Graduation Recital

Tuesday, March 25 in Anderson Auditorium

• 4:15 pm – Violins (Times to be confirmed)
• 5:30 pm – Violas and Cellos (Times to be confirmed)

We are excited to celebrate the achievements of students who have been practicing diligently and have either completed a Suzuki Book or mastered all the Twinkle Variations!

Each semester, we hold a Graduation Recital where these outstanding students have the opportunity to perform a selected piece. At the end of the recital, ribbons and trophies will be awarded to honor their accomplishments.

How do I know if my child is ready to graduate?

• Twinklers need to have mastered all five variations of “Twinkle” and the Theme, with polished technique, stamina to play them consecutively, maintaining beautiful tone and healthy posture. Additionally, they should be prepared to play alongside their peers in group class, keeping up with the group’s tempo. This milestone is typically reached around the middle of Book 1. Please discuss these points with your private teacher.
• For all Suzuki Books, the student should be on the second piece in the subsequent book from which he or she is graduating. (Exception: Violin Bk. 5, 1st piece in Bk. 6) This way, the student can be comfortable performing technically and musically, and those around him can also be comfortable! Just starting the last piece in a book a few weeks prior to the graduation recital does not qualify. Many times, parents would “push” the child to learn the piece in the “nick” of time. Please do not rush a child through, or the child will obviously not feel as comfortable on stage as those who have truly polished the last piece.
• Now it is a great time to review all the pieces from the book. A Suzuki Graduation Trophy is also a statement that you have mastered (and can play at any time) every piece in that book!
• Remember, it’s not how, fast you go; it’s how well you play that counts! Also, there is a graduation recital every semester!

About the Recital Day:

• The recital is open to the community, please invite family and friends!
• For graduates, Please arrive at 15 minutes earlier for tuning. We have dozens of instruments to tune. Older students or parents can tune their own instruments to A=441. The recitals always start on time, with Twinklers first. If you are not there on time, we cannot wait for you or change the order. If you have any extenuating circumstances, please contact us ASAP.
• Plan to stay for the entire duration of the concert. Trophies will be handed out at the very end. Very young twinkle graduates may leave, if necessary.
• We need volunteers for the Graduation Receptions. Please click on the buttons below and sign up! Parents who help with any receptions will get invited for an early bird registration for the Solo Recitals in May. Thank you!

Ask your private teacher if you are ready to graduate, then click on the button below to submit your Graduation Form. The forms should be submitted no later than March 4.

We understand that life can be busy, and attending a recital can take a significant amount of time. However, we encourage families to stay until the end of the recital, as this demonstrates respect for the hard work and dedication of the performers and creates a positive and supportive atmosphere. It is also an excellent opportunity to actively listen to the music being performed and appreciate the progress made by your child and other students. We emphasize the importance of listening in the Suzuki Method, both during recitals and throughout the learning process, as it is a crucial component of musical development. Please note that all trophies will be presented at the end of the recital, and there will be a reception afterward. So, sit back, relax, and fully enjoy this beautiful musical experience.