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Community Music School
775 West Main Street
Trappe, PA 19426
610-489-3676
info@cmsmusic.org
www.cmsmusic.org

Home > Programs > Suzuki Academy

The Suzuki Academy at Community Music School

The Suzuki philosophy of instruction is available for violin, viola, cello and flute. The late Japanese educator Dr. Shinichi Suzuki believed that children learn to play a musical instrument through the same way they learn to speak-by listening, imitating and repeating sounds. The Suzuki philosophy is based on the belief that musical ability is not an inborn talent but an ability that can be developed to a high level.

Instruction utilizing the Suzuki philosophy creates a partnership between the teacher, parent, and the child. The involvement of a parent/guardian is the cornerstone of success in any Suzuki program. The parent/guardian attends all lessons and group classes with the child, learns to play the instrument and becomes the 'home teacher' by assisting with daily practice sessions.

Just as children are taught to read words after the ability to speak has been well established, Suzuki students develop basic competence on their instrument before they are taught to read music. Through sequential learning, the student focuses on the development of good posture, beautiful tone, accurate intonation and musical phrasing. At CMS, students begin note-reading skills by the middle of Suzuki Book One.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SUZUKI ACADEMY
To unify and strengthen our Suzuki program, CMS has adopted the following requirements:

• Parents of new CMS students must attend the Suzuki Parent Education Class and observe one group lesson and one private lesson prior to the student beginning lessons.
• All students must attend a weekly private and group lesson. During the required group lesson, students perform together the pieces that they are learning individually at their private lessons. Group lessons provide further motivation and enjoyment for the students as well as regular informal performance opportunities.
• A parent or guardian must actively participate in the instructional process by attending each private and group lesson.
• All Suzuki students are expected to participate in the bi-annual Suzuki Group Recitals and the annual fall workshop.
• All parents of Suzuki students (new and returning) must attend the Suzuki Parent Orientation held in late August.

SUZUKI PARENT ORIENTATION
A Suzuki Parent Orientation will be held at the beginning of each academic year to update parents on any new policy changes and procedures. This orientation gives parents the opportunity to meet the Suzuki faculty and to learn about planned special events, and the upcoming Suzuki concert and recital schedule. Suzuki parents are strongly urged to attend. In the event the parents cannot attend, the information will be covered in the student's first lesson.

SUZUKI PARENT EDUCATION CLASS
It is essential that parents become familiar with the Suzuki method and its supporting philosophy so they have the ability to fulfill their role in helping their child succeed. The class must be attended by one parent or guardian taken prior to beginning lessons at CMS (with the exception of one interview lesson). Please contact CMS for the exact dates and times.

The cost of attending the Parent Education Class is $105. This includes the required Suzuki materials.

SUZUKI MATERIALS
All new, beginning Suzuki violin, viola, cello and flute students receive a materials packet that includes Suzuki Book 1, the corresponding Suzuki listening CD or cassette, the Suzuki philosophy book Ability Development From Age Zero, and the parenting book How to Get Your Child to Practice Without Resorting to Violence.

The cost of the materials packet is $50 and is included in the cost of the Parent Education Class.

SUZUKI GROUP RECITALS
Twice per year, Suzuki students join in a performance led by members of the CMS faculty. Students in all books play selected pieces in groups and as solos. Because the Suzuki repertoire gets progressively more difficult, hearing the older students play more advanced pieces motivates the younger, beginning level students. Attendance at both Group Recitals is required.

LESSON LENGTHS
Suzuki Academy students through the beginning of Book 2 generally take a 30-minute lesson per week. By Book 2, the teacher may request that the student move up to a 45-minute private lesson. For younger students at this level, two 30-minute lessons per week may be more beneficial to the student. Students usually move up to a 60-minute private lesson when they have reached Book 4. It is crucial to the student's progress that they be registered for the appropriate lesson length.

TUITION
Tuition for the Suzuki program includes the student's weekly private lesson and a weekly group lesson.

GROUP CLASS SCHEDULE FOR 2005-2006
(Class times are subject to change based upon enrollment)