Recent News
CSYM STUDENTS IN MASTER-CLASS WITH CHARLES OWENS SUNDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2009 Leys School Recital Hall, Cambridge
First and foremost, CONGRATULATIONS to all those students who performed in the master-class: Rose Last, Lucas Kantaris, May Kershaw, Noa Cebon, Sam Wood, Nathalie Kantaris & Alice Wood. They were all well-prepared, and performed to a high-standard on the Steinway grand in the lovely recital hall of the Leys School.
It was encouraging to see other parents & students in attendance as observers: Mathilda Streets, Izzy Beardsworth, Maria & Allan Atkins, Charlotte Hamilton, Claudia Bisutti, and mum Paivi Tossavainen. As audience members, it was a special pleasure to hear a variety of new and beautiful pieces both in and outside Suzuki repertoire. Most inspiring of all were the musical examples and imaginative, informed musical ideas of an enthusiastic professional pianist. Charles Owen is a distinguished "new generation" pianist with a busy teaching & performance schedule, and we were extremely fortunate to have acquired his time and attention for an entire day. Although he is more accustomed to teaching students at conservatoire level, he demonstrated great ability at adapting to the needs of younger students according to their own level of performance. Several parents commented they would have enjoyed hearing and watching him teach all day.
Thanks to CSYM parents for their comments following the workshop:
What a treat yesterday was! We really enjoyed listening to the colourful and enthusiastic teaching of Mr Owen. (from Rita Atkins)
Thank you again for organising the master-class with Charles Owen. We thought he was full of enthusiasm and honesty as well as lots of tips. I appreciated how he addressed the whole audience as well as the pupil and how well he engaged the pupils. (from Fran Wood)
Huge thanks for providing this amazing opportunity: Noa was on a real 'high' after her session this morning: her confidence and motivation have been boosted tremendously. And she commented how quickly the two hours had passed! Zak also was hugely enthusiastic after having watched Sam's session, and was thoroughly impressed with Mr. Owen, asking when we might be able to see him in concert...I also found the day inspiring, enlightening and helpful, and would have stayed longer if it weren't for unavoidable obligations...
Perhaps the most striking realisation I had has was how valuable, refreshing and unfortunately, how rare it is for an adult to take children seriously. I thought Mr Owen was brilliant at communicating with the children in a way they could understand but never talking down to them. It is something that I (and the children themselves, even if they don't necessarily put it into words) appreciate and benefit from incalculably. It is also something that the two of you do so well, so thank you! (From Ericka Jacobs)
You can visit Charles' website for more details about his upcoming concert performances: http://www.charlesowen.net/diary/ Charles is performing at Wigmore Hall several times this season, with a solo recital of Bach, Debussy, Faure & Brahms on Wednesday 21 April at 7:30PM.
Saturday 10 October was our first termly Lunchtime Concert featuring "Boys Only", with performances by Alan Atkins, Hamza Noor, Alexander Mitchell, Henry Wynn, James Eschle, Benjamin Somers-Heslam, William Kunz, It was a well-prepared concert in a warm and supportive atmosphere, as several other students and parents attended as audience members. The Lunchtime concerts are intended to give students an alternative performance platform in an informal setting, in a mixed group of students and repertoire across the age & ability range.
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Email: info@suzukipianocambridge.org.uk
03 August 2008 20:43