Summer School 2019: Rachael Smart

ESTA Summer School Report 2019     Rachael Smart

I would like to start this report by thanking the ‘Nannie Jamieson Nutshell Fund’ for solely funding the bursary I received for my full attendance at the Summer School. I am a full time Upper Strings Instructor for Glasgow City Council and I would like to say thanks to them for very generously covering the expense for the course.

As a young teacher starting my career it is very important to be attending courses where I can learn from the some of the best pedagogies and mix with many other Violin/ Viola teachers to gain more experience and ideas. The highlight of this course for me was the morning sessions we had with Joanne May and Joanne Erwin on the Paul Rolland Pedagogy. It was an amazing experience to meet string players who were taught by Paul Rolland himself and had many stories to tell us of the time they had with Paul. I have taken away lots of teaching methods and exercises to use for the basics of the left hand, vibrato and the bowing arm. One of the exercises for the left hand set up was using the pinkie for pizzicato in low, middle and high positions. This is encouraging beginning steps for shifting. Another exercise for developing a good bow hold was to hook the bow into the left hand pinkie and then place the fingers on the bow and slide them down. This is something I will definitely use with my new starts. Joanne May also showed us how to make a pinkie house.

I very much enjoyed meeting Mark O’Connor and the evening concert he did with his wife was incredible. It’s amazing to watch and learn about a completely different style of music. The material in his method books is very well thought through and I am sure my pupils will thoroughly enjoy playing some of these. I will also be purchasing the orchestra books to use with the string groups I have in my various different schools.

It was a pleasure to sit through another talk by Paul Harris. I have seen him once before at an inservice day and I really enjoy the way he delivers his presentations. We had a great discussion about how to get it right for your pupils and it was so interesting to hear everyones different views. I participated in the yoga every morning which made me feel really relaxed and much more aware of my posture. I will now make an effort to take time each day to think about my breathing and relaxation.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the 2019 ESTA Summer School and I’m looking forward to attending many more courses in the future. I am very excited to go back to work and try out all the new ideas and material I have gained from the week.