Keep Rocking (And Practicing!)

Music Festival is fast approaching, so I hope everyone is busy practicing their chosen pieces! I know it's nerve-wracking getting up there on stage, but you will be proud of yourselves for your accomplishment afterwards, girls!
I just received the latest issue of Strings magazine today and noticed an ad for Yamaha instruments featuring violinist Mads Tolling. He was described as a two-time grammy award-winner, so of course I had to google him! Here he is with his group:

There's lots of other good stuff in Strings this month - just as Mr. B if you'd like to have a look at it!

Embrace Your Opportunities!

Have a look at the video of this orchestra from Venezuela. It's made up of young people from some of the poorest circumstances or with the toughest pasts and yet they have found a second chance through music! Think of what you already have in your life and how you can embrace the amazing opportunities you have in front of you! Here's the video:

And here's the news story about this remarkable orchestra:
BBC News Story

Boys!

So I was looking at the "best of the web" over on the paNow website and came across this video which I just have to re-post for you girls.

Stjepan Hauser and Luka Sulic performing Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal."

Look who's coming to town!

Now I have posted some really cool videos on this blog since we started, but you MUST take a look at this group! And THEY ARE COMING TO PRINCE ALBERT!!! Quinn and I will be in the audience, of course. Have a look:
Can you believe that we get to see these performers in our own city?!! Wow!

It's hip to be square!

Have a look at this video of Mr. Bernier and his son, Wyatt performing with the Creeland Square Dancers!

Also, remember to be keeping in mind your solo selections for music festival! I'm wondering if there might be some ideas in the back issues of Strings magazine? This is your chance to get up on stage and shine, girls!

This week's news

Mr. Bernier would like to encourage all of his strings students to choose and begin to prepare solos for the upcoming music festival. The actual festival will be March 24, but the deadline for your application is fast approaching (possibly as soon as next week.)

This will come as no surprise, but there will not be any strings classes January during midterms, as you will be busy writing exams. However, you could use your break to get in some extra practice time :)!

Now for something a little bit fun to motivate you! Another all-female quartet and they even have SPARKLES on their instruments! My kind of girls.

Playing Tests

A reminder to all of Mr. Bernier's students that Playing Tests will be taking place on December 21! Don't Forget! The Sign Up Sheet can be found at Room 5, which is Mr. Bernier's office.

Also, congratulations on another great performance to the girls who played at Pineview Terrace on Tuesday. Your Christmas cheer was very much appreciated by your audience. Keep up the good work! This is what it's all about!

What A Cool Family!

Yes, these guys are all from the same family, believe it or not. Take a look and tell me they're not adorable - and amazingly talented!

See? Practice, practice, practice!

I love these guys so much, I'm adding the full video of their "History of Music" - see how many songs you recognize! They're nice British boys (well I guess they could be hooligans for all I know, but I'm sure they stay home at night practicing their violins and drinking milk;)




Also, congratulations to the girls who played before "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" at the Rawlinson Center Friday night! You represented Rivier splendidly and really helped all of us milling about to feel the spirit of Christmas before the play began. Well done - you all looked very professional. And yes, their uniforms were neat and tidy Sr. Mary!

Not Sure What To Say About This...

I really like this guy. I feel like he is the epitome of loving what you are doing, loving your music, and not caring what anybody else thinks. Also, I admire the fact that he doesn't get his hair all tangled up in his bow. And I'm no expert, but I think he has some crazy skills on that violin - and who doesn't want a violin with spikes on the end?
Have a look and see what you think.

We might need a mosh pit at your next concert...

Okay, now I REALLY want to learn how to play. I could be so cool. Or maybe that's just inside my own head :) Now, I'm off to never-never land...

In Honour of Remembrance Day...

I found this video of a performance by a school orchestra of an original composition by a young man named Steve Tzeng - amazing! He took it to his high school orchestra, and just look!!! I dream of our Rivier Orchestra being this large and motivated. And perhaps, in your spare time one of you could compose an epic piece like this ;) Anyway, I so admire this guy's talent, and since the "battle" title tied into Remembrance Day week, I thought I would post it. I left the "related videos" beneath because he also plays his composition on the piano. Equally amazing for you piano girls. Lots of inspiration here - keep smiling and keep practicing! And have a great weekend, of course!

How much cooler can you be?

Okay, I've already mentioned what an incredible opportunity I believe you girls have here at Rivier to learn from an amazing strings teacher. I know I am repeating myself, but look at some of the REALLY REALLY cool stuff you can do once you develop your skills!! If my brain wasn't shrivelling up into a little prune inside my skull I would totally be trying to learn how to rock out on one of these instruments. Too bad my neck would go into some kind of spasm if I even tried the violin position. Anyway, take a look at what you could do if you practice. A lot. Maybe it's not too late for me to be a back-up dancer. :)

Orchestra 30 Test

Thursday, October 28 Period 2: All Orchestra 30 students attend class for your test. You will be playing afterwards.

All you need is somebody in a red bodysuit...

Elvis hits done with cellos - gotta love it. All you need is somebody to volunteer to get up front and do the vocals - a little hair flipping, a sparkly bodysuit and you're good to go - I'm thinking Mr. Bernier would be a natural.

Notice how she asks them to keep applauding until her hair is freed from his bow at the end. Never try to play a woman like a cello.

It's the weekend!!

As a reward for those of you who actually check the blog, here's some weird and crazy fun for the weekend. Absolutely nothing to do with strings because this strange foreign boy is playing.....TIC TACS!!!


They always have more fun on other continents.

Let's try something new!

Hi Girls!
This link should take you to Google Docs where you can view or download the orchestra schedule for the entire month of October.  Sorry, no more excuses!  We'll try doing this every month along with the weekly schedule at the top of the blog.  I know... nag, nag, nag.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

Well, not really - but Orchestra 30 will be performing at the opening night of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at the Rawlinson Centre Friday, December 3rd from 6:45 to 7:15.  I think they should all wear those furry red Santa hats.
Also, to all Orchestra students:  make sure to watch the blog and listen to announcements for next week's schedule.  Tuesday may be disrupted due to Variety Night.   I'm going to try to post a downloadable Orchestra schedule through GoogleDocs at some point in the near future, so be on the lookout! 
Please note that for Thursday, October 14 Violin 30 (Period 2) will have their class in the parlour.

Exciting News!

On Friday, November 5 the Saskatchewan Music Education Association will be presenting Mr. Bernier with an Outstanding Achievement Award at the Saskatchewan Music Conference in Saskatoon.  Because he's awesome, obviously, and we are very fortunate to have him here at Rivier teaching you as much as you are willing to learn!  Which is why it always amazes me when I hear you girls being called yet again to Strings.  Get your butts down there.  It is a class just like the rest of your classes and you have an incredible privilege that NOBODY ELSE IN THE PROVINCE HAS!!!  Why would you not race down to your strings class with your highly acclaimed strings teacher and then practice every spare moment you have?  I'm just saying.

More Inspiration

I am once again scanning youtube for videos of Escala, and if you are not completely inspired by these ladies, then I'm not sure if you are actually an earthling. And OMG look at their shoes! I want to sign up for strings. But I want to be really good right away - and be able to do the sassy little steps while playing flawlessly and flipping my hair. In high heels, of course. I'm sure Mr. Bernier can bring me up to speed (maybe in 10 or 15 years...) Anyway watch this new video - I've left the extra videos attached at the end because there's another group of awesome strings - playing young women called "Bond" who also have some great videos. One even features belly dancers!!! I am going to get my jingly scarf right now.

Rivier's Got Talent Too!

Okay girls, let's work on adding a little choreography once you get your playing perfect!