The Hutt News: Hitting the right note
- The Hutt News
- 7 Dec 2010
- By LEE-ANNE EDWARDS
Many of them had never seen a violin before, but two months into classes run by Suzuki teacher Alison Eldredge, pupils from the Mother Teresa Class at St Michael’s School are showing plenty of promise.
The 21 pupils, aged from six to eight years, handle their small violins with ease and are well drilled in the warm up exercises that start the lesson.
A long-time advocate of the Suzuki method of teaching music, Eldredge made contact with the school via the neighbouring Great Start House. Great Start is an initiative funded by Barnardos, with support from the Ministry of Social Development, which works to build and strengthen community networks.
Internationally known, the Suzuki method was founded in the mid-20th century by Shin’ichi Suzuki, a Japanese violinist who wanted to bring some beauty to the lives of children in his country after the devastation of World War II.
As a skilled violinist Suzuki noticed that all children pick up their native language naturally. He reasoned that if children have the skill to acquire their mother tongue, then they have the ability to become proficient on a musical instrument. He pioneered the idea that any pre-school age child could begin to play the violin if learning steps were small enough and if the instrument was scaled down to fit their body. He modelled his method, which he called Talent Education, after his theories of natural language acquisition. Suzuki believed that every child, if properly taught, was capable of a high level of musical achieve- ment. He also made it clear that the goal of such musical education was not aimed at raising musical prodigies.
Ms Eldredge said she was grateful for the amount of help received from the community.
‘‘We have a full set of violins loaned by Ian Ralston of Classical Strings in Upper Hutt and I also have people who help me in the classroom.’’
She holds lessons at St Michael’s School two to three times a week and also has an after school session.
‘‘I’m very grateful to principal Linda Birch for allowing the classes to be held during the school day.’’
Eldredge, a member of the Wellington Vector Orchestra and her husband David Moonan who plays with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, are pleased to be sharing their love of music.
‘‘You get such a wonderful reaction from the children.’’
Article Name:Hitting the right note
Publication:The Hutt News
Author:By LEE-ANNE EDWARDS
