Classes At Lauderdale

Lauderdale Suzuki Group offers group classes that complement the individual lessons a child has in the Suzuki method. Group teaching is considered by us to be an essential part of learning as an addition to the individual lessons that each child has.

We offer 30 group lessons a year, across 3 terms. Each child particpates in an Instrumental Group and a Musicianship Class or Orchestra/Ensemble.

The majority of classes last 50 minutes. Children must always be supervised during classes by a parent, or another adult appointed by the parent where this is not possible.

Violin Groups

Beginner Violins start in the Lilac group, which usually has about 10 children. Children sing songs and play instrument related games, progressing to being able to play Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Beginners typically start aged 3 to 4.

Blue Group is the next group for violinists. These children can all play Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and usually quite a few other pieces from the Suzuki repertoire. This Group would typically have about 15 children in it. They play their repertoire, violin related games to develop their skills and also learn new pieces.

The progression is then through Orange Group, Silver Group, Gold Group to Diamond Group. Children in the top group are typically studying Concertos by Vivaldi etc. The majority of the children in the Lauderdale Suzuki Group are violinists.

Musicianship

Musicianship Classes are to help children develop musical awareness and music reading skills away from the instrument.

These classes are for the least advanced children and are vital to their musical education. We offer classes based on the Kodaly and Sumics methods.

Kodály

Kodaly musicianship offers children a strong foundation in music. Children sing songs which directly access and train inner hearing, develop pulse and rhythm as well as coordination and multiple hearing. The foundations are laid for music reading, writing and listening, all essential for learning an instrument. The Kodaly teaching is led by renowned expert Yuko Vinden, who is also a founding member of the Kodaly Centre of London.

Sumics

The SUMICS classes at Lauderdale is run by our highly experienced teacher Patty Armstrong and is designed for children aged 2¼ to 4½ years. These classes are the perfect path to the Lauderdale Suzuki Group string programme as well as to more traditional music teaching methods.  Read more about Sumics here.

Ensembles

Once some reading skills have developed the children join Ensemble 1 where violinists all work together playing from written music in parts. They then progress through Ensemble 2 to Ensemble 3.  The most advanced players work together playing four part music.

Theory

We provide a class for the study of the theory of music. The children work towards either ABRSM or Trinity Guildhall exams, according to preference.

Performance Opportunities

Concerts are held throughout the year.  They are very motivating for all concerned and children of all levels have the opportunity to participate in them.  There is an Annual Concert Day in December and Summer Evening Concerts in June.  Each child plays a solo within their group class every term and there are further solo performance opportunities at the Recital Concerts organised by the London Suzuki Group twice a term at the Royal Academy of Music. We also take part as a Group in the North London Festival of Music, Dance and Drama which takes place in May every year.