Group Class
North Birmingham Suzuki School offers regular group lessons twice a month, which are held at Streetly Methodist Church. In these group lessons the children work on both Suzuki and non-Suzuki repertoire to refine their playing and ensemble skills. Every child is placed in a group suited to their ability and current level of playing with sessions varying from 45 min to 60+ min for the most advanced players. It is a great way for the children to socialise, make new friends and play group games together as well as for the parents to see each other, exchange ideas and share thoughts. The lessons are informed by the principles of Kodály and Dalcroze and include a great deal of practical musicianship and, for the older groups, sight reading and playing in parts. We also have accompanists for some of our group sessions .
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North Birmingham Suzuki Group was already established in 2011 and currently comprises of around 45 children and teenagers mainly from the North Areas of Birmingham: Sutton Coldfield, Mere Green, Four Oaks and Wylde Green, but reaches as far as Harborne, Coventry and Warwickshire. The group is now part of North Birmingham Suzuki School which was founded in 2015 and officially opened the following year. Any student taught automatically becomes a member of NBSG at no extra cost. We have smart looking Polo shirts and hoodies with the NBSS logo and the players' names on which are worn to a number of our events and on other occasions - our top group, as well as players from intermediate groups, frequently perform in local Music Festivals in and around Birmingham for example.
In addition to the actual group session there is often an informal concert or a playtogether going on in which children of all groups come together to make beautiful music and inspire each other.
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Sunday 7th Jan Group lessons and parent meeting
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Sunday 14th Jan New Year's Playtogether
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Sunday 21st Jan Group lessons
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Saturday 4th Feb Group lessons and Solo Concert
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Sunday 18th Feb Group lessons including parent group
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Sunday 3rd Mar Group lessons and Solo Concert
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Sunday 17th Mar Group lesson
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All group lessons are held at either Streetly Methodist Church, 6 Thornhill Rd, Sutton Coldfield, B74 3EH.
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Details for each session, including exact start times, playtogethers etc will be emailed one week prior to the class.
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Why group lessons are
most important
Some parents might think the group lessons are an optional 'extra' of their child's Suzuki education - which is a misconception. They are the most integral part of the programme and for the children often the most enjoyable one. If you do not believe this, ask your child.
Suzuki strongly believed in the learning from and inspiring each other and the groups give every child the opportunity to try out new things without being put on the spot and to learn that other children might find similar things difficult. It is more fun solving problems together and trying out new pieces in a playtogether setting rather than all alone. The ensemble setting teaches the children fluency and flexibility, it improves their attention and quick reactions as well as team and leadership skills.
If you are considering enrolling your child in the Suzuki programme you will be invited to observe a number of group lessons first, as well as several months of individual lessons to understand how it all fits together. Just get in touch and we will let you know the best times to come and join us.
