Suzuki Department
Suzuki Department - Core Philosophy
The Suzuki Method is a process of teaching children based on how they develop language. In our Suzuki program students have two lessons a week, one private lesson and one lesson in a group comprised of musicians of similar age and ability. Just as parents play an active role in teaching children their mother-tongue, parents here too, play an active role in their child's development. By attending lessons and working with the teachers, parents are instructed on how to help their children practice at home. In addition to daily practice, students also have a daily listening assignment which help develop their ear and learn the repertoire. Suzuki students and parents participate in a community which includes play-ins, concerts, and parent meetings to celebrate their children's progress.
The Conservatory offers Suzuki training in violin, viola, cello, flute, guitar, and bass for students four and up. Also called the "Mother Tongue" method, Suzuki instruction is modeled on the way children learn to speak their native tongue. The method’s philosophy includes the belief that talent is not inherited, but nurtured by a child’s environment. The instruction, which encourages active parental involvement, aims to envelop the entire family unit, to help unfold the child’s natural potential to learn and become a happy, productive person.
Key program components that differ from traditional instruction include, significant parental involvement, daily listening, and regular group lessons in addition to weekly private lessons.
Parents wishing to enroll their child in the Suzuki Program must observe a private and a group Suzuki lesson before enrolling their child, and must attend a parent orientation meeting before their child begins lessons.
Private Lessons
Students may start lessons on violin, viola, cello, flute, guitar, and bass as young as age four.
Private Lessons
30 minutes - $672
45 minutes - $928
60 minutes - $1184
Suzuki Instruction Group Rates
30 minutes - $100
45 minutes - $190
60 minutes - $200
Note: Suzuki instruction includes 16 weeks of private instruction and 16 weeks of group instruction.
Fall Suzuki Orientation
Monday, September 8, 8 pm in Hingham and Tuesday, September 9, 8 pm in Duxbury
Suzuki Parent Group
Join other parents of Suzuki students to discuss the joys and challenges of being a Suzuki parent. Bring your questions and ideas and meet with our Suzuki faculty members and other parents in an open-discussion setting. The Suzuki parent group will meet two times a year in Hingham and two times a year in Duxbury. Attendance is optional and parents may attend as many meetings as they would like. No fee.
Hingham: October 6 and November 3, 8 pm
Duxbury: October 7 and November 4, 8 pm
Suzuki String Department - Class Offerings
Suzuki Group Lessons
16 weeks
Pre-Twinkle/Twinkle Group
Hingham: Monday, 5 - 5:30 pm
Duxbury: Monday, 4:15 - 4:45 pm
Suzuki Late Book 1- Early Book 3 Group
Hingham: Wednesday, 5 - 6 pm
Duxbury: Monday, 5:00 - 5:45 pm
Suzuki Book 5 and up Group
Hingham: Tuesday, 7:30 - 8:30 pm
Suzuki Strings Monthly Play-ins
A play-in is a large group class made up of all of Suzuki string group classes at both campuses. Students of all ages observe each other play, the younger students inspired by and learning from the older students. The primary focus of this event is to impart the idea of musical performance being joyous.
No fee.
Hingham: September 28, 4 pm
Duxbury: October 26, 4 pm, December 14, 3 pm
Suzuki Violin Parent Note-Reading Class
Connie Hagen
Parents of Suzuki violinists will meet each week to learn basic theory and how to read music. This important skill will enable parents to help their children with note-reading at home. 15 weeks
$150
| Hingham: Wednesday, 7:30-8:30 pm |
Suzuki Strings
Katy Boc - violin
Connie Hagen - violin
Cynthia Weller - viola
Chris Rathbun - cello & bass
(781) 749-7565 ext. 10
Suzuki Guitar
(781) 749-7565 ext. 10
Suzuki Flute
(781) 749-7565 ext. 10
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for private lessons for children whose families can document financial need. Application forms are available in the office and as a downloadable Word Document and must be filled out and returned prior to the first week of the semester. All applications will be considered by the Scholarship Committee, which meets before each semester to grant assistance. Recipients of scholarship aid must reapply each semester. The deadline for Fall 2008 financial aid applications is August 10, 2008. The deadline for Spring 2009 financial aid applications is January 8, 2009.
South Shore Conservatory admits students of any race, color, nationality, and ethnic origin to all rights and privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.