Where do I go on the first day of the institute, Sunday, July 5th?
Please come to the Rochester School, located on the west side of Route 100 just south of the town green.
What happens on Sunday, July 5th?
1:30pm - 3:30pm Institute Check-in, pick up your registration packet and t-shirts.
3:30pm - 3:50pm Welcome and GMSI Orientation, Rochester School Auditorium.
4:00pm - 5:00pm All instrument group lessons, meet at various locations.
5:00pm - ? Bring-your-own-picnic supper and ice cream social, Rochester Town Green. Our ice cream was donated by the Domas family, owners of the Rochester Café.
When do classes begin and end?
The regular schedule of classes begins on Monday morning, with the first class meeting at 8:50am. All classes meet for one hour, with a 10 minute break in between classes. The lunch hour is from 12:10pm to 1:00pm.The last class of the day ends at 3:50pm.
Do parents need to accompany their children?
Parents (or a designated responsible adult) should attend all classes with their children. Teachers will ask you to participate as appropriate. Parents (or a designated responsible adult) must always accompany their children in moving from class to class. Our classes are located in a number of different buildings, and you may need to cross Route 100 to get to your next class.
How do I walk safely through town?
Sidewalks are on alternate sides of Route 100 and are connected with crosswalks. Please respect private property by only walking on sidewalks and not on people's lawns! Always use the sidewalks and designated crosswalks.
Will there be a communications table set up?
Yes, in the lobby of the Rochester High School. There, you can find the following information: class schedules, daily announcements, and information about Rochester. We will have a message bulletin board set up, which you can use to leave messages for staff and institute families. We will also have sign-up sheets for practice pianos.
Is there an emergency contact phone number?
In case of emergency, your family can reach you during the day at GMSI at the Rochester School, at 802-767-3161. Please note that this is for emergencies only! During the evenings, you can phone Susie Smolen, the Associate Director at 802-767-9501.
When do I find out my class schedule?
A copy of your class schedule will be in the registration packet you receive when you check in on Sunday afternoon between 1:30pm and 3:30pm in the lobby of the Rochester School.
How do I prepare for my master class?
There are 2-3 students in each master class with an instrument instructor. Both Suzuki and non-Suzuki students are expected to bring a polished piece to their master class and a piece that they want to polish up to performance level. All students should bring their music from home; strings and flute students should bring music stands! Students and parents are expected to stay for the entire lesson. All benefit from observing the lessons of the other students in the group, and the instructor will include all students in activities when it is appropriate. Students are expected to practice every day during the institute.
I signed up to play in a mini-recital. How does this work?
Some students have signed up to play a solo piece during our 30 minute mini-recitals. There will be three mini-recitals scheduled each day, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons at 2:10pm., between class periods 4 and 5. These recitals will run concurrently. The piece you are playing should be one that you have thoroughly mastered, are totally comfortable with, and have performed before. It should be a piece that is at least 5 pieces back from your current Suzuki piece, and one that you would love to share with our music-appreciating families. Each mini-recital will feature 8-10 students playing solo works. We will try to schedule these so that there are a variety of levels and instruments. Recital schedules will be posted in the lobby of the Rochester High School. NOTE that there will be NO solo performances on Friday at the end of the Institute.
What repertoire should I prepare for group lessons?
Selected repertoire is based on enrollment. Once registration closes and groups are scheduled, group lesson repertoire will be posted on the website.
I'm not a Suzuki student. How do I prepare for the Institute?
You should bring a polished piece to your master class and a piece that you want to polish up to performance level. Be sure to bring all the materials you use for your home lessons. If you are a piano student, you will have a piano group class with Suzuki students.
Is there internet access in town?
We will have internet access in parts of the Rochester School. Computers with internet access are available for public use at the town library, open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm to 7pm. The library and Seasoned Books and Bakery also have wi-fi networks. Rochester now has cell phone service; please note that cell phones must be turned OFF in all buildings used by GMSI.
Are there practice rooms available?
Practice pianos are available during the lunch hour and from 8:00am to 8:50am and from 3:50pm to 5:30pm. We will have sign-up sheets at the communications table in the Rochester School lobby. String players do not have practice rooms assigned, but are welcome to practice in any available space, including outside on the school grounds, and on the town green.
Is food provided at the institute?
The Rochester Café has donated ice cream for us to have on the Town Green on Sunday, and we'll be serving any leftovers after lunch everyday as long as it lasts! We will be having a Pizza Party on Thursday evening after the electives demonstrations/performances. Anne Ryan's Food Girl cart will be in the parking lot of the Rochester School all day with healthy snacks and lunch items. You can also bring your own lunches and snacks. Of course, Rochester has many wonderful eateries. Please call in your order in the morning to avoid the lunch-time rush.
Are there any restrictions on food at the institute?
No food may be consumed in any of the classrooms. This is a firm rule which must be observed by all participants. All snacks and meals must be consumed in hallways or outside.
Are there activities planned for after-institute-hours?
There will be a faculty concert one afternoon. We have also scheduled a working chamber music rehearsal, where students may observe professional musicians preparing for a concert. In addition, there will be a session for parents.There are often pick-up soccer, softball and basketball games after classes end at 3:50pm. Your registration packet will contain lots of ideas for other things to do in the Rochester area, including swimming, tennis, hiking, mountain biking, and skating.
Will there be open quartet and concerto read-ins?
For string and flute institute participants staying in the area, we will have mass string quartet readings in the auditorium on Monday evening after dinner. On Tuesday evening after dinner, we'll be playing concertos from the Suzuki repertoire. Students will play their concerto movements and other students and staff will form the orchestra. We'll provide the music!
What happens on Thursday, July 9th?
All classes meet on Thursday as regularly scheduled. Some of the electives classes will perform on Thursday, July 9th starting at 4:15pm in the gymnasium. This will be followed by a pizza party outside to which all are invited. From 7:00pm to 8:30pm, we will be having a Contra Dance in the Rochester Gym. Pete Sutherland's fiddling students will provide the music, aided by various musicians who will be sitting in. Larry Hamberlin will be our caller. This activity is open to the Rochester Community.
What happens on Friday, July 10th?
On Friday, July 10th, only instrument classes will meet (no electives classes, no orchestra).? Strings, piano, flute, duet, and chamber classes will meet for half-hour periods in the morning.? Please note that students in the siblings program will not have any classes Friday morning, so plan accordingly.? Our final recitals for the week will take place beginning at 1:15pm. First to perform will be the Green Mountain Suzuki Chamber Players (these are the chamber music ensembles that have been rehearsing all week). Then, beginning at 3:15pm, the piano duets, and Suzuki flute and strings groups will perform. We encourage everyone to attend all performances, whether or not you are playing. Refreshments will be served after the final concert. We should be finished with the day's activities by about 5:00pm.
What clothes should I bring for the final concerts?
Please bring whatever you would wear when you are performing at home in a recital. A safe rule would be to bring a pair of nice pants, a shirt (not a tee-shirt), and shoes (not sneakers). Boys certainly may wear tie and jacket, but this is optional. Girls may, of course, wear dresses or skirts if they like.? You can also ask your master class or group lesson teacher if you have any questions about this.
What else should I bring with me to the institute?
You should bring your instrument, of course, (unless you are a piano student!), and all materials that you usually use at your lesson at home. Be sure that your instrument is in good repair. It's a good idea for your home teacher to check it over before you come to the institute! Chamber and orchestra students should bring music stands, as well as their music. We have access to the wonderful Rochester School playground (yes, the play structure has been full renovated and will be available to us this summer!) and to their athletic fields for break times during the day and for after-institute activities. Bring soccer balls, baseball equipment, and/or any other outdoor gear that you would enjoy using. In the event of rain, be sure to bring appropriate indoor activities for children during their free time.
Where does the GMSI get its pianos?
We rent most of our pianos from Hilbert Pianos of Bristol, Vermont, at a substantially reduced rate. Hilbert's will be offering for sale all of the pianos that we use during our week at a special institute-rate. Information about the terms of the sale will be available at the institute. We have also been generously offered the use of the pianos located in the Park House and the Rochester Federated Church. The White River?Valley Players has loaned us their clavinova.
Will there be music items for sale at the GMSI?
Ellis Music of Bethel, Vermont, will be providing us with some merchandise to sell, including strings, rosin, Suzuki books and CDs, metronomes and tuners. In addition, look for music and CDs by our GMSI?faculty!
How can parents help during the week?
We will be asking for volunteers over the course of the week to do lots of things: staff the communications table during the day, run messages, dish out ice cream, take lots of pictures,, and so on. If you know now that you would like to do any of these things, please let Jody know!
The GMSI classes are located all over town. How did this come about?
We have made special arrangements with all of the businesses, organizations and families that provide us with lesson and performance space. In all cases, we are using these facilities for free or for only a nominal fee. Please be respectful of all spaces, leaving everything as clean as you found it. If you meet any of the many people in Rochester who have made space available to us, please express your appreciation!