Studio Policy
Curriculum:
The Suzuki Violin Method centers on the following themes:
Parental Involvement. Suzuki embraces the teacher-parent-student triad concept of music instruction. Parents are expected to attend all lessons and take notes during the lesson. Please bring a notebook to class for this purpose. The parent accepts the role of the home-teacher and becomes a second set of eyes and ears for practice time. Parental involvement is especially important for younger students. There is a time when a student can be "weaned" from parental help. This usually happens as the child advances through the Suzuki repertoire and/or reaches the teenage years. The teacher's role in the triad is to instruct both the student and the parent in the lesson for the week. The student’s job is to practice!
Listening. It is expected that the student will listen to the Suzuki tape or CD daily. Listening helps the student learn the pieces by repetitive listening and memorization. Listening will improve the student’s tone, intonation (playing in tune), and rhythm on the instrument. The student should be able to sing the current piece before learning to play it on the violin.
Daily Practice. Daily practice and listening are important parts a student’s music education. There is a strong correlation between daily practice and musical progress! Parents and students will be happier if this is made a priority in your daily lives. It is suggested that the practice time and place is kept consistent.
Please see Suzuki Philosophy which includes more information. I will be happy to answer any additional questions that are not answered by these resources.
Calendar:
I usually distribute a monthly newsletter describing upcoming events. Holidays, recitals, workshops, music camps and other important dates are noted.
Performances:
I plan on at least three performances during the school year: a community performance in December, a formal recital in March, and an informal recital in early June. Students will perform solos and group pieces. When a solo is performed it is policy to choose a piece at least three pieces back from the student's current piece. Attendance at rehearsal is mandatory for those performing at the recital. All performance pieces will be performed from memory.
Fees:
Tuition is $120 per month for a weekly one-half hour private lesson, or $35 per individual half-hour lesson. A full month's tuition is due in advance and is due by the 10th of the month. A $10.00 late fee will be added to payments made after the 10th. Payments can be made at lesson time or sent to: 161 W Whidbey Ave Apt 7, Oak Harbor, WA 98277. Checks should be made payable to Ward Beebe. Tuition is also payable through Venmo or Google Pay. There will be no refunds made for missed lessons.
Make-up lessons:
If you find you cannot make a private lesson, contact me as soon as possible to reschedule or arrange a make-up lesson. Lessons can be rescheduled or made-up if you call at least 24 hours prior to lesson time. If running late, it is better to have a shorter lesson than none at all, even if it ends up being a 10-minute lesson. To avoid an unhappy situation, make sure your child attends all lessons.
Materials:
Violin: Students will be required to provide their own violin for class. As instruments will need to be sized to fit the student, please talk with me before purchasing an instrument.
Suzuki Music Book and CD: Students will be expected to purchase a Suzuki music book and listening tape or CD.
Suzuki Books: Parents participating in the Parent Education Course will be expected to read the following books. These may be purchased from local music stores or checked out from the library.
Suzuki, Shinichi, 1983, Nurtured by Love, Summy-Birchard Inc., Miami, Florida, 108p.
Suzuki, Shinichi, 1969, Ability Development from Age Zero, Summy-Birchard Inc., Miami, Florida, 96p.
Shoulder Rest: It is my experience that the majority of students have a better fit of the violin by using a shoulder rest. My preference is for the “Kun” brand.
Inclement Weather:
We will follow the lead of the local school district when deciding to cancel lessons due to inclement weather or if I am ill, I will contact students to rearrange lessons.
The Suzuki Violin Method centers on the following themes:
Parental Involvement. Suzuki embraces the teacher-parent-student triad concept of music instruction. Parents are expected to attend all lessons and take notes during the lesson. Please bring a notebook to class for this purpose. The parent accepts the role of the home-teacher and becomes a second set of eyes and ears for practice time. Parental involvement is especially important for younger students. There is a time when a student can be "weaned" from parental help. This usually happens as the child advances through the Suzuki repertoire and/or reaches the teenage years. The teacher's role in the triad is to instruct both the student and the parent in the lesson for the week. The student’s job is to practice!
Listening. It is expected that the student will listen to the Suzuki tape or CD daily. Listening helps the student learn the pieces by repetitive listening and memorization. Listening will improve the student’s tone, intonation (playing in tune), and rhythm on the instrument. The student should be able to sing the current piece before learning to play it on the violin.
Daily Practice. Daily practice and listening are important parts a student’s music education. There is a strong correlation between daily practice and musical progress! Parents and students will be happier if this is made a priority in your daily lives. It is suggested that the practice time and place is kept consistent.
Please see Suzuki Philosophy which includes more information. I will be happy to answer any additional questions that are not answered by these resources.
Calendar:
I usually distribute a monthly newsletter describing upcoming events. Holidays, recitals, workshops, music camps and other important dates are noted.
Performances:
I plan on at least three performances during the school year: a community performance in December, a formal recital in March, and an informal recital in early June. Students will perform solos and group pieces. When a solo is performed it is policy to choose a piece at least three pieces back from the student's current piece. Attendance at rehearsal is mandatory for those performing at the recital. All performance pieces will be performed from memory.
Fees:
Tuition is $120 per month for a weekly one-half hour private lesson, or $35 per individual half-hour lesson. A full month's tuition is due in advance and is due by the 10th of the month. A $10.00 late fee will be added to payments made after the 10th. Payments can be made at lesson time or sent to: 161 W Whidbey Ave Apt 7, Oak Harbor, WA 98277. Checks should be made payable to Ward Beebe. Tuition is also payable through Venmo or Google Pay. There will be no refunds made for missed lessons.
Make-up lessons:
If you find you cannot make a private lesson, contact me as soon as possible to reschedule or arrange a make-up lesson. Lessons can be rescheduled or made-up if you call at least 24 hours prior to lesson time. If running late, it is better to have a shorter lesson than none at all, even if it ends up being a 10-minute lesson. To avoid an unhappy situation, make sure your child attends all lessons.
Materials:
Violin: Students will be required to provide their own violin for class. As instruments will need to be sized to fit the student, please talk with me before purchasing an instrument.
Suzuki Music Book and CD: Students will be expected to purchase a Suzuki music book and listening tape or CD.
Suzuki Books: Parents participating in the Parent Education Course will be expected to read the following books. These may be purchased from local music stores or checked out from the library.
Suzuki, Shinichi, 1983, Nurtured by Love, Summy-Birchard Inc., Miami, Florida, 108p.
Suzuki, Shinichi, 1969, Ability Development from Age Zero, Summy-Birchard Inc., Miami, Florida, 96p.
Shoulder Rest: It is my experience that the majority of students have a better fit of the violin by using a shoulder rest. My preference is for the “Kun” brand.
Inclement Weather:
We will follow the lead of the local school district when deciding to cancel lessons due to inclement weather or if I am ill, I will contact students to rearrange lessons.