Since 1977, the Amarillo Suzuki Program at Amarillo College has offered highly qualified and trained Suzuki instructors to support and train growing talent in all students.
Weekly private and group instruction, monthly Play-ins, solo recitals and the annual group recital are all components of this complete Suzuki experience. Our supportive learning environment is the perfect place for parents and children to develop a creative, cooperative learning partnership.
Recognizing that the seeds of passion for lifelong learning are planted during children' formative years, we are dedicated to teaching life skills and love of learning to children and their families through the study of music.
The overriding purpose of the Suzuki Program at AC is to create persons of a beautiful mind and fine ability through long-term music study. Our goal is to nurture discipline, intelligence, creativity, sensitivity, and self-esteem in children to become better human beings and create a better world.
Now accepting a limited number of new students!
The Suzuki Method
Originally founded by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki in Japan in the 1940s, the Suzuki approach has spread worldwide and is recognized as a major force in music education today. The approach focuses on developing the whole child through music. The aim is to nurture creativity, sensitivity and self-esteem and to help children “become better human beings and create a better world.” Dr. Suzuki has said “The potential of every child is unlimited” and “any child who is properly trained can develop musical ability just as all children develop the ability to speak their mother tongue.”
The environment for this development is a synergistic triangle of parent—child—teacher, which nurtures music growth through a process of loving—listening—leading—learning. Each participant in the triangle has a unique role and responsibility to ensure overall success. The purpose of Suzuki training is to help every child to experience the joy that comes through making music. Through the Suzuki growing process, children thrive in a total environment of support. They develop confidence and self-esteem, a determination to try difficult things, and self-discipline and concentration, as well as a lasting enjoyment of music and the sensitivity and skill for making music.
Dr. Suzuki’s main goals are “for the child to build a noble soul, to develop an appreciation of beauty, to give a sense of purpose to life, to learn the discipline of acquiring a skill and to become a fine human being.”
The mission of the Amarillo Suzuki Program is to create persons of a beautiful mind and fine ability through long-term music study. Our goal is to nurture discipline, intelligence, creativity, sensitivity, and self-esteem in children to become better human beings and create a better world.
Amarillo Suzuki Program
Program components include:
Weekly Individual Instruction
The individual lesson is the core of Suzuki instruction – the place where basic skills are taught and the (parent teacher child) learning team is developed. You and your private teacher will arrange a mutually convenient time for weekly instruction. The length of your child’s weekly lesson will vary, depending on his/her level and ability (typically 15-30 minutes for beginners). The amount of instruction a student receives is tailored to each child’s rate of growth in the manner of the Suzuki philosophy. The parent observes the teacher’s comments and instruction and uses these guidelines in practice at home. Note taking is encouraged. While the parent is the “teacher at home,” the teacher is the person who leads the studio lesson.
Play-ins
Occurring approximately three times each semester on Saturday mornings, play-ins are family times and provide review for the annual recital. Play-ins feature large group work with a teacher. Family and friends are welcome. Announcements, skits and Wednesday groups are also an important part of play-ins.
Group Lessons
Each Suzuki student is assigned to group classes according to the student’s age and level. Typically 30 to 45 minutes in length, group lessons are scheduled on Wednesday afternoons. Groups for beginning students are set up at the discretion of the private teacher. The group class is an integral part of the Suzuki experience. Skills are reinforced through constant and varied repetition, review of “old” pieces and introduction to new pieces through listening. Group classes provide a fun and social atmosphere for musical peers, often providing that extra motivation each student needs. Even activities that appear to be “games” hold an important instructional purpose. Technical, ensemble and listening skills are developed in the group environment.
Solo Recitals
Held at intervals throughout the year, solo recitals provide a dignified setting to perform individually. The piece selected to perform should be one that the student has polished, thus providing the child with a positive performance experience. The audience includes family and friends of performers.
Annual Workshop and Recital
This yearly event, usually held mid- to late spring features all students performing pieces selected by the faculty. The Annual Recital is an exciting time for students to collaborate and show off the year’s hard work after a weekend of working with guest clinicians.
Parent Class
A requirement for all families new to the AC program, this academic credit class is offered each semester at a time best for all new parents. The Suzuki philosophy, ways to assist in teaching your child and the basics of playing the instrument are covered. The parent must enroll in the course concurrent or previous to starting his/her child in the Suzuki program.
Orchestra and Ensembles
Enforcing note reading skills, ensemble playing and technique, these Wednesday afternoon groups are open to students at the discretion of the private teacher after note reading skills are initiated.
All lessons and group activities are scheduled in the Music Building and Concert Hall at the Amarillo College Washington Street Campus. The Suzuki Office is located in this building in room 304.
The Music Building of the Washington Street Campus at Amarillo College is located off of 22nd Avenue between South Washington and South Van Buren.
Tiffany McDaniel
Community Music Coordinator, Amarillo College
Phone: 806/371-5340
Fax: 806/345-5572
Email: tljackson26@actx.edu