PROGRAMS: INSTRUMENTAL
QUICK FACTS
To learn more about the
Suzuki experience, see
http://www.suzukiassociation.org/parents/twinkler/
The MILI school year
comprises Fall and Spring semesters and a Summer Session.
- Each
semester includes 16 or 17 weeks of private lessons.
- Group
classes for those enrolled in the Suzuki method are 16 weeks in length.
-
Classes are held Mondays through Fridays from
approximately 2:30 until 9:00 pm, and on Saturdays from
approximately 9:00 am until 3:00 pm.
- Each
semester culminates in a weekend of student recitals,
which are not mandatory but highly recommended.
- Summer
Session runs for six weeks or more, depending on
individual teaching schedules. It comprises private
lessons. Depending on enrollment, Suzuki Group and other
Group classes are offered. Students take a minimum of 3
lessons and can sign up for as many additional lessons as
each teacher will be available to give. It is a great
time to discover a youngster's real interest before
committing time and money to a semester of music study.
-
Observation is available. A lesson "try-out" is sometimes
available during the semesters. Please call us to discuss
the possibilities.
Placement is based upon a
first come, first-served basis (receipt of your deposit) for
new students. We will work with you to find openings that
coincide with your schedule. Priority is given to returning
students. All lessons and classes are held at our facility;
there is no in-home instruction.
Group classes range in
size from 4 to 15 participants. Please see
Instrumental Calendar for scheduling information.
To
learn about tuition, fees, and our policies relative to
attendance, refunds and other issues,
or
to request registration materials, click
here. Please provide your full name, mailing address and phone
number where you can be reached.
SUZUKI
Shinichi Suzuki was a Japanese violinist and
teacher who devised a method by which millions of young
children worldwide have learned to play the violin. Instead of
trying to teach them to read music, he emphasized listening,
imitation, and repetition, theorizing that children could
learn to play music the same way they learn language. That
method has been developed for the teaching of other stringed
instruments as well as piano, woodwinds and brass. It is used
in most schools of music, which find that it fine-tunes the
most important music skill of all: listening.
Contrary to popular belief, Suzuki students
learn to read music and this schooling takes place in the
required Group class. Very young children, who often cannot
read their native language, first learn to recognize notes, a
skill that is more easily acquired because they already are
comfortable eliciting the notes from their instruments.
Suzuki teachers are trained in this method.
Parents are present at the private lesson and Group class,
where they take notes and follow the instruction. While they
play a significant role in the process, parents do not have to
learn the instrument themselves. Students achieve at their
individual paces, each week receiving small goals they must
reach in order to move on. Most children adapt easily and
look upon the process as great fun, which contributes to their
success and achievements. As the child progresses, MILI
faculty augment the lessons with Traditional methods and
musical studies.
The majority of MILI's students, including
those who play advanced concerti and other classical
repertoire, started as Suzuki students.
TRADITIONAL
Traditional is the method that combines the
learning of positioning with learning to play scales and small
exercises. It is much easier to make an older child or adult
understand when he or she strikes a wrong piano key or is out
of tune on a violin than it is to teach this nuance to a very
young child whose listening skills are still immature -- which
is why we encourage Suzuki training for the very young. The
Traditional method also emphasizes music terminology -- while
Suzuki children quickly adapt to Traditional music terminology
as they become more proficient and mature, they begin with
Suzuki terminology specifically developed to help them quickly
understand musical concepts.
The Traditional method of study benefits older
children (grade level three and up) as it reinforces and
supports the musical education received in public or private
school. Adults also study Traditional methods.
We always encourage our Traditional students to
join MILI Suzuki Group classes, which provide access to
additional performing opportunities and help stimulate
confidence, self-esteem and positive reinforcement. The
student will be brought up to his or her appropriate group
level during the Traditional class. Additionally, qualified
Traditional students are encouraged to join chamber ensembles,
and piano four-hands and mixed ensembles.
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