The Afternoon Music School is a school for strings,

offering violin, viola, and cello lessons to children ages 4 to 18.

The Afternoon Music School runs for 32 weeks, from September to June. The music programs are based on the Suzuki method of musical instruction. At the heart of Suzuki’s philosophy is the idea that a child does not need innate talent to play and enjoy a musical instrument. Our school adheres to that belief. Children of varying abilities progress steadily, using the Suzuki method, which teaches new elements in small increments. The Hudson River School of Music faculty all have received advance training in this method of instruction.


	Beginners The Afternoon Music School program for beginners is similar to that which is offered in The Nursery School. The children are introduced to the violin, and singing and rhythm games, as well as the use of percussion instruments. A parent participates with each child and also receives separate instruction so that he/she will be able to help the child and share the musical experience. Beginners attend a weekly group class and a private lesson throughout the year. Part of the private lesson is set aside each week for parent instruction.
Intermediate Level Children playing in Suzuki Books I through IV attend a private lesson each week; the length of the lesson, determined by the teacher, can range from 20 to 60 minutes. All students attend a weekly group class; those in second grade or older also take a music reading class. Students who have taken two years of reading go into a beginning orchestra and then on to a more advanced orchestra, which meet weekly.
Advanced Level Advanced students attend a weekly private lesson and play in a quartet once a week. At this level the school introduces pieces outside of the Suzuki repertoire, as well as études and exercises for technique.

Concerts & Recitals

The school provides many opportunities for students to perform. Once a year all the students in the music school and the preschool gather for a concert and play Suzuki repertoire and other pieces. The quartets and orchestras perform twice a year. In early spring, each student is invited, along with other students at varying levels, to perform a solo piece in a school recital. Less formal opportunities include in-class solo recitals, a family concert where students and family members can collaborate and play together, and school-wide play-in.

Information 2008 - 2009 Programs

Music School Registration Letter (PDF) - Click to Download

Music School Registration Form (PDF) - Click to Download