Hawke’s Bay Today: Music workshop strikes right chord
- Hawke’s Bay Today
- 29 Apr 2017
- By Victoria White
It’s been music to the ears, as young musicians from around New Zealand have enjoyed quality tuition this week at the annual NZSI Suzuki autumn workshop
This is the final day of the three-day workshop, in which 85 students from around New Zealand have been able to learn from national, and international Suzuki tutors.
Hawke’s Bay Suzuki publicity officer Susy Allen said the students, aged between 4 to 16, had been enjoying the “fun way of learning” offered by the workshop.
The Suzuki method — created by Dr Shinichi Suzuki — teaches instrumental music in a non-traditional way.
Its principles include repetition, learning to play music by ear before reading it, and starting students at an early age — Dr Suzuki recommended development begin at birth, with format training starting at age 3.
Incredibly some of the tutors in the workshop — organised by the New Zealand Suzuki Hawke’s Bay branch — have been taught by Dr Suzuki himself.
This week the workshop has turned Napier Girls’ High School into a musical hub, with youngsters developing their instrumental ability on a range of instruments — including piano, viola, and cello.
Every day the students have enjoyed masterclasses, theatre sports ensemble groups, extended repertoire classes, and participating in a range of concerts.
Today the final concert will be held, with each individual instrument group performing, before they all play together.
“Organising the workshop is pretty hard work,” Ms Allan said, “But seeing the children play together, it really makes it all worth it. “It’s magic.” The New Zealand Suzuki Institute (NZSI) was formed about 20 years ago. Today there are about 300,000 teachers and students in 34 countries worldwide.
Enjoy the music at the free concert, from 2pm at Napier Girls’ High School.
Article Name:Music workshop strikes right chord
Publication:Hawke’s Bay Today
Section:LOCAL NEWS
Author:By Victoria White
