The Bloomfield Suzuki School of Music Program was designed to help area children experience the joy that playing a stringed instrument can bring. Having taught orchestra in the public schools for six years, I was constantly presented with terrific students at the high school level who had a strong desire to play advanced music, but often lacked the proper instrumental technique built from early instruction. No matter their want, they had restrictions placed on them – like trying to swim with your arms tied. Playing an instrument is both a physical activity and an art at the same time. To reach the highest level, the beginning foundations and discipline needed to play the instrument should be started young in a supportive and nurturing environment. During my student teaching, I was fortunate to witness what the Suzuki Method can do for players and was amazed at the level that can be achieved by the youngest musicians!
Suzuki developed his philosophy over a period of time after having observed the way that children learn to speak their native language. He discovered that just as every child learns to express him/herself in language, every child can learn to express themselves in music. He used this finding as the foundation to his approach of music instruction: children learn music in much the same way that they learn their native language.
Following World War II, Suzuki began implementing his philosophy by working out a sequential repertoire that would present musical and technical points in a logical manner. Engaging parents in the training process is one of the hallmarks and most important facets of the method Dr. Suzuki created. With parents attending lessons and group class, practicing at home daily with their children and listening to recordings of the music, Suzuki students excel and amaze listeners with their musical abilities. In later years, the method became known by several names including, “Talent Education,” “The Mother-Tongue Method,” and “The Suzuki Method.”
Interestingly, Suzuki was motivated not to produce professional musicians, but to help children fulfill their capabilities as human beings. As he said, “Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens, noble human beings.”
Parental involvement is a critical part of the Suzuki experience. The success of the Suzuki Method depends almost entirely on the dedication of the parents to practice daily with their child. Students have one private lesson and one group lesson per week. A parent attends the lessons and classes to learn how to help their child practice at home. In the beginning with very young children, parents, too, learn to play their child's instrument. This is to help with understanding the basics of technique and assist with home teaching. It is the responsibility of the parent to create a musical environment in the home and to make music a normal part of the child’s life by playing the reference CD every day. Suzuki is an immersion into music and its effects are nothing short of amazing!
- Matthew McMillan
