A variety of free, public instrumental performances will be offered at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point as parents, students and teachers of the Suzuki method come from around the world for individual musical instruction, chamber music intensives, lectures and concerts at the American Suzuki Institute (ASI).
ASI is sponsored by the Aber Suzuki Center at UW-Stevens Point and is running for its 55th year with two week-long sessions July 20-25, and July 27-August 1 in the Noel Fine Arts Center, 1800 Portage Street, Stevens Point. Participants attend classes in violin, viola, voice, cello, piano, harp, chamber music and Suzuki early childhood education. ASI holds the distinction of being the first and longest running Suzuki summer institute outside of Japan. This year, participants are from four countries and 32 states and territories including Puerto Rico.
The institute will feature two guests artists, with violinist Matthew Dahm performing at 7 p.m. Monday, July 21, in Michelsen Hall in the Noel Fine Arts Center and violist Jane Mitchell and performing at 7 p.m. Monday, July 28, at Sentry Insurance Theater, 1800 North Point Drive, Stevens Point. Both performances will feature pianist Nancy Boston.
Faculty, students and guest artists will be featured in a variety of solo and group performances. All instruments and all levels are represented in numerous concerts offered at the institute.
The following performances will be open to the public:
- Monday, July 21, 4 p.m. – Student honors recital – Michelsen Hall
- Monday, July 21, 7 p.m. – Guest Artist recital featuring Matthew Dahm, violin, with Nancy Boston, piano – Michelsen Hall
- Tuesday, July 22, 4 p.m. – Student honors recital – Michelsen Hall
- Tuesday, July 22, 7 p.m. – Faculty recital – Michelsen Hall
- Thursday, July 24, 4 p.m. – Informal recital – Michelsen Hall
- Thursday, July 24, 7 p.m. – Informal advanced chamber ensembles and orchestra concert
- Friday, July 25, 11:15 a.m. – Piano festival concert – Michelsen Hall
- Friday, July 25, 4:15 p.m. – Harp festival concert – Michelsen Hall
- Friday, July 25, 7 p.m. – Violin festival concert – Michelsen Hall
- Monday, July 28, 4 p.m. – Student honors recital – Michelsen Hall
- Monday, July 28, 7 p.m. – Guest Artist recital featuring Jane Mitchell, viola and Nancy Boston, piano – Sentry Theater
- Tuesday, July 29, 4 p.m. – Student honors recital – Michelsen Hall
- Tuesday, July 29, 7 p.m. – Faculty recital – Sentry Theater
- Wednesday, July 30, 6:15 p.m. – Informal recitals – Michelsen Hall and NFAC 221
- Thursday, July 31, 4 p.m. – Student honors recital – Michelsen Hall
- Thursday, July 31, 6:30 p.m. – Chamber orchestra concert – Michelsen Hall
- Thursday, July 31, 7:30 p.m. – Chamber ensembles concerts – Michelsen Hall and NFAC 221
- Friday, August 1, 11:15 a.m. – Viola festival concert – Michelsen Hall
- Friday, August 1, 4:15 p.m. – Cello festival concert – Michelsen Hall
- Friday, August 1, 7 p.m. – Violin festival concert – Sentry Theater
Based on methods of Shinichi Suzuki, ASI reinforces teaching music similarly to how children learn language, with parental involvement, repetition and encouragement. Participants of all ages are welcome, with students 13 years or older having the option to stay in residence halls on campus. For more information about ASI or the Aber Suzuki Center, go to www.uwsp.edu/cofac/suzuki or call 715-346-3033.