Practicing Through the Summer! · News · Hsinmin Elementary 新民國小

Summer break isn't just for resting — it's also a chance to grow! Even in the summer heat, the young musicians of Hsinmin's Strings & Winds Ensemble haven't slowed down one bit.

Every day, they go over the basics again and again — bowing technique, pitch, rhythm, and mastering each piece. Every note played is a challenge to themselves, and every repetition helps them improve just a little more.

Preparing for the upcoming Mayor's Cup competition, the students practice with focus and cheer each other on, building their skills drop by drop through sweat and music.

What we treasure most is watching the children slowly learn persistence, focus, patience, and the courage to never give up along the way. Thank you to this group of students who chose to keep improving their skills through summer break — your dedication is the most beautiful scene of all.

A special thank-you as well to the parents who accompany, drive, encourage, and support the children every step of the way. Because of you, they can chase their musical dreams with confidence. 🎵✨

中文原文 · Chinese

暑假不只是休息，也是讓自己更進步的時光！

炎炎夏日，新民弦笛團的孩子們依然沒有停下腳步。

每天一遍又一遍練習，從基本的弓法、運弓練習，音準、節奏與樂曲的熟練，每一次拉奏，都是對自己的挑戰；每一次重來，都是讓自己更進步的累積。

為了即將到來的市長盃，孩子們認真準備、彼此鼓勵，在汗水與琴聲中，一點一滴累積實力。

而我們更珍惜的，是孩子們在學習音樂的過程中，慢慢學會了堅持、專注、耐心與不輕言放棄。

謝謝這一群願意利用暑假持續精進琴藝的孩子們，你們認真的模樣，就是最美的風景。

也要特別感謝一路陪伴、接送、鼓勵與支持的家長們，因為有你們的陪伴，孩子才能安心追逐自己的音樂夢想。

English Learning Corner

Words About Practice & Patience英語學習角 · 和練習與堅持有關的小單字

Six key words — tap 🔊 to listen, then try the conversation and quiz.
六個關鍵字，點 🔊 聽發音，再試試對話和小考。

1Key Words

關鍵字 · 點 🔊 聽單字，再點小喇叭聽整句

persistent(adj.)

堅持不懈的

A persistent person keeps trying even when something is hard. The ensemble members are persistent — they practice every single summer day.

堅持不懈的人即使遇到困難也會不斷嘗試。弦笛團的孩子們很堅持，暑假每天都練習。

focus(v./n.)

專注；重點

To focus means to pay close attention to one thing. You need to focus to play the correct pitch and rhythm.

專注就是全神貫注在一件事情上。要拉出正確的音準和節奏，需要專注。

patience(n.)

耐心

Patience means staying calm while you wait or keep trying. Learning an instrument takes a lot of patience.

耐心是指在等待或不斷嘗試時保持冷靜。學習一項樂器需要很多耐心。

improve(v.)

進步；改善

To improve means to get better at something over time. Practicing every day helps musicians improve their skills.

進步是指隨著時間把某件事做得更好。每天練習能幫助音樂家精進技巧。

pitch(n.)

音準；音高

Pitch is how high or low a musical note sounds. Playing the correct pitch is one of the hardest parts of learning an instrument.

音準是指音符聽起來的高低。拉出正確的音準是學樂器最難的部分之一。

overcome(v.)

克服

To overcome a challenge means to succeed in dealing with a difficult problem. The students overcome tiredness to keep practicing all summer.

克服挑戰就是成功處理一個困難的問題。孩子們克服了疲累，整個暑假持續練習。

2Try the Conversation

對話練習 · 兩個人一組輪流唸；點 ▶ 可整段播放

🎹 Scene · Two ensemble members talk about practicing over summer break.
情境：兩位弦笛團的孩子聊起暑假練習的事。

A
Do you still practice every day, even during summer break?
你暑假還是每天都在練習嗎？
B
Yes! We need to focus on pitch and rhythm before the Mayor's Cup.
對啊！市長盃之前我們要專注在音準和節奏上。
A
That takes a lot of patience. Doesn't it get tiring?
這需要很多耐心耶。不會很累嗎？
B
Sometimes, but we overcome it together and cheer each other on.
有時候會，但我們一起克服，彼此加油打氣。
A
Being persistent like that really helps you improve fast!
這麼堅持不懈，真的會進步很快！

3Quick Quiz

五題小考 · 選出最合適的答案，點 🔊 可聽題目

Q1.Someone who keeps trying even when things are hard is ______.

即使遇到困難也不斷嘗試的人是______的。

persistent 堅持不懈的 ✓ — The ensemble kept practicing all summer without giving up — that's real persistence. 弦笛團整個暑假不斷練習、絕不放棄，這就是真正的堅持不懈。

Q2.To pay close attention to one thing is to ______.

全神貫注在一件事情上叫做______。

focus 專注 ✓ — Musicians must focus carefully to play the right pitch and rhythm together. 音樂家必須專心才能一起拉出正確的音準與節奏。

Q3.Staying calm while you keep trying shows ______.

在不斷嘗試時保持冷靜，展現出______。

patience 耐心 ✓ — Learning to play in tune takes a lot of patience and repeated practice. 學會拉準音需要很多耐心和反覆練習。

Q4.How high or low a musical note sounds is called its ______.

音符聽起來的高低叫做它的______。

pitch 音準 ✓ — Getting the pitch exactly right is one of the most challenging parts of playing strings and winds. 拉出精準的音準，是弦樂和管樂中最具挑戰的部分之一。

Q5.To succeed in dealing with a difficult problem is to ______ it.

成功處理一個困難的問題，叫做______它。

overcome 克服 ✓ — The students overcome the summer heat and tiredness to keep practicing for the Mayor's Cup. 孩子們克服了暑假的炎熱與疲累，持續為市長盃練習。