Here’s where you find the most up-to-date news plus other important information.
Group lessons for violin students (Books 1-5 and primary school age) are in March.
The dates are: Tuesday 10th March and Tuesday 24th March.
See below in this News for more info.
Please review – Book 1, Twinkle to P.Motion, Etude, Happy Farmer, Gossec Gavotte.
Book 2: Hunters’ Chorus, Waltz, Lully Gavotte in A minor
Book 3: Bach Minuets, Gavotte in G minor
Book 4: Vivaldi A minor concerto, 1st movt
Folk tunes: Lannigan’s Ball (new version), Top of Cork Rd, Tripping Up the Stairs
The 2026 Suzuki International Festival is in Glen Waverley from 16th to 18th April, plus registration and opening play-in on the afternoon of Wed 15 April.
The closing date to register is Sunday 22nd February.
This is an international Suzuki festival, it will be excellent for inspiration and education. Learn from fantastic local, national and international teachers. Meet up with old friends and make new ones from the Suzuki music family.
There’s lots of info at https://suzukimusic.org.au/international-suzuki-festival-2026/
– and from that webpage you can join the Festival Facebook page for updates.
Sunday 22 February – Closing date for enrolments
Sunday 1 March – Closing date for ensemble auditions
There will be ensemble concerts like last year’s ensemble concert. We could form an ensemble if three or more students attend the Festival.
Other news:
Resonance String Orchestra is having a Big String Day on the morning of Saturday 28th March.
It’s a single half-day event, highly recommended, at Castlemaine Town Hall. When you register, you get the music to learn before you go (bring to your lesson!), to have the best experience on the day playing in a large string group.
https://events.humanitix.com/big-string-day-with-resonance-string-orchestra
Lesson schedule
Mondays
4.00 pm Lisa
4.30 pm Vivien
5.00 pm Jude
5.30 pm Abigail & Carlee (45 mins)
Tuesdays (afternoon lessons changed to Thursdays on Group Lesson weeks)
10.00 am Sophie
1.25 pm Gwen (fortnightly)
4.15 pm Isabelle (45 mins)
5.00 pm Jaantje
Wednesdays
11.00 am Vivienne (60 mins)
1.30 pm Kitty
3.30 pm Manny (or 10.30 am)
4.00 pm Alex (45 mins)
4.45 pm Elsie (45 mins)
5.30 pm Perryn
Zoha – by arrangement
Group Lessons in 2025
Group lessons are
– for violin students in Books 1-5
– two Tuesday afternoons a term, 4.30 to 5.30 pm
– at Buda Garden Room, 42 Hunter St, Castlemaine
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
Always listen ahead of the current piece. e.g. two pieces ahead.
Ideally, listen to the whole of your current book every day.
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. 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!).
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