St. Peter PreK-3
Pre-Twinkle Violin Program
New Students:
It is with great pleasure and excitement that I am able to offer you and your child this program at St. Peter's Catholic School. The PreK-3 Suzuki “Pre-twinkle” Violin Program is designed to provide children the opportunity to start Suzuki Violin lessons during their academic year while here at St. Peter's. The Suzuki method prefers to begin children at the earliest age of 3 to 4 yrs old. During these early years of brain development young children can quickly learn the skills to play violin, along with learning musical pitches and rhythms. Traditionally children are accompanied by their parents to weekly lessons in mid-morning hours at a private studio. St. Peter's understands that not all parents and children are able to leave their schools and workplace to do this. Therefore, we would like to invite you to participate in the St. Peter's Suzuki “Pre-Twinkle” program for your child during their school day. This program is requires an extra fee but we will provide your child with a box violin for this first year. At the end of the year, you will be able to participate in the PreK-4 second year program. This will give you the opportunity to explore and experiment the Suzuki training for 2 full years.
What exactly is Suzuki Violin?
The Suzuki Violin Method is an educational approach developed by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki in Japan (1898-1998). It is often referred to as Talent Education. This approach seeks to foster instrumental playing skills in young children in the same way they learn to speak – through imitation and repetition, in a positive, nurturing environment with the help of the mother and the father. Early education in any single area will create fine ability if nurtured by parents to the very youngest of children. According to Dr. Suzuki, every child has talent and can learn to play the violin using this approach. His goal was not to produce prodigies, but to develop in children an appreciation of music, self, and others. It is our intention through the Suzuki “Pre-Twinkle” Violin Program at St. Peter's, that we nurture the child’s love of music through positive and fun classes.
For more detailed information on the Suzuki Method go to the Links on the Home Page of this web site.
How does the Suzuki “Pre-twinkle” Program work?
The Suzuki “Pre-twinkle” Program is designed for children of the preschool age. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Each child will be in a small group class for a 30 minute lesson every week. The parent is required to come to the first lesson. This is to make sure that the parent knows what to do to help their child practice. Parents are welcome to come to as many lessons as they can! The children will be given a box violin for the first three/four months of lessons. With this box violin the children will learn the basic posture and care for a real violin. Posture is a vital part of playing violin and we are very careful to make sure that the children can do this part well. We will also begin working on specific rhythm patterns that the children will ultimately learn how to play with their violin. We take these steps slowly so that it is understood by both parent and child. The box violin and the real violin is included in the fee. You can keep the box violin, but the real violin must be returned at the end of the school year.
What are my responsibilities as a parent?
How do we fit in with the other “Pre-Twinkle” programs?
Greenville, NC is actually one of the largest Suzuki Communities on the east coast. We contribute that to Mrs. Joanne Bath. Mrs. Bath studied under Dr. Suzuki in Japan in the early 1960’s. She came back to Greenville and nurtured the Suzuki Approach to local children of all ages. She continues to teach children and is the Hardy Distinguished Professor of Suzuki Pedagogy at East Carolina University. The Greenville Suzuki Association (GSA) offers several group lessons, performance opportunities and lots of learning for children and parents throughout the year! This brings together children and parents from all over Eastern North Carolina. Some of the best friendships will be made during these activities.
What do we do after the “Pre-twinkle” year?
After your child's first year of Pre-Twinkle at St. Peter's, I will be available during the summer months to continue their training. In the Fall they will be ready to begin privates lessons with another local teacher. I will provide you with a list of teachers and I will assist you in finding a good match. While in Kindergarten they will then be able to participate in the schools "Strings" program for grades K-5. St. Peter's is the only school in Greenville that offers a strings program for grades Preschool to 8th grade. The Strings group plays for Mass, participates in local community service, and performs for the grade level music program.
When and how do I register?
You must register the week before classes begin. Enrollment is limited, so parents are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Please contact Mrs. Sypawka for tuition information. Each semester ends with a recital, date and time, TBA.
What exactly is Suzuki Violin?
The Suzuki Violin Method is an educational approach developed by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki in Japan (1898-1998). It is often referred to as Talent Education. This approach seeks to foster instrumental playing skills in young children in the same way they learn to speak – through imitation and repetition, in a positive, nurturing environment with the help of the mother and the father. Early education in any single area will create fine ability if nurtured by parents to the very youngest of children. According to Dr. Suzuki, every child has talent and can learn to play the violin using this approach. His goal was not to produce prodigies, but to develop in children an appreciation of music, self, and others. It is our intention through the Suzuki “Pre-Twinkle” Violin Program at St. Peter's, that we nurture the child’s love of music through positive and fun classes.
For more detailed information on the Suzuki Method go to the Links on the Home Page of this web site.
How does the Suzuki “Pre-twinkle” Program work?
The Suzuki “Pre-twinkle” Program is designed for children of the preschool age. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Each child will be in a small group class for a 30 minute lesson every week. The parent is required to come to the first lesson. This is to make sure that the parent knows what to do to help their child practice. Parents are welcome to come to as many lessons as they can! The children will be given a box violin for the first three/four months of lessons. With this box violin the children will learn the basic posture and care for a real violin. Posture is a vital part of playing violin and we are very careful to make sure that the children can do this part well. We will also begin working on specific rhythm patterns that the children will ultimately learn how to play with their violin. We take these steps slowly so that it is understood by both parent and child. The box violin and the real violin is included in the fee. You can keep the box violin, but the real violin must be returned at the end of the school year.
What are my responsibilities as a parent?
- Each parent should attend lessons when possible. If you cannot attend, the children will be given an instructional sheet on what they did that day so that the parent can help with practicing.
- Practice your child. Practicing should be done daily.
- Purchase a Suzuki Violin CD Vol. 1. Most local music stores have these or you can find it online. The parent is responsible for making sure that the child is listening to the recordings every day.
- Read “Nurtured By Love” by Shinichi Suzuki. It can be purchase at Barnes and Nobles. This book is give you all the information you need on the background of the Suzuki Method and what your goal is for your child.
- The parents will learn to play the violin too! This will help so that they can practice with the child at home. Overtime, these activities together will grow into cherished moments with your child. It also establishes the successful parent-child team. This is one of the best parts!
How do we fit in with the other “Pre-Twinkle” programs?
Greenville, NC is actually one of the largest Suzuki Communities on the east coast. We contribute that to Mrs. Joanne Bath. Mrs. Bath studied under Dr. Suzuki in Japan in the early 1960’s. She came back to Greenville and nurtured the Suzuki Approach to local children of all ages. She continues to teach children and is the Hardy Distinguished Professor of Suzuki Pedagogy at East Carolina University. The Greenville Suzuki Association (GSA) offers several group lessons, performance opportunities and lots of learning for children and parents throughout the year! This brings together children and parents from all over Eastern North Carolina. Some of the best friendships will be made during these activities.
What do we do after the “Pre-twinkle” year?
After your child's first year of Pre-Twinkle at St. Peter's, I will be available during the summer months to continue their training. In the Fall they will be ready to begin privates lessons with another local teacher. I will provide you with a list of teachers and I will assist you in finding a good match. While in Kindergarten they will then be able to participate in the schools "Strings" program for grades K-5. St. Peter's is the only school in Greenville that offers a strings program for grades Preschool to 8th grade. The Strings group plays for Mass, participates in local community service, and performs for the grade level music program.
When and how do I register?
You must register the week before classes begin. Enrollment is limited, so parents are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Please contact Mrs. Sypawka for tuition information. Each semester ends with a recital, date and time, TBA.