CMC Notes – December 2024 - Classical Music Conservatory

CMC Notes Newsletter - December 2024

In this issue

1. Important Upcoming Dates

2. CMC Winter Recitals

3. Parkdale Community Food Bank Donations

4. Give the Gift of Music!

5. Teachers Upcoming Gigs & Releases!

6. Featured Student

7. Featured Teacher

Important Upcoming Dates

Sunday, December 1st: CMC winter recitals day 1 of 2

Sunday, December 8th: CMC winter recitals days 2 of 2

Saturday, December 14th: Last day of Musical Preludes classes before the winter break!

Saturday, December 21st: Last day of private lessons before the winter break!

December 22nd to January 5th: Winter Break – Happy Holidays!

Monday, January 6th: First day back of private lessons after the winter break

Tuesday, January 7th: First day back of Suzuki Cello Group class after the winter break

Saturday, January 11th: First day back of Musical Preludes after the winter break

Click HERE for our private lesson 2024-2024 CMC School Year Calendar!

Click HERE for our Musical Preludes Schedule!

Click HERE for our Suzuki Cello Group Class Schedule!

CMC Winter Recitals

Our winter recital sign up is now closed! Students who signed up will have received an email with recital details. If you signed up and did not receive an email, please email the office at cmc@cmccanada.com

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1

IN-PERSON at Roncesvalles United Church:

12:30pm: cello recital (students of all cello teachers & our Suzuki cello group class)

2pm: violin/viola recital (students of all violin & viola teachers; choose from 2pm or 3pm)

3pm: violin/viola recital (students of all violin & viola teachers; choose from 2pm or 3pm)

4pm: voice/winds recital (students of all voice & wind teachers)

5pm: adult recital (all instruments & voice for students 18+)

6pm: guitar/ukulele/bass/drums recital (students of all guitar/ukulele/bass/drum teachers; choose from 6pm or 7pm)

7pm: guitar/ukulele/bass/drums recital (students of all guitar/ukulele/bass/drum teachers; choose from 6pm or 7pm)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8

ONLINE via Zoom

10am: all instruments & voice for any teacher

IN-PERSON at Roncesvalles United Church:

1pm: piano recital (students of Alida & Josh)

2pm: piano recital (students of Cheng-Feng, Chris & Erik)

3pm: piano recital (students of Neal, Michele & Aimi)

4pm: piano recital (students of Luan & Mark)

5pm: piano recital (students of Hiro & James)

6pm: piano recital (students of Louise & Emmett)

Parkdale Community Food Bank Donations

During the month of December, CMC collects food and essential items to donate to the Parkdale Community Food Bank.

“Since 2007, we have been ensuring access to barrier-free food for all. Embracing the belief that joy is fundamental to nourishment, our mission is to create a hunger-free community. Through barrier-free access to diverse food options, every person who walks through our doors has a place at our table. We believe that access to high quality, healthy food is a human right. We are able to feed over 10,000 families every month thanks to the generous support of our partners and friends in the Parkdale community.”

Please consider bringing items to CMC to donate (for our in-person students) or, if you can, donate directly to the Parkdale Community Food Bank by clicking below.

Give the Gift of Music!

Give the gift of music this holiday season by sending your loved ones a CMC egift card!

A CMC egift card can go towards music books or music lessons and makes a great birthday or holiday gift!

Click below to purchase a CMC egift card!

Teachers Upcoming Gigs & Releases!

Arie

CMC teacher Arie is playing electracoustic improvised music with Harpist Grace Scheele at the Tranzac’s Southern Cross Lounge on December 11, 9:30PM, as part of their Residency there. See the poster for more information.

Max

CMC teacher Max played drums on the new Huxlii song “so this is it”.

For more information: https://huxlii.lnk.to/sothisisit

Alida

CMC teacher Alida will be performing with The Nathaniel Dett Chorale on Saturday, December 14th at 8:00pm for their concert “An Indigo Christmas… The Work of Christmas.” Information found here:

For more information: http://nathanieldettchorale.org/the-work-of-christmas/

Enjoy!

Featured Student!

Albert (Piano)

1. How old were you when you first started music?

6 years old.

2. Why did you choose the instrument you currently play?

Originally the instrument was chosen for me, but I soon came to enjoy it and never thought about switching. I choose the piano now because of the vast solo repertoire and it allows a huge range of expression.

3. What do you like most about your music teacher?

I like the collaborative approach that Erik takes when determining how to approach and interpret a piece. It always feels like my ideas are valid and can be explored, even if it isn’t what we end up deciding to do. I like that Louise had so much knowledge about the history courses, and took a very pragmatic approach to helping me complete this portion of my studies.

4. Do you have a favourite piece to play?

Right now, I think my favourite piece to play is Beethoven’ Second Sonata (Op. 2 No. 2). It has everything!

5. If you could play any other instrument, what would it be?

Probably the clarinet, because it has a unique tone and it can be used across a variety of genres.

6. What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to play piano! But also, I like to ride my bike with my cycling club, read, and watch movies.

7. Who are some of your musical inspirations?

For composition, I always gravitate towards French composers, especially Messiaen, Poulenc, Ravel, and Debussy. The outlier there would be Schubert, who I have a special place for. For performance, I am inspired by Glenn Gould – though I am not a fan of all his interpretations, his anachronistic approach and conviction in his musical opinions are inspiring. Also, he is connected with Toronto 🙂

8. What do you like most about CMC?

The support. Every member of the staff, from teachers to admin, has always been helpful, supportive, friendly, and kind. I would not be so close to achieving my musical goals without them.

If you are interested in being featured in our CMC Notes, please email us at cmc@cmccanada.com!

Featured Teacher!

Sophie Reimer-Epp (Violin)

1. How old were you when you first started music?

I think I was 5? I started first playing piano, which was NOT for me and a few years in I asked my mom if I could play the violin instead.

2. Why did you want to make music your career?

Music had become a passion for me, and there was no other career path that attracted me enough that it would have been worth giving up music for. By the end of high school I was already freelancing and teaching in my home city, and I wanted to continue doing that!

3. Which groups are you currently playing with, if any?

I currently play in the University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra and I am directing a concert series in Winnipeg called the Contemporary Music Interactive.

4. What do you enjoy most about teaching?

My favourite thing about teaching is seeing my students come to love music and playing as much as I do. Getting to sharing a love of music with my students is the best feeling!

5. Some students have challenges with consistent practicing. What advice would you give them?

My best tip is to make a plan. Sit down with your calendar and decide when on which days you will practice, and then stick to that! I still do this myself for my own practicing. After a long day it is really hard to decide to get up and practice, so take out the decision and start each week with a plan for when you will practice. Also, choose a reward to motivate you to have a focused practice session! My reward of choice growing up was always a cute sticker for each practice session, but pick something that will motivate you or your child.

6. What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love everything outdoors, hiking, fishing, canoeing! I also really love to cook and bake.

7. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Honestly anywhere with good scenery and good food! Maybe Iceland or the Dolomites in Italy?

If you are interested in being featured in our CMC Notes, please email us at cmc@cmccanada.com!

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