Author: Mare

Very excited to be half way through our second International Practice Challenge with students of Mare and Mel (Melanie Dyball, Mare’s sister).  This week students recorded video greetings and were able to meet like-minded string students on the other side of the world who are involved in the same challenge.  This challenge involves practicing for…

Despite the howling wind, the Blue Mountains Buskers performed 2 x 10 minute sets, raising money to be donated to North Katoomba Public School’s community development fund, which assists disadvantaged families to meet the cost of school excursions, camps and other activities for their children.  An additional $50 was later donated by my mum Vilma, making the grand…

Join Mare + violin students this Saturday 30 September in Leura Mall to hear the fantazmagorical, the stupendous, the incredibly wondrous talents and skills of (just named)  Blue Mountains Buskers (or BMB, as they will come to be known in legend and local mythology).  We are raising money for local school, North Katoomba Primary, and have a…

The closing date for the next AMEB Exams is 8 September 2017.  These exams occur some time during the last 2 weeks of November or the first 2 weeks of December 2017. The last date for a 50% refund is 18 September. A late fee of $60 per candidate will apply to enrolments received after…

These sessions offer the opportunity to review the skills learned in the private lesson whilst adding important ensemble skills necessary to perform with others. Group sessions also add the social aspect of making music with others. All of these things are wonderful motivational tools. Music is an art form. If the students take that art…

An insightful and moving animated short film about the importance of maintaining one’s colour & creativity in a world that will leech it out of you.  The creativity is represented by the violin!    

I’ve been trialling the tuning at 432 Hz  for nearly 12 months now. This trial has included the following: Performing A / B tests on various instruments at both frequencies; Practicing on various instruments at 432 Hz (including viola); Tuning student’s violins at 432 Hz and to 441 Hz (my preferred frequency over 440 Hz,…

In August 2016, I played my violin at the Sydney Opera House with some people from my school. It was the Sydney Festival of Instrumental Music and we played in one of four concerts that were held during the week. From my school there were about 20 people playing recorders and three of us played…

The results of the 7 Day Practice Challenge were impressive!  Everyone who took the challenge achieved their 2 goals and there were many improvements – for all time – to hear! The 4 first prizes were won by Mila, Tessa, Rosie & Angelica. The challenge was also completed by Caeden, Keeley, Lucy, Joe, Zariya, Wilf…

It was wonderful to see so many students rise to the challenge of kicking 3 personal violin goals, which were formulated for each student in their lesson.  Sticking to a challenge like this for 14 days has real rewards, as evidenced by the playing! I want to acknowledge the most outstanding improvements, made by: Rosie,…

Have you seen our clifftop video clip?  It was filmed on the escarpment on Olympic Rock, Leura with a Quadcopter!  Lots of fun was had, and (although the location was selected with safety in mind) it was just a little bit scary! This is our “Velvet Royale” show, which we have been performing on cruise…

Russian born Maxim Vengerov is one of the greatest violinists in the world. This documentary captures the maestro at 23, already at his peak and performing with the world’s leading orchestras and conductors. This profile explores his musical artistry, at work with Daniel Barenboim and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and with students of the Royal…

May Practice Competition – rewards for consistent practice over 2 weeks. 1st prize – Tessa – 8 hours of practice – 14 consecutive days 2nd prize – Zariya – 4:30 hours of practice – 14 consecutive days 3rd prize – Caeden – 7 hours of practice – 13 days 4th prize – Wilf – 4:30 hours of…

  It was great to have some help to celebrate the end of the year and my birthday with a group session and a violin cake! We played ensemble pieces we’ve been working on, and heard some beautiful solos, including from violinists who did an AMEB exam in December. Thanks everyone! Mare

It’s been impressive to see how EVERYONE has improved with more regular practice.  This time we set practice goals for each week of the competition… and nearly EVERYONE achieved them! 5 violinists practiced every day for the 14 days, for a minimum of 20 minutes per day.  Their names are: Zariya, Caeden, Guinevere and Tessa…

http://www.allthingsstrings.com/Article-Index/Department/Feature/Itzhak-Perlman-Turns-70-and-He-s-Loving-Every-Minute

With this App you can change the tempo of your recordings: http://www.ameb.edu.au/mytempo-app A very useful practice aid.

Amanda didn’t get one of her practice chart to me, even with the extension, so I couldn’t award her a prize in the Practice Competition.  But she gave me the chart today… and I was impressed.  So I promised her I would acknowledge her great efforts with a post! Amanda did some long, sustained practices- 68…

We saw some very real improvements from everyone who got involved, especially those who consistently clocked up time with violin under chin! Many of you who achieved the personal goals we set for this competition… Nice work!   Overall Winners: 1st Place – Tessa – 14 days practice, total of 425 minutes 2nd Place – James – 13…

I was impressed with the improvement of every violinist last week, after Week 1 of our Practice Competition. This week, I’ve released 2 new instructional videos (if you haven’t received a private link by email, please let me know). I can’t wait to see and hear the results of a second week of “competition level”…

For the first time, the AMEB are not making it compulsory to have a live accompanist for the lower levels (up to 3rd Grade). More info: www.ameb.edu.au/why-recorded-accompaniments

Have your good practice habits acknowledged and rewarded! Practice Competition starts NOW – from your lesson this week.  Duration – 2 weeks. Practice for a minimum of 20 minutes each and every day for 14 days.  This practice comp has goals for you to achieve each week.  That means mindful practice, and striving to improve!…

Interested in playing in an orchestra?  The Blue Mountains Orchestra has a Training Orchestra, which takes in beginners (children and adults) and a Main Orchestra (AMEB Grade 5 or equiv) Rehearsal details: Springwood Public School Training Orchestra – Fridays from 4:45pm to 5:30pm Main Orchestra – Fridays from 5:30pm to 7pm, conducted by the well-known Mal…

http://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-have-created-the-perfect-music-for-cats