www.perlmanmusicprogram.org to read more about the program and the faculty and how to attend. PMP is such an amazing place. There will never be enough words to express my love for PMP.

Here at From the Top it’s wonderful to hear how young artists’ lives have been positively influenced by the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award. We look forward to many exciting things from Bella in the future!

Caroline Goulding in 2008 at the Cincinnati, Ohio show

Caroline has been on From the Top’s NPR radio show twice: In 2006 she wowed listeners with Sonatensatz in C Minor by Johannes Brahms at the Granville, Ohio show. Two years later  she performed III. Allegro molto from Concerto for Violin, Piano & Strings in D minor by Felix Mendelssohn in Cincinnati, Ohio. She also appeared on PBS’ From the Top at Carnegie Hall.

Caroline’s repertoire for the Gardner concert includes:

• Corigliano: The Red Violin Caprices
• Beethoven: Sonta No. 1 in D Major, Op. 12
• Tartini/Kreisler: Violin Sonata in G minor, “Devil’s Trill”
• Respighi: Sonata in B minor
• Stravinsky: Tango
• Stravinsky: Scherzo from The Firebird

For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

George Performs on From the Top with the Vivace Trio

George has received $10,000 as well as concert engagements with orchestras in Beijing and Shanghai, China, and a full, four-year scholarship to the conservatory!

More information about the competition is available here.

Nice work and congrats, George!

This past January, Roberto had the opportunity to to play with Jon Anderson of the English progressive rock band Yes at Tony LaRussa’s 2010 Stars to the Rescue benefit for the Animal Rescue Foundation.  They performed an abridged version of “And You and I” and “Time and A Word.”

Roberto and Jon Anderson, 2010

Roberto’s father reveals:

Prior to Jon going on stage to introduce Roberto, Roberto told Jon that while he was waiting at the hotel he had come up with an ending that he had arranged for “Time and A Word” that he wanted to play.  Jon nodded in agreement, as he walked on stage.  At the end of the piece, Roberto played the ending he had arranged.  You could not hear a pin drop in the packed theatre, and the expression of Jon’s face, hearing for the first time what Roberto had put together, showed he was deeply moved.  It was spectacular!

Currently Roberto is studying with Grisha Goryachev, an accomplished flamenco and classical guitarist who attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston studying under Eliot Fisk. Last year he played for From the Top at the Emmys; you can read more about it here.