Suzuki RCM/Fusion

All Suzuki and RCM group classes at Arbutus Music Academy are open to students taking private lessons at the Academy or elsewhere. These classes are not designed to substitute for individual instruction. Please note that written approval from a private teacher is needed for students not registered for private lessons at Arbutus Music Academy who wish to enroll.

Below there is a generalised description of all group classes with schedule and syllabi.

Violin/Viola Suzuki Classes

Group classes are an integral part of the Suzuki instructional method. These classes not only reinforce what is learned in the private lessons, but are an opportunity for students to work on performing together with others and developing their listening and concentration skills. The focus of these classes will be games and exercises to practice proper posture and other technique fundamentals and to supplement private practice with regular review of previously learned repertoire. Students will also learn the fundamentals of note reading and music theory. Violin and Viola students participate together.

Syllabi

Beginner Syllabus
Book 1 Syllabus

Suzuki Beginner and Young Beginner Violin/Viola

OBJECTIVE:

This class uses fun and challenging group activities to continue working on the skills learned in the private lesson, and to maintain Suzuki and additional repertoire learned through group games and polished group performance. Students will start the basics of note reading and 30-minute Music Theory class will further the note reading skills learned in the Violin Beginner class

MATERIALS:

Class handouts

ACTIVITIES:

Students will begin to maintain the repertoire contained at the beginning of Volume One of the Suzuki materials: Twinkle variations. Special attention will be paid to body and hands posture, establishing good violin and bow hand positions.

Working on these pieces students will develop their listening skills and ability to play in ensemble settings

Music theory part of the class will help students to learn further rhythm and staff notation, and position of different notes on the instrument

Suzuki Book 1 Violin/Viola

OBJECTIVE:

This class uses fun and challenging group activities to refine and reinforce the skills learned in the private lesson, and to review and find ease in Suzuki and additional repertoire learned through polished group performance. Students will review the basics of note reading and begin music reading activities. A 30-minute Music Theory class will further the note reading skills learned in the Beginner class, and teach students to write music notation in treble clef

MATERIALS:

Class handouts

ACTIVITIES:

Students will review the repertoire contained in Volume One of the Suzuki materials. Special attention will be paid to scales that are the foundation of these pieces, and the structure of major scales will be studied. By polishing pieces both in the Suzuki repertoire and beyond, students will sharpen their listening and ensemble skills.

Differences in bowing styles and articulations will be learned(such as staccato, legato, accented legato) and meanings of tempos, time signatures and musical symbols will be discussed

Music theory class will learn further rhythm and staff notation, scale formation, and relate notes names and position of different notes on the instrument.

Violin/Viola Suzuki/RCM Fusion

Suzuki/RCM Fusion classes are geared to supplement the traditional repertoire work in Suzuki classes with scales, studies and sight-reading skills. Regular review of performance repertoire will be included, as well as work on Joanne Martin’s I Can Read Music series and additional reading materials. Students will learn the scales that are common to both the repertoire studied in Suzuki Violin (Viola) Books 1- 3 and the RCM Technical Requirements Preparatory-Level 4.

Violin and Viola students participate together except in Viola Only Book 3-4-5 Fusion Class.

Students taking 60 minute lessons are strongly advised to continue with group classes (either Suzuki/RCM Fusion or RCM Technique) for an additional fee.

Syllabi

Suzuki/RCM Book 1-2 Fusion Violin/Viola

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this class is to work on group performance of Suzuki and traditional repertoire, and to provide review of the Suzuki repertoire. The scales and technical exercises common to Suzuki books one and two and RCM grades 1 and 2 will be studied. Students will also work on sight reading skills

MATERIALS:

RCM Violin Technique Intro-4
Class handouts

TOPICS:

Students will practice a set of pieces chosen each term from both the Suzuki and traditional repertoire, working to polish group performances of these pieces, with special regard to understanding the use of the bow, dynamic and speed variation, and changes of the key as effective musical devices. Students will learn the scales that are common to these sources, and use the studies and ear training exercises from the RCM practical examinations to enhance musical skills.

Students will learn to sing and identify intervals and rhythm patterns, and will practice melody playback and rhythm playback.

Suzuki/RCM Book 2-3 Fusion Violin/Viola

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this class is to work on group performance of Suzuki and traditional repertoire, and the scales and technical exercises shared by Suzuki books two and three and RCM grades 2 and 3. Students will also work on sight reading skills and multi-part pieces. Further work in the rudiments of music reading and writing will be explored.

MATERIALS:

RCM Violin Technique Intro-4
Class handouts

TOPICS:

Students will learn scales as per RCM Syllabus grades 2 and 3: these are similar to the scales which are contained in the first three books of Suzuki method. They will practice a set of pieces chosen each term from both the Suzuki and traditional repertoire with the aim of improving intonation,ensemble and musical style. Students will use the studies contained in the RCM technique book and some sight reading exercises.

Students will learn to sing and identify intervals and rhythm patterns, and will practice melody playback and rhythm playback.

RCM 3-4/Suzuki Book 4-5 Fusion Class

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this class is to work on group performance of Suzuki pieces from Book 4 and 5, and the scales and technical exercises shared by Suzuki books four and five and RCM grades 3 and 4. Students will also work on sight reading skills and multi-part pieces. Further work in the rudiments of music reading and writing will be explored.

MATERIALS:

RCM Violin Technique Intro-4
Class handouts

TOPICS:

Students will learn scales as per RCM Syllabus grades 3 and 4: these are similar to the scales which are contained in the Books 4 and 5 of Suzuki method. They will practice a set of pieces chosen each term from both the Suzuki and traditional repertoire with the aim of improving intonation, ensemble and musical style. Students will use the studies contained in the RCM technique book and some sight reading exercises.

Students will learn to sing and identify intervals and rhythm patterns, and will practice melody playback and rhythm playback.

RCM 3-4/Suzuki Book 4-5 Fusion Class

OBJECTIVE:

MATERIALS:

RCM Violin Technique Intro-4
Class handouts

TOPICS:

Students will learn to sing and identify intervals and rhythm patterns, and will practice melody playback and rhythm playback.

RCM 5/6 Violin Technique Class

OBJECTIVE:

To supplement work from private lessons on violin technique to improve general musicianship of students; to prepare students for the Grade 5 or 6 RCM Exam technical requirements as outlined in RCM Syllabus.

Exam points covered:40 (40% of the grade)

MATERIALS:

RCM Violin Technique 5-8
Sevcik,O.: – Violin Studies opus 3 Forty Variations
class handouts

TOPICS:

1.Scales (10 Exam points)

Students will learn the new rhythm patterns required for grades 5 and 6, and finger patterns for scales on one string, three octave scales beginning on open string and first finger. Scales on D flat E,F (2 octave),G and A (3 octave)
Emphasis will be on establishing strong practice routines for scales as a means to rhythmic and technical accuracy, good tone production.

2.Studies (10 Exam points)

Every semester students will learn two contrasting studies from the RCM Syllabus list; they will be taught the importance of rhythmic and dynamic precision and technical fluency
Students will learn to sing and identify intervals and rhythm patterns, and will practice melody playback and rhythm playback.

3.Sight reading (10 Exam points)

Students will be taught principles and provided tips for improving their sight reading, using Paul Harris Improve Your Sight Reading and chamber music excerpts.

4.Eartraining (10 Exam points)

Students will practice interval and chord recognition through weekly singing and rhythm clapping exercises; Students will also work on melody playback and rhythm clapback exercises to develop their recognition of structure and shape in music.

Viola 3-4-5 Fusion Class

OBJECTIVE:

This class aims to provide review of common Suzuki repertoire, plus further development of technical and musical skills through study of scales, etudes and chamber music. Students will work on Ear Tests, Scale and Study repertoire of RCM grades 3 to 5 as published in the RCM Viola Syllabus. Students will be readied for the technical section of the appropriate RCM practical examination.

MATERIALS:

RCM Viola Technique
Wohlfahrt: 60 Studies opus 45 (complete)

TOPICS:

1. Scales

Students will learn the required 2 octave scales and arpeggios, including double stops, dominant 7th.

Emphasis will be put on understanding the overall importance of scales in the student musical and technical development and establishing a strong practice routine.

2. Studies

Using the Wohlfahrt opus 45 Studies, students will practice sight reading and study different technical points. Two contracting studies for each level will be polished for performance.

3. Sight Reading

Students will be taught principles and provided tips for improving their sight reading, using ABRSM Sight Reading Tests and viola ensemble music.

4. Ear Training

Students will practice recognising intervals, reading and playing rhythm and melodic patterns. They will practice playbacks of short melodies, and rhythm clapbacks to enhance their aural recognition and understanding of musical shapes and structures.

Violin/Viola RCM Technique

RCM technique classes are meant to provide a thorough grounding in the scales, studies and sight reading that are fundamental as each student progresses, with an emphasis on preparing students for the graded Royal Conservatory of Music practical examinations held three times each year. One third of these exams’ grades are based on scales, technique, sight reading and ear tests alone. Students will use the RCM Technical Requirements books, supplemented with studies, ear training and sight reading materials as required by the syllabus provided for each grade level. Violin and Viola students participate together.

Syllabi

Book 7-8 Syllabus
Book 9-10 Syllabus

RCM 7/8 Violin Technique Class

OBJECTIVE:

Supplementing technical part of private lessons in order to successfully prepare students for Grade 7 or 8 RCM Exam.

Exam points covered:40 (40% of the grade)

MATERIALS:

RCM Violin Technique 5-8
RCM Orchestral Excerpts

TOPICS:

1. Scales (10 Exam points)

Students will learn how to pay greater attention to their sound and intonation as the year progresses, and be aware of different fingerings available for all types of scales.

Emphasis will be put on learning three octave dominant and diminished 7th arpeggios for Grade 7, and three octave chromatic scales and two octaves scales in double stops for Grade 8, as well as having the students to perform their technique in front of each other in order to get used to the stress of having to do the same in the exam.

2. Orchestral Excerpts (10 Exam points)

Every semester students will learn two contrasting excerpts from the RCM Orchestral Excerpts book; they will be taught the importance of rhythmic and dynamic precision and technical fluency.

3.Sight Reading (10 Exam points)

Students will be taught principles and provided tips for improving their sight reading, using duets by Bartok, Pleyel, Dancla and Masas.

4.Ear Training (10 Exam points)

Students will practice interval and chord recognition on a weekly basis; they will also learn different strategies for identifying cadences and playing back a melody.

RCM 9/10 Violin Technique Class

OBJECTIVE:

Supplementing the technical part of private lessons in order to successfully prepare for the Grade 9 or 10 RCM Exam.

Exam points covered: 40 (40% of the grade)

MATERIALS:

Dr. Robert Skelton: The Complete Violin Technique Book
RCM Orchestral Excerpts

TOPICS:

1. Scales (10 Exam points)

Students will learn the correct patterns and tempos needed to perform the scales in an exam. Grade 10 will also review scales and arpeggios in different keys from previous grades;develop fingered octaves and tenths, the new technical elements introduced in Grade 10 and often needed in Grade 10 and ARCT repertoire.

Emphasis will be put on understanding the overall importance of scales in the student musical and technical development and establishing a strong practice routine.

2. Orchestral Excerpts (10 Exam points)

Every semester students will learn two contrasting excerpts from the RCM Orchestral Excerpts Book; they will be taught the importance of rhythmic and dynamic precision, dynamic interpretation as well as the basic structure of an audition process for a professional orchestra.

3. Sight Reading (10 Exam points)

Students will be taught principles and provided tips for improving their sight reading, using excerpts from symphonic and chamber music repertoire.

4. Ear Training (10 Exam points)

Students will practice interval and chord recognition on a weekly basis; they will also learn different strategies for identifying cadences and playing back a melody.