Now that some of my veteran violinists are in high school, we’re working some more intense pieces for the November 17 Carroll All County auditions. At her lesson Friday, Kim and I disected Samuel Barber’s ADAGIO in Bb minor (five flats in the key signature with 4/2 & 5/2 time) and Bach’s Concerto in E Major (but in D Major). This is when all our hard work pays off.
Please check back for more developments and don’t forget to inspect my Gallery for other info, including my clips on YouTube (MiMalon4).
I’ve got my original tune ANDALUCIA on MySpace too; click the link from my Gallery for the quickest journey to southern Spain.
Thanks for visiting!
Mike Maloney

Veteran’s Day-Tuesday November 11, 2008

Morgan (my viola student for three years now) and I worked her audition material tonight, including the chromatic and six other scales. Also the Suzuki Book Two piece by Robert Schumann, The Two Grenadiers. You really have to work that viola bow to bring out the power of the larger instrument. Her vibrato is still growing with my constant badgering/encouragement.
Mike
USAF Sergeant of Administration 1979 - 1983
Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage AK - TAC - 21st Supply Sqaudron
Fairchild AFB, Spokane WA - SAC - 92nd Org. Maintenance Sq.
Honorable Discharge - October 1985

All County Audition Night - Monday, November 17, 2008
Westminster High School

Each year I show up and check out the audition pieces played by numerous competitors as they warm up. Morgan did not have to play the chromatic scale on her viola, but at least she knows all about it now…and Rachel was cool as a cucumber, having been in All County twice already.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 - My long time student Savannah is preparing for the all-county audition. The piece is from Suzuki Book Four, Vivaldi’s A minor violin concerto. Great reading!

December 10, 2009 - Congratulations to Savannah Davis on passing the audition for the Carroll County middle-school All-County Orchestra!
PEACE…
YOU MAY NOW PROCEED TO THE GALLERY…

Please say hello to my little clips at:
http://www.youtube.com/MiMalon4

Also I’ve posted my original 1998 tune ANDALUCIA and three other home-made four-track songs at:
http://www.myspace.com/MikeMaloney1

Friday morning June 11, 2010
I still have five hourly/weekly students for violin and mandolin lessons, plus my p/t gig at Advance Auto Parts so I will survive! Please check out my video of the great local band Left Stronger at my YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/mimalon4

PLEASE GO DIRECTLY TO MY PHOTO GALLERY

I’m helping one middle school girl violinist (Kimberly) prepare for the All County Orchestra audition November 14th. The main piece she must perform for the 3 judges (who are unseen by the player) is the second Seitz concerto in Suzuki Book Four: Concerto No. 5, 1st Movement, D Major, no 3rd position.
Of course, she must be able to play two-octave scales called to her at random from the judges, and a ‘cold’ piece is occasionally presented.
Stay tuned for more riveting All County news!
Of course, my picture Gallery is where I have the most fun. It’s not just about the violin, but reflects my other interests too. Choose a category to view, otherwise the photos are in random order.

Thanks for visiting!
Mike

ALL COUNTY BULLETIN!!! Wednesday, October 3, 2007
I finally have a violist trying for All County and that really made my day! Morgan is also learning a Suzuki piece (Handel’s Bouree) and general scales for her audition, plus the ’surprise’ sheet she must prepare for. You can impress your friends by pronouncing Viola properly: Vee-Oh-La

Sunday Morning, October 21, 2007
Auditions are November 14. My violinist and violist are ready now. Of course, then we get the actual sheet music and the fun begins.

Friday Morning, November 9, 2007
Down to the wire now with the auditions next Wednesday. I always show up to check out all the variety of talented string players and show support for my crew. Soon enough, we’ll being working the concert sheet music; that’s where I really enjoy helping these girls get it right! The big show is usually the first week of February.

Monday December 3, 2007
Well, we’ve done it again! Both girls got in the club!!!
Now, where’s those sheets?

Sunday December 16, sheets are here! Go to my gallery category All County 2007-2008 for the repertoire.

Groundhog Day - Saturday, February 2, 2008 - Tonight at 7:30pm North Carroll HS, Hampstead, Maryland my violinist Kimberly and violist Morgan will participate in the Carroll County Middle-School All-County concert. Bad weather closed the schools Friday so they did not get that essential rehearsal time. I know they’ll be fine!!!

Sunday, Feb 3, 2008 - The morning after the night before. What a great show. The highlight was 1st violinist Zoe’s solo for Ashokan Farewell.

Every year, I attend the All County auditions to lend some moral support to my students as they nervously wait their turn. We’ve been practicing Vivaldi’s A minor violin concerto and six two-octave scales. They must also perform a “cold” piece for the three judges, who are unseen by the player. This time, I had four competitors: Amy, Samantha, Rachel and Kimberly. As they wait in the Westminster HS auditorium, with moms and dads, all around us others are sawing away for some last second rehearsal. I can always tell who doesn’t have a private violin instructor. Bowing and left-hand technique are a dead giveaway. It just gets to me when I see faulty habits. I hand out a few business cards and offer a free lesson at my studio. Here in central Maryland, these kids show a lot of Heart!

NOVEMBER 30TH ALLCOUNTY UPDATE,
SO FAR, THREE OF MY GIRLS MADE THE CUT! PLEASE CHECK THE GALLERY FOR INDIVIDUAL HU-ZAAS!!!

SATURDAY DECEMBER 2ND:
OH, MY, GOD!!! ALL FOUR OF MY LADIES GOT IN THE CLUB!!!
NOW, WHERE IS THE SHEET MUSIC? FIRST REHEARSAL JANUARY 16TH.

January 5, 2007 - Began working the four pieces for my three girls in the 2nd violins. Coolest piece is Handel’s Water Music - “Hornpipe”

OK, now we’re cookin’ with gas. Got 1st and 2nd sheets, my girls are going to know every note and stroke.

Thursday, January 11, 2007 - At 2nd grader Marissa’s lesson, she played the 1st two lines of the All County sheet for Handel’s Watermusic - Hornpipe in G Major, the true key being D Major.

Thursday February 1, 2007 - Well, two days to the All County concert at Liberty HS. In today’s SYNERGY section of the Carroll County Times, Amy, Sam, Kim and Rachel are all smiles!!! Next week, we’ll be working on their Spring concert pieces.

Sunday Feb 4 - Last evening’s performance was tremendous!
A packed house; I always stand at the back for the best blend acoustically and a quick getaway. But, this time I stayed for the whole experience. The high school orchestra was great, especially Bach’s, “Sheep May Safely Graze.”

JULY 4th, 2007 - Wednesday morning
Please excuse my leaving the old blog re: All County, that whole experience was very therapeutic and fun…But, things have certainly changed around here, so please check my picture gallery and don’t be shy to send e mail. Then, go practice!
Mike Maloney
MiMalon4@aol.com