Sister Bay, Wis. (May 4, 2020) – The Griffon String Quartet of Midsummer’s Music are currently working with children in northeast Wisconsin via the Einstein Series, a highly interactive program for school-age children. Students participate in private or group lessons or educational outreach programs. The quartet visits schools and classrooms to perform and discuss string quartet music, relating it specifically to relevant topics in their studies and their lives. In addition, they present programs regularly to Boys & Girls Club.
Isabella is 15 years old and a student at Sturgeon Bay high school. She is studying under Roy Meyer and had her first violin lesson one week before the quarantine began, which presented some unique challenges. One in particular is how to tune a violin before you even know the string names! Isabella is working on Lightly Row and Song of the Wind from the Suzuki Book 1 and enjoys staying up late watching movies and playing video games.
Jonah Mizorek is also studying under Roy. Jonah is a Junior at Green Bay East. He recently received a Star 1st at solo and ensemble for a performance of Concerto No. 1 in A Minor by Jean-Baptiste Accolay. Jonah was eligible to perform at the Wisconsin State Music Association’s High School State Honors before it was canceled. Currently, Jonah is working on Concerto No. 2 in D Minor II. Romance by Henry Wieniawski. Jonah plans to attend college and wants to become a surgeon.
Winter Blaird, another of Roy’s students, is a Senior at Green Bay East FAI. She recently performed Haydn’s G Major Violin Concerto and received a Star 1st at solo and ensemble, making her eligible for State before it was canceled. Winter is currently learning the Bruch Violin Concerto.
Roy also teaches Amelia. She is 9 years old and, like Isabella, is currently working on Lightly Row from the Suzuki Book 1.
Joel Moyer and Kaia Louthain have been playing violin in Blakeley Menghini’s group class since October 2019. Blakeley reports that both are adjusting super well to the new, online format, although they miss playing together and seeing everyone at group class. The group class now includes a weekly posting in Google Classroom, including practice assignments, YouTube videos, and videos of Blakeley teaching new concepts.
In addition, Blakeley and her students use Zoom for a weekly one-on-one lesson to review concepts and work on technique. They are also learning how to read music! Teaching online has been a new experience for Blakeley and for the students as well, but she thinks they are really making the best of it during this new phase!
Coming soon: Vini and Ryan share news of their students.
Click here for a special message from the Griffon String Quartet.
Midsummer’s Music draws on the extraordinary talent of musicians from the Chicago Symphony, Chicago’s Lyric Opera, Milwaukee Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony, Aspen Music Festival, China National Symphony and the Ravinia Festival, among others. Visit the Midsummer’s Music website for bios of our brilliant musicians, including the Griffon String Quartet, plus news, gifts, and more!
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