The Manchester Music Festival Young Artists Programme 2018

One aspect of blogging that I particularly enjoy is the opportunity to highlight a variety of projects, festivals and young artist programmes. The Manchester Music Festival (MMF) Young Artists Programme is one such project. Now in its second year with  American Artistic Director Adam Neiman at the helm, it offers a wonderful chance for students to immerse themselves in a whole programme of music making. Occurring annually every summer in scenic Manchester, Vermont (USA), the 2018 Young Artists Programme will take place from July 9th to August 11th 2018.

The programme is a full scholarship for those selected to attend; a five-week intensive chamber music festival for string players and pianists, aged between 18 and 26. Young artists receive daily coaching sessions by a faculty composed of world-renowned artists and pedagogues. The primary focus of the programme is to intensively study and perform chamber music at a high level, and to benefit from the outstanding musical guidance offered daily by the illustrious artist faculty.

During the course, students can expect to study several chamber works, with ensemble sizes ranging from duos to octets encompassing repertoire spanning the centuries, from Baroque to Contemporary. Groups will be selected to perform in the weekly MMF Young Artists concert series. On August 11, 2018, the young artists will participate in an orchestral concert, performing symphonic works by Grieg, Tchaikovsky, and Sibelius.

Those on the programme will also have the opportunity to perform in weekly public masterclasses and take private lessons with the faculty members. In addition, they will benefit from forum discussions addressing principles of entrepreneurship and career development designed to assist them in forging successful paths as professional musicians. Each MMF Young Artist receives a scholarship providing full tuition, free accommodations, and a modest weekly stipend.

The deadline is February 18th 2018.

You can find out much more, here and apply for the programme, here.

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from Melanie Spanswick http://ift.tt/2lW4o44

6 Requirements for Getting an Education Visa in Thailand

There is a growing trend of families looking to move to Thailand in order to choose the best education for their child. In cases like these, where families are not moving to Thailand for work purposes and cannot receive the standard Non-Immigration visa, they are often able to apply for Education Visas, with the support of their chosen school. International School Bangkok (ISB) supports many families in these situations and offers the opportunity to study abroad at one of the best international schools in Asia.

What is an education visa?

This is a visa specifically for foreign students who are looking to study in Thailand and have secured a place in a recognized institution, like ISB. There are specific requirements to acquire this visa, such as completing a particular number of hours per week of study or class time. However, if your child is in full education, these requirements will naturally be met.

The education visa is initially valid for a 90-day visa period and can be extended once you are in Thailand. Please speak to an embassy representative for more information about visa extensions and the processes that are involved.

What do I need to apply?

You will need a letter of acceptance from the school you would like your child to be enrolled in school. For example, if your family chooses ISB, then you’ll need a letter of acceptance from ISB to prove that your child will be attending a recognized educational institution.

Look through the links below for easy-access to the ISB application process documentation and procedures list.

ISB Application process
Documents and requirements for applying to ISB

Any nationality can apply for this visa. We have provided a list of a few general requirements for applying for an education visa:

1. You must have a passport valid for at least 12 months from the planned date of arrival in Thailand (this can differ depending on the embassy)
2. Your acceptance letter from the ISB admissions team
3. Your application must be made outside of Thailand, at a relevant Thai embassy
4. Recent passport photographs that meet the specifications for visa applications
5. Complete and correct documentation forms for the application process
6. Process the payment, usually paid in cash in USD, along with your application (this amount varies depending on the country and embassy you are applying from. Please check the embassy website that you wish to apply with for further details)

Please Note:

Each embassy will have a particular application process, forms, and requirements. It is important to check with your respective Thai Embassy or the embassy you wish to apply from, what these requirements are, as these may differ depending on the embassy and country location.

Below is a link which lists Thai Embassies worldwide to help you locate the most relevant Thai Embassy for your country of origin. From there you can contact a representative directly.

Locate Thai embassies worldwide

Download the ISB Education Visa Guide from ISB:

We have also created this easy 4-Step Education Visa Guide to help you through the entire process. You can download the ISB 4-Step Education Visa Guide by clicking the image below.

Related links:
ISB Application process
Documents and requirements for applying to ISB

 

 

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5 Top Tips for Piano Playing Progress in 2018

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR

I hope 2018 is a peaceful, healthy and happy year for everyone, and I really value and  appreciate your continued support and readership.

A new year provides the ideal opportunity to work on personal development, whether that be on a spiritual, emotional or physical level. I’ll be paying more attention to some of these issues with a new yoga routine (I’m sincerely hoping to be sufficiently disciplined and motivated to stick with this programme!),  and spiritual development classes  (which I’ve already  been attending, albeit not on a regular basis).

Discipline and motivation are also prerequisites for significantly improving piano playing, and the new year is the perfect time to reassess progress. I write a ‘5 tips’ style article for Pianist magazine’s bi-monthly newsletter (you can subscribe here) and this format has proved to be a popular one, so I thought I’d adopt it for this post. The following tips are to inspire and invigorate practice routines – I hope they will precipitate enjoyable, fruitful practice.

1. A new year equals new repertoire. It might be the prime time to explore alternative piano pieces. This could work whether you are studying for graded exams and diplomas, preparing for competitions, or simply working towards achieving smoother, more fluent playing. Begin by listening to what, on first site, may appear to be the least attractive works on various exam lists (you might never consider such options, but they could become favourites if given a chance), and then branch out further, consulting lesser known composer’s catalogues. One of my professors loved to play Victorian music (especially works by female composers), introducing a wide range of composers who otherwise I may never have become aware. Contemporary piano music continually offers interesting options too, and can really afford something different for those who fear they are stuck in a practice rut.
2. Setting goals is another profitable new year resolution. Not everyone likes being ‘goal orientated’ but when working with my students, I find they all respond favorably when pursuing a tangible objective. Over the past year each student has had a particular objective; from playing more frequently in music festivals and concerts, to learning a suitably complicated diploma programme from memory, or even taking part in a piano course for the first time. Rapid improvement has always followed. What are your piano objectives for 2018?
3. For those who have a tendency to skip a piano warm-up, maybe now is the time to implement this beneficial start to your sessions. Warm-ups take a few minutes, but can make the world of difference to your focus, concentration and finger power. You can read my warm-up suggestions here. Further to these ideas, if you prefer not to play exercises or scales, experiment with a few simple chords or cadences (chord progressions) very slowly with a full sound, paying attention to each finger and finger joint, ensuring they are working optimally, with the finger tips (or pads) connecting fully to each key, ready for practice. Careful practice, i.e. watching every hand and finger movement can prove exhausting, needing absolute mental absorption. This may be a new way of working for you, but it is sure to keep your attention and renew interest in the fundamental  physicality of movement needed for successful piano playing.
4. If you have never had a desire to sit down and play a piece from memory, maybe now is the time to explore this option. Playing from memory is not necessary for most piano exams and diplomas, but it is a requirement for those thinking about auditioning for a place at a music college or working towards taking part in a piano competition. Start small; take a  short piece (just one or two pages in length) and work at memorising each hand separately, without the score. When you can play both hands through confidently (without the score), practice hands together. Learning memorisation skills will help to direct your attention to the music and to the sound you are producing, therefore sharpening your listening skills and polishing your interpretative powers too.  For more memorisation tips, click here.
5. It might be time to seek out new pedalling solutions. The use of the Sustaining pedal (right pedal) and Una corda (left pedal) are de rigueur for pianists from elementary level right through to advanced. But how many explore the Sostenuto pedal? The middle pedal (on a grand piano) is fun to introduce. I’ve been working on implementing this pedal technique with two of my advanced pupils, working on Bartók and Takemitsu (but it can be a beneficial addition when playing french repertoire like Debussy and Ravel as well). More on this final point soon!

With some thought, you can easily add variety and new musical ideas to your practice sessions. May your year be full of piano playing progress, fun and exploration.

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My Publications:

For much more information about how to practice piano repertoire, take a look at my two-book piano course, Play it again: PIANO (Schott). Covering a huge array of styles and genres, 49 progressive pieces from approximately Grade 1 – 8 level are featured, with at least two pages of practice tips for every piece. A convenient and beneficial course for students of any age, with or without a teacher, and it can also be used alongside piano examination syllabuses too.

You can find out more about my other piano publications and compositions here.

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from Melanie Spanswick http://ift.tt/2EqQpf0

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

As another year draws to a close, I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog and, if you are a piano student, have found it useful. Here are the top ten blog posts of the year – many are perennially popular and have appeared on my Christmas ‘favourites’ list many times!

1. How long will it take to learn to play the piano?

2. 10 reasons to play the piano

3. A few thoughts on playing Chopin’s Nocturne No. 20 in C sharp minor Op. Posth.

4. Resolving tension in piano playing

5. Structured piano practice in 5 simple steps

6. 10 tips to seriously improve your piano playing in 2016

7. Why is Grade 5 theory important?

8. 9 top tips for practising octaves

9. A few thoughts on Beethoven’s Fur Elise

10. Contemporary piano music?

The most popular post of all (How long does it take to learn to play the piano?) has been in the top spot every year since this blog’s inception. It’s clearly an important question, to which there are many answers! If you would like me to write on a particular piano topic, you can always write via my contact page (here on the blog). I look forward to hearing from you.

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS

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My Publications:

For much more information about how to practice piano repertoire, take a look at my two-book piano course, Play it again: PIANO (Schott). Covering a huge array of styles and genres, 49 progressive pieces from approximately Grade 1 – 8 level are featured, with at least two pages of practice tips for every piece. A convenient and beneficial course for students of any age, with or without a teacher, and it can also be used alongside piano examination syllabuses too.

You can find out more about my other piano publications and compositions here.

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from Melanie Spanswick http://ift.tt/2D78QUJ

A masterclass with Stephen Hough

I recently discovered this interesting selection of videos (which appear on YouTube) highlighting masterclasses given by eminent British pianist Stephen Hough. They were recorded in last year (2016) at the Aspen Music Festival and School in the USA.

Featuring a wide range of standard repertoire (Including Reflect dans l’eau by Debussy (Images Book 1), the third and fourth movement of Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor Op. 35 by Chopin, and first movement of Sonata in A flat major Op. 110 by Beethoven), they are performed by students at the school. As so often found when observing public classes, there is much to learn and absorb from each one. I hope you enjoy them.

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My Publications:

For much more information about how to practice piano repertoire, take a look at my two-book piano course, Play it again: PIANO (Schott). Covering a huge array of styles and genres, 49 progressive pieces from approximately Grade 1 – 8 level are featured, with at least two pages of practice tips for every piece. A convenient and beneficial course for students of any age, with or without a teacher, and it can also be used alongside piano examination syllabuses too.

You can find out more about my other piano publications and compositions here.

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from Melanie Spanswick http://ift.tt/2BLpVXf

Bordeaux Luxury Living – Prices, Plans, Availability

At a Glance

• located near Brentwood Town Centre
• 141 concrete luxury apartment residences
• 62 adaptable condos
• 7 x 3-bedroom townhouses
• 6,509.5 sq ft of amenities
• walking distance to shopping, services, restaurants
• near Skytrain & Highway 1
• goal of LEED Silver

In the Heart of Vibrant Brentwood
Just on the heels of the award-winning Milano development a few blocks away, Solterra is poised to develop another outstanding community in one of the hottest real estate markets in the Lower Mainland. The emerging community of Brentwood in Burnaby continues to exponentially grow with shopping, dining, and recreational amenities on the horizon – including the current expansion of Brentwood Town Centre. With a strong long-term community plan in place, this neighborhood is one of the most sought after for both investors and homeowners alike.

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Bordeaux is minutes from Lougheed Highway which makes it ideal for easy commuting via public transit or private car. An existing abundance of essential establishments such as Whole Foods, Browns Socialhouse, liquor stores, and financial services are all just steps away. Bordeaux will feature stellar interior design and finishing details, and superior construction quality that Solterra is known for. Included are luxurious imported Italian kitchens, premium appliances, air conditioning, oversized outdoor spaces, and an array of building amenities.

Pricing for Bordeaux
This development is currently in its pre-construction phase. Therefore, Solterra have not yet published final pricing information. We recommend that you sign up to our VIP list above for priority access to Bordeaux updates.

Floor Plans for Bordeaux
Bordeaux offers an exciting ownership opportunity for first-time buyers and families alike, with the following mix of residences:

• 42 x studio (adaptable) from 464 – 525 sq ft
• 14 x 1-bedroom at 545 sq ft
• 54 x 2-bedroom from 760 – 2,258 sq ft
• 6 x 2-bedroom (adaptable) from 854 – 1,003 sq ft
• 2 x 2-bedroom + den from 978 – 1,520 sq ft
• 14 x 2-bedroom + den (adaptable) from 940 – 1,017 sq ft
• 2 x 3-bedroom from 973 – 1,095 sq ft
• 6 x 3-bedroom + den townhouse at 1,743 sq ft
• 1 x 2-bedroom + den townhouse at 1,333 sq ft

Contact me today to discuss availability and plans according to your needs.

Amenities at Bordeaux
Residents will enjoy 6,509.5 sq ft of amenity space, including a gym, business centre, yoga studio, washrooms and meeting room / game room / party room with kitchenette. An expansive landscaped courtyard contains a children’s play area, barbeque area, and seating. A public art piece will be installed in a plaza at the comer of Willingdon Avenue and Juneau Street.

Parking and Storage
Parking will be located partially underground (3 levels) and partially within an above ground structure (1 level), with 216 apartment parking spaces (inclusive of 27 visitor spaces) and 13 townhouse parking spaces (inclusive of 2 visitor spaces). Of these, there will be three accessible parking stalls, 22 electric vehicle charging stations, and two car wash stalls. Bicycle storage will be provided by 296 resident bicycle spaces and 30 visitor bicycle spaces. A two-station bicycle repair/maintenance area and bike trailer storage area will also be available. One residential loading space is to be allocated.

Maintenance Fees at Bordeaux
TBA.

Developer Team for Bordeaux
Solterra Group of Companies specializes in developing and building top-quality high-rise residences and town homes. Over the past 15 years, the team at Solterra has been involved with the development of many award-winning multi-residential communities throughout the Lower Mainland. Solterra understands the importance of a “home” and pride themselves on creating residences that feature exceptional design, solid construction, and quality finishes. For your added peace of mind, Solterra homes are backed by third-party 2/5/10 warranty insurance.

GBL Architects is a progressive Vancouver-based firm of 38 architects, project managers and technicians with a 25-year reputation of providing a full range of architectural services to the private and public sector. GBL design with the belief that form plays a vital role in defining experience through an ever-changing dynamic between sculptural artistry and social responsibility. To that end, they regularly practice green design through the LEED Canada Program.

Expected Completion for Bordeaux
TBA. Sales begin Spring 2018.

Are you interested in learning more about other homes in Brentwood, Lougheed, or Metrotown?

Check out these great Brentwood Presales!

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Who are the men who buy Panty by Post panties

Profiling the men who buy Panty by Post panties?

 

Now now, don’t jump to conclusions, it’s not always the ones associated with scandal and secrecy – sometimes, but not always!  This is about the men behind purchasing the  panties as a gift for their darlings. We decided to profile our valued male customers as our way of tipping the hat to the guys in our lives who show us they care.

 

Mr Adventurous: This man samples our Naughty but Nice line for his special someone. He’s not afraid to splash out on a more exclusive panty, or shall we say undies for a special occasions (wink). He’s a whisky drinker, a bit of a rebel and he likes to spoil his girl with frilly underpinnings.

 

Mr Classic: This dapper chap likes to buy the best for his other-half. He shops our Premium Line and prioritizes  its arrival every month with his personalized note attached. He knows how to share his feelings and always puts her first/. A good listener, he loves long walks in the forest on the weekend and his heart bursts when his love is happy.

 

Mr Fashionable:

He’s a metrosexual  high-flying traveler and an on-point foodie who loves to be in the know. He thrives onto planning dates at far out spots and usually comes bearing gifts of Signature Line panties. These undies are both pretty and practical, marrying his love of lace with your love of comfort. Each pair has a touch of flare, and quality you can truly feel. These are your go-to panties for your cinq a sept cocktail hour! Thanks lover!

 

Mr Sporty: This man doesn’t stop! He’s athletic and outdoorsy; he loves to keep his body moving and in shape. His favorite times are spent running in the trees with his partner, or swooshing down the slopes beside her. He buys her the basic line, so she is comfortable during all their fun-filled activities. He’s healthy and loves to support his team mate in the adventure they call life!

The post Who are the men who buy Panty by Post panties appeared first on Panty by Post.

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