(802) 579-3739
Violin lessons for all ages ~ Violin performance group
SCHEDULE
Each semester term includes weekly lessons, regular group classes, Final Recital, and additional performance opportunities as they arise.
For the 2024-25 school year, lessons are on Thursday mornings, Fridays and Saturdays, and group classes are also on Saturdays. Schedules are shared by email at the beginning of the semester.
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Individual Lesson Each student attends one 30, 45, or 60-minute lesson per week, accompanied by parent/home guardian.
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Group Class occurs every third week with students at the same level of advancement.
ABSENCES
Lessons cannot be made up if missed, but you may swap lesson times with another student. Each family will receive a full schedule and phone/email list.
Please notify me of change by email, text, or phone message. 802-579-3739; wood.musi@gmail.com
CURRICULUM
Individual Lesson Student and parent or guardian receive individualized instruction based on individual progress, level of repertoire, personal focus skills. Bring a notebook for keeping track of assignments, achievements, practice ideas, and teacher's comments from the lesson. Be prepared with current repertoire and technique books, when applicable.
Group Class is for exploring ensemble skills like the ability to be aware of one's own sound amidst the whole group, listening carefully to match each other's tone and style. Students exercise their own creative decision-making as leaders, and also learn to follow another leader's cues while they play their common repertoire together.
Beginner group is open to all ages, including parents.
Repertoire Both private lessons and group classes use the Suzuki Violin School*, which includes the books and recordings. Some extra-literature pieces may be assigned at my discretion. (*Link is for volume 1 book . Mp3 downloads are available from the Alfred website.)
Play-Ins are informal music parties for all levels.
Recitals are for polished performances of group class and solo pieces, which occur once per session.
Outreach Performances in the community are polished performances of ad hoc repertoire, chosen from the Suzuki book, based on personnel of performance. Dress code is dressy, unless otherwise stated.
LISTENING
Students are required to listen to the Suzuki recording daily in order to learn the repertoire. Here are the mp3's from the publisher. These can also be found at other sources. Parents are responsible for turning on the music! Students should also choose one piece of non-Suzuki literature to listen to each week. I encourage you to branch out in your exposure to different types of music.
PRACTICE
Each student is expected to practice the lesson assignment daily. Parents work on providing a positive, encouraging environment for the student’s practice. I have designed a suggested practice chart, which you may adapt to your individual preferences. Practicing review repertoire is necessary to develop beautiful tone, make techniques easier, and continue to be prepared for performances.
MATERIALS
Violin Students must own or rent an appropriately sized instrument. I recommend going to Baker Violin Shop in Dummerston, where they can help choose the size. Please consult me about any instrument you are considering for purchase. A violin outfit comes with a bow and case.
Accessories Each student also needs a shoulder rest and rosin, the Suzuki recording for their book level, and the next advanced level, the Suzuki book (for the parent’s use only until book 4!). Students may also require a music stand, metronome, scale book, and note-reading book, when they reach a certain level of proficiency.
PARENTS
Parents must attend the lessons and groups, taking notes in a notebook that they bring each week. Parents may also bring an audio or video recording device for recording the lesson.
For the best continuity, please make every consideration possible for the same parent to both attend the lesson and be the home practice parent. If a family's schedule does not allow this, please plan to record the lessons for the home practicing parent so they will understand the goals of each assignment.
Siblings are invited to watch lessons quietly.
STUDIO ETIQUETTE AND RULES
Students must wait quietly until their turn, whether for individual lesson or group class. They must be supervised by parents, or other willing adults. Quiet play is allowed in the lesson studio, or group room, as long as there are adults supervising. Please no talking during group classes. Parents may bring quiet entertainment for siblings. Siblings benefit from observing the musical environment, but they must not distract the students or their parents during classes. Please remind your children to respect the space and other people present by using quiet voices and moving calmly while in the building.
RECITAL AND GRADUATION STANDARDS
Graduation is an exciting way to mark the progress of each student as he or she completes the pieces and skills in each level. Typically, we have each book level, plus a few steps in book 1: Twinkle and Perpetual Motion. The student is ready to graduate when he has passed the level by a few more pieces, i.e., book 1 graduation happens when a student has already learned the first 3-4 pieces of book 2. Graduations are scheduled during recitals or play-ins, and usually involve several students at that level.
Recital pieces, both solo and ensemble, must be polished through repetitive practice, and participation in the ensemble performance pieces requires group class attendance. Students may choose solo pieces that they have known for a long time, rather than their most recent piece, and should plan to play a solo in recital once or twice per year. They may play all the recital ensemble pieces that they have learned for lesson, and rehearsed in group class.
TUITION PAYMENT
Tuition due dates are as follows: Whole-semester- Fall: Sep 1; Spring: Jan 21.
Twice-per-semester, Fall: Sep 1, Nov 1; Spring: Jan 21, Mar 21
Payment may be cash, check, Paypal, or venmo.
The lesson, group class, and recital dates are arranged for the whole schoolyear, divided into 2 semesters, by the preceding August.
Parents who play violin may participate in group classes at no charge.
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Understanding that each family's situation is unique, I want to ensure that tuition and schedule are not a barrier to pursuing music education.The two semester packages allow you to choose the option that best fits your circumstances. The Full Program allows for as many lessons as possible in preparation for each Recital, whereas the Short Program is designed to skip the weeks where there is a school vacation or Recital Day, and costs slightly less. Please note that regardless of the option chosen, all students and families will receive the same high-quality instruction, guidance, and support. I also expect home practice and listening to continue daily through the off-weeks!