The Cotswold Suzuki Group began in November, 1981. Children aged 3-18 years old
study violin and viola by the Japanese music method created by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki.
Private lessons and group classes are taught by Karen Powell in an after school
programme and as part of the school music programme at St. Gregory’s Catholic Primary
School in Cheltenham. Children learning by this method have the support of their
parents’ attendance at lessons and acting as ‘home teachers’ helping guide them in
their home practice up to approximately 12 years old. Secondary schoolchildren usually
have lessons on their own.
CSG students take part annually in many musical activities including busking for
charity, holiday concerts and school assemblies. As part of the national Suzuki
movement CSG students also participate in day and residential workshops including
an annual 3-day residential workshop hosted by the CSG at Viney Hill, Gloucester.
They also play at national concert halls such as The Festival Hall, London and Symphony
Hall, Birmingham.
The Cotswold Suzuki Group, in combination with two other Suzuki groups in Great Britain,
has taken part in two tours. The first to the east coast of America and the second
to Germany, Belgium and Holland.
