This month we are honored to feature CCM voice student, Sanvika Mishra, as our January 2022 Student of the Month! Sanvika has been taking voice lessons for around 6 months at CCM’s Sunnyvale location with Teacher Gaby. Teacher Gaby and the rest of us here at CCM have greatly enjoyed seeing Sanvika’s talents progress, especially at her amazing performance of Into the Unknown at our most recent winter recital! Congrats to Sanvika for her hard work and dedication!

Read below to see Sanvika’s great advice for CCM students just starting on their musical journey, and don’t forget to check out the parent spotlight as well.

Q: What is your name?

A: My name is Sanvika Mishra

Q: How old are you?

A: I am 10 years old.

Q: Who is your teacher?

A: Ms. Gaby is my teacher at CCM.

Q: What advice would you give to a voice student just starting out at CCM?

A: Practice everyday and enjoy while singing the songs. Teachers at CCM are very supportive and encouraging, and it helps the learning to be easy and fun.

Q: What song are you looking forward to learning/singing someday?\

A: I mostly enjoy singing Pop songs. But, I am looking forward to sing other genre songs as well. In recent days, I am interested to try the song Scars to Your Beautiful by Alessia Cara.

Q: What is your favorite thing about singing?

A: I love to improve my range, feel the song’s mood, and the favorite part is my performance.

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: One of my favorite food is butter chicken with naan. I also love some soups like miso soup.

Q: Do you have a pet?

A: No, I don’t have one. But I wish to have a pet in the future.

Q: Do you play any sports or do any other activities outside of music lessons?

A: I am also learning Kathak – an Indian classical dance form. I play tennis sometimes, but love the outdoor hiking, trail walks, camping the most.

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?

A: I wish to be a singer and a Web designer.

Q: What is your most memorable experience at CCM?

A: My performance in CCM’s bi-annual recital is one of my favorite moments so far. I loved being performing there and it motivated me to perform even better in coming future.

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Parent Spotlight – Sudhir Misra & Subhra S. Mahapatra

Q: Regarding voice instruction, what are you most proud of your child accomplishing?

A: We are happy that Sanvika enjoys and sings with confidence. She shows great interest in regular practice and rehearsals. We are proud of her commitment and sincerity in pursuing her dream to be a singer and a performer.

Q: What advice would you give a new parent starting in the program?

A: Listen to the music together with your kid, which they enjoy. Let them sing the songs they enjoy and love to sing, it motivates them to keep-up the enthusiasm in learning.

Q: Why did you decide to give your child a musical upbringing?

A: Both of us love music and songs. From an early age, Sanvika, too has shown inclination towards singing and music. We hope, she could accomplish her singing dreams and be successful in her musical journey.

California Conservatory of Music is continuing to celebrate Composer of the Month this month by honoring Michael Tippett, a prolific British composer, a humanitarian, and a pacifist. Did you know that the gamut of his work comprises four symphonies, five operas, and five-string quartets? He also wrote numerous songs, four piano sonatas, and amazing orchestral works, such as the Triple Concerto and several works for voices, which is fascinating.

Michael Tippett’s Personal Life

Sir Michael Tippett was born in 1905 in London and spent his childhood mainly in Suffolk. Tippett’s father had retired and had purchased a hotel in France. Tippett went to school in Edinburgh at the age of 13, but he didn’t like it there. This is why he attended the local Stamford Grammar School located in Lincolnshire.

It is worth noting that Tippett studied music at the Royal School of Music. Disillusioned and disenchanted by the harsh realities of the First World War, Tippett turned to socialism and then pacifism.

He was a conscientious objector in World War II and was briefly imprisoned in 1943. Did you know that Tippett rose to prominence during and after the Second World War? At that time, he was the Director of Music at Morley College.

Also, Tippett was a communist during the 1930s. Keep in mind that Tippett’s music and style were initially conservative. However, he soon developed a unique and strongly personal idiom, primarily based on long lyrical phrases and complex rhythms.

Life as a Composer

A music composer underrated in his earlier years, Michael Tippett seemed in the shadow of Ben Britten. Did you know that Tippett developed rather slowly as a music composer? Tippett’s early music was conservative; however, note that in the late 1930s, he created a personal and modernistic idiom that was uniquely marked by intricate counterpoint, rhapsodic lyricism, and polyphonic rhythms.

From 1928, he lived in Oxted, Surrey, and taught French in a prep school. He also conducted a concert and operatic society, enabling him to spend long periods of time at composition. Beethoven was an important inspiration for Tippett. And one of his best and most notable works is the Concerto for Double String Orchestra. Note that it shows his love and passion for folk music and interest in English music of the Renaissance era.

You should know that Tippett’s operas include The Knot Garden, A Midsummer Marriage, King Priam, and The Ice Break. He also wrote several choral works. This is why students taking music lessons at the California Conservatory of Music are inspired by his work. And if you are considering taking guitar lessons, you should be familiar with his work.

Tippett’s last and famous orchestral work, The Rose Lake, was also premiered by the notable London Symphony Orchestra as part of a 2-week long festival celebrating his ninetieth birthday at the Barbican Centre in London.

And during a 2-month tour of Canada and the US, Tippett also heard this greatly acclaimed and influential work performed 11 times. To this day, his compositions are an essential part of Redwood City Music Lessons.

In 1966, Tippett was knighted and received the Order of Merit in 1983. Tippett remained active composing as well as conducting. You will be happy to know that in 1979, Michael Tippett also established The Michael Tippett Musical Foundation.

Tippett died in early 1998. Many composers, such as Mark-Anthony Turnage, William Mathias, David Matthews, and Edward Cowie, have admitted his influence on their work.

Some Notable Facts

• Michael Tippett is one of the greatest, most original, and influential composers of the 20th century.
• Michael Tippett and his brother learned to speak fluent French when they were quite young.
• The only formal musical training he received as a child was his piano lessons.
• Tippett received several honors and awards. He was also made a CBE in 1959 and was knighted in 1966. He became a Companion of Honor in 1979.

If you are looking for violin, guitar or piano lessons, Sunnyvale music lessons and Redwood City Music Lessons can provide developmentally appropriate music education for young children, introducing various concepts such as body movement, rhythm, and singing to preschoolers and toddlers.

In 1995, following Tippett’s autobiography, Those Twentieth Century Blues, his notable and definitive collection of essays was published. He also wrote an idiosyncratic contribution to the Purcell tercentenary celebrations, known as the Caliban’s Song, for the BBC.

Whether taking private music lessons, a group class, or learning music on your own, your child’s progress with the instrument depends largely on how they practice! Are you wondering how you can organize and structure their music lessons and practice sessions?

Any great musician will tell you that it usually takes countless hours of hard work and practice in order to reach the level that they are at. However, if they are completely honest, they will also admit that there are many occasions when they just don’t feel like practicing. Sometimes, your child may feel the same way.

One of the best ways to make sure that your child’s practice time is effective and fun is to manage their time well by organizing their practice sessions. Here are a few tips and insights that adults and children can use to organize their sessions better:

1. USING PRACTICE SPACE TO LOG YOUR PRACTICE

It’s 2021, and we have access to many impressive technological innovations, such as apps right on our smartphones! Practicing an instrument can be exciting and fun, but also stressful for many kids. They have to determine what to practice and they may not get everything done. This is where logging your practice can be helpful. There are many applications that you can use for this purpose.

For example, Practice Space is great as it helps you focus and have a better and more productive practice. This simple-to-use platform features a media and assignment library so that teachers can use content with students regularly. It lets you record all your practice sessions, take notes, and even track your practice time.

2. DON’T TRY TO PRACTICE EVERYTHING AT ONCE

It is important to break it up. Note that if your kid has just spent the entire day at school, they will probably want to spend some time on the couch catching up on their favorite TV shows. However, it doesn’t mean that your kid should skip their practice session entirely.

By keeping the practice session short – 15 minutes to 20 minutes – your child can achieve the best results. However, you have to be logical. For example, when deciding on a section, choose musically logical divisions. Note that a natural tendency is to work on music sections that are very large.

It is best to choose a section that seems reasonable in length and divide it into multiple sections to be played over several sessions.

3. DIVIDE PRACTICE INTO SECTIONS- TECHNIQUE, REVIEW PIECES, AND CURRENT REPERTOIRE

Keep in mind that depending on what music your kid is playing and what their goals are for the lessons, they will likely play technical exercises and review pieces.

You can divide your sessions into various techniques and sections. Note that practicing technique has two key parts. The first part is exercises such as triads, scales, and arpeggios. The second part is pieces called “etudes” or “studies.” You can also practice a new or current repertoire and have your child learn at least one or more new pieces.

Whether your child is just starting or is an experienced player, they should understand what deliberate practice is and how to execute it. If your child is playing exercises in addition to pieces, note that one excellent piano practice organizing technique is starting each practice session with a warm-up of scales. This should be followed by suitable exercises, and working on repertoire.

Keep in mind that dividing each practice session into various sections like this will help your child stay regular with what they are practicing.

4. HAVE FUN AND PLAY ANYTHING TO STAY MOTIVATED

While music is full of rules, when your kid is at home, give them the liberty to break these rules. Let them follow their curiosities. The important thing is to have fun during your music lessons. Note that an easy way to make your music practice seem like dreaded work is just focusing on a single problem.

You can easily avoid this by arranging your practice schedule with variety to include various things that you like to do and intersperse them with challenges. It is best to alternate challenges with fun and engaging activities so that you don’t feel like the practice session is a chore. Keep in mind that experimentation is important and is also the first step in composing a masterpiece.

Music Lessons and Education for Kids

Maybe your child is not having fun practicing their instrument because their music teacher is uninspiring and their music lessons are rigid. If that is the case, you should look elsewhere.

Here at the California Conservatory of Music, we offer a whole range of high-quality music lessons, such as violin and guitar lessons. With Redwood City music lessons, you can set your kid up for success where they will learn excellent organization techniques. Similarly, Sunnyvale music lessons can provide developmentally appropriate music education for young children. Get in touch today to learn more.

California Conservatory of Music is continuing to celebrate Composer of the Month this month by honoring Ralph Vaughan Williams, an English composer and a proponent of nationalism in music. He composed Fantasia on Greensleeves, an exquisite four-minute orchestral miniature.

Ralph Vaughan’s Personal Life

Ralph Vaughan Williams was the son of a clergyman and was born on Oct 12, 1872 at Down Ampney in Gloucestershire. Ralph attended the Royal College of Music. After that, he took music degrees at Cambridge University and Trinity College. He also studied with Max Bruch in Berlin. Did you know that Ralph’s mother was the niece of the renowned scientist Charles Darwin, who came up with the groundbreaking theory of evolution?

When Ralph was a child, he already knew that he wanted to be a music composer. Playing the violin exquisitely in the Charterhouse orchestra, Ralph started composing at age six. This is why if you are considering taking violin lessons, you should be familiar with his work. Ralph also attended the Royal College of Music starting in 1890 as a music composition student.

In 1892, he entered Trinity College in order to study history as well as pursue a bachelor’s degree in music. In 1897, Ralph married Adeline Fisher. Following her death, Ralph got married to Ursula Wood in 1953.

Life as a Composer

It is worth noting that his early works include mainly chamber music and a few songs. As a historian, Ralph also wrote articles and periodicals while contributing to the 2nd edition of the notable Grove’s Dictionary of Music and Musicians. Did you know that at the heart of his innovation and creativity lie a sequence of nine brilliant symphonies that move gradually from meditative pastoral music to unique themes of existential dramas?

Drawing on the vibrant and rich treasury of national folk songs and dance, Ralph also managed to create a uniquely English style that’s universal in its range of appeal. It is worth noting that in 1905, Ralph Vaughan premiered his work that became his principal and most influential work around the turn of the century. It was a choral setting of Walt Whitman adequately titled Toward the Unknown Region.

In 1904, Williams joined the prestigious English Folk Song Society. In fact, for many years he was active in arranging and collecting old English melodies. Keep in mind that around this time, he also became familiar and intrigued with the music of Henry Purcell and William Byrd.

You should know that the modal and vibrant melodies of various folk songs as well as the smooth counterpoint and free rhythms of the early music composers, became vital elements of Ralph Vaughan’s compositions. Remember that The Fantasia on a Theme by Tallis is one of Ralph Vaughan’s most important and influential early compositions.

Did you know that with this impressive piece, English music shook off two centuries of German domination, tapping a rich and unique source of indigenous music?

And the antiphonal string writing and superb modal harmonies contrast strongly with the feverish and lush music that people were composing in Germany and France at this time. Also, the London Symphony (1914) is another critical piece in Vaughan’s development.

If you are considering taking music lessons at the California Conservatory of Music, you should look into these works.

STAGE WORKS

Keep in mind that the stage music of Ralph Vaughan includes the famous Shakespearean opera Sir John in Love and the masque for dancing Job. It also consists of the ‘morality’ in The Pilgrim’s Progress. Also, incidental music pieces for the theatre include notable music for The Wasps by Aristophanes. Ralph also wrote numerous film scores. To this day, his compositions are an important part of Redwood City Music Lessons and Sunnyvale music lessons.

Some Notable Facts

• Some of Vaughan’s compositions include film scores, nine symphonies, and six operas
• Ralph Vaughan’s music and style express profound regard for folk tunes and show patriotism towards England in a subtle form
• He taught at the Royal College of Music until 1939
• Ralph also studied with Maurice Ravel and Max Bruch and enjoyed engaging and inspirational musical friendships with George Butterworth and Gustav Holst.

If you are looking for violin or piano lessons, Sunnyvale music lessons and Redwood City Music Lessons can provide appropriate and engaging music education for young children and toddlers.

Vaughan Williams also made a significant contribution to English vocal and choral repertoire in compositions that include the amazing Serenade to Music.

Musician of the Month: Egberto Gismonti

Egberto Amin Gismonti is a globally acclaimed musician and composer who covers folk and classical music. While most classical musicians of his caliber often pick one instrument to master, Gismonti preferred a different path. He made sure that he knew how to play his genre of music on both guitar and piano. He played both instruments in the most soulful and reflective manner and his music had hints of Brazilian influence. His musical journey is not one that should be ignored. Below is a snippet of his life and journey.

PERSONAL LIFE

Egberto Amin Gismonti was born in Carmo, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Originating from South America in December 1947, Gismonti was not born to an average family, but one that was significantly inspired by music. With parents from different origins, Gismonti grew up in a diverse household filled with many cultural influences. His grandfather and uncle were both bandleaders, which inspired the family and him to take up music.

EARLY JOURNEY

By the time Gismonti was 5 years old, he was enrolled to study piano at the Brazilian Conservatory of Music. His eagerness towards piano was because of his father, while his preference towards taking up the guitar at a later stage in his teenage years was because of his mother. Gismonti tried to build coordination between his two favorite instruments and developed his own two-hand technique. Along with this technique, he also altered the strings in the guitar for the composition of classical music. In total, he studied piano for 15 years in Brazil.

At the end of these 15 years, Gismonti moved to Paris to study classical fields like composition and orchestra. He did so under the guidance of Jean Barraque and Nadia Boulanger. Boulanger played a key part in Gismonti’s musical journey as she urged him to incorporate his Brazilian heritage in his music. His culture and background led him to combine classical music with a Brazilian touch.

DISCOGRAPHY

Gismonti released his first label production in 1969, named after himself – Egberto Gismonti. In the same year he performed in Italy at the San Remo Festival, and the next year he went on a tour in Europe. He recorded more of his classical and folk-rock music in various parts of the world including Italy, France, and Germany.

Some of Gismonti’s notable LPs are Sonho 70, Orfeu Novo, Danca das Cabecas, Solo, Circense, and DuasVozes.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCES

Gismonti performed “Mercador de Serpentes” at the 5th FIC. He performed his music at various places in his home country, Brazil. Danca das Cabecas was also nominated for the Album of the Year award and apart from these performances and awards, his music was a considerable contribution for movie soundtracks. Most notable ones would be Em Familia, Confissoes de Frei Abobora, and Penultima Donzela.

His LP album, Academia de Dancas was presented the award of the Golden Record in Brazil, and later performed at festivals in Germany. Joined by other musicians of the same genre on stage, Gismonti truly reveled the experience as did his audiences.

HIS CAREER

Egberto Gismonti structured his guitars with a variety of string combinations. This enabled his instrument to be expansive in range and allowed him to produce exceptional music. This feature is demonstrated many times in his albums and songs. Enthusiasts for classical music and folk-rock are bound to recognize the soulful harmonization it creates.

When discussing his career, 5 phases of his work can clearly be identified. All 5 phases lasted a decade and are categorized by the record label he chose to work with. This went hand in hand with who he chose to collaborate with, and his ensemble format. The first ensemble phase would be the notable album Academia de Dancas which was characterized by instruments like flutes. Gismonti had learned to play these instruments at a very early age while learning the piano, so naturally it signified the first stage of his career. Later on, the drums and bass entered, then percussion was prominent in another phase. Bass and the saxophone played a significant part in his later phase of music as well.

The soulful characterization of his music in the classical and folk-rock genres was internationally renowned. The guitar and the piano truly paved the way for him to make his mark.

REACH OUT TO US

Gismonti was truly experienced in his field after years of guidance by his teachers and mentors. So why should you miss out on the same opportunity? To gain access to amazing teachers for guitar lessons and other music lessons, contact the California Conservatory of Music.

For more information, visit the website or contact us!

The students of CCM have voted on their favorite costume from our Halloween costume contest and the winner is…

Alison Paul with her vending machine costume!

Alison has won a Jamba Juice gift card & she’s chosen Angels for Humans, Animals, and Nature as their charity! Founded in 1995, Angels for Humans, Animals, and Nature is a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding homes for every adoptable animal they take in. They also provide foster care and raise awareness about adoptable animals for other organizations or rescuers. Their overall mission and goal is to reduce animal suffering. Visit their website here: https://www.ahan.org/index.html CCM has donated $100 to Angels for Humans, Animals, and nature in honor of Alison being our winner!

Thank you so much to all of the students who participated in the Halloween costume contest. We loved seeing everybody’s cool & creative costumes!

You probably know that playing an instrument has several benefits for children, such as improved academic skills and better self-esteem. The Beijing Normal University published the results of a research study that showed that the people who started learning to play the piano before the age of 7 benefited from better cognitive skills.

Whether it is an elementary school band, a concert, or the church choir, it is advised that parents enroll their kids in music lessons from an early age so they can be set up for musical success in the future.

There is no doubt that learning to play a musical instrument is a very fun and rewarding hobby regardless of your child’s age. Maybe your daughter or son is expressing an interest in music, or perhaps, you want them to learn. Keep reading to find out the perfect age to get them started!

What is the Perfect Age to Start Playing a Musical Instrument?
If you would like to introduce your kid to an instrument, you should wait until around age five. Your child should be able to sit somewhat still, pay proper attention for at least half an hour, and be able to accept that they will not be able to make perfect music right away.

Also, it is worth noting that once your child gets into elementary school, they will develop their own unique musical tastes and physically be able to hold most instruments more comfortably. They will also have the finger strength and dexterity required to play.

The Perfect Age and Motivation

Is your kid expressing a strong interest in a particular instrument? This interest can be a strong motivator. While enrolling your kid in music lessons is a good and healthy activity for them, you have to ensure that learning the specific instrument is something they are expressing interest in as well.

According to research, there’s usually a ‘window of opportunity’ from the age of 3 to 9, in which a child’s musical sensibility develops.

From the age of 3 to 9, the different cognitive functions linked with understanding various musical elements are formed. If you’re able to take advantage of this natural developmental stage, it can result in a richer and more rewarding music career. Therefore, the ideal age to start music lessons is between 3 and 9.

Waiting Until Your Child Can Decide

This approach can also work in some cases. However, keep in mind that if you wait for your kid to decide if they are ready to learn a musical instrument, you may end up waiting forever. Moreover, every child is unique with a different personality and outlook on life, so it is best to offer guidance when they show interest in learning a specific instrument.

When Your Child is Three

At the age of three, you can teach your kid to identify melodies, rhythms, and even certain musical instruments to help develop their music skills.

When Your Child is Five

By the age of five, your kid will most likely be able to handle music lessons. However, your goal should be to continue developing their understanding of music, rather than to discover a prodigy.

When Your Child is Nine or Ten

At around nine or ten, your kid will have developed more musical skills and will have the necessary musical understanding as well as physical skills to start learning larger and more advanced instruments.

What is “Too” Young?

It is worth noting that there is a general minimum age for playing and learning certain instruments. This minimum age can depend on the studio or school you are looking to receive lessons from.

This is why you should at least make sure that your child can sit and pay attention for half an hour (at least) at a time. Another option is to try a lesson first with a loaner instrument to see if they are ready before you commit your child to regular music lessons.

Music Lessons and Education for Kids

Whether your child is 3, 5, or 13, Redwood City music lessons or Sunnyvale music lessons are a valuable, rewarding, and character-building experience for your child.

Keep in mind that it is never too late to start lessons if your child is enthusiastic and motivated to learn. Our Redwood City music lessons and Sunnyvale music lessons provide an amazing music education by introducing various concepts such as body movement, rhythm, and singing to preschoolers, toddlers, middle-schoolers, high-schoolers, and adults! Introduce your kid to music lessons early in order to foster a lifelong love of music.

This month we are excited to feature CCM violin student Andrew Hung as our November 2021 Student of the Month! Andrew has been studying violin for over 3 years at CCM’s Redwood City location with Teacher Tiffany. Teacher Tiffany and the rest of us here at CCM are so happy to see Andrew progress over the years! Congrats to Andrew for his commitment and willingness to learn!

Read below to see Andrew’s great advice for CCM students just starting on their musical journey, and don’t forget to check out the parent spotlight as well.

Q: What is your name?
A: Andrew Hung
Q: How old are you?
A: I am 8 years old.
Q: Who is your teacher?
A: My teacher is Teacher Tiffany.
Q: What advice would you give to a violin student just starting out at CCM?
A: Listen to the teacher and have fun.
Q: What piece are you looking forward to playing someday?
A: The Mandalorian Theme.
Q: What is your favorite thing about playing the violin?
A: It makes me happy.
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: My favorite food is pasta.
Q: Do you have a pet?
A: I used to have a goldfish.
Q: Do you play any sports or do any other activities outside of music lessons?
A: I play ice hockey, piano, and go to the Russian School of Math.
Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?
A: I want to be a Paleontologist when I grow up.
Q: What is your most memorable experience at CCM?
A: The first day returning to CCM after the pandemic.

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Parent Spotlight – Flora & Patrick Hung

Q: Regarding the violin, what are you most proud of your child accomplishing?
A: He is still very much a beginner at the violin, and we are happy to see him improve as he learns and tackles harder pieces. We are glad to see him enjoy the process, and we are proud that he perseveres through the challenges.
Q: What advice would you give a new parent starting in the program?
A: We have three children and they all learn differently and parents have their own styles, so we don’t even want to pretend we have advice to give. Andrew’s 8 years old, and he’s happy when we sit with him when he practices, so we do. Make their practice sessions as enjoyable as possible.
Q: Why did you decide to give your child a musical upbringing?
A: We didn’t actually think about it that way, we wanted to make sure he got a chance to try different things. We wanted him to learn an instrument, he picked the violin and he has stuck with it. We are very glad he did.