2019 Christchurch Suzuki Winter Workshop

Over the school holidays we went to the Christchurch Suzuki Mid-winter Workshop. After a 6 hours drive we arrived to Christchurch, ready for our 2 children could attend the 3-day workshop. On Sunday the event opened with the “play-in” concert, where all the children and the tutors played pieces together and the audience of parents and other family members clapped enthusiastically.

Play-In Concert, Hunters Chorus

There were about 50 children playing violin, 12 playing cello, 8 playing guitar, and 3 playing piano. Each child (except the “twinklers”) attend three 1-hour classes each day. One of the classes is a group class where the children play pieces together.

Play-Out Concert, Twinkles

Another class is a “masterclass” where a group of children and parents sit together with a teacher. Each child has a turn at having a short lesson with the teacher while the others watch. The children learn a lot from watching the lessons of others. The third class is either a fiddling class or a music games class. I loved listening to the fiddling, it is great fun. I have taken my children to this workshop every year for the last few years and have always found it to be fun and totally worthwhile.

Fiddling Group

There is also a Suzuki Summer Camp in Timaru which is held in the new year (January typically). The format of this is slightly different in that parents and kids go to the camp for several days and nights, where they get to learn from the teachers there but also from their peers, all the while have a great time away on holiday filled with musical activities. Any of my students can join NZSI (New Zealand Suzuki Institute) and attend these events. I highly recommend it to all my Suzuki families!