The Suzuki approach is a world wide approach to music education. Here at CMS, use and combine some of the legendary pedagogical designs of the Suzuki method and Traditional methods into a format that suits the needs of all learners, so that “Every Child Can” learn and be set up for progress. Students at CMS can adhere to the following guideline below. A Suzuki Academy student must be enrolled in both Individual Lessons and Suzuki Group or Chamber Ensemble. This program at CMS is separate and distinct from any school orchestra program or youth orchestra program. We emphasize that this is specific music education and not general music education. The program below can be viewed similarly to martial arts belts. How quickly a student passes through these depends upon their learning style, practicing habits, parental involvement, parental guidance, and commitment to the Suzuki Academy. Beginners participate in weekly private instruction and weekly Group class while advancing students have the opportunity to participate in more traditional methods with weekly private lessons, including music theory classes and chamber music ensembles.
Special Features of Suzuki Education:
- Parent involvement including education for new Suzuki parents
- Beginning lessons at an early age
- Use of sequential material presented by knowledgeable teachers in an organized and clear manner
- Nurturing a student’s cognitive, emotional, social, language and physical development through music while developing ease, balance and confidence
- Participation in special Suzuki Academy concerts at CMS & outside CMS
- Rehearsals & performances with a professional accompanist
- General CMS Student recitals
- Written progress report at the end of the year
- Access to the CMS music library
- Development of a child’s sense of self-discipline and work ethic
- An environment that enables each child to reach their fullest potential
- Social interaction and motivation among students through group classes
- Listening, repetition and reading
- Encouragement
- Students and parents in the Suzuki Academy are required to have fun, smile, and make friends.
- Students, Parents, Instructors, and CMS Administration must have strong open communication with each other. Email is our primary tool to communicate. Also, please follow CMS on Facebook.
- New students are encouraged to schedule an interview lessons with one of our Suzuki teachers and observe a Group Lesson.
- Parents must make every effort to be in the Private Lesson and Group Lesson with the student, especially those who are under 9 years old. Suzuki Parents are required to attend the Suzuki Parent Education sessions.
- Suzuki Academy students participate in the Fall Harvest Concert, Spring Blossom Concert, and Performathon at CMS. There are also opportunities for community outreach concerts and events. In addition to these group style concerts, students are also welcome to participate in the general CMS Student Recitals. Students are encouraged to perform in 2 general CMS Student Recitals per school year.
- Parents should familiarize themselves with the Suzuki Approach with online resources and/or books.
- Suzuki Academy students and parents must also familiarize themselves with the general CMS Student Handbook with all the policies.
Book 1
• Pre-Twinkle
Learning rhythms and basic beat. Learning instrument care guide and how to properly
hold the instrument/bow. This level may include participation in the Suzuki POP and/or
MusikGarten program.
• Twinkle Variations and Theme
Completion of Twinkle Variations & Theme. Violin players must learn this in two sets.
The first is E and A strings and the second being the A and D strings. Red Tag 1 is
earned after polishing and performing Twinkle Variation & Theme.
• Early Book I
Completion of Twinkle Variations & Theme up to and including Allegro. Violin players
must learn these pieces in two sets. The first is E and A strings and the second being A
and D strings. Red Tag 2 is earned after polishing and performing these pieces.
• Middle Book I
Completion of Twinkle Variations & Theme up to and including Etude. Red Tag 3 is
earned after polishing and performing these pieces.
• Advanced Book 1
Completion of Minuets, Happy Farmer, and Gossec Gavotte. Red Tag 4 is earned after
polishing and performing these pieces. After the student has completed Book1 in its
entirety, please sign up for the Greater Philadelphia Suzuki Association’s Graduation
Recital.
Book 2
• Early Book 2
Completion of Chorus from “Judas Maccabaeus” up to and including Long Long Ago.
Orange Tag 1 is earned after polishing and performing these pieces.
• Middle Book 2
Completion of Chorus from “Judas Maccabaeus” up to and including Theme from
Witches’ Dance. Orange Tag 2 is earned after polishing and performing these pieces.
• Advanced Book 2
Completion of Gavotte from “Mignon” up to and including Boccherini Minuet. Orange
Tag 3 is earned after polishing and performing these pieces. After the student has
completed Book 2 in its entirety, please sign up for the Greater Philadelphia Suzuki
Association’s Graduation Recital.
Book 3
• First half Book 3
Completion of Gavotte Martini up to and including Humoresque. Yellow Tag 1 is earned
after polishing and performing these pieces.
• Second half Book 3
Completion of Gavotte Becker up to and including Bourree Bach. Yellow Tag 2 is
earned after polishing and performing these pieces. After the student has completed
Book 3 in its entirety, please sign up for the Greater Philadelphia Suzuki Association’s
Graduation Recital.
Book 4 Violin
• Early Book 4
Completion of the two Lullaby up to and including Seitz Concerto No. 5 movement 3.
Green Tag 1 is earned after polishing and performing these pieces.
• Middle Book 4
Completion of Concerto in A Minor Vivaldi movement 1 up to and including Perpetual
Motion Bohm. Green Tag 2 is earned after polishing and performing these pieces.
• Advanced Book 4
Completion of Bach Double. Green Tag 3 is earned after polishing and performing this
piece. After the student has completed Book 4 in its entirety, please sign up for the
Greater Philadelphia Suzuki Association’s Graduation Recital.
Book 4 Viola
• Early Book 4
Completion of the two Lullaby up to and including Seitz Concerto No. 5 movement 1.
Green Tag 1 is earned after polishing and performing these pieces.
• Middle Book 4
Completion of Concerto in D Minor Vivaldi movement 1 and 3. Green Tag 2 is earned
after polishing and performing these pieces.
• Advanced Book 4
Completion of Telemann Concerto in G and Telemann Concerto for Two Violas. Green
Tag 3 is earned after polishing and performing these pieces. After the student has
completed Book 4 in its entirety, please sign up for the Greater Philadelphia Suzuki
Association’s Graduation Recital.
Book 5 Violin
• First half Book 5
Completion of Gavotte Bach up to and including all of Concerto in g minor by Vivaldi.
Blue Tag is earned after polishing and performing these pieces.
• Second half Book 5
Completion of German Dance up to and including Bach Double. Violet Tag is earned
after polishing and performing these pieces. After the student has completed Book 5 in
its entirety, please sign up for the Greater Philadelphia Suzuki Association’s Graduation
Recital.
Book 5 Viola
• First half Book 5
Completion of Marcello Sonata up to and including Bach Suite 1 in G. Blue Tag is
earned after polishing and performing these pieces.
• Second half Book 5
Completion of Bohm Moto Perpetuo up to and including Seitz Concerto in C minor.
Violet Tag is earned after polishing and performing these pieces. After the student has
completed Book 5 in its entirety, please sign up for the Greater Philadelphia Suzuki
Association’s Graduation Recital.
In
We are very excited to announce that our Suzuki program will be offered FREE to our community starting in the Fall. CMS is very fortunate to be the recipients of a substantial bequest that has afforded us the special opportunity to give back to the community that has been so good to us. This program is presented to honor the memory of someone who loved music education and we hope to inspire future generations of music lovers.
2024-2025 Suzuki Class Schedule:
- Suzuki Group Class meets on Thursdays at 6pm. Please click here to register for Suzuki Group Class.
- Advancing Suzuki Students in Books 2/3 are encouraged to enroll in the Junior Chamber Ensemble. This ensemble is for string players Suzuki Book 2-3 and above who are interested in learning to play chamber music in mixed ensembles such as trios and quartets. Students should be enrolled in private lessons in addition to ensemble. Suzuki group students should check with their teacher to see if they are ready to move beyond Suzuki Group Class to Junior Chamber Ensemble. Students enrolled in Junior Chamber Ensemble will still participate in Suzuki concerts, group activities and events. The Junior Chamber Ensemble meets on Tuesdays at 6pm. Please click here to register for this ensemble.
Important Dates for Suzuki Students:
- Thursday, August 29 – No Suzuki Classes
- Thursday, September 5 – Parent Education Sessions offered during class – Thursday 6pm
- Thursday, September 12 – Suzuki Classes begin for students – Thursday 6pm.
- Thursday, November 21 – Suzuki Harvest Concert 6pm
- Thursday, November 28 – No Suzuki Class
- Thursdays, December 19 & 26 – No Suzuki Class
- Thursday, January 2 – No Suzuki Class
- Thursday, January 9 – Parent Education Sessions offered during class -Thursdays 6pm
- Thursday, April 17 – No Suzuki Class
- Saturday, May 3 – PERFORMATHON – Suzuki Students Performance Time TBA
- Thursday, June 5 – Spring Blossom Concert 6pm
Suzuki POP! (Paper Orchestra Program) is a workshops for children Pre-K through 2nd Grade with a parent or caregiver. During class, students will build a violin out of everyday household items, sing and move with their instrument through a variety of activities building musical skills, learn to watch, listen and follow a conductor and learn more about the Suzuki method of music learning. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Sign up today! Call 610.489.3676.