(back to program areas listing)

Community Music Institute
Suzuki Strings Program & Chamber Players
(541) 346-5660 · cmi@uoregon.edu

Where quality string instruction creates new possibilities for children.

Comprehensive Instruction
• Weekly individual lessons with trained teachers
• Weekly repertoire and technique classes
• Frequent performance opportunities
• Parent education and enrichment classes

Learning Community
• UO string students mentoring children
• Parents working with their children on common goals
• A community of families committed to learning through music

Nurturing Children
• Developing the whole child through a nurturing learning environment
• New opportunities for musical and social growth
• Participation in community arts events

The Suzuki Strings Program at the University of Oregon offers comprehensive, high quality music instruction to children. Dedicated faculty and UO student string teachers serve students ages four and older in Eugene and surrounding communities. In addition to weekly individual lessons, Suzuki Strings students receive weekly group classes in repertoire, note reading, orchestra, and performance development.

Founded in 1997, the Community Music Institute has collaborated with numerous arts organizations including the Oregon Bach Festival, Oregon Festival of American Music, UO Chamber Music Series, Arts Umbrella, Hult Center SHOcase, and UO Symphony Orchestra.

Suzuki Method
Shinichi Suzuki (1898-1998) believed that all children could develop musical ability. Applying simple characteristics of language learning to music instruction, Suzuki successfully created an environment conducive to developing exceptional musical skills in children. These language-learning characteristics included an early beginning, submersion in the musical "language," encouragement, repetition, and refinement of previously learned materials.

In the mid-20th Century, Suzuki's Talent Education Program in Matsumoto, Japan drew international attention and acclaim. Over the past several decades, music teachers from the U.S. have learned about the Suzuki Method and developed programs in virtually every city across the country. These Suzuki Programs, like the UO Suzuki Strings Program, have helped communities raise the quality of string instrument instruction and raise an awareness of the learning potential in every child.

Interested in Enrolling Your Child?
New students as youg as 4 are taken from our waiting list every fall term. From October to December, their parents follow an instructional course to prepare them for practicing with their child using the Suzuki Method. During those months parents also bring their child to observe classes and other children playing. This serves to strengthen the children’s desire to play violin or cello and to help them assimilate the behavior necessary to profit from the instruction.

Lessons begin in January for the children whose parents have completed the training course. Each child has a group class and an individual lesson weekly.

It is never “too early” to be put on the waiting list.
Call 346-5660 or email CMI at cmi@uoregon.edu and include the following information: Your name, your child’s name and date of birth, address, phone number and email address. You will be contacted in September with dates and times for the parent meetings. We require a commitment by the family to follow through daily with our instructions for home practice. If this is done, experience has shown that your child will develop their musical ability.

While waiting for the fall term parent-classes, you are invited to come and observe lessons, groups and concerts. Many groups occur at the Music School on Saturday mornings during the school year between 9 and 11:30. Please call or email CMI to confirm the schedule before attending