Concert rehearsal information
IMPORTANT Please be on time, otherwise the rehearsal cannot run smoothly
Here are the times to arrive for the pre-concert rehearsal.
1.30 pm Kitty and Paddy
1.45 pm All players in violin group except Abigail
2.30 pm Pianists Perryn and Noora
The Studio concert date is Saturday 31st May
The performance will be from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm, with a rehearsal beforehand from 1.30 pm.
It’s at the Anglican Church (Christchurch), cnr Kennedy and Forest Sts, Castlemaine.
Everyone can play two solos, and there will be group items.
Group lessons will be Tuesdays 20th May and 17th June, 4.30 to 5.30 pm, Buda Garden Room
Violin group pieces for concert:
Book 1: Twinkles, Lightly Row, Song of the Wind, O Come Little Children, Perp.Motion, Allegretto, Minuet 2, Happy Farmer
Book 2: Brahms Waltz, Witches’ Dance
Book 3: Gavotte in G minor
Book 4: 1st movt from Vivaldi Concerto in A minor
John Ryan’s Polka
Suzuki Music Festival in April
The Suzuki Music Festival in Melbourne was excellent, we all learnt a lot, listened to many awesome players, and had heaps of fun. The guest violin tutor Naoki Sando from Japan gave us many tips to improve our tone. There were parent sessions too, including one about the ideas from Ed Sprunger’s book ‘Helping Parents Practice – Ideas for making it easier’.

Front row: Ada, Alex, Noora, Kitty
Lesson schedule
Mondays
1.00 pm Zoha (60 mins)
4.00 pm Gwen
4.30 pm Vivien
5.30 pm Abigail
6.00 pm Paddy
Tuesdays
2.30 pm Erynn (adult, fortnightly, 60 mins)
3.45 pm Ada
4.15 pm Isabelle (45 mins)
5.00 pm Jaantje
Wednesdays
11.00 am Vivienne (adult, 60 mins)
1.30 pm Kitty
4.00 pm Alex (45 mins)
4.45 pm Elsie (45 mins)
5.30 pm Perryn
6.30 pm Cal (60 mins)
Group Lessons in 2025 – Term 2, dates to be advised
Group lessons are
– for violin students in Books 1-3, (and Bk 4 if your child is primary school age)
– two Tuesday afternoons a term, 4.30 to 5.30 pm
– at Buda Garden Room, 42 Hunter St
How to purchase recordings
Audio recordings of Suzuki repertoire can be purchased in many different formats from Alfred Publishing
https://www.alfred.com/suzuki-method/suzuki-audio-downloads/
The best recordings for Suzuki method are by Dr Suzuki himself, and these are available for Books 1, 2 and 3 for violin.
Otherwise please purchase the ISA (International Suzuki Association) recommended recordings, they are the most up-to-date, but any recording listed here is good, they were all authorised by ISA previously. It helps to tell me which recording you’re listening to. Though I don’t recommend David Nadien for Book 4 violin (too fast!).
How to listen to recordings
Please start listening to an authorised version of the next book when your child is halfway through the previous book. Please don’t leave this too late, remember listening is the key to success. And it will be a nice change from the current book, you could alternate books each day.
Active listening and passive listening are both valuable so mix it up!
Active listening – moderate volume, listening for style, maybe following the score. This is recommended too when you have access to different performances.
Passive listening – low volume, you can carry on a conversation easily, it’s in the background. Choose a good recording and listen to the same recording.
Zoom lessons
In-person lessons should be replaced with Zoom online lessons whenever anyone (including me) has cold or flu symptoms, has Covid, or is a close contact. Please try to give 24 hours notice regarding a switch to Zoom. Please update Zoom and use an external microphone for proper immersive online lessons. Audio settings must be musicians’ settings (otherwise I can’t hear your music!).
Term 2 ends on Friday 4 July
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