Aber Suzuki Center sponsors Practice-A-Thon, free concerts
Metro Wire Staff
Students at the Aber Suzuki Center at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point are celebrating their annual Practice-A-Thon with free, public concerts this spring.
A vocal and instrumental Festival Concert will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 27, at Ben Franklin School. Piano students will perform in several concerts at 12:30, 2 and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at the Noel Fine Arts Center’s Michelsen Hall.
The Practice-A-Thon was held April 6-16, with an incentive for students to practice through per-minute or flat-rate sponsorships. The Heid Foundation pledged to donate $15 per student who both practices 450 minutes and raises at least $150. That donation goes directly to the center, and the student will also receive a $15 gift certificate from Heid Music.
As a prize, the Suzuki Center will name a star in the sky after the student who practiced the most. Other prizes for the event are being offered by Campus Cycle, Wal-Mart, Putt and Play, and Heid Music.
Last year, 88 students raised more than $11,000. This year the goal is 120 students and $12,000, with two faculty members, Mary Hofer and Jennifer Burton challenged to dye their hair green and pink, respectively, if the goal is met.
Housed in the Noel Fine Arts Center, the Aber Suzuki Center operates on tuition and donations from the community. The Suzuki Method teaches the life skills of concentration, goal setting, and self-confidence through musical study. Children can begin lessons at a young age, learning first by ear. Parents or grandparents attend lessons and act as practice partners at home, then children read music and practice independently as they are ready. Adults also may take advantage of Suzuki lessons. Ten percent of the center’s students are older than age 18.
To learn more about the Aber Suzuki Center’s programs, call 715-346-3033 or go online at www.uwsp.edu/suzuki or Facebook @uwspabersuzukicenter.