The Power of Community

One thing I always say in my studio is that although practicing individually for lessons each week is very important (and the only way we can really improve our playing skills) it is not really what music is all about.  I believe it’s when we get together with other people to make music that the magic really happens.

The Oregon Suzuki Association recently had an annual meeting and teachers were asked something along the lines of “What made you love music as a student?” It was literally unanimous that playing with other students and playing in groups was thing that had gotten us all excited to play (and keep playing) when we were young.

Getting children and teens together with other students – sometimes other students that they’ve never met before and being able to make music together is an amazing thing and something that is so exciting to be a part of.

I think it is so important to . . .

Go to recitals
Go to group classes
Go to institutes and music camps
Go to Play ins in your community

When students have a social way to use their instrument & can see that they are a part of something bigger it can be so motivating and inspiring. Especially young students, don’t often realize that there are students all over the city, state, country and even world learning the same music and techniques as they are. This can be especially surprising to them because they may be one of the only kids they know in their class at school who plays their particular instrument, or is a Suzuki student.  It can give new purpose and meaning to what we do everyday in practice.

Here are a few examples:

• Our community recently had a Play In with students all over the city – students prepared a set list of Suzuki pieces and played the ones they knew with the 50-60 students who attended. We had a short performance by the teachers, accompanists who played with us and violin, viola and cello participants. The students in my studio who went came back with a new excitement about playing and all had different things they loved about the experience – but every single one had a great time and were inspired in their practice afterwards.

• Next weekend for Valentine’s Day my studio will go play at a local retirement home.  We will perform for the residents and pass out handmade valentine’s from the students. The excitement to share our music and do something bigger than ourselves has motivated a lot of careful review at home of the songs on our performance list. At our rehearsal last night I was really taken by how everyone was working on their best posture and using very full bows (much more so than I usually see in a typical group class). I think playing for something important that helps other people (not just for the sake of playing) is having a big impact on the effort everyone is putting in.

If your studio or community has events going on that you can join I highly encourage it . . . sometimes it can feel like another thing to do in a busy schedule. I would encourage you instead to think of it as something to be . . .  be a part of something bigger . . . be someone who shares your music . . . be a family that gives your child the opportunity to see the bigger picture of why they are practicing.

I would love to hear what community events inspire your students or children in the comments!!