August 2026 Newsletter

August 2026 NewsletterAnnouncements
Quick version:  
Fall private lesson schedule starts Monday, August 24. (for Mrs. Ferrin) it begins August 18 for Mrs. Clawson
Ferrin students: Please fill out the request form by Friday, August 7,  so I can get the schedule sorted as soon as possible.
August 11- 4 p.m., Whisper Cove in Kaysville. Red T-shirt.
August 21 - Folk and Family, Gailey Park, 7 p.m. Red T-shirt, bring dessert.
September 1- Group Class begins. Ages 4-7 at 4:30, Ages 8+ at 5:15
October 20 or 27-Recital Dress Rehearsal at a Care Center
November 7- Fall Back Recital, Centerville Library, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Long version:
I have received completed fall schedule request forms from the following families: Barker, Messier, Nybo, Kleeberger, Cox, Feinauer, Jeffcott.
Everyone else please respond on this Google Form as soon as possible. 
It's ok if you don't know everything about your schedule yet, just answer the questions to the best of your ability with the information you have now. 


Group Class this year will be divided by age. Ages 4-8 will meet Tuesdays, 4:30-5:15; ages 9-11 and ages 12+ will meet Tuesdays, 5:15-6. As students get older and more involved, I know it gets harder and harder to make it to group class. Group music experiences are an important part of a complete musical education. Especially if group class won't work in your schedule, I highly recommend participating in your school orchestra or another group. My kids have really enjoyed Kaysville Chamber Strings. Go here for more information. 


Check the website: smithcreekviolin.com for dates, group times, and more! The password is suzukitwinkle
If you are not feeling well or need an online lesson, we will use Google Meet in August. This option is also available on bad weather days if you are unable to drive. 


More Important Dates here

Practice Tip

It is tough for my 5 year old to stay focused in practice, so he gets lots of breaks. We like to play a card or board game interspersed with our practice: after every song he plays, he gets one turn. Last week, I told him he could have two turns (I still just got one) if he played his least favorite song. Wow, he played it so many times! Every time he started playing that song I said, "Oh no! Now you're going to win!" but really, I felt like I was winning because I wasn't doing any begging. It felt like magic.


Listening Suggestion
I love watching a string quartet together. There's no conductor, so they have to watch each other to know when to start, as well as the tempo, dynamics, and mood. There's a lot of communication happening, all entirely nonverbal. A lot of people are surprised by how much quartet players move when they perform. It's all part of the communication. Watch the Takács Quartet here.