Graduation Process Revision

Your faculty members have collectively developed a more formalized and updated Book Level graduation system that will continue Dr. Suzuki’s vision to nurture admirable character in every child through excellence in music.

When he was living, Dr. Suzuki would wake up around 5:00am every morning and listen to hundreds of tape recordings sent to him from all over Japan. He incorporated a Suzuki Graduation System where students, when they reached certain playing levels, would record several polished review pieces and in return receive his constructive comments about their playing. This was a celebration of accomplishment.

It was never a “pass or fail” situation since he trusted that a teacher would only have a student prepare and submit a recording when they were musically ready. Dr. Suzuki also knew it was the process of preparing these recordings where the real learning and progress took place.

The purpose of Book Level Graduations are

• To maintain our commitment to mastery and excellence
• To place a high value on review and the process of polishing
• To provide a character development journey for students to work toward goals and be recognized for their achievements

New to graduation process
Book 1a - These new guidelines have added a Book 1a graduation for any student who has not yet graduated Book 1. This will provide our beginners with a bite-sized goal, and uphold the principle that carefully setting foundational skills in the beginning is of utmost importance long-term. 

4 Graduation Opportunities Each Year - in addition to graduations at Solo Recitals, we have added two other graduation moments during the Academic Year -- in May at Musical Achievement and in September at a designated Group Class. 

Repertoire Lists for each instrument - pieces that correlate with graduation levels for each instrument taught at ISA. A student will be ready to perform these pieces when they are in “review mode,” rather than newly-learned. The pieces should be played with accuracy and ease, showing musicality with beautiful tone, posture and poise.

Your private teacher will be working with you to help prepare for each appropriate graduation level for your child. Complete graduation guidelines can be found here.

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