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Our Virtual Program

student program
The daily schedule will consist of master class lessons, repertoire classes, Play-Ins, solo recitals and concerts. In addition, younger students will participate in a Dalcroze Eurhythmics class (introduction to note reading through movement) every day and more advanced students will work in reading classes.
Book 1 and Book 2 students will also have "Tell Me A Story" class each day. Through stories, both fictional and true, you will travel through time and visit different countries as you learn a bit of music history and explore some musical concepts.  Students will learn the stories behind a few well-loved pieces of music and listen to parts of them.  These sessions will also include some musical games.
Book 3 and higher students will participate in "Hidden Gem Composers." Learn exciting new music composed by people you have never heard of!

 

tween program- students 12 & older
These students will have a daily 30-minute master class lesson; technique/scale class; repertoire class; composition/theory/crating music with apps

Students must be at least at the level of Suzuki violin Book 5 or viola and cello Suzuki Book 4.

 

advanced students' program- students 13 & older and playing at the level of Book 6 (or equivalent) and higher

These students will have a daily 30-minute master class lesson; technique/scale class; orchestral excerpts class; solo Bach sonatas class (Baroque style, interpretation)​

 

twinklers 
For students 6 years old and younger, who know all Twinkle rhythms, the Institute offers the Twinklers Part Day.  Each child will have three classes each day; individual master class lesson, group playing class and Eurhythmics. (The group playing class and Eurhythmics class will be 30 minutes in length each.) 

recital performance
Each student is asked to play a polished piece as a solo at the first private lesson - an opportunity for the teacher and student to get acquainted musically. All students should select a piece from the repertory that he or she has learned very well - possibly even performed already.

 

solo recitals - Solo recitals will ONLY be on Tuesday, June 29 from 3 - 4. Students who wish to play a solo will sign up.

 

observers
Teachers or adults, other than parents, who wish to observe Institute classes and activities must register as observers.

 

enrichment classes
Please note:  sign up for these in addition to what is listed for your student's set program.

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parent program
The Institute is designed to be a family experience. Since parent participation is an essential part of the Suzuki Method, at least one parent or guardian must attend all classes with his or her child(ren). Activities are spread throughout the day for most students. Families should make a commitment to participate in all activities offered in order to benefit fully from the Institute. Parents take study notes for their child and may video their child’s lesson if they wish.

 

parent discussion groups
Special lectures and discussions will be offered for parents throughout the week. Issues pertinent to parents of both beginning and advanced students will be discussed. Parent groups are led by Institute teachers, parents and invited guest speakers.

 

practice at the Westchester Virtual Institute
Students are expected to practice each day.  High school practice "buddys" will be available to practice (via zoom) with your student. You will sign up for those practice sessions after the first day.  

3 - 4 PM special events hours

June 26 - OPENING CONCERT - Colin Jacobson Concert & Talk

Violinist and composer Colin Jacobsen is “one of the most interesting figures on the classical music scene” (Washington Post). An eclectic composer who draws on a range of influences, he was named one of the top 100 composers under 40 by NPR listeners. He is also active as an Avery Fisher Career Grant-winning soloist and a touring member of Yo-Yo Ma’s famed Silk Road Ensemble. For his work as a founding member of two game-changing, audience-expanding ensembles – the string quartet Brooklyn Rider and orchestra The Knights – Jacobsen was recently selected from among the nation’s top visual, performing, media, and literary artists to receive a prestigious and substantial United States Artists Fellowship.

(Westchester Virtual Institute Viola Teacher Miranda Sielaff – member of the Knights as well.)

A graduate of the Juilliard School and the Royal Conservatory of the Hague, Jacobsen's principal teachers have included Doris Rothenberg, Louise Behrend, Robert Mann and Vera Beths. He received an Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2003.

Colin will talk about his performing, composing and upbringing through the Suzuki Method.

June 27 - "Play For Your Neighbor" video and Zoom Games!
June 28 - Solo recitals  (Voluntary)

June 29 - Cassatt String Quartet Concert & Talk

The Cassatt String Quartet was the first quartet chosen for Juilliard’s Young Artists Quartet Program. Since then, they have performed at New York’s Alice Tully Hall, and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Tanglewood Music Theater, the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Theatre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, and the Beijing Central Conservatory in China.

The Cassatt has been heard on NPR’s Performance Today, Boston’s WGBH, and New York’s WQXR and WNYC. They have 30 recordings and were named three times to Alex Ross’ 10 best classical recordings of the year in The New Yorker magazine. The quartet is named for the celebrated American impressionist painter Mary Cassatt. 
June 30 - PLAY DOWN CONCERT - EVERYONE IN THE INSTITUTE

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