Program Description:
This program teaches the skills, repertory, and professional strategies needed to become a successful Suzuki teacher and performer. The Suzuki studios are purposely small to ensure maximum time for highly individualized instruction. Suzuki masters’ students have an array of hands-on teaching and performance opportunities. Teaching opportunities abound both within the university and in the community. Performing opportunities include recitals, master classes, chamber music ensembles, University Symphony Orchestra, and the Flagstaff Symphony.
Learning Objectives:
Upon graduation from the Master of Music in Suzuki students will be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge of musical literature in an historical context
- apply the characteristics of Suzuki philosophy in individual and group lesson environments for appropriate level and age
- apply the Suzuki repertoire to the individual lesson environment
- apply the Suzuki repertoire to the group lesson environment
- describe and demonstrate the principles in teaching string techniques such as scales, vibrato, left hand exercises, and advanced bowing techniques to a Suzuki student of various levels.
- perform repertoire from Suzuki Books 1-4 from memory with appropriate musical style, fingerings and bowings.
- identify and define specific string technique that would be applied for each piece in the Suzuki repertoire
- use psychological and educational resources that enhance Suzuki lessons
Career Opportunities:
Masters in Music in Suzuki graduates most often have careers in educational and non-profit artistic/cultural organizations. Private and group teaching opportunities abound through programs offered by Symphony Associations, public, charter and church schools and private studios.
Why Study at NAU’s School of Music?
The Suzuki Long Term Teacher Training Certificate through Book 10 is available at NAU. Two levels of Suzuki pedagogy are offered annually. At NAU, teaching and performance opportunities abound in a wide variety of venues. Students have the opportunity to play with large symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, and with NAU Opera. NAU Suzuki Masters students also have numerous opportunities to for supervised teaching, both at the undergraduate and community school levels. The close individualized attention students receive in NAU’s School of Music prepares one well for a successful professional career as well as for further graduate study.
Faculty Expertise:
The School of Music faculty are well-renown in their chosen fields. Students have the opportunity to work very closely with a number of faculty to build their particular area of expertise. Link to faculty pages.
Admission Requirements
Students must have completed a Baccalaureate degree in music with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and be admitted to Northern Arizona University’s Graduate College. Please see the required forms and further information at www.nau.edu/gradcol. Audition and evaluation material that has been approved by the appropriate School of Music faculty.
Application Procedures:
Step 1. Go online and apply to the NAU Graduate College at nau.edu/gradcol. The Graduate College application will require your undergraduate transcripts.
Step 2. Contact Dr. Krista Rodin, the NAU School of Music graduate coordinator; Krista.Rodin@nau.edu
Step 3. Contact Dr. Louise Scott, Director of the Suzuki Program; louise.scott@nau.edu.
Step 4. Send two letters of recommendation, a current curriculum vita, a one page narrative describing your career goals and musical philosophy, and a 10 minute DVD recording of your playing of two contrasting works that demonstrate tone, technique, musicianship and level of advancement and scales and arpeggios to Dr. Louise Scott, NAU Box 6040, Flagstaff, AZ 86011-6040.
After reviewing application materials from the Graduate College, letters of recommendations and the audition DVD, selected applicants will be invited to NAU for an on-campus interview/audition in February or March.
Graduate Assistantship:
Graduate Assistantships may be available for students in the Masters in Music –Suzuki. For further information on these Assistantships, please contact Dr. Scott.
Program of Study Requirements
To see a the specific courses required for the MM degree in susuki violin/viola, please click on the following link:
MM_Suzuki Violin Pos 09-10.docx
MM_Suzuki Viola PoS 09-10.docx