Edinburgh Suzuki Trip

Kensington students (Grades 2 to 5) recently visited Edinburgh with their families to take part in a national Suzuki workshop.

At Southbank, in addition to the Primary Years Programme (PYP), all children from the age of five to 11 are all taught to play violin or cello using an adapted "Suzuki" method where children learn to play a musical instrument through the creation of a supportive environment.

On the weekend of 18th-19th October, the students had the opportunity to work with teachers from Sweden, Belgium and the UK, and to meet many children from Scotland.

The workshop, held at George Watson's College, comprised large and small group lessons, a "play-together", African drumming, talks for parents, games for children, and a barn dance... all ingredients for Dr Suzuki's recipe for success! Each morning the children (and parents) went to a tonalization class where they worked on getting their bodies and mind ready for playing. Everyone came together at the end of the weekend to perform a concert.

"One of the most inspiring things about the workshop was that our children saw all the others that are doing the same thing as they are. It is great for the younger children to see the older ones play; it inspires them," said parent Maria Tamander.