MA Suzuki Festival 2020
Information
The Massachusetts Suzuki Festival is a two-day annual event for Suzuki students, parents, and teachers from across the state. Participants enjoy masterclasses, group classes, chamber music, workshops, performances, early childhood education, and much more for Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Guitar, Flute, and Piano. Our 2021 MA Suzuki Festival will take place the weekend of March 6-7, 2021 held online via Zoom.
Basic Information
Location: New England Conservatory
(30 Gainsborough Street, Boston 02115)
The festival will take place in 3 different buildings:
The Jordan Hall Building (30 Gainsborough Street)
The Student Life & Performing Center (255 St. Botolph Street)
*Please Check-In here when you arrive!*
The St. Botolph Building (241 St. Botolph Street)
(Enter through The Student Life & Performing Center. No entrance on St. Botolph Street)
The Student Life Building and the St. Botolph Building are connected, you will need to go outside to get to the Jordan Hall Building.
There will be a 15 minute passing time between each class.
What to bring: Bring what you normally bring to a lesson. Parents are expected to stay with their children for the entirety of the festival.
What to wear: Dress in layers! The rooms can be cold to hot.
Food: On Sunday, please plan to bring water and lunch/snacks, or grab a quick bite nearby at Whole Foods, Subway, or Panera Bread. Lunch will be an hour on Sunday from 12-1pm.
Parking: Validated parking is not available through New England Conservatory. Please try to carpool or take public transportation to cut down on parking costs. The garage on Gainsborough Street, steps from NEC, charges $36 for 4+ hours. See parking and directions links above for more information.
Scholarships: Are available! Please go to the Student Information page to apply.
Questions? Contact us at www.suzukifestival@gmail.com
General Schedule
*All information subject to change--please check the website regularly for up-to-date information!
Saturday, March 6 (12:00pm - 6:00pm)
Student Masterclasses: 12:00 - 6:00pm
Please note that all Masterclasses are scheduled on Saturday only. No Masterclasses will take place on Sunday.
Period Instrument Workshop: Baroque Violin “How did the Bow Grow?” 2:00 - 6:00pm (students will be placed first-come, first-serve into one of two workshops)
Festival Chamber Orchestra Rehearsal (optional): 3:45 - 4:45pm (String players Book 4+)
Teacher Workshops:
12:00-1:50pm: "Empowering Ability Development" (open to teachers of any instrument) --Jane Reed
2:00-3:50pm: "The Pre-Piano Student" --Blancamaria
2:00-3:50pm: "Body Balance for Violin and Viola Students" --Ann Montzka-Smelser
2:00-3:50pm: "Attention to Tension: Helping Cello Students Play with Ease" –David Holmes
4:00-5:50pm: "Improvisation for the Suzuki Student" (open to teachers of any instrument) --Alice Kanack
Sunday, March 15 (9:00am - 4:00pm)
Early Childhood Education: Students ages 0-4 are scheduled for 2 hours of classes between 10am-12pm including the Early Childhood Education Class and watching the performing ensemble concert.
Pre-Twinkle: Students are scheduled for 3 hours of classes between 9am-12pm including group class, Eurhythmics, and watching the performing ensemble concert.
Full-Day Sunday Festival: (Books 1 and higher) The schedule varies slightly depending on your instrument. It consists of group classes, enrichment classes, a concert by a performing ensemble, and much more. Class assignments are based on age and level. Students are scheduled for 5 hours of classes from 9am - 3pm with a break for lunch from 12:00-1:00 pm.
Parents also have two opportunities to attend Parent Sessions titled, “Nurturing Reflection Rather Than Contradiction” (Jane Reed), and “Games in Practice” (Sharon Kuhn).
The festival culminates with Piano Recitals, The Chamber Orchestra Performance, and a String "Play-In" at the end of the day between 3:00-4:00pm.
String students in Books 4 and higher will be invited to participate in a chamber orchestra as part of their festival music experience. Rehearsals will take place on Saturday (3:45-4:45pm *optional*) and Sunday (11am-noon *mandatory*).