Westchester Suzuki Institute 2025
Save The Dates: June 28 - July 2, 2025
Registration material available after January 1, 2025
The Westchester Suzuki Institute
"Noble hearts nurtured with love" Shin'ichi Suzuki
Our Program
twinklers part day
For the youngest students, the Institute offers the Twinklers Part Day. This option is for Twinklers who are 4 - 5 years old. 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.) Children will not participate in recitals. The classes run from 10 am until 1 pm.
student program - books 1 - 2
The daily schedule will consist of master class lessons (four children scheduled in a one-hour lesson—each one working individually with the teacher for fifteen minutes), repertoire (playing group) 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 theory/reading classes.
book 3 and higher
All students—Book 3 and above— have a daily 20-minute master class lesson (instead of 15 minutes)
tween program - 12 - 15 year old students
students 12—15 years old will attend the institute without parent participation. Students must be at least at the level of Suzuki violin Book 5 or viola and cello Suzuki Book 4. These older students will participate in five classes each day:
master class lessons—2 students in each lesson group; chamber ensemble; repertoire class; technique class; composition/music theory to arrange music for media content. Tweens will be supervised by a counselor. They will have one hour free for lunch.
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 take place one afternoon during the Institute at 3:00. Students who wish to play a solo will sign up
to do so. A pianist will be at the recital to accompany students in their solo performance.
observers
Teachers or adults, other than parents, who wish to observe Institute classes and activities must register as observers.
enrichment classes
Please note: students have two free periods—one of which is lunch. If a student chooses to sign up for two enrichment classes s/he would be able to eat lunch during the class breaks, but will not have an entire lunch period.
handbell choir
Learning to ring handbells as a group is a unique way of making music, and is a study in teamwork that cannot be surpassed! Not only must one play one's assigned bell(s) at the correct time, one must listen carefully to those around them so as to have the assigned notes sound mellifluous in context. Manual dexterity, eye-hand coordination, and acute listening skills are developed, and lead to a rewarding musical experience and heightened sense of performance responsibility and accomplishment. And, it's fun! Students must be at least 7 years old and have 2 years of note reading experience to participate in this enrichment class. Cost for the class is $100.00
fiddling
Students playing in Book 2 and above may sign up for a Fiddling Class. The class will meet for 45 minutes per day and students will learn a variety of fiddling styles, techniques and tunes. The fee for the Fiddling Class is $100.
chamber ensemble
The more advanced students (not tween program participants) may elect to participate in a chamber ensemble for the week. Violinists must play in Suzuki Book 5 and higher. Violists and cellists must be in Suzuki Book 4 to sign up for chamber music. The fee for chamber ensemble participation is $200.
composition/music theory
The composition/music theory class will be an exciting opportunity for young musicians to develop basic compositional skills. In addition, students will have the hands-on experience of working on finale and/or MuseScore - computer music-writing programs. Students must be at least 8 years old and have 2 years of note reading experience to participate in this enrichment class. Cost for the class is 100.00
hidden gem composers
Learn exciting new music composed by people you have never heard of! Students must be at least 8 years old and have 2 years of note reading experience to participate in this enrichment class. Cost for the class is 100.00
chorus
Use your first instrument – your voice!! Open to students and parents. Come learn musical concepts and make beautiful music together through singing! The fee for the Chorus Class is $100.
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 Suzuki Institute
Practice rooms are available for student/parent practicing throughout the day. In addition, practicing is welcome on the beautiful open lawn when weather permits.
3 - 4 PM special events hours
Activities may include:
OPENING GET ACQUAINTED SQUARE
CONCERT AND TALK - BEN KULP, CELLO
INFORMAL Q & A WITH MUSIC! - LEILA JOSEFOWICZ, VIOLIN
Leila Josefowicz’s passionate advocacy of contemporary music for the violin is reflected in her diverse programs and enthusiasm for performing new works. A favorite of living composers, Josefowicz has premiered many concertos, including those by Colin Matthews, Luca Francesconi, John Adams and Esa-Pekka Salonen, all written specially for her.
Artist-in-Residence of Iceland Symphony Orchestra for the 2023/24 season, Josefowicz will perform Helen Grime’s Violin Concerto with Daniel Bjarnason and Bartók’s Violin Concerto No.2 with Eva Ollikainen, as well as present a solo recital at Harpa Hall. Elsewhere, Josefowicz’s season includes engagements with Die Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, Musikkollegium Winterthur, London Philharmonic Orchestra, and Lahti, Milwaukee, Taipei and Antwerp symphony orchestras. Josefowicz also presents the world premiere of Jüri Reinvere’s Concerto for Violin and Harp alongside Trina Struble and The Cleveland Orchestra, and tours Germany and Austria with Junge Deutsche Philharmonie with concerts Berlin, Vienna and Dresden.
In recognition of her outstanding achievement and excellence in music, she won the 2018 Avery Fisher Prize and was awarded a prestigious MacArthur Fellowship in 2008, joining prominent scientists, writers and musicians who have made unique contributions to contemporary life.
CASSAT STRING QUARTET CONCERT AND TALK
Hailed for its “mighty rapport and relentless commitment,” the New York City-based Cassatt String Quartet has performed throughout the world for nearly four decades, with appearances at Alice Tully Hall and Weill Recital Hall; Tanglewood Music Center; the Kennedy Center; Théâtre des Champs-Élysées; Centro National de las Artes; Maeda Hall; and Beijing’s Central Conservatory. The Quartet’s prolific discography – featured three times in Alex Ross’s “10 Best Classical Recordings” column in The New Yorker – includes over forty recordings, for the Koch, Naxos, New World, Point, CRI, Tzadik, and Albany labels.
The Cassatt Quartet’s 2023-2024 season includes major performances and recordings of works by Tania León, Victoria Bond, Adolphus Hailstork, Chen Yi, Joan Tower, Zhou Long, and Daniel S. Godfrey; their annual residencies at the Seal Bay Festival and Cassatt in the Basin!; hometown concerts in the New York area, including at Symphony Space and Bargemusic; and appearances at Treetops Chamber Music Society, Maverick Concerts, and Music Mountain.
The CSQ is named for the great Impressionist painter Mary Cassatt.
SOLO RECITALS (Voluntary)
July 1 - PLAY DOWN CONCERT - EVERYONE IN THE INSTITUTE
Cassatt Quartet photo credit Dario Acosta
Leila Josefowicz ©2022 Tom Zimberoff
Institute Square Dance