MEPlus–Suzuki Strings FAQ

1. What is the Royal Conservatory Enrichment Program? The Royal Conservatory Music Enrichment Program is a unique and innovative experience specifically designed to develop superior musical skills in school-aged students (ages 4 – 17+). The Music Enrichment Program (MEP) fosters students’ musical development through a comprehensive and effectively sequenced program of music study and assessment. It focuses on developing the whole musician through four key elements: Individual Instruction, Theory/Musicianship Classes, Assessment & Enrichment, and Electives (only available in the MEPlus program) to inspire creativity and musical exploration. The Music Enrichment Program welcomes students practicing all instruments and voice.

2. What is the Royal Conservatory Music Enrichment Plus–Suzuki Strings Program? MEPlus–Suzuki Strings is an option within the Music Enrichment Program for students wishing to study according to the Suzuki Method. The Suzuki Method is a specific approach to teaching instruments to young children, developed by Dr. of Japan. All MEPlus—Suzuki Strings instructors are highly trained in and dedicated to the Suzuki philosophy, and include some of Canada’s top Suzuki teacher trainers.

3. What is involved in the Suzuki approach?  Parent Participation: The parent must attend lessons, make written notes, and work as a home teacher with the child on a daily basis. Constant interest, a calm and pleasant attitude, and praise for real effort lead to musical development. A musical background is not required. Parent training sessions led by Suzuki instructors are available at various times throughout the year and designed to help parents with home practices and other related issues.

 Early Learning: An early learning environment makes the study of an instrument and music a part of the daily routine. Young children are receptive to parental guidance, and the neural pathways are ideally suited to musical instruction at this age.

Royal Conservatory Music Enrichment Program—Suzuki Strings FAQs – Spring 2014 Page 1  Listening: When a child begins lessons, the parent or caregiver will play the CD of the first volume of Suzuki pieces at least once a day. The listening facilitates the child’s ability to learn by ear and helps develop a highly attuned sense of pitch, tone, and ability to memorize with ease.

 Music Literacy: Dr. Suzuki believed that reading music could be deferred for very young beginners. In early language learning, a child does not repeat a word once, but many times. Constant repetition in music learning will lead to step-by-step mastery. It is only after the basic instrumental skills are mastered that children can add the focus of learning to read notes. When the child is ready to learn to read music, reading is incorporated into lessons, and the Suzuki children become very good sight readers.

4. What is the difference between MEP, MEPlus and MEPlus–Suzuki Strings? String players in the MEPlus–Suzuki Strings program study the Suzuki method and their program entails: Music Enrichment Plus–Suzuki Strings - 34+ weeks of individual instruction + an RCM practical exam - 28 weeks of Suzuki Musicianship or (if student is past Book 3) - 28 weeks of a Suzuki group class - Workshops and multiple performance opportunities - Optional Theory add-on: MEPlus–Suzuki Strings students who have completed Book 3 and are transitioning out of Suzuki Musicianship into Orchestra have the opportunity to add RCM Theory group classes to their music education (e.g. RCM Rudiments, Harmony or History). MEPlus–Suzuki Strings students receive 30% off theory classes.

Music Enrichment or Music Enrichment Plus Program String players in the Music Enrichment Program (MEP or MEPlus) progress according to three stages that align with Royal Conservatory examination levels:

Elementary (Preparatory to Lvl 4) Intermediate (Lvl 5 – 8) Advanced (Lvls 9, 10, ARCT)

While Theory has been a co-requisite to obtain a comprehensive Royal Conservatory Certificate in levels 5 – ARCT, the MEP includes theory content to complement students’ musical development at every level. This means that at The Royal Conservatory School young children in levels Preparatory to 4 will benefit from the deeper understanding of music that theory studies provide.

Royal Conservatory Music Enrichment Program—Suzuki Strings FAQs – Spring 2014 Page 2

There are two ways string players can take advantage of the Music Enrichment Program.

1) Music Enrichment Plus (MEPlus): 34+ weeks of individual instruction + an RCM practical exam ‐ 28 weeks of theory + an RCM theory exam ‐ 28 weeks of a group class or enrichment elective (e.g. , Orff, chamber ensemble, composition, Pattern Play, etc.) ‐ Workshops (Peek inside the Exam Room, Practice Makes Perfect, Ear-Training and Sight-Reading Skills, etc.) ‐ Simulated Examinations with official RCM examiners ‐ Multiple performance opportunities 2) Music Enrichment Program (MEP): 32+ weeks of individual instruction + an RCM practical exam ‐ 28 weeks of theory + an RCM theory exam ‐ Workshops (Peek inside the Exam Room, Practice Makes Perfect, Ear-Training and Sight-Reading Skills, etc.) ‐ Simulated examinations with official RCM examiners ‐ Multiple performance opportunities

5. Do MEPlus–Suzuki Strings students participate in Royal Conservatory examinations? Included in the MEPlus–Suzuki Strings tuition is one practical RCM examination. The RCM syllabus includes material from the Suzuki Method books. Suzuki students are encouraged to work towards completing RCM examinations. Please discuss this option with your teacher.

6. How much is tuition? Lesson Stage Lesson Tuition Tuition is outlined in the Term Duration following table: MEPlus (ages 4 – 17+) Elementary 30 min $2,580 (Individual Instruction (RCM Prep – 4) 45 min $3,450 + Theory/Musicianship Intermediate 45 min $3,530 + Enrichment 34 (RCM 5 – 8) 60 min $4,320 + Elective) wks

Advanced 60 min $4,430 (RCM 9, 10, ARCT 60 $4,499 ARCT) min MEPlus Suzuki Strings 30 min $2,680 (ages 4 – 17+) (Individual Instruction Suzuki 45 min $3,550 34 + Musicianship Elementary wks /Orchestra Intermediate 60 min $4,430 + Enrichment + Group Suzuki Class) MEP (ages 4 – 17+) Elementary 30 min $2,149 (Individual Instruction (RCM Prep – 4) 45 min $2,979 + Theory/Musicianship Intermediate 45 min $3,029 + Enrichment) 32 (RCM 5 – 8) 60 min $3,769 wks Advanced 60 min $3,919 (RCM 9, 10, ARCT 60 $4,129 ARCT) min Royal Conservatory Music Enrichment Program—Suzuki Strings FAQs – Spring 2014 Page 3