Suzuki Violin, Viola, Cello, Trombone, and Early Trumpet

Angela Leidig, and Jenny Fan, Suzuki String Coordinators

James Markey, Suzuki Trombone and Early Trumpet Coordinator

Faculty Directory: Suzuki

Shinichi Suzuki believed that “any child who is properly trained can develop musical ability just as all children develop the ability to speak their mother tongue.” This approach of learning creates a close relationship between the child, caretaker, and teacher. The caretaker is not only present at all classes and lessons but is also the daily home teacher. The principles of the Suzuki method include daily listening, development of concentration and memory skills, learning to work with other students, parents, and teachers in group activities, and continual repetition and refinement of techniques, which allows students to build on successes. The Suzuki approach sustains a positive environment for growth. Students are required to register separately for private lessons and weekly group ensemble class. Group class assignments are for the year. Class descriptions are included on the following pages.

Beginning Suzuki students are also encouraged to participate in the Eurhythmics Program.

All Suzuki group classes meet on Saturday.  All students enrolled in Suzuki Ensembles must be studying with a Suzuki Registered teacher.  Students not enrolled in NEC Prep are required to take a placement audition.

For more information, please contact the Prep Office at prepplacements@necmusic.edu or call 617-585-1160.

 

2023-2024 Ensemble Times

Instructor	9:15am-10:00am	10:15am-11:00am	11:15am-12:00pm	1:15-2:00pm
Angela Leidig	Violin/Viola          Pre-Twinkle	Ysaye Violin Ensemble Book 5+	Sevcik Violin Esenmble Book 1C-2
Laura Williamson	Suzuki Early Childhood Education	Violin DeLay 1A-B	Violin Paganini 2-3A
Rachel Fabulich	Suzuki Early Childhood Education	Twinklegarten	Viola Clarke  Ensemble 1	Viola Hindemith Ensemble 2+
Jenna Girone-Virgilio	Cello Pre-Twinkle	Cello Dupre Ensemble Book 1A
Nancy Hair		Cello Casals Ensemble (Book 2B+)
James Markey			Brass Pre-Twinkle Ensemble

 

 

 

 

Suzuki Trombone and Early Trumpet

James Markey, Instructor

NEC is thrilled to announce its inaugural year for Suzuki Trombone and Early Trumpet.  Brass instruments were once considered an area where children would need to wait until their “tween” years to effectively begin.  Thanks to a large body of research including the successful training of young children over two decades, brass instruments are now recognized as a focus for children as young as four years old in the Suzuki method.  NEC’s program is the lone program in the area for Suzuki training in brass instruments. 

All lessons and the group class will be taught by James Markey, certified Suzuki trombone instructor, NEC faculty member, and bass trombonist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.  Mr. Markey is a certified Suzuki trombone instructor, but for this year will also start interested children in trumpet using Dr. Suzuki’s principles and the official Suzuki Trumpet materials.  Lessons and the class are for beginning Suzuki students and the practicing parent.  It is very important for students and parents to learn to work together, as well as layer the foundation for setting up proper technique.  The course will employ a number of pre-twinkle songs before embarking on the official Suzuki Trumpet or Trombone Book I repertoire.  Parents are required to read Nurtured by Love, by S. Suzuki, and come to all lessons and class with the respective Suzuki Book I book.  Eurhythmics is highly recommended for all beginners.

For more information, please reach out to prepplacements@necmusic.edu!

Suzuki Early Childhood Education

Rachel Fabulich and Laura Williamson, Instructors

Suzuki Early Childhood Education is for infants and young children, ages 0-3 years old. 
 
In SECE students and their caregiver attend a weekly music and movement group class where they develop rhythmic and melodic awareness, as well as focus, social interactions, gross and fine motor skills, and vocabulary. The repertoire for the class includes traditional lullabies, action songs, and nursery rhymes. Students hear and have the opportunity to play percussion instruments such as glockenspiel, triangle, drum, xylophone, and shakers. Because of the skills they master in Suzuki Early Childhood Education, most children in the program are ready to begin instrumental studies at a very young age

Twinklegarten

Rachel Fabulich and Laura Williamson, Instructors

Twinklegarten is intended for young pre-instrumental students, ages 3-5, and their caregiver.  A good continuation for students who have been through one or more years of Suzuki Early Childhood Education and are turning 4 during the 2023-24 academic year.
 
Gather round as we sing, dance, and tell a story. Twinklegarten incorporates elements from Suzuki Early Childhood Education and Suzuki Pre-Twinkle. Twinklegarten students use their voices, play instruments, move their bodies, try out tongue twisters, and tell stories, all while building skills to get them ready for instrumental study. This course will focus on musical skills such as rhythmic and melodic understanding, social interaction, being part of an ensemble, and pre instrumental gross and fine motor skills.  Using a wide variety of pitched and unpitched percussion instruments to accompany, Twinklegarten students will learn to sing some familiar and new melodies all together, in rounds, and with simple harmonies. We will explore playful music making, with opportunities for expression, using both ensemble training and creative improvisation.

Suzuki String Group Ensemble Classes

In addition to weekly private lessons, Suzuki students attend a weekly group class based on repertoire level. Parents are required to attend and participate in the group classes.

The group classes serve many pedagogical purposes, some of the main benefits are:

1. Learning to watch, listen, and follow the teacher.

2. Provides a larger community of fellow string players and opportunities to perform and learn in a supportive group environment.

3. Rhythm, reading, and music in addition to the Suzuki repertoire is also an important part of the group class curriculum that supplements the private lesson.

Placement into the Suzuki program is made by level not age. Fall placements take place in August. 

If you have already completed a Suzuki Placement: Information on how to register for Suzuki Group Ensemble classes and private lessons

Violin

Violin and Viola Suzuki Ensemble (Pre-Twinkle/Twinkle)

This class is for beginning Suzuki students and the practicing parent. It is a very important stage for students and parents to learn to work together, as well as layer the foundation for setting up proper technique completely before playing songs. Students will work on beginning foundational steps and cover the Twinkle variations and Twinkle Theme over the course of the year. The first 6-8 classes are for the parents only; parents will be learning about the Suzuki philosophy and learning to play the Twinkle Variations and Theme. Parents are required to read Nurtured by Love by S. Suzuki, rent a full size violin, and come to classes with the Suzuki Violin Book l, Vol. 1, revised edition. Eurhythmics is highly recommended for all beginners.

 

Violin Gingold Ensemble (Book 1A-B)

This class is for students who are working on pieces in Book 1 up to the Minuets at the beginning of the fall semester. This class will cover review from early Book 1 and middle of Book 1 repertoire and technique at the beginning of the year. As the year progresses and the students develop, technique for repertoire in the later half of Book 1 will be covered. Eurhythmics and choir are recommended at this level. 

 

Violin Kreisler Ensemble (Book 1C-Book 2)

This class is for students who are working on the end of Book 1 and Book 2 at the beginning of the fall semester. This class will review Book 1 and work on technique and supplemental repertoire at the Book 2 level. Eurhythmics and choir are recommended at this level. 

 

Violin Elman Ensemble (Book 3)

This class is for students working on the end of Suzuki Book 2 and Book 3 at the beginning of the fall semester. Review from Books 1 and 2 will be covered as well as more advanced technique and supplemental repertoire for this level. Orchestra and beginning theory are recommended at this level.

 

Violin Heifetz Ensemble (Book 4)

This class is for students working on Book 4 at the beginning of the fall semester. Review from Books 1-3 will be covered in this class, as well as more advanced technique and supplemental repertoire appropriate for this level. Orchestra and theory are recommended at this level.

 

Viola

Viola and Violin Suzuki Ensemble (Pre-Twinkle/Twinkle)

This class is for beginning Suzuki students and the practicing parent. It is a very important stage for students and parents to learn to work together, as well as layer the foundation for setting up proper technique completely before playing songs. Students will work on beginning foundational steps and cover the Twinkle variations and Twinkle Theme over the course of the year. The first 6-8 classes are for the parents only; parents will be learning about the Suzuki philosophy and learning to play the Twinkle

Variations and Theme. Parents are required to read Beyond the Music Lesson by Christine Goodner, rent a viola, and come to classes with the Suzuki Viola Book, Vol. 1, revised edition. Eurhythmics is highly recommended for all beginners.

 

Viola Clarke Ensemble

This class is for violists in Book 1 and up at the beginning of the fall semester. Eurhythmics, Chorus and/or Orchestra are recommended at this level.

 

 

Cello

Cello Suzuki Ensemble (Pre-Twinkle/Twinkle)

This class is for beginning students who have never played the cello before. It is a very important stage for students and the practicing parent to learn to work together, as well as laying  the foundation for setting up proper technique completely before playing songs.  Students will work on beginning foundation steps and cover the Twinkle Variations and Theme over the course of the year. The first 6-8 classes are for the parents only; parents will be learning the Suzuki philosophy through reading and discussions and playing the Twinkle Variations and Theme on their own cello.  Parents are required to read Nurtured by Love by S. Suzuki, rent a full size cello, and come to classes with the Suzuki Cello Book, Vol. 1, revised edition. Eurhythmics is highly recommended for all beginners.

 

Cello Casals Ensemble (Book 2B-Book 3)

This class is for students who have completed all pieces from the 1st half of Book 2 and are working on Musette from English Suite No. 3 (the 7th piece in book 2 ) through Book 3 at the beginning of the fall. Review from Books 1 and 2 will be covered as well as more advanced technique and supplemental repertoire for this level. Orchestra and beginning theory are recommended at this level.

 

Cello DuPre Ensemble (Book 4-5)

For students in Book 4 and through the end of Book 5 at the beginning of the Fall.  Review from Books 1-3 will be covered in this class, as well as more advanced technique and supplemental repertoire appropriate for this level. Orchestra and theory are recommended at this level.

Questions?

Email prepplacements@necmusic.edu or call the Prep Office at (617) 585-1160.