Suzuki String School Celebrates 30th Anniversary
From Arts in Guelph- May/June, 2003
by Anna Contini
The Suzuki String School of Guelph (SSSG) has a long and impressive history in this community. The school began with only a handful of students in 1972 but has grown to an institution of 140 youngsters. This season SSSG will be celebrating a landmark 30-year anniversary with two special events - a Spring Concert featuring current students and an Alumni Recital showcasing past generations of SSSG students.
The Suzuki String School of Guelph Spring Concert will be held on May 4 at 3 p.m. at River Run Centre. It will present the 140 current violin, viola and cello students, all of whom will be on stage at the same time! In addition, the current faculty and some alumni from the over 400 former SSSG students will also be involved. Admission is free and open to the public. Donations are welcome.
Later in the month, an Alumni Chamber Music Recital will take place May 30 at 8 p.m. in the Guelph Youth Music Centre Recital Hall. Performers will include violinists David Gillham, Anna Hughes, Margot Lange, Meredith McCallum, Susan McCallum; violists Johann Lotter and David Samuel; and cellists Cathy Anderson, David Campbell and Adam Riggs. The performers are all professional musicians or are currently studying music in university. Proceeds from this benefit concert will go towards the SSSG Bursary Fund. Tickets are $15 Adult, $10 Students, or $5 Students under 18.
The Suzuki String School of Guelph was formed in 1972 by Daphne and Bill Hughes and Gail Lange following the philosophy of Dr. Shinichi Suzuki (1898-1998). Dr. Suzuki observed that children hear the sounds and rhythms of their native language from birth, and parents always encourage and celebrate their children's efforts at learning to speak. There is no doubt that they will succeed. In this natural process, all children experience delight and joy in acquiring their "mother tongue." Likewise, the Suzuki String School of Guelph applies the Suzuki method by emphasizing parental involvement and creating an environment, both at lessons and at home, which stimulates the child's desire to learn to play their instrument.
SSSG is a community of families committed to nurturing the Suzuki way of life. Currently, violin, viola and cello students are taught by four full-time and two part- time faculty members. The program consists of a weekly private lesson, a bi-weekly group class, and a rhythmic reading and orchestra session.
Throughout the years the school has been very involved in the Guelph community, participating in Guelph Spring Festival events, Streetfest, the Guelph Kiwanis Music Festival and numerous performances in churches, schools and community events. Of the 400 students who have attended the school over the last thirty years, "some have pursued careers in music, some have become Suzuki parents themselves, and many, many have become outstanding young adults who are an asset to their own communities," says Artistic Co-ordinator Sally Gross.
Over fifteen years ago the SSSG Executive Board began pursuing the notion of acquiring their own teaching space. After much discussion the board decided to spearhead a movement to create the Guelph Youth Music Centre (GYMC). Some time later, the City of Guelph purchased the old Heritage Seed Building at 75 Cardigan Street and rented it to the GYMC. It took more than four years of intensive volunteer labour of a small but committed group to renovate the building into the current structure known as GYMC. In the past, the School had operated out of homes, Willow West Mall, St. George's School, Norfolk Street United Church and the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints. In Sally Gross' words: "It was a glorious day in September 2001 when the Suzuki String School finally moved into its home!"