Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
MAY 2015
The Next Generation String Quartet was launched in December 2014 by Dr. Lisa Walker
to establish a new standard for string quartet in the region and to create a young musical force in the
world. Since then, the members have been subjected to a rigorous training schedule to transform the quartet
into a world-class product. This paid off recently when the group won their string quartet category of the Florida
Federation of Music Clubs Competition in Jacksonville, Florida. Each of the quartet members also won in other categories to take
home eight trophies among them. This represents one of the largest sweeps from a small group and the first in the history of Jamaica.
As anticipated, Jacob Chen recently created history by becoming the youngest viola player to compete and win in the viola category of the
Florida Federation of Music Club (FFMC) Competition in Jacksonville, Florida recently. Currently coached by Dr.
Lisa Walker, Jacob at age 5 years old is easily one of the youngest viola players in the world today. In fact, his
small 11 inch viola had to be specially ordered by Allegro Music Centre in Miami directly from the manufacturer
as violas are not made for kids that young. Since his success, a number of teachers in Florida have contacted
Dr. Walker to share her secret on how to get kids so young to play the viola that is designed for kids 8 years and
above. Born to teach, the Doctor has a reputation for bringing out the best in her students. Not surprisingly, most
of her students who competed in Jacksonville won an award. Also, just last month, all of her students received
distinctions in their ABRSM exams in Great Britain.
As preparation for the upcoming Hillel Orchestra Concert moves into its
final week, the orchestra is literally on fire as the kids shift into concert
mode. With just under 50 kids lined up to unleash their musical power at
the concert on Saturday, May 30th, music lovers are advised to secure
their tickets from now to be guaranteed a seat. If the success of the last
concert in December is any indication of what to expect, then patrons are
really in for a treat this year as the orchestra students have chosen songs
from popular movies as the theme of their presentation.
To secure your tickets, call (876) 925-1980/ (876) 276-8630 or visit Hillel's
main reception. Tickets may also be purchased at the event.
The Hillel Orchestra was launched one year ago (May 2014) with a handful of players. Since then, the orchestra has been creating waves in the
Hillel Community as Dr. Walker moulds the group into becoming one of
the best youth orchestras on the island. As news of the orchestra
spreads, the group has been contracted to perform at a number of community events, including a fund raiser at Stella Maris for the Grants Pen
Community and New Day All Age School this past Friday.
Based on the level of progress and success achieved in one year, it is
easy to imagine what the orchestra will become in 5 years as the Violin
Doctor develops the next generation of classical musicians in Jamaica.
Members of the Hillel Orchestra performing during the dress rehearsal for the Concert on Saturday, May 30th.
Cellists in Front Row, LR: Cameron Brown, Brady Holmes, Tobias Levy, Emil Hazell, and Christian Rampair.
The following are several exercises for developing bow technique, which I developed for the students of the string project:Tone Colors: For beginning exercise and warm-up, I employed long bows on open strings, with attention on clear, solid tone production. Additionally, a variance of tone color was encouraged. For the very youngest students, we often played the color game. In this
game, the student thinks of a color and tries to reproduce that color with his paint brush (bow) on an open string. Invariably, the pupil
learned to vary the bow speed according to the desired color: lighter colors require less pressure and slower bow speed while darker
colors demand greater pressure and a faster bow speed. In response, the parent or teacher tries to guess what color the child was
thinking of. This game encourages awareness of tone colors and stimulates interest in the development of bow skill. After this technique was mastered on open strings, application of colors to their respective repertoire was encouraged.
Radio station reception: An analogy of radio station reception to elicit clear tone on the violin worked well in the string project. This
analogy is especially relevant to students of Jamaica, as radio broadcasts still comprise the primary form of communication in this developing country. In the radio station exercise, the student and I both listen to assess the quality of the radio station reception, which is
the tone being produced on the violin, throughout an etude or piece. Together we identify areas of increased static or poor tone production. Teacher and student interplay of this kind makes the student both cognizant of and responsible for their tone production.
One particularly useful activity, employed during private lessons and master classes, entails an examination of what is said with ones
bow without words. This activity develops awareness for the non-verbal aspect of music making. For example, if the performer uses
too little bow and produces a small tone, the performer may be saying, I am nervous or I dont want you to hear what I am playing.
Alternatively, a production of a full, generous tone, varying the tone color as the music dictates, sends the message that one is comfortable with what they are saying. Activities of this sort highlight the presence and power of non-verbal communication in music-making.
Continued in the next JSO Newsletter