COURSE OFFERINGS

PRIVATE INSTRUCTION
Individual instruction is offered in piano, acoustic and electric guitar, violin, viola, cello, double and electric bass, flute, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, oboe, trumpet, trombone, baritone horn, tuba, French horn, drum set and percussion, recorder, and voice.

JAZZ PROGRAM
Our jazz program features some of the most distinguished jazz artists in the metropolitan area. Instruction is available in piano, acoustic and electric guitar, acoustic and electric bass, saxophone, clarinet, drum set, and other percussion instruments. Jazz ensembles are coordinated by our teaching staff for intermediate to advanced students.

MUSIC THEORY/MUSIC APPRECIATION CLASSES
These classes are scheduled bi-weekly. Using materials appropriate to their age and level, students reinforce concepts learned in their individual lessons. Classes for advanced students emphasize a greater understanding of harmony and structure, sight-reading, and an overview of music history. Classes are available bi-weekly for our students enrolled in private lessons. Students may register for these classes in addition to their private lessons.

ADULT PROGRAMS
It's never too late to begin music lessons or to resume music study interrupted years before. The Crestwood Music Education Center has nearly two hundred adult students enrolled, from age 21 to 80+. All it takes is desire, perseverance, and the enjoyment of the process. Our faculty is experienced in motivating, encouraging and leading adult students toward their goals of making music.

CHAMBER MUSIC
Coaching is available for intermediate and advanced students in groups formed by their individual private teachers.

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
There are school-wide recitals twice a year in which all students have the opportunity to share their music with an audience of family, friends, and fellow students. Suzuki group classes also have a portion devoted to performance.

SUZUKI LESSONS
The Suzuki Method involves the parent and child in learning an instrument together. The parent attends lesson alone for six to eight weeks to prepare for his/her role as home teacher, and subsequently attends all lessons with the child.

Students learn at home and in the studio in an atmosphere of patience, praise, and encouragement. Lessons can begin at age three or four, or as late as eight or nine. Daily listening to recordings of the Suzuki repertoire helps the student to learn the pieces by ear and at his own pace. This way the instructor has more freedom to teach playing with beautiful tone and phrasing.

Suzuki lessons include regular review of pieces, which builds confidence and security in performing. Music reading is usually introduced when the student has completed the first volume of pieces and has a firm grasp of aural and technical skills. This is comparable to how a child learns first to speak and later to read his native language. Thus, Shinichi Suzuki, who developed this educational philosophy, calls it mother-tongue learning.

Younger Suzuki students learn pre-reading concepts in bi-weekly group classes. Students and parents are schedule so they can observe other students' lessons, since children learn and are motivated by watching their peers. A non-competitive and supportive atmosphere is established in these lessons.

Parents interested in enrolling in Suzuki lessons observed several lessons and have an orientation with either their Suzuki teacher or the school director.

Talent is not inborn, it is developed in the proper environment.
- Shinichi Suzuki

> More Information on the Suzuki Method