Category: Students and Families

This page contains resources for current students and families such as the group schedule, concert schedule and other studio info.  Tuition rates are on the hompage.  Contact me if you have any questions!

Lesson schedule

Group and master schedule

Cello X schedule

Parent responsibilities

Studio address

Studio policies

Practice charts

Zoom lesson link

Holiday Fun 2020!

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With this pesky Covid, we won’t be able to do a Holiday performance, unfortunately. However, we can still jam to some Holiday tunes at our group lessons!

11/30, 12/7 & 12/14 groups will be on Upbeat. Look for the links on Mondays. Please print the attached music here. Only print the page numbers mentioned below.

  • Cello Jellos (Readers only. Non-readers have special assignments!):
  • Cello Philharmonic
    • Angels We Have Heard On High (page 3)
    • The First Noel (page 13)
    • God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (page 16)
    • Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (page 20)
    • Joy to the World (page 26)
    • Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (page 35)

Fall Recital 2020 Info

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The Fall Recital 2020 is Sunday, 11/22 at 2:00 and 4:00 and will consist of a LIVE Recital and a VIDEO Recital. Refer to the program for which one your child is performing in. You are more than welcome to attend and watch the other one as well!
Read carefully and complete the steps.

LIVE Recital

General set-up:

  1. Sunday, 11/22, at 2:00-3:30 on Zoom. Please arrive at 1:45.
  2. Zoom link is here.
  3. Program is here.
  4. Please tune ahead of time.  Use a tuner if needed.
  5. Dress nicely.
  6. Rosin bow and clean cello.
  7. Adjust stool and rockstop (if using) to the correct height and length.
  8. Put music on the stand (if using), and place the music stand to the side so you’re not blocked from view.

Video set-up:

  1. Choose a well-lit room with good acoustics and a good WiFi connection.
  2. Make the background as plain and clutter-free as possible.
  3. Position the computer so you and your cello are fully in the frame (from the knees up is okay).
  4. Use landscape mode.
  5. Face forward – do not face to the side.
  6. See example picture for best set-up.
  7. When finished performing, you may move elsewhere in the house to watch the rest of the recital.
  8. When watching others, select “Speaker View” (not “Grid View”) to best see them.

Sound set-up:

IMPORTANT! Please make these adjustments to improve the sound quality. These can only be adjusted with a computer (not an iPad).

  1. Click the up arrow next to the microphone.
  2. Select Audio Settings.
  3. Turn off “automatically adjust volume” under Microphone.
  4. Click Advanced.
  5. Turn on “Show in-meeting option to “Enable Original Sound” from microphone.
  6. Disable “Suppress Persistent Background Noise.”
  7. Disable “Suppress Intermittent Background Noise.”
  8. Return to main screen.
  9. “Turn on original sound” which is located in the upper left corner.

Recital etiquette:

  1. Please set up before it’s your turn to play.
  2. Remain for the full recital and listen respectfully and attentively to the other performers.
  3. Do not roam around the house, do chores or play on your phone during the recital.
  4. If you need to use the bathroom, wait until the current performer is finished playing and turn your video off.  Turn your video back on when you return.
  5. Encourage friends and relatives to attend!

VIDEO Recital

General info:

  1. Sunday, 11/22 at 4:00-5:30 on Zoom. Please arrive at 3:45.
  2. Zoom link here.
  3. Program is here.

Recital etiquette:

  1. Please stay for the entire recital, and give each performer your full attention! The recital is 4:00-5:30 including announcements.

Pre-recital tasks:

  1. Add the Vimeo app to your Smart TV. If you do not have a Smart TV, add the Vimeo app to your computer.
  2. Add the ‘Seattle Suzuki Cello‘ channel to your favorite channels on Vimeo. The recital will be debuted there. Search for keywords such as: “Seattle Suzuki Cello” and/or “Fall Recital Spectacular 2020” if you can’t find it. Note: the video won’t be published until shortly before the recital.
  3. Tell you friends to tune in!

Day-of recital tasks:

  1. Log in to the Zoom Meeting at 3:45. The Zoom Meeting is for pre-and post-recital talk. It is NOT for watching the recital – you will do that on your television or computer through Vimeo.
  2. After the recital, please return to the Zoom Meeting for acclamations and congratulations!

Fall Concert 2020 Info

Posted on by Williams
  • When: Sunday, October 25, 2020 at 2:00-3:00 (1:45 arrival).
  • Where: Your home.
  • Pre-concert tasks:
    1. Add the Vimeo app to your Smart TV. If you do not have a Smart TV, add the Vimeo app to your computer.
    2. Add the ‘Seattle Suzuki Cello‘ channel to your favorite channels on Vimeo. The concert will be debuted there. Note: the video won’t unlock until shortly before the concert.
    3. Tell you friends to tune in!
  • Day-of concert tasks:
    1. Log in to the Zoom Meeting at 1:45. The Zoom Meeting is for pre-and post-concert talk. It is NOT for watching the concert – you will do that on your television or computer through Vimeo.
    1. Please stay for the entire concert, and give each piece your full attention! The concert will last less than an hour.
    2. After the concert, please return to the Zoom Meeting for acclamations and congratulations!

Upbeat app settings

Posted on by Williams

Thanks for your patience and perseverance at the group lesson! I’ve become more acquainted with the Upbeat app. Please follow the steps to make it work better and reduce glitchiness!

Pre-class to dos:

  • Find a location with a strong WiFi signal.
  • Get the latest Chrome version at chrome://help.
  • Close all windows and internet tabs.
  • Plug in your computer during class.
  • Chromebook users, turn on Hyper-Threading:
    • Go to chrome://flags.
    • Search “Schedule Configuration.”
    • Choose “Enables Hyper-Threading on relevant CPU’s or Performance.”
    • Restart.
  • Enable Hardware Acceleration:
    • Go to chrome://settings.
    • Search “Hardware Acceleration.”
    • Toggle on “Use hardware acceleration.”
    • Restart.

Setup and Calibration (during class)

  • Enter room.
  • Plug headphones into the computer and put them on.
  • Click Setup
  • Click Get Started
  • Click Start Recording.
  • Wait for the 8 beat count-off.
  • Play or pluck on the beat.
  • Click Continue or Redo if needed.
  • Listen to playback.
  • Calibrate: slide the yellow sound file to abut the first bold green line.
  • Click Done.
  • Video instructions if you prefer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Olbn_ZJDuZo

Recording yourself (during class)

  • This info is for Cello Jellos only. Cello Phil will use a different recording method.
  • Put on and plug in headphones.
  • Click Record.
  • Click Continue.
  • My video will appear.
  • Click Start Recording.
  • Wait for count-off and start playing when I do.
  • While you play, I will be on your screen and you will hear me through the headphones. Play along with me as best as you can.
  • Click Stop Recording.
  • Click Continue or Redo if needed.
  • Calibrate: slide your yellow sound file to match with mine. Listen and slide until it matches perfectly.
  • Click Done.
  • An uploading announcement should appear.
  • Video instructions if you prefer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naCkgq0407Q

Important info for 2020-21

Posted on by Williams

Welcome, or welcome back! Despite the many challenges and unknowns caused by the pandemic, I am very excited about this year of cello!

Group schedule and studio calendar

The group lesson schedule and studio calendar is here. It is also posted on the Students and Families Category.

You will notice that groups and concerts are virtual for 2020 and in-person for 2021. This is subject to change, but it is my hope. 🙂 Please take a moment to mark down all of the concert dates.

Group lessons

Group lessons begin Monday, 9/14. Below is the music we will be working on in preparation for our Fall Concert. Cello Philharmonic members, please print the attached music.

Cello Jellos:

  • Taka Taka Tee Tee
  • Twinkle Theme
  • Lightly Row
  • Allegro (92)
  • Long, Long Ago (58)
  • Rigadoon (96)

Cello Philharmonic:

  • Advanced Twinkle (at 66)
    • Cello I: BeBo, BrCz, ChBl, DrLu, HeCu, LuFr, MaTa, MaGr
    • Cello II: AmPe, ArRa, MiTa, SaPo, SeMo
    • Theme: Peter
  • King William’s March (at 84)
    • Cello I: AmPe, ArRa, BeBo, ChBl, HeCu, LuFr, MaTa, MiTa, SaPo, SeMo
    • Cello II: BrCz, DrLu, MaGr, Peter
  • Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (at 92)
    • Cello I: ArRa, BrCz, ChBl, HeCu, LuFr, MaTa, MaGr, MiTa, SeMo, SaPo
    • Cello II: AmPe, BeBo, DrLu, Peter
  • Fisher’s Hornpipe (at 108)
    • Cello I: BeBo, BrCz, DrLu, LuFr, MaGr
    • Cello II: Peter

Upbeat Music app

Groups will be virtual on a new app called Upbeat Music. Every Monday afternoon, you will be emailed a room invite. You needn’t download an app; simply join the room using a PC or iPad. The app has some cool features that will enhance learning, but it will require parent assistance at first. Please read instructions and complete steps here.

Cello X schedule

The Cello X schedule is posted on the Cello eXperiment Category. Please mark your calendars and let me know asap if you have conflicts. Members are allowed three absences per year. Our first rehearsal is this Friday, 9/18, at 6:30-8:30 (note the new time). Please bring a stand, your Cello X binder and follow the arrival procedures.

  • Members will enter and unpack one person at a time. Do not enter when you arrive, but call me at (206) 715-1272.
  • Apply hand sanitizer before entering (provided).
  • Wear a mask at all times.
  • Remain distanced during rehearsal. Chairs will be placed 6 feet apart and the space will be ventilated.
  • Apply hand sanitizer when you leave.

Tuition

Tuition is due by the 7th of each month. Please pay on time to avoid a late fee. Tuition rates are on the front page of my site here (scroll to the bottom).

  • I accept Venmo payments @Peter-Williams-111.
  • Checks may be mailed to me at 9750 4th Ave NW #A, Seattle, 98117.

Parent responsibilities

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Parent role in the lesson

  • Please arrive no earlier than 5 minutes before your lesson.
  • If needed, assist your child with unpacking his or her cello.
  • Please sit behind your child and take complete notes, preferably with pencil and paper. Use my practice charts to take lesson notes – they help with staying organized and practicing at home.
  • This is my time to work with your child, so there should be no interruption unless asked.
  • Pay on time.
  • The parent that practices with the child at home, or the “home teacher,” should attend every lesson.

Parent role at home

  • Practice regularly with your child — 5-7 days per week.
  • Use my practice and listening charts for motivation and to stay organized and engaged in practice.
  • Choose a regular practice time — preferably in the mornings when your child is not tired.
  • On busy days, remember that a short practice is better than not practicing at all!
  • Listen to the CD daily.
  • Display an interest in your child’s practice and stay engaged!
  • Learn how to tune the cello.
  • Do not allow your child to progress beyond my speed.
  • Use specific praise, not general praise.
  • Praise the smallest progress! Playing the cello is not easy, so their perseverance depends on positive reinforcement. Remember – it is a marathon, not a sprint.
  • Make it fun!