Graduation

BSI Annual National Graduation

The Suzuki Graduation Ceremony

Dr Suzuki believed that the graduation process was a vital and intrinsic part of the Suzuki approach and encouraged associations throughout the world to establish similar events in their own countries.

Each graduation piece represents a significant milestone in the development of a child’s musical and technical ability. By working to produce an excellent recording of the set piece, children develop the ability to listen critically to their own playing, develop concentration and discipline through repetition and re-recordings and take pride in the results on their final recording. They participate actively in deciding on how they feel their performance sounds and have concrete and tangible goals for their practice and review. 

We now run Graduation concerts in London, Bristol and the North West/Midlands. The committees of the BSI would like everyone to participate in these events and benefit from the extra performance opportunities for our children. We hope that graduation will offer another opportunity to continue raising the public profile and perception of Suzuki education in this country.


HOW DOES THE GRADUATION SYSTEM WORK?

All teachers are invited to submit recordings (not video tapes) of their pupils a few months before the graduation concert date.
The recordings are assessed by all level 5 teachers who have pupils taking part and who are interested in undertaking this work. Every pupil will receive a written assessment based on agreed guidelines. 

Pupils pay a registration fee to graduate: this covers the costs of auditing and producing the graduation certificates. Audiences at the concerts will pay for tickets.

WHAT FORM DOES THE CEREMONY TAKE?

Pupils perform the Graduation piece specified for their level. At the concert, all pupils who play violin, viola, cello or flute, up to and including level 5, perform their piece as a playtogether and the pieces in the levels below them. Pupils above level 6 perform as soloists in the same concert. All graduating pianists perform as soloists in separate concerts on the same day. All soloists select a solo piece of their own choice for graduation. Every pupil then receives a certificate with their written report.

OFFICIAL GRADUATION PIECES (Correct June 2011)

All pieces should be played from memory with the piano accompaniment and with standard repeats.

** Both the old and new versions of the Vivaldi concerto will be acceptable for a graduation recording, however, please note that until further notice, the Seitz Concerto No. 5, 3^rd movt (Seitz 3) will be performed at the Graduation concerts in lieu of this piece.