Why Group Class?

A letter from a WRSS Suzuki Mom

This letter is primarily to parents starting out young students ages 4-7, but truly, any student can benefit from group class.

I am writing you as one Suzuki parent to another, but also as a former Suzuki student to urge you to sign your beginning child(ren) up for Saturday Group Class. At WRSS this means the “full registration.”

Yes, that is indeed me there in the photo with the rad pink “Sally Jesse Raphael” glasses (if you’re on mobile, you’ll have to scroll down). I’m sorry if you are too young to get that SJR reference. It’s happening all too often these days.

Why am I writing you about this? Don’t worry, I am not a paid spokesperson, just a Suzuki kid all-grown-up who knows the lasting impact that group class made on me.

I know your family is busy, and I know that it’s an additional cost. So, why do I pay for the full registration and commit to driving clear across Northeast Ohio (and back) to add group class to all their other Saturday activities?

Besides it being central to Shinichi Suzuki’s philosophy of learning to play, there are many other reasons to participate in (and maybe miss a soccer game or two for) group class.

Here are my eight reasons that WRSS Saturday Group Class is a must-do for my kiddos:

Your Child Will Learn More
Group class isn’t just an extra hour of playing per week. If you haven’t experienced a group class, besides being a lot of fun, the depth of learning is incredible. The teachers help students review and polish pieces while reinforcing all of the techniques they are teaching in lessons. They also include reading, theory and other concepts to develop excellent musicians. And, their time in group is offered at a fraction of the cost of lesson time (it’s an amazing value).
Group Will Motivate Your Child
I don’t know if the teachers will sponsor this message, but I never would have gotten as far as I did as a violinist (which was a college degree) if it wasn’t for a little healthy competition. As my cohort moved through, I didn’t always feel like practicing, but I had to catch up to David. He was the player I idolized, and I was determined to keep up and catch up. It was also motivating to hear pieces very far ahead that weren’t on my current recording. I know group played a major role in my achievement as an instrumentalist.
Group Will Build Your Child’s Confidence
It is not easy to get up and play an instrument in front of other people. Many children who have a great deal of talent struggle with performance anxiety. While recitals and community performances offer some opportunities, group class comes with many, many opportunities to play for an audience of supportive peers.
Your Child Will Play Along With Others from Day One
If you have a Twinkle player, it may be a while before they get to join an orchestra at school, and lessons can be lonely. Suzuki Group class gives them so many opportunities to play in a group and to learn to be a good ensemble player and teammate. Someday they will want to play in orchestra, and this experience will help them be successful.
Your Child Will Make Friends
Believe it or not, I still know Jill, the girl in the bottom left of my ancient, 1992 photo up there. I have kept in touch with many of my childhood group friends. I have loved watching my daughter make friends at group and watching them experience different, wonderful musical experiences together. Friends are also instrumental in getting children through the hard parts of learning an instrument. Sticking with your group is an important motivation when the technique starts to get more challenging.
Your Child Will Learn To Listen
Listening skills are foundational to making music. As a mom of two children with ADHD in Suzuki, one of the hardest things for them is listening to other students play. I have seen both of them come leaps and bounds in terms of their listening skills, patience and ability. Beyond that, they have also learned to listen for dynamics, intonation, bow stroke and quality of sound. Now if only they could also teach them to listen to their parents.
More Children in Group Means Better Group for Everyone
The more families that sign up for group, the more resources the teachers can include. When we began, there was a large group of students participating as full registrants and WRSS was able to add on a Dalcroze class and a theory class - it was incredible. During COVID, group membership went down and those things weren’t sustainable. A fuller group class means more friends, more fun, more opportunities to listen and more resources for our teachers to enhance the group experience even more.
Group Class is Good For Parents Too
Parents are a critical part of the Suzuki approach, and group class gives us a chance to swap trips and tricks, share our joys and frustrations, and socialize. Without group class, I would have missed out on lots of good information from other parents and some really great friendships. Plus, more time watching the teachers means that I learn more ways to be a better parent teacher at home.

(above) Hazel and Aditi, who have been friends since they met in group class five years ago. (below) Suzuki parents flock together.

Learning an instrument has a million benefits, but many challenges as well. If I’m going to invest my time and treasure in my children learning an instrument, I also want to make sure they have every opportunity for success. Group class offers many of the key ingredients for musical success and makes learning an instrument a lot more fun.

That is why, as a former Suzuki kid, I chose to find a Suzuki program, and it’s also why my family participates in group class. I hope to see you on Saturday mornings this year! (I will be the late one running in with shower-wet hair and multiple children).

Thanks for reading,

Julie A Cajigas

P.S. If you read all this way, maybe you would also consider giving to the WRSS Scholarship Fund to help families that may not be able to afford group class participate too: Donate.

Western Reserve Suzuki School

Contact Marian Goss at:
gossmarian@yahoo.com or 330-322-8343