Summer Suzuki Institutes have been a part of our family's life for many years. This is not surprising, as it is at these institutes that teachers can receive training, and get many wonderful ideas from observing classes. Over the last 15 years, I have also been teaching at institutes, and have been taking my children along with me to participate as students, and my husband to be the supervising parent.

Suzuki Institutes are intensive week-long events that usually take place on a university campus, and involve children and their parents. The schedule includes a daily masterclass (four children have private lessons in one hour, watching each others' lessons), a group class, and another musical class, orchestra or Orff for example

As well, the children are involved in several play-ins (large group classes) over the week and participate in at least one concert. Each day the children have free time in which they can practice, kick around a soccer ball and climb trees with their new friends

Beyond that basic framework, each institute varies in its format. All Institutes have excellent faculty members and provide an exciting musical environment into which the family is immersed.

We have attended four different institutes as a family over the years; Guelph (now Southwestern), Kingston, Montreal and Ithaca (NY). Here are some thoughts on each:

1. Southwestern: This is a well organized institute which takes place near the end of summer, a motivation to keep practicing through the long summer months. It is commutable distance, which may be an advantage for young children. I commuted when my daughter was age 5, and she didn't lose from missing some of the late afternoon and evening activities. However, older children should not miss out on the evening concerts that are such an inspiration. Good for violinists and cellists; good representation of advanced students.

2. Kingston: Queens University provides a beautiful setting for this institute. Also well organized, Kingston provides a number of "options" outside of the basic Suzuki package which students and siblings can participate in for an extra fee. The cello enrollment here is never very large, and the upper violin books are not well represented. Wonderful for younger students.

3. Ithaca, NY: Set on the side of a hill overlooking one of the beautiful finger lakes, I found it inspiring just walking from the dorm to the classes each day! This large institute has a wide range of students (i.e. beginner to advanced). It has regular university dorms, but we applied early and got a "garden apartment" which gave us two bedrooms, a living/dining room and kitchen. Although the accommodation is more expensive than the regular dorms, we saved a lot by cooking our own meals. We enjoyed this institute for one summer, but the exchange rate has made it rather expensive lately.

4. Montreal: We have attended this institute for the last four years and have enjoyed its bilingual environment. The accommodations are a little more difficult and some of the teaching rooms are less than ideal, but the children have really enjoyed their time there. This institute offers both orchestra and chamber music experiences for the more advanced students.

Any Institute will be a goal towards which your child will work, and will provide inspiration for the remainder of the summer (and sometimes beyond!) It is also a good family time which you can all enjoy. Parents benefit from meeting other Suzuki families and sharing experiences. Children make friends that they look forward to see the next year at the Institute.

Another option in the summer is a music camp. There are several of these. Two day camps in the area (Oakville and Toronto) offer daily group class and masterclass as well as other musical experiences. Being a day camp, they are less expensive. However, after teaching at one of these, I noticed that children generally did not make the huge amount of progress in their playing as they do at Institutes. When I attended with my children I discovered why. Being a day camp, the children are kept busy every hour, and then when they went home, there were their friends, TV etc. which made it difficult to practice. The advantage for working parents is that the parent does not always need to be present for the older children.

A third option is National Music Camp, which is held at the end of the summer at Camp Wahanowin on Lake Couchiching. I have taught the Suzuki programme there for the last five years. This is a camp for children aged 9 to 14 (at the junior division) which stresses the orchestral experience. Children in the Suzuki division also get a daily Suzuki group class and special help if they are having trouble with note reading. They do not have the benefits of masterclasses, but reading skills certainly develop in the 10 days. My children love this camp as it combines a camp experience (water-skiing, horseback riding, kayaking) with the music.

Start thinking now about next summer's plans, so that you can work some music into your holiday schedule. You'll be glad you did!

Some comments from the Etobicoke Suzuki students who attended institutes and camps last summer:

"I had such an amazing time as a camp counselor and assistant for the Suzuki Strings program at NMC. The Suzuki program at camp is great the kids truly love it! I made so many new friends NMC is a great experience for kids of all ages."
Janice McGregor (17)

"NMC has the perfect combination of music and recreation. You make TONS of friends while you learn to make wonderful music. It's the best camp I've ever been to!
Kirsten Jewell (12)

"The Montreal institute gives you a great chance to improve your Suzuki and musical skills. The self-coached quartets for the older kids are especially fun. Again, you make a lot of friendships that can last for years, and it gives me a chance to brush up on my French!"
Kirsten Jewell (12)

Margot Jewell is the director of the Etobicoke Suzuki School of Music where she teaches violin. She is also the Suzuki parent of a 14-year-old violinist and a 12-year-old cellist. This article is reprinted with permission and it first appeared in Making Music, Journal of the Etobicoke Suzuki School of Music in October 1998.

Also see: Programs - Suzuki Method.

Updated April 16, 2000