In this Issue . . . • Music in the Community • Merit Scholarship Winners • Practice Makes Perfect? • New Starts for 2016 • Faculty News & Concert Schedule (continued on p. 2) Merit Scholarship Merit Scholarship Merit Scholarship Merit Scholarship WINNERS INNERS INNERS INNERS 2015/16 2015/16 2015/16 2015/16 Junior Awards Mila Herman • Piano Noor Rashid • Piano Anneli Sheridan • Piano Intermediate Awards Anne Mendoza • Piano Naveen Sharma • Piano Olivia Vento • Piano Senior Awards Michael McLean • Piano Jessica Nachman • Piano Juror’s Choice Awards Antonia Cambre • Cello Daniel Cassano • Piano Thomas Desmond • Saxophone Spencer Mackenzie • Piano Julia McPolin • Piano Alyssa Sanborn • Voice Annika Sharma • Voice Khrystyna Skira • Flute Daniel Slobodnik • Piano Kate Wilson • Voice One of the finest paybacks for a musi- cian’s discipline, study and practice is the exhilaration of performing. And it’s through performance that the universal language of music is transformed into an extraordinary dialogue with the power to incite emotional, intellectual and spiritual engagement. Musical per- formances can inspire and even change lives. Seeking and creating exceptional per- formance opportunities outside the prac- tice room is integral to the fulfillment of the Kingsway Conservatory of Music’s mandate to provide a vibrant and enrich- ing music learning environment. A unique performance opportunity came knocking with the City of Toronto’s ‘Tis the Season’ bustling family event at The Assembly Hall - no stage, no mics, yet no shortage of good vibrations. KCM vocal students teamed up to form a carolling ensemble whose voices soared through the halls with a stunning sound. Trading off the carollers was a duo of KCM saxophonists offering up original arrangements of some jazzy tunes with a very cool vibe. Capping off the program, the singers and saxes joined forces for “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” to the delight of a beaming crowd. What a great night, and a great performance collaboration! Always active on the community con-
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Newsletter - December 2015 - Kingsway Conservatory
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A child’s first foray into the flute family! A child’s first foray into the flute family! A child’s first foray into the flute family! A child’s first foray into the flute family!
This new instrument-based program introduces youngsters to a variety of flutes spe-
cially designed for young beginners. Starting with the
fife and then graduating to the Nuvo Flute, students
will be enabled to produce a good quality of sound and
to develop valuable musical skills right from the outset.
For young beginners
Ages 7-10 (Grade 2-4)
Thursday evenings, 6:00-7:00 pm
Did you know? . . .
Our innate capacity to communicate
through music and rhythms has deep
roots, traced to primitive times when
banding together was necessary to
withstand nature’s threats. Drawing
on the universal language of rhythm
as the vehicle for communication and
creative expression, the drum circle
was powerful in connecting, inspir-
ing and facilitating societal evolu-
tion.
That ancient tradition of the drum
circle is equally potent and relevant
in our modern society. Drum circles
are being rediscovered today in rec-
ognition of their compelling benefits.
A drum circle unites people of all
ages, backgrounds and levels of mu-
sical expertise to share their rhythmi-
cal spirit with drums and percussion.
The goal of the drum circle is not
precision or perfection, but rather the
ability to reach a state of group mind.
It is built on cooperation in the
groove. The music is improvised,
not prescribed, and it is a constant
work in progress.
The result—those magical musical
moments where one powerful voice
is created out of many. It’s a living,
breathing entity expressing timeless
joy, passion and release through the
power of rhythm—an unparalleled
creative expression that unites bod-
ies, minds and spirits.
Such is the beauty of the drum circle.
Now you know!
Every artist knows perfection is an in-
surmountable and unattainable goal.
Practising one’s ‘art’ however, be it mu-
sic, dance, painting, goes a long way
towards keeping us on the journey to
perfection. If I had a nickel for every
parent who has expressed to me ‘my
child is struggling with practicing’, well
let’s just say….
Why is it that establishing and maintain-
ing a regular practice routine often leads
to frustration and tension between parent
and child? My explanation … musical
study requires a higher level of self-
motivation and self-evaluation than
many endeavours. For example, if your
child plays competitive hockey or is a
synchronized swimmer, their ‘practice’
takes place at a regularly scheduled time
and place, in the company of their peers
and with their coach. Practising an in-
strument is a very different scenario. A
young musician must structure their
own practice time and place. In addi-
tion, they must ‘be’ their own teacher at
home, learning how to self-evaluate their
progress between the weekly lessons.
Inspiration and motivation in sports
comes from the competitive aspect and
being part of a team working towards a
common goal. If your child plays base-
ball, but only in the backyard, never ex-
periencing a game by either playing on a
team or going to watch a professional
game, likely their experience with the
sport may remain lukewarm. How can
we expect a child to develop passion for
playing an instrument when their experi-
ence is limited to a 30-minute lesson
each week and the isolation of practising
between lessons! Doesn’t sound too
enticing, does it?
The social aspect of making music is
key to balancing the isolation of prac-
tice. There are ample opportunities to be
on a ‘team’ – choirs, orchestras, small
ensembles, drum circles. It is also im-
portant for young musicians to hear pro-
fessionals making music by attending
concerts. Musically collaborating with
others leads to inspiration, inspiration to
practice, practice to progress and pro-
gress to great satisfaction!
~ Sharon Burlacoff
This exciting rhythmic journey
around the world dives into Latin,
African and Middle-Eastern
drumming traditions, unleashing
participants’ inner beat and innate
musicality.
For AGES 11-16
11-Week Sessions
Wednesday evenings
VOICE Norma Churchill Maureen Ferguson
Pamela MacDonald
GUITAR - ACOUSTIC & ELECTRIC Andrew Frost Chris Malone
STRINGS / SUZUKI STRINGS
WINDS & BRASS
THEORY & HISTORY Sharon Burlacoff Sara-Anne Churchill
MUSIC FOR YOU & YOUR BABY EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSICIANSHIP
Sharon Burlacoff Veronica Materi Tatiana Olkha
GLEE, MUSICAL THEATRE, DRAMA Norma Churchill Brooke Banning