Celebrate music this weekend as the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's Aber Suzuki Center presents its annual Festival Concert at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 28. The public may attend free of charge.
Held at the Ben Franklin School Gymnasium, the concert will feature student performances on cello, flute, guitar, harp, piano, viola, violin and voice. Young children (birth to age 4) from the Suzuki Early Childhood Education Program will also take part.
In addition to celebrating the joy of making music, Suzuki students, parents and faculty at the concert will mark reaching the $10,000 goal of the center's first Practice-a-thon. Students logged their practice time over a 10-day period and collected sponsors' pledges and donations. Proceeds will support the center, a non-profit program housed in the Noel Fine Arts Center.
Ann Marie Novak, a pianist and director of Suzuki Programs, who was challenged by students to dye her hair purple if the goal was met, will be sporting a new hair color on Saturday.
"I am a little overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the families and the community," Novak said. "I am so proud of the students for all of their hard work. I knew in my heart that the kids could do this, but to see it actually happen is amazing. "
The center will also hold three Piano Festival Concerts on Sunday, May 6, at 12:30, 2 and 3:30 p.m. at Michelsen Hall in the Noel Fine Arts Center. The public may attend free of charge.
The Aber Suzuki Center operates on tuition and donations from the community. Teachers use the Suzuki Method, which teaches the life skills of concentration, goal setting and self-confidence through musical study. Children can begin lessons very young and learn first by ear. Parents or grandparents attend lessons and act as a practice partner at home, then children read music and practice independently as they are ready. Adults also may take advantage of Suzuki lessons, as approximately 10 percent of the center's students are over the age of 18.
For more information, go to www.uwsp.edu/suzuki or call 715-346-3033.
Skip to main content
