Institute is designed with the understanding that parents will be involved, as they are at home, with lessons, practice, and the general supervision of their children. Children under the age of 12 MUST be accompanied by an adult at ALL times without exception. This rule is for safety because SPU is an open campus.
Buddy System
We embrace the ideal that parents and children attend Institute together; however, it is sometimes impossible. If you have a friend in the same book and instrument as you, within 4 songs, AND you are both in the same orchestra, you may request to be scheduled as buddies and have all core classes together. All buddies must be sanctioned by the Institute Director and the home teacher(s). Once both students have registered, please email japanseattle01@gmail.com to request “buddy scheduling”.
A typical day at the Japan Seattle Suzuki Institute may begin as early as 9:00 am and end as late as 5:00 pm. Each Book 4-8 student will have 4 hours of classes per day, which can include the following:
1-hour master class (short, semi-private lesson: 3 students/class for books 4-7 and 2 students/class for book 8)
1-hour technique class (small group)
1-hour repertoire class (large group)
1-hour Orchestra (see below for more information)
1-hour attendance at Honors Recitals (If you would like to perform, submit your recording here.)
Optional: 1-hour enrichment class (see descriptions)
Optional: Attendance at evening concerts
Each student is asked to play a polished piece as a solo at the first meeting of their master class – an opportunity for the teacher and student to get acquainted musically. No matter the level of current study, the student should select a piece from the repertoire that has already been polished and performed.
Orchestra Options:
Consult with your teacher regarding orchestra placement. If you’d like to see a sample of last year’s orchestra music as an idea for placement, please email us.
Books 4-5: Intermediate Orchestra
Books 6+: Advanced Orchestra
