COURSE CURRICULUM and ACTIVITIES
The Buffalo Suzuki Strings Music Education Program provides
instrumental instruction for VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO, DOUBLE BASS,
PIANO, CLASSICAL GUITAR, as well as music for infants and toddlers.
Private Music Lessons
The BSS Curriculum begins instruction of the instrument as early
as the age of 3. According to the student’s age and level of study, private weekly
lessons are offered at 30, 45, or 60 minute increments private instruction.
Group Instruction
Students are placed in groups according to their playing level where
the children learn to play together, polish performance pieces and
review Suzuki repertoire. Monthly Parent Programs are offered while
students are
in classes. There is no group instruction during our summer session.
Enrichment Classes
The BSS curriculum also includes Enrichment Classes on Saturday mornings.
Students are placed according to their playing levels. Various
levels of Music Reading Readiness, Music Reading, Reading Orchestra,
Fiddling, Chamber Ensemble Quartets, Orff and Music and Movement.
Recitals
A short recital program in Wutz Concert Hall
on Saturday mornings gives students to play for an audience as well as offering the children a
lesson in “concert manners” by learning to sit quietly and listening for a short
period. Additionally, each student performs a polished solo piece during Recital
Week in May.
Community Concerts
Throughout the school year, students are offered opportunities to participate in
group performances at area nursing homes and various community events.
Students
at all levels of study can experience the joy of sharing their gift of music
with the community. Over the years our children have performed at the Elmwood
Avenue Arts Festival, the Hunter’s Hope Foundation Gala, the International
Institute, Japan Week, the M & T Summer Concert Series, the Roswell Park Cancer
Institute, the Russian Spring Festival, the Wilcox Mansion and the WNED Great TV
Auction, among others that can be seen
here.
Annual Spring Concerts
The entire BSS student body participates in yearly schoolwide concerts. The Annual
Spring Concert for the String Program is held each year at the U.B. Center for
the Arts. The afternoon program is comprised of polished group performances from
all levels of Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass and Classical Guitar culminating
with all students on stage. The concert also features the Advanced Ensemble,
selected Soloists and acknowledges our graduating Seniors. Attendance at
Saturday Morning Rep Classes is mandatory for participation.
The annual Spring Concert for Piano Students is held in the Wutz Concert Hall of
the Buffalo Suzuki String Musical Arts Center. Every student plays a solo.
BSS Summer Workshop
The BSS Summer Workshop is a 5 day institute-like program offered at the BSS
Musical Arts Center in August. The Summer Workshop brings together parents,
students and teachers from across WNY to share in a course of intensive music
study. A week of fun and inspirational music making at all levels concludes with
a concert of Suzuki repertoire and a concert of chamber music, both of which are
open to the public.
Advanced Ensemble
Students at the highest playing level are selected by audition for
the Advanced Ensemble. This performance
ensemble requires intensive weekly rehearsals. Advanced students perform with
the Ars Nova Chamber Musicians in the Viva Vivaldi Festival each November, as
well as participating in various community and social events, and concert tours.
Since 1984 the BSS Friendship Touring Ensemble has traveled to Great Britain,
the former Soviet Union and Hungary, Australia and Hawaii, Italy and
Switzerland, the South and Mid-Atlantic US, Chile and Peru, England
and Ireland, Brazil, the 14th
International Suzuki Teachers Conference in Turin, Italy in April,
2006, and most recently Spain.
Students of all ages and levels are accepted throughout the year in
an open enrollment plan. Transfer students from traditional and
Suzuki programs are welcome.