#SummerOfCo-
Summer 2026 hashtag was #SummerOfCo-
All summer long, we offered plenty of support by focusing on topics that start with the letters CO-. Hashtags were featured in a weekly email message sent to students and families who were registered for our programs during the Summer of 2026. Here is a complete recap of all the words we used to guide our students. All the hashtags are still relevant, so feel free to incorporate those that speak to you!
Week 1: #Combine! It is rewarding and enriching to #combine music study or practice with other activities. Today, we wanted to wish and congratulate our musicians in youth orchestras who have recently #combined their music with travel! Many PMA students have performed and visited Gettysburg, French Woods Performing Arts Camp, or are off to tour Greece and Italy this summer with area Youth Orchestras! Others will attend Suzuki Institutes or other music camps. Where can music take you?
Week 2: #Consistency. As you transition to summer and create a routine, where do you include music practice? If you practice consistently, you will improve. If you work out every day, you will get fit. If you read a page a day, you will finish the book. #Consistency guarantees the result. Here are some thoughts to help you create #consistency.
1. Align the practice time with another activity that happens daily: meals, activities, self care tasks.
2. Eliminate barriers to getting started: set up an area that can be always ready for practice; instrument out and ready with music and assignments on the stand or music rack.
3. Use technology to remind you it is time to practice: set an alarm or reminder on your watch, smart phone, or tablet.
Week 3: #Community. This week presents the perfect opportunity to be in #community with friends, neighbors, and family. Lean into the collective effervescence available at the plentiful concert opportunities in honor of this special patriotic observance. The Pittsburgh Symphony is performing live and free around Pittsburgh. You can see Jennifer Madge and Steve Goldbach with the Wheeling Symphony touring West Virginia. I'm sure there are many other PMA teachers performing this weekend, too! How about if your student creates a concert experience on your own front porch or at a neighborhood park?! We'd love to see any photos of your experiences at or giving concerts this weekend! Just email them to us!
Week 4: #Contemplation. Spend some time reflecting on a practice session, lesson, rehearsal or performance. Reflection is an active tool for improvement rather than a search for mistakes. Ask yourself or your student:
1. What improved today?
2. What still feels inconsistent?
3. What strategy helped the most?
4. What is one adjustment to make for next time?
Reflection isn't about judging the self. Instead, it is about making the next session more purposeful. Want to dive deeper into this topic and learn what inspired this hashtag, listen here.
Week 5: #Collaborate #Concerto #Confluence. Some bonus words for this week! Please watch this video of our Amaury Morales performing a #concerto written FOR HIM by our Joshua Malavé (#collaborate) for the #Confluence Ensemble. From the video description: Piano concerto, subtitled "Confrontation with the void," is a traditional four movement work with an underlying drama between two opposing forces. One force represents the sun; heroic, bright, and expansive, while the other force represents the void; cold, curious, shimmering, and spiritually desolate. Yet another co- word! #Confrontation!
1. How are you collaborating with your family and teacher for practice success?
2. Concertos are pieces that feature usually one player in front of an ensemble.
3. Confluence is coming together. In what ways do you come together to grow, improve or share your music?
4. What are some ways to weather confrontation? Pro-tip: the words used in a confrontation can affect the tone of the conversation. Using phrases like "I notice..." instead of "you are..." can help diffuse strong feelings.
Week 6: #Connection. It's time for a celebration that #connects students, music and fun! We have some AWESOME activities planned for this event.
Week 7: #Confidence. #Confidence is a feeling of trust in one's own abilities. No one is born #confident. You build #confidence over time by consistently putting in time with the instrument and noticing the progress being made. Here are some ways you can build #confidence in yourself or your student:
1. Keep track of practicing with a practice chart or tracker. Find loads of them at thepracticeshoppe.com.
2. Record something from a practice session. On the playback, list several elements that have improved since the last recording session.
3. Remember an exercise or piece of music that seemed impossible when first attempted. Acknowledge that you were able to learn the skill or music. Memorialize this with a photo of yourself with the piece of music or by playing it again today!
Week 8: #Communication. There is #communication between all corners of the Suzuki Triangle: parent and student, student and teacher, and parent and teacher. There is also #communication between performer and audience. What about PMA and our community?
1. Approach practice sessions and lessons with a curiosity about what and how ideas are communicated between the people. What is working and what can be addressed this school year? Make notes in your journal!
2. Make a list of adjectives and choose one at random. How can the student adjust tone and dynamics to reflect the chosen descriptor? Choose another and see if the practice partner can hear a difference!
3. PMA students and faculty perform regularly throughout the community. This cultivates a community that craves music to hear. Stay tuned to learn about continuing and new events for our teachers and students!
Week 9: #Completion! Since this is the final week of the summer session at PMA, let's talk about #completion.
1. How do you, your student, and your teacher decide a piece or task is complete? This is a very individualized decision and factors such as maturity, tolerance, and goal setting must be considered.
2. What is the difference between quitting and completion? Quitting is a negative mindset, implying that improvement is impossible. Even if the musician didn't reach a goal in its entirety, calling it complete implies success and accomplishment, both of which lead to increased confidence and renewed motivation.
3. Celebrate! Look back over the #summerofco- concepts and discuss or jot down which points moved your musician in a positive direction. Parents of young students: tell them what you discover and encourage them to be as proud of themselves as you are of them!