Hello Everyone!

Believe it or not, spring is just around the corner.  Is anyone else ready for it?  I know I am!  This school year has, thus far, been the best educationally that I can ever remember, with each and every student really blossoming in their musical ability in unique and incredibly encouraging ways.  And now with a new season comes a whole array of upcoming events and opportunities at West County Strings.

Spring Break!

West County Strings will be on Spring Break from Sunday, March 15 – Sunday, March 22.  We hope that you all enjoy some rest and relaxation, whether at home or on the road.  As always, we hope that you keep your violin or viola close, and maybe even find a little more time to practice than during your usual jam-packed weeks at school.  This is all the more true because we have several events coming up right after Spring Break!

Federation Camp Scholarship Competition

The Missouri Federation of Music Clubs “Virtuoso Club” Camp Scholarship Competition will be held on Wednesday, March 25 from 4-9 p.m. at Steinway Piano Gallery on Dorsett Rd. in Maryland Heights.  Piano rehearsals with accompanist Matt Pankratz will be held in our studio on Sunday, March 22 from 4:30-8:30 p.m.  Ms. Kirby and I are enjoying all of the work of preparation with each of our students participating in this event this year.  If your child is not participating this year, but is a rising 7th-12th grader, keep this event in mind as a possibility for next year!

Spring Festival Group Performance

On Sunday, April 5, we will be having our annual Spring Festival Group Performance in the sanctuary at Chesterfield Presbyterian Church.  Dress rehearsals will begin at 1 p.m. with the performance itself at 3 p.m.  The Spring Festival is the culmination of everything that we’ve been working on in our Tuesday night group classes throughout the school year, and we’ll really be focusing on polishing our performances pieces in groups between now and then (see the repertoire list below!).  So, if you’ve been attending group throughout the school year, make sure to be practice, practice, practicing your group repertoire!  And if you weren’t able to join us for groups this school year, come be part of the audience and get a taste of what group classes at West County Strings are all about.

a
Federation Festival

The Missouri Federation of Music Clubs “Virtuoso Club” Festival weekend will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 25 and 26 at St. Charles Community College, with our students performing on Sunday morning.  Piano rehearsals with accompanist Matt Pankratz will be held in our studio on Sunday, April 19 from 4-7 p.m.  The Festival is always an exciting weekend, with hundreds of students and their families congregating at SCCC, and plenty of wonderful recitals and other events to attend.  Ms. Kirby and I are excited for everyone who’s going to participate in the Festival this year, and if you’re not participating this year, keep it in mind for the next!

Following these events, we’ll have our Spring Solo Recitals, and then start getting ready for summer!  And then whether it’s the Sprunger Violin Camp, St. Charles Youth Symphony Orchestra Workshop, Colorado Suzuki Institute, Chicago Suzuki Institute, or the American Suzuki Institute at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, there’s a plethora of opportunities to take advantage of in addition to your private lessons.  If you haven’t already, ask your teacher what’d be the best fit for you!