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Suzuki
Music at MSFAC
Overview
- Children may start as young as three,
and all ages are welcome.
- Weekly private instruction in violin,
viola, cello, bass, or piano.
- Lessons
are offered in 15-, 30-, 45- or 60-minute intervals depending on the
student’s age and prior experience.
- Group lessons with students from the
teacher’s studio in a relaxed atmosphere.
- Parents participate actively in lessons
and help with practice at home.
- Informational Suzuki Parent Workshops
offered each semester.
- Students develop reading, ear-training,
and memorization skills while having fun.
What is the Suzuki
Method?
Shinichi Suzuki developed his approach to music teaching in the 1940s
in Japan. He believed children could learn music the same way they
learned language — through listening, imitation, loving encouragement,
and practice. At the heart of Suzuki’s “mother-tongue approach” is a
three-part recipe: daily listening and practice, the
parent-teacher-child relationship, and the fellowship and mutual
stimulation of group sessions. With all of these elements at play,
children as young as three can learn to play an instrument beautifully.
How
does the Suzuki Method
compare to other methods?
There are five principal ways in which the Suzuki Method differs from
other methods:
1. While all Suzuki students learn to read music, the introduction of
reading is delayed until students have achieved basic proficiency at
the instrument. Students learn to play by imitating their teacher. They
develop both reading and listening as ways to learn.
2.
Listening to the repertoire builds ear-training skills that are a
vital part of any musician’s development. With daily listening,
students learn phrasing, complicated rhythmic patterns, and stylistic
subtleties.
3. The
Suzuki repertoire begins with pieces that are familiar to and
fun for the children, such as popular folk songs like “Twinkle, Twinkle
Little Star” and progress in technical difficulty to include
Baroque and Classical literature as demands require. We frequently
return to the simple, beginning pieces to further master various
technical skills.
4. Because
the repertoire quickly advances to a higher level, children
need help with home practice. Parents learn alongside their child at
lessons and become “home-teachers” during daily practice. Parents work
with the teacher to create an enjoyable learning environment.
5. Regular
group lessons reinforce the goals outlined above while
providing students and parents with additional motivation, group and
individual performance opportunities, and a community of support.
What is a typical
lesson like?
The instructor involves both the parent and student (and sometimes
siblings!) in the lesson. Teachers work with and away from the
instrument, often incorporating other instruments, clapping, singing,
and musical games. Teachers expect and reward practice and the
accomplishment of goals.
What happens during
group
lessons?
Group lessons take place once per month for one hour. Each group
session is scheduled by the instructor. Group lessons are indispensable
for progress. They are opportunities for the children to learn from one
another, play together, perform for each other, and learn music
appreciation.
What
is expected of the student?
Students are expected to attend weekly lessons, listen to their CD and
practice daily, and attend monthly group sessions. Practicing will
start at 5 minutes per day and gradually increase.
What
is expected of the parents?
Parents play a vital role in the Suzuki Method. They participate in and
take notes during lessons so they can help their student at home at
each practice session. Parents are also responsible for implementing
the daily listening program. As the child matures, the parental role
gradually decreases. MSFAC offers Suzuki Parent Workshops each semester
provide support and fun ideas for home practice.
Why study Suzuki at
MSFAC?
For over ten years, the Monroe Street Fine Arts Center has supported
children and their families through high-quality, affordable arts
education. Our Suzuki-trained faculty work closely with families to
provide an enjoyable experience learning and appreciating music, in a
spirit of creativity, flexibility, and fun. MSFAC has a welcoming
environment where kids and adults of all ages come together to explore,
make, and share music and art.
What instruments do
you offer?
MSFAC offers Suzuki instruction in piano, violin, viola, cello, and
double bass.
Who teaches Suzuki
at MSFAC?
Karen Zethmayr (violin)
Rebekah Pryor Paré (piano)
Flora van Wormer (cello,
double bass)
What are people
saying about Suzuki at MSFAC?
“My child is developing an appreciation for and an interest in the
arts.” (MSFAC parent)
“Studying piano through the Suzuki Method has instilled confidence in
my son to be able to share music with others even after learning only
two songs.” (MSFAC parent)
Suzuki
Parent Workshops
This one-hour workshop, guided by MSFAC Suzuki teachers, is for new,
continuing, and prospective Suzuki music parents. Areas to be covered
range from note reading to learning styles to practice
strategies. Parents have the opportunity to share ideas and
problem-solve as a group. (There is a fee of $10 for students not
currently registered in our Suzuki program.)
next workshop: TBA
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