Dr. Suzuki, the founder of the Suzuki method of music education, “believed that hearing and playing great music helped children become good people with beautiful, peaceful hearts.” The Suzuki School of Newton, (Catalogue '03), follows this principle with a mission of promoting early childhood cultural, intellectual and character development through a proven music education program that integrates individual and group musical instruction, music theory training, parent-child interaction, and community performance experience. And it is working. Since its inception in 1986, SSN has served over 1,200 students. It participates in City of Newton events, and provides public library and nursing home performances. Its instrumental instruction includes violin, viola, cello, flute, recorder, guitar and piano.

After moving from church to church, Suzuki has finally found a home in Newtonville; but it needs to raise $10,000 to cover moving and upstart costs. And to celebrate its 20-year anniversary in 2006, the school will launch its first-ever capital campaign to establish an endowment for professional development for its talented teachers — to further their Suzuki training and education and in essence, teach the teachers so they can better serve the kids. Don’t we want our future to include “good people with beautiful, peaceful hearts?” If you do, please help.