Music Activities Outside Private Lessons

I've mentioned previously in many posts that a large component of the Suzuki philosophy is the benefits of social interaction with other students in a musical learning environment. Below are three different opportunities available in Austin for group music learning.

String Project
The University of Texas String Project is a large program run by Dr. Laurie Scott and a faculty of music students in the Butler School of Music. There are two distinct but related programs within the String Project (SP). One is the full-time program in which students take weekly private lessons with one of the String Project faculty members as well as participates in the weekly Saturday classes . Saturday-Only students participate in Saturday classes but have a teacher (such as myself) outside of SP. 

SP runs on the same schedule as UT so the semesters are more condensed than a typical school semester - the fall classes run from September through the first week of December and the spring classes run from January through the first week of May. Plan on approximately 12 group classes per semester, taking into account holidays and spring break. 

A typical Saturday schedule looks like this:
10-10:50 Group Class (by ability)
11-11:50 Musicianship Class

Group classes are separated by ability. Preschool aged beginners participate in the Cadet Program. Older beginners are placed in either the Pre-Ensemble A or Pre-Ensemble B (PEA & PEB). PEA is for beginners aged 6 and up & PEB is for students who have some playing experience and are playing the early Suzuki pieces, such as Twinkle, French Folk Song and Lightly Row. PEA & PEB has all string instruments in the one ensemble - it is a heterogenous ensemble so your child will be playing with violins, violas, other cellos and basses. It's an introduction to playing in a mixed group. 

However, Beginning Cello Ensemble A and Beginning Cello Ensemble B (BCEA & BCEB), the next higher ensemble above PEA & PEB, are homogenous group classes that have only cello students participating. This is very much like a traditional Suzuki group class. 

Above BCEA & BCEB, students go into the orchestras. You can read more about the different orchestra on the SP website here. 

If your child participates in orchestra, the schedule is slightly different (and a longer morning): 
9-9:50 Technique & Repertoire Class for each orchestra (separated by instrument)
10-10:50 Orchestra (there are 4 different orchestras based on ability level)
11-11:50 Musicianship Class

The Musicianship classes are organized by age, not by ability, and the curriculum features age-appropriate musical activities, such as music and movement for younger children and music reading, music theory and composition for older children. 

In addition to group classes, student participate in a variety of different performance opportunities at String Project. There is a performance at the end of every semester and the fall semester includes an Eclectic Styles Festival featuring a different style of music outside of the traditional 'classical'. 

There are limited number of spaces however, as of publication of this post, I believe there are still spaces available for Saturday-only students. The space fluctuates from year to year based on the number of teachers on faculty in the program. All the teachers at UT students and vary from undergraduate music education students, to PhD and doctoral students. 

Students interested in participating must audition for the director of the program but it's a very relaxed and easy audition - Dr. Scott just wants to make sure each student goes into the appropriate group class. If you are interested in participating in SP, contact them via email or phone (listed below). Also, talk with me! I taught in String Project while I was at UT, I know many of the teachers and keep in contact with the director. In addition, I know the ins and outs of the program and can help with the application and audition process. 

string_project@mail.music.utexas.edu
(512) 471-0363
https://stringproject.music.utexas.edu/

Austin Youth Orchestra

Austin Youth Orchestra (AYO) is an orchestra program for students aged kindergarten through grade 12. There are 6 different orchestras to accommodate different levels of experience, playing ability, and age:

• Symphony Orchestra: Grade 8 and above, String/Full Orchestra (Fall and Spring)
• Philharmonic Orchestra: Grade 6 and above, String/Full Orchestra (Fall and Spring)
• Sinfonietta Orchestra: Grade 4 and above, String Orchestra (Fall and Spring)
• Camerata Orchestra: Grade 3 and above, String Orchestra (Fall and Spring)
• Intermezzo Orchestra: Grade 2 and above, String Orchestra (Fall and Spring)
• Concertante Orchestra: Kindergarten and above, String Orchestra (Spring only)
• Refer to the website for more information about each level. 

The big qualifier for participating in an AYO ensemble is music reading experience. SP and the GASA Suzuki Institute (more info below) do not reading music reading experience. However, AYO does, even for the youngest orchestra. Though only limited music reading experience is needed, students need to have some experience and be playing in Suzuki Book 1. Each orchestra meets once a week at a location in Austin (usually at one of the middle or high schools) and give performances on a regular basis. In order to participate, students must audition for orchestra placement. The audition requirements is performing a polished solo but scales and sight-reading may also be required. The cost of participating in AYO is $100 per semester. 

Greater Austin Suzuki Association Institute
The GASA Suzuki Institute is a week-long, summer Suzuki 'camp' for students of all ages and ability. The website says it best: 

"The program is designed for violin, viola and cello students who currently study through the Suzuki Method, offering activities for students, parents, and teachers.  Families attend the Institute together and participate in a wide range of musical and enrichment activities including master classes, repertoire classes, group classes, orchestra, recitals, and much more!"

Students participate in masterclass-style lessons (individual instruction within a small group), group class, performances and elective classes in addition to daily recitals and other enrichment activities with teachers from both the Austin-area as well as outside Austin. Every year, the faculty is a little different. See a sample schedule here. There are also lectures geared towards parents as well as training opportunities for teachers. The catch: parents must attend with their children all day. It's much like a Suzuki lesson - parents attend, take notes and learn what to practice with their child at the end of the day.

While this particular institute is conveniently located in Austin, there are many, many across the country and globe every summer. If you are looking to make a family vacation out of it, there are many options. The Chicago Suzuki Institute is an AWESOME institute for cello students - there are students of all ages and abilities, from pre-Twinkle past Book 10. Similarly, the National Cello Institute in Claremont, California features classes and activities for students of all ages (adults, too!) and abilities. Others include, Hawaii, Colorado, Canada, etc. The Suzuki Association of the Americas website has a list of every institute across the Americas. 

For 2015, the Austin Suzuki Institute will be held on July 28 through August 1. Tuition for the programs starts at $450 (for early bird registration). 

All of these opportunities are enriching, rewarding, and enjoyable and provide students with a unique opportunity to learn music and participate in musical activities with their peers. I hope your children are able to participate in some of these and experience the many benefits of group class