What do I bring to OSI?

-Bring your instrument (basses and pianos provided!), music, notebook, pencils, rock stop, cello chair, other accessories.

-Water bottle

-A nice outfit for performances (orchestra, chamber, recitals, final day of concerts)

-For those staying on campus, cooking and eating utensils, soap, hangers, etc.

-Snacks for between meals.

-A book to read, or a ball to kick around during your downtime. Everyone has breaks at different times, so there are no organized activities during classes (8:15am-5:15pm).

Supervision/Attendance

The Institute is a living, breathing enactment of the Suzuki triangle, so we want you to be a part of the institute magic!

Students 11 and under attend with an adult who can join them for classes, concerts, and meals. It doesn’t have to be the same adult every day. One adult can be the supervising adult for several kids- find a friend and collaborate to make it work for you!

If this is going to be a challenge for you, reach out. We’d love to collaborate with you to make it work.

Students 12 and older can attend on their own both during the day and overnight.

Class Schedules

You will receive an email at the end of May with your individual schedule for the week and will get your final, detailed schedule at check-in on Sunday. We have done our best to anticipate conflicts and provide each student with a schedule which will work for their age and level.

Sunday Check-in

Check-in on Sunday is from 11:00-1:00pm with our welcome gathering and play-in at 1:15pm. Everyone will need to check in on Sunday. Students taking orchestra, fiddling for all, and chamber music will have rehearsals Sunday afternoon and evening. Other students will just have the check-in (between 11 and 1pm) and welcome event at 1:15pm.

Monday-Friday classes begin at 8:15am and end at 3:50pm, with an afternoon recital at 4:30pm. Depending upon how many classes you sign up for, you can take between 4 and 6 hours of class each day. Some kids will not start until 9:15am, if they did not fill their schedules.

The Chamber Music program begins on Saturday at 1pm, please arrive on campus at 12:30pm to check in.

Is the first day of Institute a full day of classes?  What about the last day?

On Sunday there will be a check-in process from 11 am to 1:00 pm followed by an open convocation for all participants at 1:15 p.m.  The afternoon will include orchestra and parent talks, as well as a welcome time for new families.

On Friday we have three final concerts at 11:15am, 1:15pm, and 4:30pm. Friday will have enrichment and group classes, but no master classes. This gives students a little more time to prepare, perform, and celebrate all their work!

What is a typical daily schedule?

For student institute, your 4-6 classes are scheduled between 8:15 am and 4:00 pm with a break for lunch form 12:00-1:00. Daily recitals, parents talks, and faculty performances (attendance is optional) are at 11:15 am and 4:30 pm. Free hours can be used for practicing, exploring the campus or town!

For teachers participating in training courses, your daily schedule fits in with the above hours (8:15am to 4:00pm) with 3 hours of daily lecture and 2 hours of daily observation. All Teacher Workshop Participants are welcome and encouraged to come to play ins, parent talks, recitals and evening special events!

Camp & Concert Attire

Daily camp attire should be casual and comfortable. All buildings have AC, but it can be hot in Portland at the end of June!

-Students participating in Solo Recitals and Chamber Music Performances should dress for a special occasion. Many chamber ensembles choose to wear black, but that is not required.

-Concert attire for all performances on Friday, June 29 will be whatever makes your child feel good! Many kids choose to dress up a bit, others like to wear their OSI camp shirt.

Should I do the chamber music program or the regular camp?

The intro and advanced chamber programs follow the same schedule and students are placed in groups that fit their age and ability level best.

The difference between doing the chamber music program and the regular program is that doing chamber music means students don’t have much space in their schedule to do other fun classes, like Dalcroze, improvisation, Orff, etc. Some kids love those classes, so you are welcome to choose either program!

Chamber music starts on Saturday afternoon at 1pm, the regular program starts on Sunday at 1pm. Students in chamber music will have rehearsals on Saturday from 1-5pm and Sunday from 9am-5pm.

Teen Activities, Ages 13-18, 7:00-10:00pm each night

There is a teen evening option for students to participate in as well. Each night, Saturday-Friday, teens get to play games, watch movies, eat snacks, and hang out with their new (and old!) friends at camp.

It’s a great way for kids to connect with one another outside of classes and do fun non-music things! The fee for the teen activities (for those not staying on campus) is $125.

What should I do to get ready for the Institute?

We ask all students (any level) to prepare a polished piece for their masterclass lessons, as this will be the focus of the institute. Dr. Suzuki says:  “When the notes, rhythms, and bowings are learned, the lesson can begin!”  Total comfort with notes and bowings will pave the way for the next level of musical learning. 

You will also want to review pieces from the previous books so that you will have more fun and learn more in group classes.

Advanced program students will be expected to arrive with a piece or movement ready to work on with their teachers. The Advanced Group repertoire class teachers choose repertoire to be worked on prior to institute- this will be emailed to you in mid-May.

Do you have a “review list” for the Institute?  What pieces should my child practice for the student Institute?

We do not issue a review list for our Institute.  As Suzuki students, we hope you are reviewing your pieces on a regular basis and can come to Institute ready to play most any piece you have learned!  

Each group teacher will evaluate the levels of students in each class on the first day and we find this gives students a much better experience because they are working on pieces that make sense for each individual group, rather than something selected ahead of time.

How are performers chosen for the student solo recitals?

Solo recitals are an opportunity for us to share in performances of the highest level of artistry, at all levels of the repertoire.  This is a chance for our Institute community to be inspired by players of all ages with balanced posture, beautiful tone, musicality and phrasing.

Auditions are adjudicated by three Suzuki teachers outside of the Oregon Suzuki Institute. We want students to have the most fair and unbiased experience and will be evaluated by teachers who do not know them.

Students (including Advanced Program) interested in performing on a recital should submit an application and recording by May 30, 2025 Piano accompaniment is not necessary for this recording. Submission deadline is June 1, 2024. Everyone will be notified by June 10. 

Can I change information from my registration?

If you need to change any contact information, or if you’re concerned about incorrect information on your registration, please reach out to OregonSuzukiRecordings@gmail.com.

Please do not worry about updating current pieces past the date of registration, as we account for forward progress when we schedule students. 

My plans changed and we will no longer be able to attend the Institute.  What is your refund policy?

OSI will refund your tuition and housing costs in full, minus a $100 processing fee, up through May 15th.  Please contact OSI if you need to start the refund process.

Email with questions at any time!

OregonSuzukiRecordings@gmail.com

GLOSSARY:

Master Class: Your daily institute lesson, shared with 2-4 other students at a similar level of playing. Each student will get an individual lesson in front of their peers and will watch the other students take their lessons, too. Much can be learned from watching others learn and incredible magic happens when you can work with a teacher and your peers for five days in a row.

Group Class: Daily group class with one teacher, but Institute-style! For student Institute-goers, this means class with peers at the same level with focus on review repertoire in preparation of the Final Concert. For advanced students (Books 6+), this means non-Suzuki repertoire will be provided by the teachers in advance.

Play-In: Super fun group class led by different teachers Monday and Wednesday at 11:15am! Come play games and meet new friends in these larger-ranged, optional classes.

Enrichment: Only applicable to non chamber music students, enrichment class is in a group setting focusing on something other than your personal musical study.  2025 enrichment classes include choir, Dalcroze, Jazz improv for all instruments, origami, orchestra, and early childhood music.

Polished Piece: A piece completely learned (notes, bowings, rhythms, musicality- preferably a piece already performed) that is performance-ready.