The Oak Park Suzuki School is a music school offering a comprehensive violin program (Violin is the only instrument currently offered at OPSS).
Students at OPSS attend weekly private lessons and group classes. Theory lessons are included in both the private and group lessons. At least one parent (the same parent each time) must be present at each session. Parents learn the basics of the violin with their children and do not need to know anything about music prior to enrollment. The recommended age to begin lessons is 41/2 to 5 years of age. This is a general guideline, but the best way to find out if your child is ready for lessons is to set up a time for you and your child to meet with the director. For families interested in starting a music class younger than 4 years of age please contact us regarding Early Childhood classes.
OPSS asks for a commitment of one year when signing up for lessons. This way, we can understand the amount of time it takes to learn each skill thoroughly and effectively.
The beginning stages of learning to play the violin are very important and require a great deal of patience and discipline. It’s hard work, but the reward is a life time of beautiful, injury free violin playing!
Private Lessons
Private lessons are held weekly with your teacher. Scheduling is coordinated between both the teachers and families availablility. Parents and students attend each lesson together. Dr. Suzuki believed that the parent is the most important teacher for the child. This is evident in the Suzuki triangle: Parent -Teacher - Child. In each lesson the teacher is there to work with the child so as to educate the parents in what to do with the child at home during the week. The teacher will often have the child and parent work together in lessons so as to make sure that the communication within the triangle is successful.
The benefits of having this weekly time to focus with your child are enormous. Not only does this provide a daily time to connect with your child as you practice, it gives you something to learn together, something to rejoice in as there will be many successes, a chance to explore challenges and difficulties as they come up and an opportunity to provide your child with another expressive outlet. As the home teacher, a Suzuki parent has a challenging and exciting job. The teacher is there to provide both expertise and support through all stages and developments of the student--from Twinkle to Tchaikovsky.
Group Lessons
Group lessons are an integral part of musical education. Playing with others is not only one of the greatest joys of music, but it is also a motivating activity, very educational and very helpful to parents to be able to meet with other Suzuki parents and students. Group lessons provide an opportunity to learn how to behave in a group setting, how to watch and focus on a leader, how to play with other musicians, how to rehearse and perform with others; it's a chance to practice old skills and strengthen the newer ones. The benefits are endless. The most successful Suzuki families are the ones who recognize the value of group lessons and attend every one with the same enthusiasm that they would bring to their private lessons. Group lessons are held once a week in addition to the private lesson.
The curriculum for the group lessons includes group review of Suzuki pieces, opportunities for solo performance, and an introduction to music theory. For older students, group classes may include preparation of additional repertoire outside the Suzuki sequence (this can include contemporary works and fiddle tunes).
