- Group classes BUILD CONFIDENCE. There’s no better feeling than having a child create with ease in a motivating environment. They can play with spirit and enthusiasm without fear of mistakes. When you’re with a team, you can feel part of a greater whole. The synergism of playing with others is fun, safe and enjoyable. Parents said their child was motivated more by group performance classes than anything else.
- Group classes are a great way to REVIEW SKILLS that we’ve already learned and attained in other pieces. Reviewing skills helps keep them current. Music is a lot like language. We learn vocabulary, and we build on that vocabulary from year to year. Imagine saying to a child, “oh, you’ve already learned the word cat. You don’t ever need to use that word again.” Every day you would learn a new word, but you would never come back and use the word cat. It’s ridiculous to think of language that way. It’s the same way with music. Once you learn the skills in one piece, you can apply the skills in another piece later down the line.
- Group classes help BUILD ENSEMBLE SKILLS. Some children are very eager to play with others and can make their music blend in with others. Other children find it a little bit tricky to have their sound fit in with the team and the sound of the bigger group. In the group class, all children, no matter their experience or ability level, can learn how to play together as a group, and what to do when they get lost. The student in a group has a new responsibility. We play in a group for the sound of the entire group, not just for your own self. I often will use this opportunity to say; we’re playing as a team. We learn music manners as a team. Just like in a symphony orchestra - we respect each other, we respect our leader, and most of all we work as a team and respect the goals of the team. The ensemble skills also teach us to listen to each other, to come in together, to start together, and to end together as a team.
- Group classes allow us to EXPLORE OTHER FACETS OF MUSIC. Some teachers include units on polkas, minuets, the gavotte, the waltz, and many different dances. Students study music theory, composing, ear training skills, and history.
- Group classes BUILD COMMUNITY. Parents can observe group class as well, take notes, and participate in an exercise. The community building in group class involves the parent, teacher, child triangle. It’s fun for the kids to play with one another. Beginners like to know that others are experiencing the same challenges they are. Nothing else gives pre-teens and teens greater joy than having someone else to stand next to and to be a part of that team. Teenagers love being a part of the group classes. We often combine social events, a pizza party, or playing at a nursing home, or some special event that is a charitable activity that one of the kids is into. It’s a powerful experience to have share music with others.
How can parents get the most out of group class experience?
- Develop friendships - by attending group class, parents can get to know other parents in the program
- Gather technique and practice strategies - take home technical ideas that are offered or shared with other parents.
- Realize your student will advance faster - give your child every opportunity to develop as a musician
adapted from https://suzukiassociation.org/news/importance-group-classes-3/
