GILROY
– The Sounds of Music echoed from the Portuguese Hall, off Old
Gilroy Street, as more than 84 students participated in a week-long
music camp that educates students by using the Suzuki Method.
GILROY – The Sounds of Music echoed from the Portuguese Hall, off Old Gilroy Street, as more than 84 students participated in a week-long music camp that educates students by using the Suzuki Method.
The South Valley Suzuki String Academy camp wrapped up Friday, offering beginner, intermediate and advanced level classes to young adults interested in playing the violin and singing. Five to 16-year-olds enrolled in the three levels of classes taught by 11 teachers at the Academy from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“The beginner level students learn about rhythm and movement, while the intermediate level classes focus on music and mind games,” said Lori Franke, an instructor at the academy. “My advanced students learn more about ear training and theory.”
Eight-year-old Mitchell Reec, of Gilroy, spends an hour and a half practicing on his own every day and is now in Franke’s intermediate class.
“I really like the teachers, and I think this program helps me improve my abilities and build my character,” he said.
The academy takes a different approach to teaching called the Suzuki method, created by Japanese violinist Schinichi Suzuki.
“First, children learn by being exposed to the music at a young age and they must listen and absorb it, it’s basically all ear training,” Franke said. “Then only later do they learn the fundamentals of music theory.”
Most music education programs teach music theory first, but the Suzuki method teaches it last and believes in the philosophy of “talent education.”
This philosophy states that children are not born with a musical gift, but each child has the infinite potential to become a musician through education, according to the Suzuki Talent Education Association. Students who study music also have self-esteem and improved motor skills because the method teaches them to focus their attention, Franke said.
“This method helped me to learn faster in all areas of my studies, and it helped me develop discipline to get ahead in my school work,” said 11-year-old Michael Ventura, of Gilroy. Ventura says he dreams of becoming a professional violinist one day, because of his experiences at the camp.
In addition to violin lessons, all three-class levels attend the choir class led by director Amy Oelrich.
“Because the students are using the Suzuki method they are really easy to teach,” Oelrich said. “This camp is great because it really fills the void for music that they are not getting through the public school system.”
After a morning of extensive violin, theory, rhythm and choir rehearsals students get to take a break and have fun afternoon activities where they get to know each other, Franke said. On Monday, the students got to do arts and crafts and go bowling, while on Tuesday they had a carnival.
“The camp is so much fun, and this is my first year doing it,” 9-year-old Sage Ling, of Monterey, said. Ling said when she grows up she wants to play her violin at the White House.
Franke has been teaching the Suzuki Method for more than 30 years and offers private and group classes at Antonio Del Buono School in the fall and spring.
On Friday evening, the students showed off what they’d learned all week for friends and family.
But some of the most important lessons aren’t noticeable on the outside.
“Every child should have the opportunity to have music in their lives,” Franke said, “because I believe it makes you a kind, patient and smarter person.”
