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Our Program

twinklers part day
For the youngest students, the Institute offers the Twinklers Part Day. This option is for Twinklers who are 4 - 5 years old. Each child will have three classes each day; individual master class lesson, group playing class and Eurhythmics. (The group playing class and Eurhythmics class will be 30 minutes in length each.) Children will not participate in recitals. The classes run from 10 am until 1 pm.

student program - books 1 - 2
The daily schedule will consist of master class lessons (four children scheduled in a one-hour lesson—each one working individually with the teacher for fifteen minutes), repertoire (playing group) classes, Play-Ins, solo recitals and concerts. In addition, younger students will participate in a Dalcroze Eurhythmics class (introduction to note reading through movement) every day and more advanced students will work in theory/reading classes.
 
book 3 and higher
All students—Book 3 and above— have a daily 20-minute master class lesson (instead of 15 minutes)

tween program - 12 - 15 year old students

students 12—15 years old will attend the institute without parent participation.  Students must be at least at the level of Suzuki violin Book 5 or viola and cello Suzuki Book 4.  These older students will  participate in five classes each day:
master class lessons—2 students in each lesson group;  chamber ensemble;  repertoire class;  technique class; composition/music theory . Tweens will be supervised by a counselor.  They will have one hour free for lunch. 

recital performance
Each student is asked to play a polished piece as a solo at the first private lesson - an opportunity for the teacher and student to get acquainted musically. All students should select a piece from the repertory that he or she has learned very well - possibly even performed already.

solo recitals - Solo recitals will take place one afternoon during the Institute at 3:00.  Students who wish to play a solo will sign up
to do so. A pianist will be at the recital to accompany students in their solo performance.
 

observers
Teachers or adults, other than parents, who wish to observe Institute classes and activities must register as observers.

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enrichment classes
Please note: students have two free periods—one of which is lunch. If a student chooses to sign up for two enrichment classes s/he would be able to eat lunch during the class breaks, but will not have an entire lunch period.
 

handbell choir

Learning to ring handbells as a group is a unique way of making music, and is a study in teamwork that cannot be surpassed!  Not only must one play one's assigned bell(s) at the correct time, one must listen carefully to those around them so as to have the assigned notes sound mellifluous in context.  Manual dexterity, eye-hand coordination, and acute listening skills are developed, and lead to a rewarding musical experience and heightened sense of performance responsibility and accomplishment. And, it's fun! Students must be at least 7 years old and have 2 years of note reading experience to participate in this enrichment class.  Cost for the class is $125.00

fiddling

Students playing in Book 2 and above may sign up for a Fiddling Class. The class will meet for 45 minutes per day and students will learn a variety of fiddling styles, techniques and tunes. The fee for the Fiddling Class is $125.

chamber ensemble
The more advanced students (not tween program participants) may elect to participate in a chamber ensemble for the week. Violinists must play in Suzuki Book 5 and higher. Violists and cellists must be in Suzuki Book 4 to sign up for chamber music. The fee for chamber ensemble participation is $175.

composition/music theory
The composition/music theory class will be an exciting opportunity for young musicians to develop basic compositional skills. In addition, students will have the hands-on experience of working on finale and/or MuseScore - computer music-writing programs.  Students must be at least 8 years old and have 2 years of note reading experience to participate in this enrichment class. Cost for the class is 125.00

hidden gem composers

Learn exciting new music composed by people you have never heard of! Students must be at least 8 years old and have 2 years of note reading experience to participate in this enrichment class. Cost for the class is 125.00

chorus

Use your first instrument – your voice!! Open to students and parents. Come learn musical concepts and make beautiful music together through singing!  The fee for the Chorus Class is $125.


parent program
The Institute is designed to be a family experience. Since parent participation is an essential part of the Suzuki Method, at least one parent or guardian must attend all classes with his or her child(ren). Activities are spread throughout the day for most students. Families should make a commitment to participate in all activities offered in order to benefit fully from the Institute. Parents take study notes for their child and may video their child’s lesson if they wish.

parent discussion groups
Special lectures and discussions will be offered for parents throughout the week. Issues pertinent to parents of both beginning and advanced students will be discussed. Parent groups are led by Institute teachers, parents and invited guest speakers.

practice at the Westchester Suzuki Institute
Practice rooms are available for student/parent practicing throughout the day. In addition, practicing is welcome on the beautiful open lawn when weather permits.

3 - 4 PM special events hours
Activities may include:
OPENING GET ACQUAINTED SQUARE
CASSAT STRING QUARTET CONCERT AND TALK
Hailed for its “mighty rapport and relentless commitment" and for its active role in diversifying string quartet repertoire, the Cassatt String Quartet has performed throughout the world for four decades, with appearances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Tanglewood Music Center, Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Centro National de las Artes(Mexico),Maeda Hall(Japan),and Beijing’s Central Conservatory. The Cassatt String Quartet celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2024-2025 with premieres by Joan Tower, Victoria Bond, Mari Kimura and Shirish Korde, all written for the group. The season includes a tour of Italy with guitarist Eliot Fisk, concerts across the United States, residencies at major universities and conservatories, the CSQ's bi-annual Cassatt in the Basin residency in West Texas, and the Seal Bay Festival in Maine. The quartet’s discography of over 40 titles includes music by Steven Stucky, Daniel S. Godfrey, Gerald Cohen, Sebastian Currier, and Samuel Adler with albums on Koch, Naxos, New World, Point, CRI, Tzadik, and Albany labels. Cassatt’s concerts have been broadcast nationally on the public radio program Performance Today, CBC Radio, and Radio France, and regionally on WGBH in Boston and WQXR and WNYC in New York. Its recordings have been featured numerous times in The New Yorker’s“ 10 Best Classical Recordings. "The Cassatt String Quartet is violinists Muneko Otani and Jennifer Leshnower, violist Emily Brandenburg, and cellist Gwen Krosnick. The quartet is named for the celebrated American artist Mary Cassatt.
SOLO RECITALS  (Voluntary)  
July 2 - PLAY DOWN CONCERT - EVERYONE IN THE INSTITUTE 

Cassatt Quartet  photo credit Dario Acosta 
Sponsors: the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, the Rea Charitable Trust, the Aaron Copland Fund, the Amphion and Alice M. Ditson Funds.

Institute Square Dance
 

Cassatt Quartet _ photo credit Dario Acosta 3.jpg
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