The Suzuki School of Music (SSOM) is hosting an open house on Saturday, March 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. featuring its Early Childhood Education (ECE) Music class for children ages birth to five years old and their parents.

Parents and children can participate in the ECE class beginning at 9:30 a.m. A question and answer session will be held after the class with instructors. Parents can learn about the Suzuki method of talent education and how it can benefit their infant or toddler into adulthood.

Three ECE class times are available during the spring session, which runs March 9 through May 11. Classes are offered Thursday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for children ages birth to three years old. A Monday afternoon class is offered from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. for children ages three to five.

The Bismarck Suzuki School of Music proudly announces The Dakotas Suzuki Summer Institute 2009.

From Aug 10-13, the Suzuki School of Music will host this four-day strings experience. Each participant will receive one private lesson, one master class in their instrument and one theory/orchestra class per day, along with two enrichment classes. Summer institutes have a long tradition of providing Suzuki students with a unique, concentrated learning experience with long lasting benefits.

Approved by Suzuki Association of the Americas, The Dakotas Suzuki Summer Institute is the only summer institute offered in our region.

Registration will begin in February 2009.

This is the first week of lessons for 2009:

• ECE Toddler Monday at 1pm.
• Group lessons start on Monday at the usual times.
• Brown Bag Lunch Violin Lesson on Wednesday at 12:15.
• ECE Infant at 9am Thursday.
• and ECE Infant on Saturday morning at 9:30.

All group lessons are at the Frances Leach High Prairie Art & Science Complex. If you are not sure when your individual lesson starts, then ask your teacher.

All ECE classes have spaces available. If you have a baby or toddler ages 0-3 or 3-5 and you would like to introduce them to music, you can read a little about the Infant and Toddler classes in our information pages. To find out more you can email the teacher, or call us. The first lesson is free, so you could show up at the most convenient lesson and simply join in and see what you think.

The brown bag lunch lesson is for adults who wish to learn beginners violin. If you have a desire to learn violin then now is your chance. Come join the group.

If you have a child who is interested in learning violin, viola, cello, piano, or voice, send a message to our director and she will get you in touch with one of our teachers.

As 2008 draws to a close, it is time to look forward to 2009 and all the fun and exciting events that are planned for the coming months.

School starts again on the 5th January, and so does the Suzuki School. All lessons start that week.

February has two special events: Live Art in Motion at Kirkwood Mall (7th) and the Lincoln Days (9th-13th). The school is involved in both events. Check back soon for more details.

The third Butterfly Ball is on April 4th. This is a prom style ball for girls aged 4-12, accompanied by their dads. This is an important fund-raiser for the school, and we are expecting another successful year.

Looking ahead to August we will be hosting the Suzuki Institute. Preparations are under way. We will have more details posted shortly.

So, here’s to a fun and educational year with the Suzuki School of Music.

A big thank you to all who participated in or attended the Spooktacular at High Prarie last month. Everybody had fun making spooky sounds with violins, and the school raised some money too. Stay tuned for more events coming up.