COURSE CURRICULUM and ACTIVITIES

The Buffalo Suzuki Strings Music Education Program provides instrumental instruction for the VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO, DOUBLE BASS, PIANO and CLASSICAL GUITAR.

Private Lessons

The BSS Curriculum is geared to beginning instruction of the instrument as early as the age of 3. According to the student’s level of study, private weekly lessons are offered at 30, 45, or 60 minute increments private instruction.

Group Instruction

BSS requires attendance at two group repertory classes each month. In Saturday Morning “Rep” Class, 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 children are in class. 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 and Junior Quartets are offered.

Recitals

Students are provided the opportunity to perform a polished piece at our Saturday morning group classes. A short recital program in Wutz Concert Hall encourages 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. Each student is required to perform 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. Children 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.

Annual Spring Concerts

The entire BSS student body participates in an end-of-year concert. 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 BSS 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.

A separate 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 Performance Ensemble

Students at the advance playing level are selected by audition; 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 States, Chile and Peru, England and Ireland, Brazil; and most recently were invited to play at the 14th International Suzuki Teachers Conference in Turn, Italy in April, 2006.