The
State College Suzuki Program began in the early 1970s when Sue Ann Wible, inspired by the revolutionary music education philosophy of Japanese violinist and pedagogue
Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, began teaching children to play the violin in her home using his methods and materials. Suzuki developed his philosophy over a period of time after having observed the way that children learn to speak their native languages. He discovered that just as every child learns to express him/herself in language, every child can learn to express him/herself in music. He used this finding as the foundation to his approach to music instruction: all children can learn music in much the same way that they learn their native language.
Following World War II, Suzuki began implementing his philosophy by developing out a sequential repertoire that would present musical and technical points in a logical manner. Engaging parents in the training process is one of the hallmarks and most important facets of the
method Suzuki created. With parents attending lessons and group class, practicing daily with their children at home, and listening to the recordings of the music, Suzuki students excel and amaze listeners with their musical abilities. The method Suzuki developed has become known by several names including, “Talent Education,” “The Mother-Tongue Method,” and “The Suzuki Method.”
Interestingly, Suzuki was motivated not to produce professional musicians, but to help children fulfill their capabilities as human beings. As he said, “Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens, noble human beings.”
Parental involvement is a critical part of the Suzuki experience. The success of the
Suzuki Method depends almost entirely on the dedication of the parents to practicing daily with their child. Students have one private lesson and one group lesson per week. A parent attends the lessons and parent training classes to learning how to help their child practice at home. It is the responsibility of the parent to create a musical environment in the home and to make music a normal part of the child’s life by playing the reference CD every day. While parents do need dedication, they do not need to have a musical background or musical training to be a part of this method.
Links to more information about the Suzuki Method from the Suzuki Association of the Americas:
