May 10, 2018
MERIT IS CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF SUZUKI-ALEGRE STRINGS THIS MONTH AT STRINGTACULAR! 


Stringtacular is a vibrant collaboration of young string players representing Merit's music programs at El Valor Guadalupe Reyes Center, Pilsen's Whittier Elementary School, and Merit's Suzuki-Alegre Strings Strings Program.

This annual concert showcases more than 300 1st grade through high school students, all performing together on one stage.  These students are renowned for their extraordinary talent and the fusion of Latin Folk Music with the Suzuki method.  To help celebrate the 20th anniversary this year, alumni of the program will be invited back to enjoy the concert and-if they so choose-to perform alongside the student musicians.

Throughout the past twenty years, Suzuki-Alegre students have performed at the opening of the National Museum of Mexican Art, played for President Vicente Fox of Mexico, toured Japan, made several television appearances, and experienced the joy and power of music in their lives.

Stringtacular will take place at  11:00 am on  Saturday, May 19 at  Benito Juarez Community Academy. The event is free and open to the public. We hope to see you there!

MERIT SCHOOL OF MUSIC PRESENTS FAMILY CONCERT FEATURING TWO OF A KIND

We are excited to welcome multi award-winning performers David and Jenny Heitler-Klevans from the band  Two Of A Kind ! Join us for a morning of fun and engaging music. Also, one lucky audience member will win a free session of summer Early Childhood classes at Merit School of Music!

The concert will take place on  Saturday, June 9 at 11:00 am at  Merit School of Music. The concert is open to children from 6 months to 2nd grade.

$5 early bird tickets are available online now through June 2nd. After June 2, tickets are $10 online and at the door.  Going with the whole family? Buy 3 tickets, get one free with promo code "TKB3"!


Questions? Contact Amy Riske at ariske@meritmusic.org

MERIT CHAMBER ENSEMBLES PLACE IN M-PRIZE FINALS!

This past weekend, five Merit chamber ensembles competed in the finals of the  M-PRIZE  international chamber arts competition at the University of Michigan's School of Music, Theatre, & Dance.

In the Junior Open Division, Sticks and Stones placed 3rd. In the Junior Winds Division, The Bone Rangers placed 2nd and Purple Hippopotami Flute Quartet placed 3rd. Precipice Saxophone Quartet and Visceral Brass Quartet placed as Semi-Finalists in the Junior Winds Division. Thanks to all the  Merit  students and staff for their  hard work !

View the full list of winners here.

The Precipice Saxophone Quartet: Abraham Martinez, Cole Moorhead, Emmett Connolly, Taki Salameh

The Purple Hippopotami Flute Quartet: Sofia Frumkin, Natasha Kozintseva, Michael Mackoff, Elias Nava

The Bone Rangers: Rafael Noriega, Jonah Blake, Karl Kirkpatrick, Omar Tlatelpa-Nieto

Visceral Brass Quintet: Jake Nitzsche, Aidan Power, Jaila Carr, Daniel Johnson, Joseph Sullivan

Sticks & Stones: Alex Ostrowski, Justin Petrovych, Shane Ellis, Joe Koziara

EARLY CHILDHOOD
Monday, May 14
11:00 am = Storytime (Gottlieb Hall)

Join us for a free drop-in class featuring songs, stories, and a celebration of spring! Ms. Jan will be hosting this month. The event is open to children (through 1st grade) with a caregiver. Come on by and bring a friend!

INSTRUMENTAL & VOCAL MUSIC
Tuesday, May 15
Final day of Tuesday IVM classes for the school year.

5:00 - 7:30 pm = Tuesday Group Piano Class concerts 
 (Piano Labs)

Please check your e-mail for your student's specific performance schedule.

6:00 pm = Band & Advanced Piano Concert (Gottlieb Hall)

Wednesday, May 16
Final day of Wednesday IVM classes for the school year.

5:00 - 7:30 pm = Wednesday Group Piano Class concerts 
 (Piano Labs)

Please check your e-mail for your student's specific performance schedule.

6:00 pm = Choir & Advanced Piano Concert (Gottlieb Hall)

Thursday, May 17
Final day of Thursday IVM classes for the school year. 

5:00 - 7:30 pm = Thursday Group Piano Class concerts 
                   (Piano Labs)

Please check your e-mail for your student's specific performance schedule.

6:00 pm = Orchestra Concert (Gottlieb Hall)

Monday, May 21
Final day of Monday IVM classes for the school year.

5:00-7:30 = Monday Group Piano Class concerts (Piano Labs)

Please check your e-mail for your student's specific performance schedule.

Friday, May 25
Final day of Friday IVM classes for the school year.

5:00-7:30 pm = Friday Group Piano Class concerts
                 (Mr. Norris, Ms. Elena, & Ms. Ligia's classes)                          (Piano Labs)

Please check your e-mail for your student's specific performance schedule.

PRIVATE LESSONS
Saturday, May 12
7:00 pm = Violin Recital featuring students of Talia Pavia        
(Gottlieb Hall)

7:00 pm = Violin Recital featuring students of Natalie Sherer   
                  (Foreman Hall)

Sunday, May 13
10:00 am = Clarinet & Horn Recital featuring students of
           Steven Gooden and Dana Sherman  
                    (Foreman Hall) 

4:00 pm = Voice Recital featuring students of Jade Maze                          and 
Shirley Mosteller (Gottlieb Hall)

MERIT MUSIC IN COMMUNITIES
Thursday, May 10
6:00 pm = Provisio Math & Science Academy Spring Band 
      Concert (Auditorium)

Tuesday, May 15 & Wednesday, May 16
1:55 pm = Falconer Elementary Spring Band Concerts 
         (Auditorium)

Thursday, May 17
6:00 pm = Burley Elementary Spring Band Concert 
(4th Floor Gym) 

Wednesday, May 23
5:00 pm = Burr Elementary Spring Band Concert (Cafeteria)

Thursday, May 24
8:00am -3:00 pm = Nixon Elementary Spring Band Concerts 
      (Auditorium)

Friday, May 25
World Percussion classes end at Moving Everest Charter School

6:30 pm = Books Brushes and Bands 4 Education Spring 
Concert (Hammond Performing Arts Academy)

ALICE S. PFALEZER TUITION-FREE CONSERVATORY
Saturday, May 12
2018/2019 Conservatory Auditions (returning students)

Check your e-mail for your audition schedule and details. 

In This Issue
A Musical Tribute to Claudia Flack
A memorial concert to honor former Merit piano faculty member, Claudia Flack will take place in Ganz Hall at Roosevelt University at 7:00 pm on May 22nd. Click here for details and to RSVP.

Student & Alumni Success
Joshua Mhoon
Merit student Joshua Mhoon was recently interviewed by the media outlet Rolling Out. In the interview, Mhoon talks about his passion for music and his experiences performing all over the world. Congrats, Joshua! Check out his full interview here

Alumni Update: Dr. Noah Geller
Dr. Noah Geller, a Merit alum, was recently chosen to be the  Seattle Symphony Orchestra 's next Concertmaster and will start in the 2018/2019 season. Congratulations, Noah! Merit wishes you all the best.
Student Services Updates
Regular Office Hours
Monday - Thursday 
   2:30 - 6:30 pm
Friday 
   Closed
Saturday 
   10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Sunday 
   Closed

Additional appointments available by request.

Academic Office Hours End Date
Academic year office hours will be ending on Monday, May 21. Our interim hours will be as follows:

May 22 - May 31
Tuesday-Thursday: 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Student Services Office Closure
The Student Services offices will be closed from June 1st until June 24th in preparation for our Summer Session. Appointments will be available by request. Please contact us at studentservices@meritmusic.org to schedule an individual meeting time. Summer hours will resume on June 25th.

Email   studentservices@meritmusic.org   if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment.

Library Notes
Library Open Hours
Monday
   Closed
Tuesday - Thursday
   4 - 7 pm
Friday 
   By appointment only
Saturday 
   9 am - Noon,  12:30 pm - 3 pm
Sunday
   Closed

Instrument Rentals
All Library payments must be paid in full at the time of instrument rental, renewal, or pickup.  No payment plans will be applied to accounts.

For appointments, instrument or rental questions, please contact  Annaeka Johnson via email.

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