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2022
Credo Club Practice for Ukraine Invitation
image of practice log
Dear Credo Club members,
You already know Credo’s motto: Develop the Gift, Acknowledge the Source, Respond with Service — or in short, Develop, Acknowledge, Respond. The Credo Festival combines daily and weekly activities in which students learn to do all three and see them as an integrated whole way of life. But of course, developing the gift of music isn’t limited to the Festival only, and there are urgent needs in the world right now for responding in service!
Accordingly, we wanted to let you know about a pre-Festival Credo practice marathon for the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine which will combine Develop and Respond. We are inviting all of our campers this summer to participate as they prepare their chamber music selections for the Credo Festival, and we wanted to invite Credo Club participants (that’s YOU) to join as well!
Here’s how it will work:
Each of you who participates will collect donation pledges per every hour that you practice during the month of June. You do not need to collect all your pledges before you start practicing! Here is the link to that form: [https://forms.gle/rWAqf3mqMXeXDaeo8]1
Then you will log your practice hours through the practice log form which you can download here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EZzEuTkDD4Tcr5eIOt1NnmPsq0ye9iLa/view?usp=sharing. At the end of June, scan your completed practice log and send it to office@credomusic.org.
Once we’ve tallied up everyone’s hours of practice, we’ll contact everyone who pledged to donate in support of your practicing, with a form we generate that will link them to the Ukraine relief fund donation page for CARE International — the gold-standard international humanitarian relief organization providing Ukrainians with aid on the ground.
The idea is simple: the more you Develop, the more you Respond! You’ll get to live a bit of the Credo way of life, even if you’re not attending the Credo Festival this summer.
As an incentive for you to participate, we are offering two free Zoom lessons with Peter Slowik: one lesson for the student who gathers the greatest number of donation pledges, and one lesson for the student who logs the most hours of practice in June (as long as you have at least one pledge supporting it). Be wise: do not dramatically scale up your hours of practice without consulting with your private teacher!
We’re eager for as many of you as possible to participate in Practice for Ukraine — especially because we would love to make such practice marathons a regular part of Credo Club going forward!
all the best,
Timothy Crouch
Credo Music || Assistant to the Director
Credo Club May Newsletter
Here is your May 2022 Credo Club newsletter!
Included in this month’s newsletter:
- Credo Festival Faculty Highlight
- Credo Retreat 2022
- Spring Service Project
- Alumni Achievements
- YouTube Channel
CREDO FESTIVAL FACULTY HIGHLIGHT
Applications for Credo Festival 2022 have now closed, but if you didn’t apply this year, how about you take a look at some of the incredible faculty to inspire you to apply next year! You can take a look at their biographies HERE.
faculty photo collage
CREDO RETREAT 2022
There are still a few spots left for a new pre-Festival initiative: a spiritual retreat to encounter God’s heart for musicians. We hope to convene a group of up to 16 musicians aged 16–26, together with this year’s cohort of counselors and a few friends of the Credo family, to explore questions like these:
“Can I make a living and support a family as an artist? How can I navigate the stresses and the challenges of a musical career in spiritually healthy ways?”
“What does the Bible teach about God’s love for the arts and for artists? How does God want to be involved in my music-making?”
“I share so much with my fellow musicians who are not followers of Jesus, but can I really share my faith with them as well? How can I talk about it without offending them?”
If this sounds of interest to you, or you know someone who would be enriched by the retreat (whether or not they will be attending Credo Festival), follow the link above to register! We are very excited to see how God works through this new initiative!
MAY SERVICE PROJECTS
It’s time to get back out there! Let’s focus on giving back to our local communities in a physical way.
Click HERE for more information to help you complete your service project this month.
We are so excited for these in-person Credo Club Service Projects! Keep an eye on the Credo Club Facebook page, and feel free to send us any questions on Facebook or by email! This is also a great way to go out and do something with your friends, so make sure to get them involved too!
ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS
Rebecca Swan ('99, '00, '04) added to her impressive resume this week when she was announced as the new Principal Viola for the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra! Congratulations Rebecca!
photo of Rebecca Swan
Dr. Blair Williams ('99), who generously served on the Credo Board of Directors, will be joining ASTA as the Director of Professional Development this summer. Congratulations on this important new role, Blair, and thank you for setting an amazing example for Credites everywhere!
photo of Dr. Blair Williams
YOUTUBE CHANNEL
This month we are highlighting a video on Fingerboard GEOGRAPHY with Credo faculty Sibbi Bernhardsson.
As we go into the summer, it’s a great time to review some technique; why not check out our other Technique playlists for inspiration?
Sonata & Caprice Violin/Viola (more advanced technique)
Sonata & Caprice Cello (more advanced technique)
Prelude Violin/Viola (Foundational technique)
Prelude Cello (Foundational technique)
Make sure to subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss all our amazing videos. Plus you can find our videos through the Resources page on the Credo Club website!
The Credo Club Team
Heidi & Mattie, Credo Club Directors
Credo Club April Newsletter
Here is your April 2022 Credo Club newsletter!
Included in this month’s newsletter:
- Announcing Credo Retreat 2022
- Alumni Achievements
- Spring Service Project
- YouTube Channel
CREDO RETREAT 2022
This year at the Credo Festival, we are launching a new pre-Festival initiative: a spiritual retreat to encounter God’s heart for musicians. We hope to convene a group of up to 16 musicians aged 16–26, together with this year’s cohort of counselors and a few friends of the Credo family, to explore questions like these:
“Can I make a living and support a family as an artist? How can I navigate the stresses and the challenges of a musical career in spiritually healthy ways?”
“What does the Bible teach about God’s love for the arts and for artists? How does God want to be involved in my music-making?”
“I share so much with my fellow musicians who are not followers of Jesus, but can I really share my faith with them as well? How can I talk about it without offending them?”
If this sounds of interest to you, or you know someone who would be enriched by the retreat (whether or not they will be attending Credo Festival), follow the link above to register! We are very excited to see how God works through this new initiative!
ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS
Credo alumni (and sisters) Chauntee (‘04, ‘05, ‘06, ‘07) and Monique Ross (‘04, ‘05, ‘06, ‘07, ‘08), of the ensemble SistaStrings recently had an interview with the Nashville Voyager that you can read here!
photo of Chauntee and Monique
Credo alumna Christina Giuca Krause (‘09) participated in a recent album released by the LYNX project, of which she is also the Artistic Director. This album features the prose and poetry of primarily nonspeaking autistic youth, whose words are then set by composers. The album can be purchased here.
photo of Christina's album cover
APRIL SERVICE PROJECTS
The weather is finally turning and spring is in the air!
One of our desires for Credo Club is that our members are out there serving their local communities. If you need some motivation or an idea, doing a litter pick at a local park is an easy way to help out those around you. With the weather nicer, there are few things nicer than a cleaned-up park!
Alternatively, see if you can play as part of a Holy Week or Easter service. There is no better reason or time to use your musical gift!
YOUTUBE CHANNEL
We released a “Listening Corner” by Credo Club Co-Director Mattie this month on Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time. If you haven’t watched it yet, you can check it out here!
Make sure to subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss all our amazing videos. Plus you can find our videos through the Resources page on the Credo Club website!
The Credo Club Team
Heidi & Mattie, Credo Club Directors
Credo Club March Newsletter
Here is your March 2022 Credo Club newsletter!
Included in this month’s newsletter:
Credo Festival 2022
Master Class Wrap-Up
Alumni Achievements
March Service Projects
YouTube Channel
CREDO FESTIVAL 2022
The Credo Festival is returning in person this summer! The priority deadline to apply is March 30, 2022, and applications close April 20, 2022. We would love to see applications from our Credo Club members! You can find more information here: Credo Festival July 3-17, 2022.
MASTER CLASS WRAP-UP
Credo concluded its Winter Master Class Series for the year on February 13 with an inspiring and enlightening evening led by Amos Yang, Assistant Principal Cellist of San Francisco Symphony. The master class series was a huge success, and we are so thrilled that so many of you came along! We hope that they were as fulfilling for you as they were for us. We intend to expand the master classes next fall and winter – so make sure to keep an eye on this newsletter.
ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS
Credo alumnus Solomon Leonard (‘19, ‘20) is a perfect example of how Credites are always doing cool things! You can check out his latest song, Cosmic World, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrYQTqxkMeo
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We are thrilled that Credite and Credo board member Mary Vanhoozer Rodriguez ('01, '02, '03, '08, '10) is a semi-finalist for the 2022 American Prize in Piano Performance – professional division.
photo of Mary
Congratulations to two alumni Credo violists - who won playing trials with the Minnesota Orchestra – Marlea Simpson ('11, '12, '13, '15) and Lydia Grimes ('18).
MARCH SERVICE PROJECTS
For our March service project, we urge you to get out and play some music for your neighborhood! Bach in the Subways is a great organization that is facilitating such events this month. We urge you to consider joining their movement – and let us know that you did! Let’s share the gift of Bach – whether or not you have a subway – check out their page! We hope to organize more events in coming months as it becomes safer to gather!
YOUTUBE CHANNEL
You can expect a new “Listening Corner” this month from Credo Club Co-Director Mattie talking about a very special quartet, so keep an eye out for that!
In the meantime, take a look again at Credite James Preucil ('16, '17, '18, '19) talking about a different kind of quartet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVi1-_TCfdU
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Make sure to subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss all our amazing videos. Plus you can find our videos through the Resources page on the Credo Club website!
The Credo Club Team
Heidi & Mattie, Credo Club Directors
Credo Club February Newsletter
Here is your February 2022 Credo Club newsletter!
Special Reminder!
Our next masterclass with Amos Yang is on Sunday, February 13th, at 8pm ET. Zoom details can be found below. Make sure to put it in your calendar. Let’s support the Credo Club members who are playing with an awesome audience!
https://credomusic-org.zoom.us/j/82984301342?pwd=NGJZNXliWDJkYWJ0UUpKZVRmQndQdz09
Meeting ID: 829 8430 1342 Passcode: 933190
Included in this month’s newsletter:
- Upcoming Fireside Chats
- Credo Club Service Projects
- YouTube Channel
UPCOMING FIRESIDE CHATS
Peter Slowik gave a fantastic talk on college auditions in our last Fireside Chat. He shared things like what to wear (black is good!), what to say (even if you are shy!), and how to manage nerves (everyone has them!). Keep an eye out for more information on the next one!
FEBRUARY SERVICE PROJECTS
Because of the omicron variant, our planned group service projects for January and February are postponed. But we want Credo Club members to go out and serve your local communities as you can. Here are a few ideas:
- Make some food for someone you know who is isolating.
- Do a concert (either live or recorded) for a loved one in a nursing home.
- Get outside and pick up litter in a park.
Make sure to tell us all of the great things you are doing so we can feature you in our next newsletter and on the Credo Club Facebook group. Plus, seeing what you do will give us ideas for what we are planning in March and April!
YOUTUBE CHANNEL
This month we are excited to share a video from Wisconsin based cellist, educator, and writer Dr Zachary Preucil: Bow Arm Warm Ups for Cellists with Dr. Zachary Preucil.
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If you haven’t seen it already, make sure to watch this Fireside Chat with Rachel Barton-Pine on some of the great composers you may not have heard of before.
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Make sure to subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss all our amazing videos. Plus you can find our videos through the Resources page on the Credo Club website!
Looking forward to the year ahead!
The Credo Club Team
Heidi & Mattie, Credo Club Directors
Credo Club January Newsletter
Here is your January 2022 Credo Club newsletter!
Included in this month’s newsletter:
- Credo Music Winter Master Class Series
- The Inside Scoop on College Auditions
- Credo Club Service Projects
- YouTube Channel
- Alumni Achievements
CREDO MUSIC WINTER MASTER CLASS SERIES
It’s time for our third Credo Club master class: January 16th with Jonathan Ong, violin. Mr. Ong is a founding member of the acclaimed Verona Quartet on faculty at Oberlin Conservatory of Music.
Our second master class with Peter Slowik was another success with 15 people in attendance: Credo Club members, Credo alumni, and prominent teachers. The winner of the mini-lesson GIVEAWAY with PSlo was Caroline Beckman. Make sure to come along to the next master classes – the next winner could be you!
Our last master class is on February 13th with Amos Yang, cello (apply by February 1) so make sure to put this in your calendars! There are a limited number of slots for this class. Apply now! There is no fee to apply. If selected, tuition for each performer is $70.
We would love to see Credo Club members represented playing at these master classes! These classes will be streamed to our entire Credo Club community. Keep an eye on your email and our Credo Club Facebook group for the link to watch the master classes. Let's support the Credo Club members who are playing by giving them an awesome audience!
Special offer for teachers: We want to support you and your students! Connect with us and we can get you the link to send to your (currently) non-Credo Club member students for FREE.
SENIORS – GET THE INSIDE SCOOP ON COLLEGE AUDITIONS
A special edition Credo "Fireside Chat"
College audition season is upon us! If you’re a senior, we’re sure you have a lot of questions about procedures, etiquette, and communication – and that the Omicron surge has exponentially increased the number of questions you have! Credo Club has your back! On January 30th at 8 PM Eastern time, come visit with Credo Artistic Director Peter Slowik, head of the Oberlin Conservatory String Department (better known to generations of Credo students as PSlo – a very approachable and honest mentor).
Seniors and parents are invited to join this Zoom session. When the time comes, you can join the talk here: https://credomusic-org.zoom.us/j/86318059975
Make sure to invite your friends along too!
DECEMBER SERVICE PROJECTS
December was a busy month for serving at Credo Club! We were thrilled to collaborate on another Christmas Carol video, O Come, All Ye Faithful which has over 400 views. The project was an opportunity for us to come together from far and near to share some Christmas cheer.
In addition, we have had a plethora of Credo Club members and friends going out to perform in their communities, including a Credo Club first – TWO service projects happening at the same time!
Image: Service Performance Windsor Park 2021
On December 21st, Credo Festival faculty member John Fitchuk joined forces with Emily Puntuzs to create a Credo Club service performance at Windsor Park in Carol Stream, IL with a group of talented young string players.
Image: Service performance Peter Slowik and Credo alumni 2021
Simultaneously on December 21st, Peter Slowik and several Credo alumni played a concert at the Park Monroe in downtown Chicago. Earlier in the day the group brought music and cheer to 4 locations associated with the Lawndale Christian Health Center.
Image: Make Music Winter Solstice 2021
Joy emanates from the performers at the end of a productive afternoon and evening of Make Music Winter Solstice performances by Credo Club members. Pictured (R to L) Elinor Detmer, Ariana Mascari, Ella and Mia Wimbiscus, and Peter Slowik.
Image: Service performance for healthcare workers 2021
Credo Club members Maria Monday, Helen Hawersaat, and Claire Peyrebrune performed for healthcare workers, visitors, and patients at University Hospitals.
Because of the omicron variant, our planned group service projects for January and February will be postponed. But we want Credo Club members to go out and serve your local communities in safe ways. Here are a few ideas:
- Make some food for someone you know who is isolating.
- Do a concert (either live or recorded) for a loved one in a nursing home.
- Get outside and pick up litter in a park.
We are making plans for projects in March and April, so tell us what you are doing to give us ideas!
YOUTUBE CONTENT
Preparing for auditions? Take a look at these technique videos to help you out!
sibbi bernhardsson video thumbnail
Fingerboard Geography STRENGTH through BALANCE with Sibbi Bernhardsson
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Cello Tongue, Jellyfish, and Cello Lungs with Amit Peled
Make sure to subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss all our amazing videos. Plus you can find our videos through the Resources page on the Credo Club website!
ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS
Image: Aaron Mossburg
Aaron Mossburg (’06, right) will be leaving his position as Principal Viola of Rochester Philharmonic to join the Pittsburgh Symphony.
Image: Alyssa Wang
Alyssa Wang (’10, ’14) has been named Assistant Conductor of Boston Ballet!
If you know of an achievement by a fellow Credo Club member (or yourself!) send us an email so that we can share it and inspire others!
Looking forward to the year ahead!
The Credo Club Team
Heidi & Mattie, Credo Club Directors
2021
Credo Club December Christmas Carol Project Video Link
Hi everyone!
Credo Club is so excited to share our Christmas Service project video, O Come, All Ye Faithful! We think that it is absolutely amazing and will be a huge blessing wherever it is shared.
All that is left is for each of you to share the videos. The carol is up on the Credo Club YouTube channel so that everyone can easily access it without worrying about downloading or uploading. All they will need is the link!
O Come, All Ye Faithful: https://youtu.be/a8DZDBJTcWg
You can share this musical gift with:
- Churches! - Ask your church if the video could be sent out to members of the congregation (especially those who might be in isolation at the moment!)
- Nursing homes! - See if there are any local nursing or care homes in your area that would love to receive this gift.
- Family and friends! - Send the link directly to their email or phone!
- Social media! - The YouTube link will be easy to post on Facebook or Instagram if you want to share it with your friends and followers! A huge thank you to everyone who contributed, and a special shout out to Richard Ackerman for his incredible editing of the carol!
Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year,
The Credo Club Team
-Maria Beltavski
-Kim Lint
-Peter & Vicky Slowik
-Ashley Scott
-Heidi & Mattie
Credo Club Christmas Carol Service Project Video Instructions
Credo Club Christmas Carol Service Project Video Instructions
Submission Deadline December 15th
Hi Credo Club,
We’re so excited to create another Christmas Carol project for our December Respond with Service! Our collaborative video projects were such a success last Christmas and Easter that we wanted to do it again! Once your video submissions are in and edited, we will send you a link to share with those in your communities, as well as your families and friends. Here’s a look at one of the carols we did last year to get you into the Christmas spirit before you send your recordings. We look forward to seeing all of your wonderful submissions, and feel free to invite your friends to contribute as well!
Please read below for instructions and don’t forget to send your videos by DECEMBER 15th!
Step 1: Practice playing with the video recording.
Put on your earbuds or headphones, and practice until you are comfortable playing along with the video. Be sure to match the bowing style, and end the long notes at the same time. Click the links below to find the music for your part.
Parts
- Violin I (Melody)
- Violin II (Alto)
- Violin Easy
- Viola (Melody)
- Viola (Tenor)
- Viola Easy
- Cello (Melody)
- Cello (Bass)
- Cello Easy
- Score
Step 2: Get your recording environment set up.
Find a well-lit and quiet space in your home to record.
- Lighting tip: Have the light in front of you, not behind you. Also avoid windows behind you.
- Try to turn off fans or anything that makes even small noises, if possible.
Dress like you would for a Christmas event.
- You can wear something festive, or your Credo T-shirt or hoody is a good choice as well!
Set up the frame for your shot.
- LANDSCAPE, not portrait (wide, not tall).
- Make sure to position the camera so that we can see you and your instrument clearly. Try to fill the screen as much as possible.
- Choose the most “plain” background you can, such as a bare wall or closed door.
You need two devices. One will play the recording through your headphones, and one will record your video.
- You can use a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or video camera to record yourself.
- If possible, pick the outward facing camera instead of the front facing camera.
- Pick the best mic set-up you have, if you have options.
Put on headphones or earbuds.
- Listen to the audio as you play.
- Set up the device with the video where you can see it, but it will not appear in your video.
Step 3: Record several takes.
- Give yourself several chances. Listen to your videos and choose your best take to submit.
Step 4: Submit your recording.
Send it to credoclub@credomusic.org. The deadline is December 15th.
You can send the file to us via Wetransfer.com, Google Drive, Dropbox, or other file sharing programs.
Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions. We’ll be on the look out for emails or messages on Facebook to help and support you through this process!
The Credo Club Team
Heidi & Mattie, Credo Club Directors
Credo Club November Newsletter
Here is your November 2021 Credo Club newsletter!
Included in this month’s newsletter:
- November Service Projects
- Credo Music Winter Master Class Series
- YouTube Channel
- Alumni Achievements
NOVEMBER SERVICE PROJECTS
This month we will be centering our service projects around food distribution (always good around Thanksgiving!) We will be writing to those of you in areas where projects are already being organized shortly, but we’d love to see Credo Club members serving everywhere!
We’ve put together a document HERE to help you complete your service project!
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Service Photo
Maria Monday (11, 12), Nathaniel Hoyt (15, 17), and Claire Peyrebrune (15, 16) performing for patients and health care workers at University Hospitals in Cleveland on November 1, 2021
CREDO MUSIC WINTER MASTER CLASS SERIES
This year Credo Club is hosting a series of virtual Zoom master classes (two violin, one viola, one cello) that will be on Sunday nights between 8-10pm ET.
We had an amazing first class with Sibbi Bernhardsson, violin.
Photos from Sibbi Bernhardsson Master Class
29 people attended the master class, including four performers. The winner of the mini-lesson GIVEAWAY with P-Slo was Chloe Caldwell. Make sure to come along to the next master classes – the next winner could be you!
Applications are now open for the remaining three classes!
- December 5th with Peter Slowik, viola (apply by Nov. 20)
- January 16th with Jonathan Ong, violin (apply by Dec. 20)
- February 13th with Amos Yang, cello (apply by Dec. 20)
There are a limited number of slots for each class. Apply now!
There is no fee to apply. If selected, tuition for each performer is $70.
We would love to see Credo Club members represented playing at these master classes!
These classes will be streamed to our entire Credo Club community. Keep an eye on your email and our Credo Club Facebook group for the link to watch the master classes. Let's support the Credo Club members who are playing by giving them an awesome audience!
Special offer for teachers: We want to support you and your students! Connect with us and we can get you the link to send to your (currently) non-Credo Club member students for FREE.
CREDO CLUB CHRISTMAS CAROL
Our first two collaborative video projects brought so much joy to our Credo Club communities that we are doing another! We hope that you will join in once again for this opportunity to share some music with dear ones far and near for Christmas.
Here’s how this will work:
Now
- Find the right part for you for “O Come, All Ye Faithful” HERE.
- Start practicing!
Later
- In the next few weeks we will send out a backing track/video and guide videos (like we did at Easter).
- Record your part along to the video and send it to us (detailed instructions to come later).
YOUTUBE CONTENT
Keep an eye out for our new “Listening Corner” video by Director Mattie on Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 8 and a “Whatever is…” from Scott Pingel!
Make sure to subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss all our amazing videos. Plus you can find our videos through the Resources page on the Credo Club website!
ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS
Ben Manis photo
Ben Manis (’08, ’09) right, is among three conductors chosen for the inaugural Concert Artists Guild New Conductors Program. Congratulations Ben!
Nicholas Kennedy album cover photo
Nicholas Kennedy (‘15) announced the release of his album at the end of October!
Will Bender photo
Will Bender (‘08, ‘09) will join the viola section of the Cleveland Orchestra this fall after completing several seasons with the Philharmonia Orchestra in London.
Elinor Detmer video thumbnail
Elinor Detmer (’17, ’20, ’21) made a beautiful recording of a Mozart violin concerto after winning a concerto competition at DePaul. Listen here… and leave Elinor some congratulations in the comments!
Trio photo
Marlea Simpson (’11, ’12, ’13, ’14) and Rachel Halvorson (’13) and Slowik student Nathan Frantz performed with the Sarasota Orchestra in October.
Rebecca Clarke photo
Devin Moore (’14, ’15) and Benjamin Pawlak (’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13,’14, ’15) performed Rebecca Clarke together in a recital at Juilliard October 13th 2021.
If you know of an achievement by a fellow Credo Club member (or yourself!) send us an email so that we can share it and inspire others!
Looking forward to the year ahead!
The Credo Club Team
Heidi & Mattie, Credo Club Directors
Credo Club October Newsletter
Here is your October 2021 Credo Club newsletter!
Included in this month’s newsletter:
- November Service Projects
- Credo Music Winter Masterclass Series
- YouTube Channel
- Alumni Achievements
NOVEMBER SERVICE PROJECTS
Be on the lookout for information about service projects THIS NOVEMBER! We are intending to partner with Credo Club parents, students, and Credo alumni to organize projects in:
- Atlanta
- Boston
- Cleveland/Oberlin
- Chicago
- Dallas
- Los Angeles
The projects will be centered around food distribution (always good around Thanksgiving!), but there will also be a performance element as well.
- If you live in/near one of these cities and would like to help us plan/implement, please contact us ASAP.
- We will be sending out more information in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out. If we are coming to a city near you this November, tell your friends and go out and serve! We would love to see as many Credo Club members out there as possible.
- Don’t see your location on the list above? We would LOVE to have more hub locations for Service Projects – we just need people on the ground to organize. If you think this could be you, send us an email and we will help you get started!
CREDO MUSIC WINTER MASTER CLASS SERIES
This year Credo Club will be hosting a series of four virtual Zoom master classes (two violin, one viola, one cello) that will be on Sunday nights between 8-10pm ET.
Applications are now open for the first three classes!
- November 7th at 8pm EST - Sibbi Bernhardsson, violin, Oberlin Conservatory
- December 5th at 8pm EST - Peter Slowik, viola, Oberlin Conservatory
- January 16th at 8pm EST - Jonathan Ong, violin, Verona String Quartet, Oberlin Conservatory
To apply please complete the application form (including a link to your 5 minute audition video uploaded to YouTube) by November 1st. There are a limited number of slots for each class that will be filled in a rolling admission process.
There is no fee to apply. If selected, tuition for each performer is $70.
We would love to see Credo Club members represented playing at these master classes!
These classes will be streamed to our entire Credo Club community. Keep an eye on your email and our Credo Club Facebook group for the link to watch the masterclasses. Let's support the Credo Club members who are playing by giving them an awesome audience!
Special offer for teachers: We want to support you and your students! Connect with us and we can get you the link to send to your (currently) non-Credo Club member students for FREE.
YOUTUBE CONTENT
Our Credo Club specific YouTube content will be starting back up again after a pause over the summer! This year we will be focusing on “Whatever is…” which focuses on what it means to live out Christian faith as a musician, and “Listening Corner” where we will take a closer look at pieces of music.
Make sure to subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss all our amazing videos when they start up again. Plus you can find our videos through the Resources page on the Credo Club website!
ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS
Hosanna Carella photo
Hosanna Carella (’13, ’14) has been announced as a First-Year Fellow with the New World Symphony in Miami, FL.
Christa Cole photo
Christa Cole (’12, ’16) won a prestigious award for a theory presentation. If you know of an achievement by a fellow Credo Club member (or yourself!) send us an email so that we can share it and inspire others!
Looking forward to the year ahead!
The Credo Club Team
Heidi & Mattie, Credo Club Directors
Credo Club September Newsletter
Here is your September 2021 Credo Club newsletter!
Included in this month’s newsletter:
- Coming up this year!
- Service Project Highlights
- YouTube Channel
- Alumni Achievements
COMING UP IN 2021-2022
We are so excited for year two of Credo Club! We’ve got lots of fun stuff planned from more location-based service projects, to inspiring “Whatever is…” and “Listening Corner” videos on our YouTube channel, to continuing our Zoom Fireside Chats. We might even do some more collaborative videos like this one!
Keep an eye on the Facebook page and website to stay up to date with everything going on, and we’ll also send out emails with updates.
JULY SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS
Elizabeth Cheng (’21) and her sister took the opportunity to perform for residents and staff at an assisted living community in their neighborhood.
Elizabeth Cheng Service Project photo
So excited to hear about the Iroh Quartet’s service performance on July 18th. Keep making a difference in your community!
Iroh Quartet Service Project photo
AUGUST CHICAGO SERVICE PROJECT
Our first in-person Credo Club service project at the end of August was a HUGE SUCCESS! Credites (including PSlo!), family and friends gathered together to serve with Feed My Starving Children. They packed 14,500 meals and played music for the incoming volunteers – to inspire them to give joyously!
FMSC Service Project photo
YOUTUBE CONTENT
Our Credo Club specific YouTube content will be starting back up again after a pause over the summer! This year we will be focusing on “Whatever is…” which focuses on what it means to live out Christian faith as a musician, and “Listening Corner” where we will take a closer look at pieces of music.
Make sure to subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss all our amazing videos when they start up again. Plus you can find our videos through the Resources page on the Credo Club website!
ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS
Solomon Leonard (’19, ’20) is the Gold winner of the 43rd Annual NAACP National Act-So Competition. He won in the Instrumental-Classical Division! Solomon is also heading to Oberlin this fall to study with PSlo!
Rebekah Franklin (’09, ’10, ’11, ’12) begins teaching as an Adjunct Instructor of Music History at Oklahoma Baptist University this fall. She will also be teaching cello through OBU Prep. Congratulations Rebekah!
If you know of an achievement by a fellow Credo Club member (or yourself!) send us an email so that we can share it and inspire others!
Looking forward to the year ahead!
The Credo Club Team
Heidi & Mattie, Credo Club Directors
Credo Club July Newsletter
Hi Credo Club!
Don’t forget that you get insider access to these highlights of Credo Festival 2021! We’d also love for you to invite your friends along and encourage them to join the Credo Club family.
Use this Zoom link to access any of the following programs, each live streamed at 7 PM Eastern Time:
- July 6 “Expanding the Canon” - Jasper String Quartet explores the wonderful world of compositions by women and minority composers.
- July 8 Faculty Fireside - Meet Credo Faculty members up close and personal.
- July 9 “Rising Tide – the Crossroads Project” - The Fry Street String Quartet is featured in this cinematic performance fusing compelling science, evocative imagery, and powerful music in an exploration of nature, humanity, and the paths that lie before us.
- July 12 “Sound Strategies for String Quartet” - The Arianna String Quartet shares their insight on how to develop a mature quartet sound within your ensemble.
- July 13 “Inside the Recording Studio” - Credo alumnus Avery Bright (’04, ’05) has built a full-time career and literally built a recording studio. He works with leading artists in the Nashville area, specializing in recording strings.
- July 14 “Establishing A Chamber Music Career” - The Callisto Quartet is on a meteoric career path. They have won several significant competitions, awards, and residencies. Find out how to design a quartet career in the 21st century from people in the middle of creating their dream.
- July 15 Violin Master Class with David Chan, concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Looking forward to seeing you at the events in July!
The Credo Club Team
Heidi & Mattie, Credo Club Directors
Credo Club June Newsletter
Here is your June 2021 Credo Club newsletter!
Included in this month’s newsletter:
- Credo Club Summer: Insider Access
- Survey WINNER
- May Service Project Highlights
CREDO CLUB SUMMER: INSIDER ACCESS
Credo Club members get insider access to these livestream highlights of Credo Festival 2021! Why not invite some friends over to watch these festival highlights and if you like that, join us for in person Credo Club events?
Credo Club Summer Events (all at 7pm Eastern Time) A Zoom link will be sent to you closer to the Festival
- July 6 “Expanding the Canon” - Jasper String Quartet explores the wonderful world of compositions by women and minority composers.
- July 8 Faculty Fireside - Meet Credo Faculty members up close and personal.
- July 12 “Sound Strategies for String Quartet” - The Arianna String Quartet shares their insight on how to develop a mature quartet sound within your ensemble.
- July 13 “Inside the Recording Studio” - Credo alumnus Avery Bright (’04, ’05) has built a full-time career and literally built a recording studio. He works with leading artists in the Nashville area, specializing in recording strings.
- July 14 “Establishing A Chamber Music Career” - The Callisto Quartet is on a meteoric career path. They have won several significant competitions, awards, and residencies. Find out how to design a quartet career in the 21st century from people in the middle of creating their dream.
- July 15 Violin Master Class with David Chan, concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
WE HAVE A WINNER!
Credo Case StickerCongratulations CORRIE BASCOM for being our randomly selected winner of a free Credo T-shirt! Thanks to everyone who submitted responses to the survey. Make sure to keep an eye out for your case sticker!
MAY SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS
Check out some of these pictures of the Credo Club team responding in service as part of our May Service Project.
#CredoServes photo
Ashley and Miles picking up trash on their evening walk in Virginia.
#CredoServes photo #CredoServes photo
Heidi and Mattie van der Swaagh cleaning up trash (“rubbish”) in the local park in Scotland.
#CredoServes photo
Peter and Vicky Slowik cleaning and landscaping one of the Oberlin welcome signs.
YOUTUBE CONTENT
Credo Club Resource Index image
Our Credo Club specific YouTube content will be on pause during the summer. Instead, check out one (or all!) of the amazing Credo Festival summer events that you have special access to as a Credo Club member!
Make sure to subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss all our amazing videos when they start up again. Plus, you can find our videos through the Resources page on the Credo Club website!
Looking forward to seeing you at the events in July!
The Credo Club Team Heidi & Mattie, Credo Club Directors
Credo Club May Newsletter
Here is your May 2021 Credo Club newsletter!
Included in this month’s newsletter:
- May’s Service prompt
- Information on May’s live Fireside Chat
- A special giveaway opportunity!
MAY SERVICE PROJECT: PHYSICAL SERVICE
Credo Club May Service Project video link
It’s time to get back out there! We’ve decided to hold off on including musical performances this time, but it allows us to focus on giving back to our local communities in a physical (non-musical) way.
Click HERE for more information to help you complete your service project this month.
We are so excited for these in-person Credo Club Service Projects! Keep an eye on the Credo Club Facebook page, and feel free to send us any questions on Facebook or by email! This is also a great way to go out and do something with your friends, so make sure to get them involved too!
LIVE EVENT: FIRESIDE CHAT
Our next live event is Sunday, May 16th at 8pm ET: View From the Front: A Discussion on Leadership in Professional Orchestras, featuring
- Delta David Gier, guest conductor with Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra
- David Chan, Concertmaster of the MET Orchestra, Music Director of Montclair Orchestra
- Alyssa Wang (’10, ’14), Artistic Director of the Boston Festival Orchestra
Join Zoom Meeting
https://credomusic-org.zoom.us/j/3545998952
Meeting ID: 354 599 8952
Passcode: CredoClub!
SURVEY AND GIVEAWAY
Credo Case Sticker image
As Credo Club turns eight months old, and as we look to do more in person activities in the future, we want to make sure that we are doing the best that we can to support our members. To help us figure out how to serve YOU better, please take three minutes to fill out this survey. All participants will receive a FREE Credo case sticker and will automatically be entered into a drawing for a Credo T-shirt! Make sure to fill out the survey by Friday, May 14th! Thank you!!
YOUTUBE CONTENT
Credo Club Resource Index image
Keep an eye out Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings for new content on our YouTube channel! We will be focusing on Double Stops in our technique videos this month.
Make sure to subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss all our amazing videos.
Also, check out the Resources page on the Credo Club website! Everything is still housed on our YouTube channel, but now you can find an index by topic of our videos all in one place. We hope that this will be helpful for finding videos of specific techniques or topics.
We can’t wait to see what you do for your May service project.
Send us an email with any questions!
The Credo Club Team
Heidi & Mattie, Credo Club Directors
Credo Club April Newsletter
Here is your April 2021 Credo Club newsletter!
EASTER SERVICE PROJECT
Our Easter Service Project collaboration was a HUGE success! The videos (expertly edited by Credo Alumna Jane Larson, '14, '17, '20) were an amazing representation of the beautiful gift of music that we can make with others of all ages and locations. They have already been viewed a combined 830 times! If you haven’t seen them yet, take a moment to go watch:
LIVE EVENT
Our next live event is April 18th at 8pm ET – Multifaceted Careers: A Discussion on Innovative Paths to Musical Success, featuring:
- Natalie Lin Douglas (‘08)
- Kristina Giles (‘99-’02)
- Karen Burgman (‘04)
Come along to hear about the many different ways to have a career in music!
YOUTUBE CONTENT
Keep an eye out Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings for new content on our YouTube channel! We will be focusing on Vibrato in our technique videos this month.
Make sure to subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss all our amazing videos.
NEW RESOURCES PAGE
We have created a new Resources page on the Credo Club website! Everything is still housed on our YouTube channel, but now you can find an index by topic of our videos all in one place. We hope that this will be helpful for finding videos of specific techniques or topics.
CREDO CLUB & CREDO ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS
Alumnus William Bender (‘08, ‘09), No. 3 viola with the Philharmonia Orchestra in London, talks about the impact Credo had on his life as part of Credo’s Where it started... video series. Watch it here!
Credo Alumna Marlea Simpson (‘13, ‘15), is a multifaceted musician and faculty member for Credo Festival 2021! She has created an innovative space to talk about life as a musician. Check it out here!
If you have been up to anything exciting, please let us know so we can share it with the rest of the Credo Community!
We’d love for you to continue to invite your friends to join Credo Club to grow our community!
Send us an email with any questions!
The Credo Club Team
Heidi & Mattie, Credo Club Directors
Credo Club March Newsletter
EASTER SERVICE PROJECT COLLABORATION
Credo Club Christmas Carols were such a success that we are doing another collaborative video service project. We hope that you will join in once again for this opportunity to share some music with dear ones far and near on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
- Last week you received the sheet music for O Sacred Head, Now Wounded and Thine Be The Glory (Chorus from ‘Judas Maccabeus’). HERE is a link to that music again.
- This time we will be using guide videos instead of click tracks. You can use these videos to practice along to, and then also to record your video! Click the part you are playing below to access the related guide video!
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded video
Thine Be The Glory videos
- Once you have recorded your video (find recording guidelines HERE) please send them to credoclub@credomusic.org. Due dates are end of day March 19th for O Sacred Head, Now Wounded and end of day March 26th for Thine Be The Glory.
- We will then share the YouTube links with you that you can send them along to friends, family, church, and your communities!
LIVE EVENT
There are no live events this month, but please put April 9th from 4-6pm in your calendars for a special Credo Club meet-and-greet! More information to come closer to the time.
YOUTUBE CONTENT
Keep an eye out Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings for new content on our YouTube channel! We will be focusing on shifting in our technique videos this month.
Make sure to subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss all our amazing videos.
CREDO CLUB & CREDO ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS
Max van Hoeij photo
Credo Club Member and Credo Alum, Max van Hoeij (‘16, ‘17, ‘18) won the Charleston International Music Competition with his group, the Maschera Quartet. Bravo!
Bethany Hargreaves photo
Bethany Hargreaves (‘07, ‘09) was recently welcomed as the next new Young Artist with the Center for Musical Excellence where she will benefit from unique performance and recording opportunities, financial and professional support, and individualized mentorship and career guidance.
Hannah Duncan photo
Congratulations to alum Hannah Duncan (’15) and her colleagues in the ILO Quartet for winning the 2021 Coltman Competition, Senior String & Piano division! With 31 ensembles competing virtually, this is a fantastic achievement!
If you have been up to anything exciting, please let us know so we can share it with the rest of the Credo Community!
We’d love for you to continue to invite your friends to join Credo Club to grow our community!
Send us an email with any questions!
The Credo Club Team Heidi & Mattie, Credo Club Directors
Credo Club Easter Service Project Videos
Dear Credo Club,
We really loved how Credo Club came together this past Christmas to record the carols, so we would love to come together as a community again to do two special recordings for Easter!
The first recording is of the beautiful Bach chorale O Sacred Head, Now Wounded from St. Matthew’s Passion. Film yourself playing the chorale off of the supplied part along to the guide video and send it to us by the end of the day on March 19th. We will then combine all the videos together and release it on YouTube on April 2nd (Good Friday).
The second recording is of the Easter hymn Thine Be the Glory. If you play Suzuki books, you will recognize this as Judas Maccabeus! Cellos and violas can even just play out of their Suzuki books, and violins can do the same fingering, just down one string. But we have also included a link to the parts for violin, viola, and cello in this email. There are also beginner parts for violin, viola, and cello which are easier. Again, film yourself playing the hymn along to the guide video and send it to us by the end of the day on March 26th. We can then release the video in time for Easter!
For both videos, we will record guide videos that you can practice with and listen to while you film yourself. Listen to them carefully a couple times (especially the Bach) to make sure you have the timings and tempo right. These videos will also be the “click track” everyone will use to record.
Start practicing your parts NOW and we will send you the guide videos NEXT WEEK!
Parts are located HERE
Keep an eye out for the guide videos next week, and also we'd love for you to invite your friends to join it!
As always, please let us know if there are any questions.
Mattie & Heidi
Mattie and Heidi van der Swaagh Credo Club Directors
Credo Club February Newsletter
Here is your February 2021 Credo Club newsletter!
Call for SERVICE PROJECT Videos
Here are the steps for completing your February service project, Get Well Videos:
- Watch Alan Harrell’s video on YouTube describing the project
- Find people to whom you can send Get Well Videos
- Record your videos and send them to CredoClub@credomusic.org
- We will upload the videos to the Credo Club YouTube channel and send you a link to share the video easily (just like you did for the Credo Carols!)
LIVE EVENT
Rachel Barton Pine photo
Have you registered for our special event “Expanding the Canon” on February 21st at 8pm ET with Rachel Barton Pine yet?
Information can be found on our website, but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity that cannot be missed to hear directly from Rachel herself about the amazing work she does. We are extremely excited to welcome her back to the Credo family once again!
Those of you who are already members of the Facebook group will have been seeing lots of great videos about Pine and her daughter Sylvia. Anyone who has not joined the page already, we’d love you to do so now!
YOUTUBE CONTENT
Keep an eye out Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings for new content on our YouTube channel! We will be focusing on Fingerboard Geography in our technique videos this month.
Make sure to subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss all our amazing videos.
CREDO CLUB & CREDO ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS
McKenzie Fetters photo
McKenzie Fetters (’13, ’14) has successfully crafted a fascinating career. Not only does McKenzie still perform as a violinist, she records as an audiobook reader!
If you have been up to anything exciting, please let us know so we can share it with the rest of the Credo Community!
CONGRATULATIONS
We now have over 100 YouTube Subscribers! Thanks for helping us reach this milestone. A fun little perk of this is that we can now have our own custom URL which will make it easier to find and share with your friends: youtube.com/credoclub
We’d love for you to continue to invite your friends to join Credo Club to grow our community!
Send us an email with any questions!
The Credo Club Team
Heidi & Mattie, Credo Club Directors
Credo Club January Newsletter
Here is your January Credo Club newsletter!
Here’s a rundown of what is happening, some of the amazing things you are doing, and what Credo Alumni are up to.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Our Credo Club Carols were a HUGE success in December, with over 40 people contributing videos and 2K+ views between the two videos! Thank you so much to everyone who contributed and also to everyone who shared the videos. We know it was a blessing to all who saw them. Coming soon:
- Technique videos move to the left hand!
- Fireside Chat with some Masters Degree students (complete with hints on how they flourished in undergrad!)
- Service will celebrate Unsung Heroes
Just an extra reminder to please join the Facebook group so we can build our Credo Club community there!
Looking further ahead, Credo Club is incredibly excited to be welcoming Rachel Barton Pine for an interactive event on February 21st at 8pm. As Credo Club members, you get priority seats for this event if you RSVP before February 1st. More information to come, but please make sure to RSVP as soon as possible!
Rachel Barton Pine photo
You can always check out the YouTube channel, website, or Facebook group directly for information, but we will also include lots of direct links in these newsletters so that you can access everything from here!!!
Keep connecting with other members of Credo Club online by commenting on videos, responding to Facebook posts, or emailing us at CredoClub@credomusic.org!
Live events this month
Zoom information will be sent to registered Credo Club members a few days in advance of each event as well as being posted on the Credo Club Facebook page.
- January 17th at 8pm ET Fireside Chat: Music Major Mentorship - Recent college grads discuss what it actually looks like to apply for and earn a music degree.
- Nicholas Gallitano (‘14, ‘16)
- Sara Mason (‘17, ‘19)
- Jane Larson (‘14, ‘17)
YouTube
Look out for this month’s videos, and comment on them when they go up (SUBSCRIBE to the Credo Club channel!)
Technique videos this month will focus on: Left Hand set-up
- Prelude Cello: Joanne Erwin, Professor Emerita of Music Education at Oberlin Conservatory
- Prelude Violin/Viola: Samantha May (‘08), Orchestra Director, Hawthorn Middle South, Vernon Hills, IL
- Sonata & Caprice Cello: Tanya Carey, Artist Teacher at Roosevelt University CCPA and the Music Institute of Chicago
- Sonata & Caprice Violin/Viola: Carol Rodland, Professor of Viola and Chamber Music at the Juilliard School
”A More Excellent Way” with Peter Slowik
“Listening Corner” with Mattie van der Swaagh, Goldberg Variations
“Whatever is…” You get better at what you practice, Bryan Dumm, Credo Faculty
- January 2021 Service Project: Unsung Heroes
We all have people in our lives who help us enormously, but we don’t always notice or acknowledge, so we want to take January as a chance to stop, recognize, and thank those people. We would like each one of you to find at least one Unsung Hero in your life to acknowledge and thank this January. It might be a teacher, someone from school, church, your postman, or even someone within your own family. Find a way to thank them and to show them your appreciation.
Website
Check the Credo Club website for up to date information about events happening each month.
If you haven’t already, please join the Facebook group, as this will be the best way to get involved with the Credo Club community - that's where we'll be posting a lot of extra stuff!!! We hope that the Facebook group will be a place for members of Credo Club to connect with like-minded musicians from all over.
Credo Club & Credo Alumni Highlights
Service highlight - Marina (‘19, ‘20) and Elena Ziegler (‘20) served at Stewart's Caring Place, a cancer support center, and helped pass out gifts and food at a drive through.
Ziegler photos
Augusta McKay Lodge ('03, '05) was interviewed by Strings Magazine. She shares about music making during the pandemic, her new album, and even her current preferred mic for recording at home.
Augusta Lodge photo
If you have been up to anything exciting, please let us know so we can share it with the rest of the Credo Community!
We’d LOVE for you to continue to invite your friends to join Credo Club to grow our community! Send them over the Credo Club website for more information, or share this PDF flyer.
Credo Club Invitation PDF thumbnail
Send us an email with any questions!
The Credo Club Team
Heidi & Mattie van der Swaagh
Credo Club Directors
2020
Credo Club "Silent Night" Project Credo Club "Silent Night" Project
Hi Credites!
Credo Club is so excited to share the second video link, Silent Night, for our December Service Project: Spreading Holiday Musical Cheer! We think that it is absolutely amazing and will be a huge blessing wherever it is shared.
All that is left is for each of you to share the videos. The carols are up on the Credo Club YouTube channel so that everyone can easily access them without worrying about downloading or uploading. All they will need is the link!
Silent Night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IxkgVuCQr0
You can share this musical gift with:
- Churches! - Ask your church if the video could be sent out to members of the congregation (especially those who might be in isolation at the moment!).
- Nursing homes! - See if there are any local nursing or care homes in your area that would love to receive this gift.
- Family and friends! - Send the link directly to their email or phone!
- Social media! - The YouTube link will be easy to post on Facebook or Instagram if you want to share it with your friends and followers! A huge thank you to everyone who contributed, and a special shout out to Jane Larson and Miles Nicholson for their incredible editing of the two carols!
Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year, The Credo Club Team
Maria Beltavski
Kim Lint
Peter & Vicky Slowik
Ashley Scott
Heidi & Mattie van der Swaagh
Credo Club "Joy to the World" Project
Hi Credites!
Credo Club is so excited to share the first video link, Joy To The World, for our December Service Project: Spreading Holiday Musical Cheer! We think that it is absolutely amazing and will be a huge blessing wherever it is shared. Silent Night to come later in the week!
All that is left is for each of you to share the videos. The carols are up on the Credo Club YouTube channel so that everyone can easily access them without worrying about downloading or uploading. All they will need is the link!
Joy To The World: https://youtu.be/zO3Bxc79ExI
You can share this musical gift with:
- Churches! - Ask your church if the video could be sent out to members of the congregation (especially those who might be in isolation at the moment!).
- Nursing homes! - See if there are any local nursing or care homes in your area that would love to receive this gift.
- Family and friends! - Send the link directly to their email or phone!
- Social media! - The YouTube link will be easy to post on Facebook or Instagram if you want to share it with your friends and followers! A huge thank you to everyone who contributed, and a special shout out to Jane Larson and Miles Nicholson for their incredible editing of the two carols!
Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year, The Credo Club Team
Maria Beltavski
Kim Lint
Peter & Vicky Slowik
Ashley Scott
Heidi & Mattie van der Swaagh
Credo Club December Newsletter
Here is your December Credo Club newsletter!
It’s hard to believe that it is already December, but here at Credo Club, we are so excited about all that is in store for you this month! We have already started work on our Service project for the month of December (see below for more information), and we have some great technique videos and a Fireside chat lined up for you.
This newsletter is to give a rundown of what is happening, highlight some of the amazing things you are doing, and tell you about what Credo Alumni are up to. You can always check out the YouTube channel, website, or Facebook group directly for information, but we will also include lots of direct links in these newsletters so that you can access everything from here!!!
Keep connecting with other members of Credo Club online by commenting on videos, responding to Facebook posts, or even emailing us at CredoClub@credomusic.org!
Live events this month
Zoom information will be sent to registered Credo Club members a few days in advance of each event as well as being posted on the Credo Club Facebook page.
December 13th at 8pm ET Fireside Chat with College/Conservatory Faculty (the Inside Scoop)
- Robin Scott, violin faculty, Eastman School of Music
- Rebecca Landell Reed, baroque cello faculty, Oberlin Conservatory
- Peter Slowik, viola faculty, string division chair, Oberlin Conservatory
YouTube
Look out for this month’s videos, and comment on them when they go up (SUBSCRIBE to the Credo Club channel!)
Technique videos this month will focus on: Extended Techniques
Prelude Cello: Heidi van der Swaagh, ‘08, ‘09, ‘12-14 Cello Lecturer at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Prelude Violin/Viola: Becky Johnson, ‘09, ‘10, ‘12 violin and viola teacher
All Sonata & Caprice: Anne Lanzilotti, violist, International Contemporary Ensemble and Curator for Music at the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center in New York; Garth Knox, violist of the Arditti Quartet and the Ensemble intercontemporain.
”A More Excellent Way” with Peter Slowik
“Listening Corner” with Peter Slowik
“Whatever is…” Handel’s Messiah as a devotional
December Service Project: Credo Club Carols
- We are already in full swing with our December Service project: recording two Christmas carols to create a collaborative video and then sending them to people in our community. Hopefully everyone has already seen the emails and Facebook posts about this, but, if not, click here for more information, the sheet music, and click-tracks and here to see what happens after you submit your video!
Website
Check the Credo Club website for up to date information about events happening each month.
If you haven’t already, please join the Facebook group, as this will be the best way to get involved with the Credo Club community - that's where we'll be posting a lot of extra stuff!!! We hope that the Facebook group will be a place for members of Credo Club to connect with like-minded musicians from all over.
Credo Club & Credo Alumni Highlights
November Service highlight - Julia Kostraba (‘20) made two pies and donated two cases of bottled water to Lafayette Urban Ministry for their Thanksgiving feast that they provide to the homeless in the area.
November Service: Food Distribution James Preucil (’16, ’17, ’18, ’19) shares this video on his YouTube page… he was featured by Twoset Violin! Here’s what he had to say:
"Twoset Violin made a video of themselves playing a piece without a melody, telling their fans to add one in. This is my take on their challenge, including some of the most sacrilegious techniques that violists are not usually encouraged to attempt.”
Check out his video here!
If you have been up to anything exciting, please let us know so we can share it with the rest of the Credo Community!
We’d LOVE for you to continue to invite your friends to join Credo Club to grow our community! Send them over the Credo Club website for more information, or share this PDF flyer.
Credo Club Invitation
Send us an email with any questions!
The Credo Club Team
Heidi & Mattie van der Swaagh
Credo Club Directors
Credo Club December Service Project Email #2
Hi Credo Club!
We are really looking forward to hearing all your videos of “Joy To The World” and “Silent Night” for our December Respond in Service. You may be wondering: once I’ve submitted my video recordings, what happens next?
Credo Club is working to put all the video submissions together. While we do that, you should start thinking about where you can send the videos to bring Christmas cheer! The videos will be put up on the Credo Club YouTube channel so that everyone can easily access them without worrying about downloading or uploading. All they will need is the link!
Some Credo Club members will be sending this musical gift to:
- Their churches! - Ask your church if the video could be sent out to members of the congregation (especially those who might be in isolation at the moment!).
- Nursing homes! - See if there are any local nursing or care homes in your area that would love to receive this gift.
- Family and friends! - Send the link directly to their email or phone!
- Social media! - The YouTube link will be easy to post on Facebook or Instagram if you want to share it with your friends and followers!
Where will you send it?
Mattie and Heidi, Credo Club Directors
Credo Club December Service Project Email
Hi Credo Club!
We’re so excited to create a Christmas Carols project for the December Respond in Service! We might not all be able to be together physically to play carols, and depending on restrictions in each local area, we may not be able to go into nursing homes, retirement communities, or hospitals to spread some holiday cheer through live music. However, what we can do is a virtual Credo Club recording of a couple carols to send to those in our communities, as well as our families and friends. Here’s a little sample of what we were thinking (it will be waaay better when we have your contribution!)
A very brief overview of how this will work:
- We send you a click track and music
- You send us your recordings
- We put them all together
- All of us share these recordings with those around us
Here is a description of the process required to make this happen.
Deadline for videos — please send your files to credoclub@credomusic.org by December 12. This can be done by uploading the file to Google Drive, Dropbox, or sending via WeTransfer.
Preparation Process:
You will need:
Sheet music
Accessible on the Google Drive folders “Joy To the World” and “Silent Night” and posted on the Credo Club Facebook page. You will find melody and harmony parts for each instrument, and easy open-string parts for “Joy To The World”.
Click tracks
Accessible on the Google Drive folders “Joy To The World - Credo Club Click Track” and ”Silent Night - Credo Club Click Track” This is the backing track you will use to guide your performance during the recording. It has a recording of the melody with a metronome as well as a synchronized clap and count in. Use the recording to practice. You may need to practice this several times before you attempt recording!
Devices and headphones
You will need to be able to play the click track through headphones and record the video, so you might need two devices to do this!
Recording Process:
- Tune your instrument to 441
- First start the video recording (record in landscape mode)
- Second, start the audio file click track through headphones
- Be ready to do a clap before you play so we can line all the recordings up
- Play the whole carol (3 times through)
- Stop the recording when you have finished
- Repeat the process if you don’t like the results!
- Feel free to record more than one part and send them to us
- Share your video with credoclub@credomusic.org via Google Drive, WeTransfer, Dropbox, or however you prefer as an .mp4 or .mov (reach out for assistance if you need help with this)
Things to think about when you record:
- Think about what you wear — you can wear something festive, or your Credo T-shirt or hoody is a good choice as well!
- Think about what is behind you in the video — stand where the background is either plain or else ‘less busy’ — we want YOU to be the focus.
- Film in landscape — make sure to turn your phone sideways.
- Frame your shot — make sure to position the camera so that we can see you clearly. Try to fill the screen as much as possible.
- Use natural lighting — if possible record with a window in front of you. Avoid standing with one behind you, as you may become a silhouette.
We really look forward to seeing your contributions, and we cannot wait to share the final version! We think this will be a wonderful way to come together as a group and spread some holiday cheer.
Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions. We’ll be on the look out for emails or messages on Facebook to help and support you through this process!
Heidi & Mattie, Credo Club Directors
Credo Club November Service Project Email - LAST CALL
Hello Credo Club!
Last call for November service: Food Distribution. There's still time to serve! Just in case you need them, click here to download two documents to help you with your service project:
Please let us know if we can help in any way and we look forward to seeing your pictures and videos!
Heidi & Mattie, Credo Club Directors
#CredoServes in Oberlin - November 2020 photos of Credites serving
Credo Club November Service Project Email
Hello Credo Club!
Here is some information to help you complete your service project this month. We are so excited for our first in-person Credo Club Service Projects, and while we decided to hold off on including musical performances this time, it allows us to focus on giving back to our local communities in a physical (non-musical) way. Keep an eye on the Credo Club Facebook Group for more information, and feel free to send us any questions on Facebook or by email!
Download a PDF of the project guide here
We can’t wait to hear all about your projects!
Heidi & Mattie, Credo Club Directors
Credo Club November Newsletter
Here is your November Credo Club newsletter!
Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Even though it might feel a bit different this year, we are still really looking forward to spending time eating and reflecting on the many blessings in our lives.
This newsletter is to give a rundown of what is happening, highlight some of the amazing things you are doing, and tell you about what Credo Alumni are up to. You can always check out the YouTube channel, website, or Facebook group directly for information, but we will also include lots of direct links in these newsletters so that you can access everything from here!!!
Keep connecting with other members of Credo Club online by commenting on videos, responding to Facebook posts, or even emailing us at CredoClub@credomusic.org!
Live events this month
Zoom information will be sent to registered Credo Club members a few days in advance of each event as well as being posted on the Credo Club Facebook page.
- Thanksgiving weekend - “Listening Party” with Credo Alumni
- Service Projects - Food Distribution (see below for more details)
YouTube
Look out for this month’s videos, and comment on them when they go up (SUBSCRIBE to the Credo Club channel!):
Technique videos this month will focus on: Bow Strokes
- Prelude Cello: Julia Wen, Music Institute of Chicago Cello Faculty
- Sonata & Caprice Cello: Amit Peled, professor of cello at the Peabody Conservatory
- Prelude Violin/Viola: Joanne May, assistant professor of music education at Elmhurst College
- Sonata & Caprice Violin/Viola: Peter Slowik
”A More Excellent Way” with Peter Slowik
“Listening Corner” with Peter Slowik
- “Whatever is…”
- November Service Project: Food Distribution
We had been hoping to have some group musical Service Projects in November, but given the weather and Covid-19 situation at the moment, we have decided instead to focus on in-person service through Food Distribution! We are so excited to see the ways you each find to serve in this way within your own communities, and we think it is a perfect way to ramp up to musical service in December (more to come soon on some Credo Club Collaborative Carols–try to say that five times fast). Keep an eye out on the Facebook page, YouTube, and via email for more information about the November Service Projects in the coming weeks.
Website
Check the Credo Club website for up to date information about events happening each month.
If you haven’t already, please join the Facebook group, as this will be the best way to get involved with the Credo Club community - that's where we'll be posting a lot of extra stuff!!! We hope that the Facebook group will be a place for members of Credo Club to connect with like-minded musicians from all over.
Credo Club & Credo Alumni Highlights
Aiden Scheuer ('17, '20) performed as a violinist with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra for three seasons. When the pandemic hit and live performances were cancelled, CYO decided to have its members record individual parts of 3 orchestral pieces in order to combine both the audio and video. One of the pieces involved a collaboration with Styx member, Tommy Shaw!
For the other 2 pieces, CYO asked composition teacher, Dr. Jenny Connor, if she had any middle school or high school students who have composed pieces for orchestra. She recommended 2 students, and Aidan was one of them. CYO's recording of Purple Hurricanes is the premiere of the piece and it showcases Aidan's love for challenging meters. Check it out here and leave a comment of encouragement for Aiden... let's cheer him on!
If you have been up to anything exciting, please let us know so we can share it with the rest of the Credo Community!
We’d LOVE for you to continue to invite your friends to join Credo Club to grow our community! Send them over the Credo Club website for more information, or share this PDF flyer.
jpg of Credo Club Invitation
Send us an email with any questions!
The Credo Club Team
Heidi & Mattie van der Swaagh
Credo Club Directors
Credo Club October Newsletter
Here is your October Credo Club newsletter!
We hope that you are all staying safe as we continue to deal with life during Covid-19. We would really like to encourage you to engage with other members of Credo Club online by commenting on videos, responding to Facebook posts, or even emailing us at credoclub@credomusic.org!
Each month we will email Credo Club members a newsletter giving a rundown of what is happening that month, highlighting some of the amazing things you are doing, and telling you about what Credo Alumni are up to. You can always check out the YouTube channel, website, or Facebook group directly for information, but we will also include lots of direct links in these newsletters so that you can access everything from here!!!
Live events this month
Zoom information will be sent to registered Credo Club members a few days in advance of each event.
- October 25th @ 8pm ET: Fireside Chat with early-career orchestral musicians from Chicago Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, and Minnesota Orchestra.
YouTube
Look out for this month’s videos, and comment on them when they go up (SUBSCRIBE to the Credo Club channel!):
Technique videos this month will focus on: the bow arm.
- Prelude Cello: Dr. Lisa Caravan, Assistant Professor of Music Teaching and Learning at Eastman School of Music; Credo Alumna ‘04
- Sonata & Caprice Cello: Adrian van Dongen, founder and artistic director of the International Music festival Valencia and YouTube: Advanced Cellotips
- Prelude Violin/Viola: Louise Zeitlin, Director, Community Music School at Oberlin College and Conservatory
- Sonata & Caprice Violin/Viola: (courtesy of Violinist.com) Kurt Sassmannshaus, Professor of Violin; the Dorothy Richard Starling Chair in Classical Violin at University of Cincinnati CCM
- ”A More Excellent Way” with Peter Slowik
- “Listening Corner” with Peter Slowik
- “Whatever is…” with Kangwon Kim
- BONUS “Whatever is…” with Peter Slowik
- Fireside Chat with early-career orchestral musicians
- October Service Project: Postcards!
Website
Check the Credo Club website for up to date information about events happening each month.
Credo Club & Credo Alumni Highlights
Credo Alumni Josh Halpern (‘08, ‘09) and Ben Manis (‘08, ‘09) gave an incredible performance of Kol Nidrei Op. 47 by Max Bruch that they arranged for two cellos and piano (Ken Smith).
vimeo thumbnail - Kol Nidrei Op. 47 (Max Bruch) - Ben Manus and Josh Halpern
Credo Club member and Credo Alumna Maya Sauder (’20) auditioned and was accepted to participate in a masterclass featuring cellists from the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. The masterclass was given by Principal Cello Jerry Grossman, Assistant Principal Joel Noyes, Julia Bruksin, and Kari Jane Docter. Maya played the first movement of the Elgar Cello Concerto. The masterclass took place online on Sunday, October 11.
If you haven’t already, please join the Facebook group, as this will be the best way to get involved with the Credo Club community - that's where we'll be posting a lot of extra stuff!!! We hope that the Facebook group will be a place for members of Credo Club to connect with like-minded musicians from all over. Currently this group will be for Credo Club members ages 6-18 and their parents.
Anything else
We are hoping to have some IN-PERSON Service Projects in November (Food Service and Music) and December (Musical Gifts) – Covid-19 regulations permitting. We will have a few “hub” locations with more formalized service activities, but of course, we encourage all Credo Club members to do these projects even if you aren’t close to a hub! If you think you might be interested in spearheading a project in your area, let us know, and we’ll try to connect you with people in your area! Keep an eye out for more information on these projects.
We’d LOVE for you to continue to invite your friends to join Credo Club to grow our community! Send them over the Credo Club website for more information, or share this PDF flyer.
jpg of Credo Club Invitation
Send us an email with any questions!
The Credo Club Team
Heidi & Mattie van der Swaagh
Credo Club Directors
Welcome to Credo Club!!
Welcome to Credo Club!!!
We are so excited to confirm that you have successfully registered for Credo Club. We are looking forward to working with you and welcoming you into the Credo family!
We want to give you a bit more information about everything Credo Club.
Credo Club will be producing content for each section of the Credo Mission: DEVELOP, ACKNOWLEDGE, and RESPOND. We hope that you will enjoy the content from all of these sections, but we understand that not all of our material will be for everyone. Use the portions that make sense to you.
In addition to all the videos on YouTube (please SUBSCRIBE), as a member of Credo Club, you will have access to the Credo Club Facebook group and all our live content. Please join the Facebook group, as this will be the best way to get involved with the Credo Club community – that's where we'll be posting a lot of extra stuff!!! We hope that the Facebook group will be a place for members of Credo Club to connect with like-minded musicians from all over.
When you registered, we asked you to determine which of the three tiers you would like to be in.
Prelude (ages 6 - 11; Suzuki Books 1 - 3)
Sonata (ages 10 - 14; Suzuki Books 4 and above)
Caprice (ages 13 - 18; advanced)
There is flexibility with the tiers, but some of our material will be more geared to particular tiers. These tiers will also be used as we add more in-person activities.
Much of our video content, such as “Listening Corner”, “Whatever is…”, “A more excellent way”, and Service projects will be for everyone, regardless of the tier you are in. Other content, especially our Technique videos, will be tailored for each group. Sometimes the two upper levels may be combined, but we are also bringing in specialists in beginner pedagogy for the Prelude tier because we know that is just as important! We encourage you, however, to watch any technique videos that you want, even if they are not from your tier or instrument – there are always new things to learn (or relearn)!
We will be hosting live content (currently on Zoom) at least once a month. These will be opportunities for Credo Club members to hear from world class musicians, attend masterclasses, and join together as a community. Depending on what the activity is, there may be tier suggestions in place.
Check out the UPCOMING LIVE EVENTS on the Credo Club website.
As Credo Club grows, and as restrictions around Covid-19 allow, we will encourage members in the same area to come together in person. This may be for service projects, or may be just to sight-read chamber music. Our hope is that students from each tier will work together. We intend to create mentor relationships, where older students mentor younger students!
If you have an additional email address you would like Credo Club emails to go to (such as another parent email), please let us know and we will add that in.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
We can’t wait to get started! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the YouTube channel and JOIN the Facebook group!
All the best,
The Credo Club team