Suzuki Summer Institutes
The summer institutes are invariably a time of wonderful enrichment: musical, social and spiritual. They are as beneficial for parents as they are for students and teachers. They are one of the most rewarding experiences within the Suzuki method.
Institutes are summer music camps held for one week in various locations throughout Canada and the USA. Daily master class lessons are the centre of the week-long event.
The students can learn from master teachers who have different styles and personalities from their regular teachers. The students gain new insights or suggestions from another's perspective. The daily lessons offer the student, parent, and master teacher the chance to get to know each other. There is time for the master teacher to get to know a student, tailor his comments, and offer practice ideas, inspiring insights, and new and original motivating ideas. In addition to the daily master class, the schedule is packed full of other activities, including recitals and ensemble or chamber music classes. It can include choral, dance or movement, drama, composition, or improvisation. Most also include special lectures and discussion times for parents. Often, there are social events such as potluck suppers or barbecues, swimming, trips to the zoo, etc. The focus is taken off music for a time, and everyone can get to know each other and share stories in a relaxing setting.
The time flies at an Institute because it involves jam-packed days with intense learning, tempered with time to socialize and have fun surrounded by incredible music and laughter. Parents and students alike make great new friends quickly because there is so much everyone in the Suzuki community has in common.
Summer Institutes involve both a financial investment and time commitment of four to five days in the summer. Still, they are worth a fortune in encouragement, inspiration and motivation for both parent and student.
You can find Suzuki Summer Institutes throughout North America at the Suzuki Association of the Americas website.
For a list of our current workshops, institutes or festivals, please see our calendar.