Theory and Performance Group Classes Online – Piano Parties
Theory and Performance group classes (Piano Parties) are held once a month (ten total) online throughout the school year for school age students. Classes meet at 11:30AM on the 3rd Saturday of the month. Attendance is mandatory for 75% of all Theory and Performance group classes. At the classes, students benefit from and receive positive feedback through performance practice in a relaxed familiar atmosphere. Other workshop activities include composition, improvisation, Music Mind Games group theory, music history projects, and ensemble practice. The online workshops are a positive, fun experience for everyone. Online Piano Performance Parties for adult students are held twice per year in May & November.
Parent Class
Parent class is an educational enrichment class for parents of Suzuki students and meets online for an hour on a Saturday, two times per school year. Topics include: “Nurtured by Love,” an introduction to the Suzuki method and philosophy, Helping Parents Practice: ideas for making it easier, Parents as Partners, and Ages and Stages.
Music Apps
A portion of the at-home practice will be assigned learning with music apps and peripherals (age appropriate). The student will work at the computer/phone/iPad through a series of progressive and planned assignments in theory, ear training, sight-reading, rhythm training and music appreciation. A parent or guardian must assist students with the technology through grade 5.
Online Recitals
Recitals are required for all school age students. Recital performance is an important goal that builds confidence and self-esteem as well as moves the student to advancement. Our bi-annual online studio recital is held in the Winter (Dec.) & Spring (usually late May/early June.) Our Spring recital includes an awards ceremony for Suzuki Book 1 graduations, MTAC sponsored Certificate Of Merit, Composers Today, Improvisation Evaluation, Community Outreach, Piano Olympics and Royal Conservatory Exams.
Recital Participation Requirements:
- Recitals are for students of the Ojai Suzuki Piano School Online only.
- All keyboard pieces must be performed by memory. Ensembles may use their music.
- Students must be mature enough to perform solo at the recital.
- Beginners must have taken at least 6 months of lessons with their teacher.
- Students bow before and after playing.
- If extra equipment is needed for performance, the student must bring that equipment themselves.
- All students are required to wear semi-formal attire for the recital. Boys wear dress shirts (short or long sleeves), dress pants and dress or dress-casual shoes. No jeans, t-shirts, athletic shoes, flip-flops or sandals. Girls wear dressy dresses, skirts and blouses or pant suits. They (non-binary gender) wear their choice of dressy attire. Skirts and dresses should have no more than 2 inches above the knee. Tops must have at least 3-inch shoulder straps. Tops must cover the midriff area. No more than a 2 inch heel is recommended. Students must be able to walk comfortably in their shoes to the piano and be able to pedal comfortably.
Suzuki Piano Graduation Ceremony
Graduating Suzuki Book 1 students prepare and submit a recording or video of all book 1 pieces to the teacher. The student may complete an online in-home graduation concert. Otherwise, they will receive their graduation award at our annual recital and awards ceremony in the spring.
Suzuki Books 1 – 8 graduation honors recitals are sponsored by the Suzuki Music Association of California/Los Angeles branch. All eligible students submit an application, fee and YouTube recording of their graduation piece from Suzuki books 1 and up. The student receives an evaluation and is invited to perform at the graduation ceremony held in Los Angeles each spring. Each graduating student will receive a certificate and pin.