2010-2011
RENTAL INFORMATION
for Later in the Year

Renting is not required. Many of you will call and like to rent an instrument for your child for a special occasion around seasonal times. Please do not buy a violin as the child will grow and you need to be able to trade up sizes without cost. Here is a letter you can use to help you with your decision. Please call me, and I will let you know what size to get for your child.

Dear Parents,

Many parents have been inquiring about renting their child a violin,so I have prepared a list of merchants in the area. Although the school provides violins for use in class, many Suzuki students are so enthusiastic about playing that twice a week in class just isn't enough. The child who practices at home has distinct advantages. The decision, of course is yours.

PLEASE DO NOT BUY A VIOLIN OVER THE INTERNET; THE SIZES ARE NOT NECESSARILY CORRECT FOR YOUR CHILD; REPAIRS ARE NOT FREE NOR ARE STRINGS; WHEN YOU RENT, THEY CAN TRADE UP SIZES FREE OF CHARGE; WITH INSURANCE FROM THE MUSIC STORE, STRINGS AND REPAIRS ARE FREE.

CHILDREN CAN CHANGE VIOLIN SIZE WITHIN A MONTH OR WEEK, AND YOU ARE STUCK WITH A PURCHASED VIOLIN AND THE NEED TO BUY ANOTHER. PURCHASING IS ONLY RECOMMENDED WHEN YOU HAVE SEVERAL YOUNGER CHILDREN THAT CAN USE THAT SIZE EVENTUALLY.

Below are some points you may want to consider :

1. Does the violin fit properly?
A properly fitted instrument is as important as good fitting shoes!
2. Is the violin you are renting in good playing condition?
3. Will the store apply rental fees towards purchase?
This may be important to you if your child is to continue next year.
4. Are you getting the best deal?

Compare prices -- they will vary from store to store.
There will also be different rental periods.

Good luck, and please feel free to call me at school if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Gayla Rothermich
Suzuki Specialist

http://www.galaxystrings.com

The Suzuki Philosophy
by Winifred Crock

The Suzuki philosophy of education is based on the concept that all children have ability and talent, but this natural ability and talent must be nurtured in a positive caring environment. The philosophy is sometimes referred to as Ability Development or Talent Education. Shinichi Suzuki, a Japanese musician, wrote about his educational philosophy in a book entitled, Nurtured by Love . His ideas were a dramatic departure from traditional education in that previously a child was thought to have talent or not and that was what determined his success.

The Suzuki movement was developed by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki in Japan after World War II. He based his work on the fact that very young children spoke their complex native language with ease. His premise was that if tiny children could learn something as difficult as a spoken language, then a musical instrument could also be mastered quickly if approached in the same way.

Dr. Suzuki began teaching preschool children to play violin using very small sequential steps. He waited to introduce each new skill until the former skill was mastered. He continued reviewing each skill until it was completely natural and effortless. Following the native language model, he exposed the children to consistent repetitive music listening and he delayed music note reading. In the language model, first a child speaks and then he reads. In the Suzuki philosophy, first a child plays and then he reads music. Dr. Suzuki involved the parent, the teacher, the child working together to help the child succeed. He involved the parents as home teachers in practicing daily with the child. He involved the children in private lessons and group classes. He developed a standard repertoire so that the children could enjoy playing together. Dr. Suzuki and the child's parents the child's musical experiences exciting and positive.

Dr. Suzuki's brilliant success in teaching young children to play the violin soon became legendary, however his ultimate goal was not to produce musical child prodigies but to produce happy and healthy human beings. The Suzuki violin method became a reality as word of his incredible success in teaching spread.

Today thousands of students and teachers participate in the Suzuki philosophy. It has spread to countries all over the world. It is used to teach violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, piano, guitar, and harp. It has been developed as a total education concept in the preschool movement and is being utilized in other educational venues.

In the Parkway School District we use many of Dr. Suzuki's concepts in teaching 3rd grade violin and 4th grade strings. In later grades, we follow the positive group lesson model and strive to nurture each child's ability. We try to foster an attitude of positive cooperation and not competition among our students. We continue to nurture as much parental involvement as possible and value parent education as crucial to each child's success. We, too, hope to create happy healthy human beings.

Books such as Nurtured by Love and CD's and cassette tapes of the Suzuki music repertoire are available at your local music store. They are also available through mail order catalogs. Further information and a Suzuki bibliography will follow.