suzuki MUSIC program

Student, Parent, and Teacher learn together in the Suzuki Triangle

The Suzuki program at Community School of the Arts (CSA) is nationally recognized, with 20 faculty members and over 600 student families participating on a weekly basis. Our teachers hold advanced music degrees, are certified by the Suzuki Association of the Americas, and have expertise in working with preschool beginners to advanced high school musicians. Fundamental to the Suzuki approach, the nurturing style of teaching combines with the parent in the role of home-coach to create the path to a rewarding musical journey for the student and the whole family.

How does the Suzuki approach work?

The Suzuki methodology is directly inspired by the way children naturally learn to speak their native language - through hearing it. The student’s ear is developed through listening to recordings of the repertoire, a graduated sequence of learning steps is introduced on the instrument, and technical ease is acquired through consistent review and refinement. The goal is a positive experience in music, emphasizing cooperation rather than competition, with the recognition that musical ability can be developed to a high level in any child.

Key elements of the CSA Suzuki Program

• Instruments offered: violin, viola, cello, flute, guitar and piano*
  *non-electric piano required for home practice
• Students typically begin between the ages of 4 and 6 (teachers strongly encourage a background in early childhood music)
• Initial emphasis is on rote learning while working toward excellent position, technique, and tone
• Parent completes an introductory six-hour course, attends all lessons and classes, and supervises home practice
• Tuition includes a weekly private lesson, a group class, and numerous performance opportunities
• Group classes inspire motivation through peer interaction, provide a format for performance rehearsal, and strengthen musicianship through ear-training, theory, and music history
• Suzuki students participate in annual concerts, festivals, and recitals in various venues on the Wheaton College campus.

TWO WAYS TO START

• Suzuki Private Lessons
• Suzuki Little Stars: Beginning Class Instruction
  
  New! Suzuki Little stars
  An excellent, economical way to begin instrument study. These one-semester classes provide beginning Suzuki lessons in a small group setting (4-6 students). Proper posture and hand position are taught, rhythmic and aural skills are developed through listening and imitation, and basic instrument technique is acquired through playing simple pieces which introduce the Suzuki Twinkle Variations. Students advance to private lessons at the end of the class. Piano students must have access to a non-electric piano for daily practice. Violin and flute students will be measured by their teacher and receive instrument rental information on the first day of class. Parent attends class with student.
  Little Stars: Piano (4-6 yrs) - Thursdays, 4:00-4:45 pm, Pierce 115, Marilyn Andersen
  Little Stars: Violin (4-6 yrs) - Tuesdays, 4:40-5:25 pm, McAlister 225, Anita Arch
  Little Stars: Flute (4-7 yrs) - Saturdays, 10:15-11:00 am, Pierce 102, Anne Sullivan
  

Resources to help you evaluate CSA’s Suzuki program further

• Find out which program best meets your needs: Suzuki or Preparatory – What’s the Difference?
• Where do I begin with Suzuki? Visit CSA Suzuki Next Steps
• Observe Suzuki lessons online (click to link to YouTube videos): early cello lesson, early flute lesson, early piano lesson, early violin lesson, intermediate piano lesson, advanced piano lesson, advanced strings lessons
• Attend a student recital and see for yourself!
• Visit our FAQs for answers to common questions
• If you have a young child, join our Early Arts Club. It’s free.
• Contact our office or call us at 630.752.5567. Sometimes it is easier to just talk.