Happy MARCH BREAK

we’re super excited to have all our students back soon.

For those of you who haven’t practiced for a few weeks (and for those just starting now) — here are our 5 top tips for practicing music:

  • Fun comes first. Play the songs you really like and practice with joy! The more you enjoy your practice, the more you’ll learn.

  • Stop thinking and start doing. Just get started. Use your time and energy wisely and don’t waste it on an inner dialogue of excuses and self-doubt.

  • Always start small. Make it as easy as possible for you. Everybody can get 10 minutes of practice in and they’ll easily turn into 15 or 30 minutes once you start.

  • Short and regular, as supposed to long and inconsistent. Frequent repetitions initiate the best learning results, something neuroscientist have known for a long time.

  • [Parent Tip] Instead of forcing your children to practice, try learning alongside them. Ask to be shown what your child is practicing, and then ask him or her to teach you. Get involved and turn practice time into quality family time — it’ll double your child’s interest in learning.

Stop thinking about how much or how long you should practice because it doesn’t really matter that much (unless you want to become a pro musician or have other goals that require an intensive practice routine.) Instead, think about how you can make it the most fun because fun will turn music into a source of energy and joy – and your progress will be inevitable!

Enjoy the march break

Amir khouri

Congratulations to all Matt students and parents

Winter is a season of joy and celebration, and what better way to embrace its enchantment than through the magical tunes of strings music? As the sounds of violins, cellos, and viola string instruments fill the air, we gather there to offer our heartfelt congratulations to all the students and their proud parents who have embarked on a musical journey. The Winter Concert is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the mesmerizing beauty they have created through their strings music classes.

We congratulate all the students for their exceptional performances and commend the parents for their unwavering support. Together, you have created a musical legacy that will continue to inspire and uplift all those who were fortunate enough to witness it.

Congratulations and

Merry christmas and happy new year everyone

Artiatic director

Amir khouri

ADVANCED CLASS congratulations

Congratulations on an Outstanding Performance at the Rose Theatre!

Dear Advanced Class,

.Today, I am writing to extend my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of you for your exceptional performance at the Rose Theatre.

It fills me with immense pride to witness the growth and progress of our advanced class.

I would also like to thanks mr Lyle brown for , conduct the class and support

As the artistic director, I am thrilled to see our advanced class reach new heights and set new benchmarks for excellence. Your commitment to the art form and your unwavering pursuit of artistic growth inspire us all.

Once again, congratulations to each member of the advanced class for a truly remarkable performance at the Rose Theatre. May this be only the beginning of a long and illustrious journey filled with many more memorable achievements.

With warmest regards,

Amir Khouri

Artistic Director

MATT'S Winter Concert Details - SLEIGH BELLS & STRINGS

Music at the Towers Winter Concert:

“SLEIGH BELLS and STRINGS”


ALL MATT STUDENTS PERFORM! You may bring TWO guests

Date: Friday, Dec 15 th

Concert start time: 7 pm

Your important concert information: There will be parents assigned to help you.

WHAT TO BRING:

  • Folder with your concert pieces inside

  • Instrument

  • Music stand labeled with your name

WHAT TO WEAR:

  • MATT t-shirt - It is a dress-up, festive occasion! COLOR is GREAT! NO BLUE JEANS, please!

  • Dress pants /colorful dresses /skirts

  • Dress shoes/ colorful hair pieces for girls

WHERE? Central Peel Secondary School Auditorium-see sign posted at the door

  • 32 Kennedy Rd N Brampton (just above Queen St., on the east side)

ARRIVE WHEN? Tuning times for students: arrive 5 minutes ahead

  • 6:15: Intermediate 1 and Toscanini

  • 6:30 Beginners

  • 6:45 Advanced

AFTER YOU TUNE- follow directions to your audience seat

AFTER YOU PLAY- Return to your audience seats, to watch and support the other classes.

FULL CAST PHOTO SHOOT AFTER THE CONCERT:

Take your instrument to the stage area for the group photo. SMILE!!

Advanced Class - Dec 9 Intermission Performance

Music at the Towers DEC 9, 2023 ROSE ORCHESTRA INTERMISSION CONCERT

ADVANCED CLASS PERFORMANCE

WHAT TO BRING:

  • folder with 3 concert pieces inside

  • Instrument- no stand required

WHAT TO WEAR: It is a dress-up, festive occasion!

  • Black long sleeved blouse /shirt with MATT t-shirt over

  • Dress pants /colorful dresses /skirts,

  • Dress shoes/ colorful hair pieces for girls

PROCEDURE AT THE THEATRE

WHERE and WHEN?

  • 6:30 PM: Students arrive at the Rose Theatre box office – meet chaperones

    • Chaperones point out the closest washrooms

    • Move to the Greenroom area- to leave coats and cases and warm-up

    • STUDENTS: Please let the chaperone know if you leave the greenroom area

  • 6:45 PM: Warm up Rehearsal

  • 7:15 PM: Leave instruments in cases and head to audience seating

DURING CONCERT PROGRAM:

  1. Two pieces before Intermission, during applause, quietly move out, and head to the greenroom to get instruments.

  2. Move to the foyer performance area and play three pieces

AFTER YOU PLAY

  • Return to audience seats.

  • Check out with the chaperone when you are leaving. Take all your music and belongings with you.

Winter Concert Details -December 15 at 6:15PM

We are excited to share important details about our upcoming Winter concert, scheduled for Friday, December 15th, at 6:15 PM in the Auditorium at Central Peel Secondary School. (Link to directions)

All MATT students will perform at this concert and each family can bring up to 2 guests to attend! - Please confirm your attendance with Aghadir

Please arrive promptly at the start of your tuning section:

  • 6:15 PM: Tuning Toscanini + Intermediate Students 

  • 6:30 PM: Tuning Beginner Students 

  • 6:45 PM: Tuning Advanced Students

What to bring:

  • All Students must wear their MATT t-shirt with

  • Instrument (Case + Instrument + Bow + Rosin)

  • Music Stand (Labeled with the student’s name) **ALL LEVELS EXCEPT BEGINNERS

  • Music Folder (labeled with student’s name and contains only concert music)

Practice Makes Perfect: Concert Repertoire

Parents, we encourage you to support your young musicians in their practice sessions over the next couple of weeks. Here's a sneak peek at the songs each level will be performing:

Beginners:

  • 1 bow exercises :

    • Elevator Bow Exercise + Wind Sheild Bow Excercise

  • Open Strings Cycle

    • 4 Beats Open Strings Cycle

    • 2 beats Open String Cycle

  • Eight Notes Rhythm

  • Sixteenth Notes Rhythm

  • Mississippi Hot Dog Rhythm

Intermediate 1B:

  • Symphonic Variants on Ode to Joy - Beethoven

  • Let it Snow - Robert Lopez

Toscanini:

  • The Prince of Denmark's March - Bob Phillips

  • A Concert in Vienna - John Strauss

  • Jingle Bells with a Twist - W.L. Brown

Advanced:

  • Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae

  • Eine kleine Nachtmusik - Mozart

  • First Snow - Bob Philips

    _______________________________________________________

Concert Program

7:00 PM: Concert Starts 

7:00 - 7:05 PM: Opening Remarks

7:05 - 7:20 PM: Beginners  

7:20 - 7:35 PM: Toscanini

7:35 - 7:50 PM: Intermediate

7:50 - 8:05 PM: Advanced

8:05 - 8:15 PM: Closing remarks 

8:15 - 8:45 PM: Clean-up

MATT Updates (October 29 - November 4)

Hello MATT families, 

All regularly scheduled classes and private lessons are still in session today. Our students are welcome to wear their costumes to class! 

Photo Days November 7 + 8 (ALL STUDENTS):

On November 7 and 8, MATT will have a photo day for all our students. This will take place during your child's class, a volunteer will tap them on the shoulder, and in groups of 2- 4 they will go out into the hallway to have their photos taken. Once they are done getting their photo taken they will return back to their seat and continue with their class. We kindly ask that students dress up in colourful clothing.

CBC Competition November 14 (Advanced class):

All Advanced students please wear your MATT shirt to class on November 14  and continue practicing your music as we will be recording our submission for the CBC competition in class on Tuesday, November 14.

Rose Tickets (ALL STUDENTS):

As Amir has mentioned in class, we would like all our students to attend at least one Rose concert throughout the year. The tickets are on sale through MATT 2-3 weeks before the concert date and the cost will be $20 for adults and $10 (includes 1-4 kids). Please visit the Rose Website if you would like a bit more information about any of the following concerts:

  • Concert 2 – Classic Albums Live Sgt Pepper – Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 7:30pm

  • Concert 3 – Gingerbread Joy - Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 7:30pm

  • Concert 4 – She Will Be Heard – Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 7:30pm

  • Concert 5 – Mozart’s Time - Saturday, March 23, 2023 at 7:30pm

  • Concert 6 – Strolling Into Summer – Saturday, April 27, 2023 at 7:30pm

Theory Lessons (Intermediate and Toscanini Students):

Theory Lessons are now available on Saturdays for all Intermediate and Toscanini students with our new teacher Bethany, who will work with students in groups of 4-5 to work through the theory workbook every week 1. If you would like to sign up please speak to me during class or send me an email. All students who wish to work on the workbook in a self-directed manner with the assistance of their private lesson teacher are welcome to do so. Please pick up your workbook in class on November 14 +15. The cost of the workbook is $10. The cost can be sent through e-Transfer. 

December 9 - Intermission Performance (Advanced Class):

The advanced class will be performing at the Rose Theatre on December 9 during intermission. Please be sure to arrive by 6:30pm. For this year's performance, we ask that our students dress up, wearing a black dress shirt or blouse along with dress pants or a skirt. We encourage them to accessorize and dress up for this special event.

March 3 - Dan Brown’s Wild Symphony at Roy Thomson Hall (ALL STUDENTS):

Music at the Towers is delighted to offer all our students a complimentary ticket to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra concert on March 3 at 4:00pm. We will arrange transportation to and from Roy Thomson Hall via a bus. Parents are welcome to accompany their child, and the ticket cost of the ticket is $40 per person. If you would like to take advantage of this amazing opportunity please email me letting me know your child(rens) name(s) and the number of tickets you would like to purchase. 

Arrive early to class (All students):

As always we ask that all students arrive 5-10 minutes before their class to ensure that they have ample time to get tuned and set up. 

TUESDAYS

  • Beginner 1A: 5:00 to 5:30pm

  • Intermediate 1A: 5:45 to 6:30pm

  • Advanced: 6:45 to 7:45pm

WEDNESDAYS

  • Beginner 1B: 5:00 to 5:30pm

  • Intermediate 1B: 5:45 to 6:30pm

  • Toscanini: 6:45 to 7:30pm