June 11th, 2007 by: Ashley Cecil Email this to a friend
Suzuki Assoc giving music to youth
.jpg)
7″ x 9″ watercolor
See all artwork available for sale.
I played the cello as a child and was having a flashback yesterday as I watched a slightly confused, wee little cellist with an open mouth and bangs in her eyes try to follow along with the other 100+ young musicians on stage. Her eyes were doing far more moving than her fingers, which I found easy to remember, incredibly endearing, and admittedly amusing.
Yesterday’s orchestral performance was thanks to a local chapter of the Suzuki Association of the Americas which, “is a coalition of teachers, parents, educators, and others who are interested in making music education available (throughout North and South America) to all children.” The music-making nonprofit was certainly exhibiting success in numbers as I’ve never seen so many mini crocs and missing baby teeth.
The entire performance offered an entertaining mix of music, comical instruction from the adults, and unusual uses for a bow (such as poking your neighbor). Clearly the Suzuki Association offers an introduction into the world of string instruments for youth that may not otherwise have had the opportunity.
Click here for a direct link to watch this painting being painted.
3 Comments
June 13th, 2007 at 7:48 am
I was a Suzuki-kid from the ages of about 3-10. I dabbled with the violin and the piano. I have in recent years become to realize the effect that it had on me as I’m still creating music at 31 and have gained a perspective on just how critical the training of the ear is… and how repetition at such an early age hammered home the notion of ‘hearing the music’ over learning the music. The technical reading of music didn’t come until they were certain that the left hand knew what the right hand was doing and vice versa.
I will never forget the teachers I met and attending workshops at U of L w/ Ms. Suzuki herself.
Thank you so much for sharing your inspiration from this amazing teaching method. Seeing your work, just instantly flooded me with memories of falling asleep to the many musical variations of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” & “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”.
I should also note that I was one of those kids on stage with 30 others playing her “cracker jack box violin”.
Many thanks.
June 13th, 2007 at 9:35 am
Hi Angela. I had no idea Ms Suzuki taught at U of L. I only know the name from the music books in school. I read Mr Suzuki is from Japan, so I assumed Kentucky was not on the Suzuki family radar. Thanks for the info.
September 30th, 2007 at 11:31 am
[…] I attended a Suzuki performance back in June and posted about it here. Obviously, the painting went over well with the Suzuki staff. You can go to www.suzukiassociation.org/asj to see the contents of the publication and browse the association’s site. They are a nonprofit organization of teachers giving children in North and South America the opportunity to gain an interest and education in music. I’m honored to help them. […]
Leave a Reply