On Sunday, Feb. 21, three GISD elementary Suzuki Strings students travelled to the Suzuki Music Institute of Dallas to participate in the North Texas Suzuki Association Trophy Festival. Cullen Druckemiller, a first grade violin student at Lamar Elementary, Cecilia Hollingsworth, a third grade cello student at Lamar Elementary, and Mathias Hollingsworth, a fourth grade cello student at Carver Elementary, participated in the festival, where they received constructive comments and a trophy.

“All three GISD Suzuki students performed their pieces well for their adjudicator, who provided positive feedback and suggestions for improvement on their comment sheet. Each also received a beautiful trophy, the best part of all” said GISD Suzuki Instructor, Muriel Kerr.

Over 400 Suzuki students and 30-40 Suzuki teachers across the DFW area participated in this weekend event. Instruments represented included violin, viola, cello, piano, bass and the harp. The Trophy Festival is an annual event organized and sponsored by the North Texas Suzuki Association and is open to any student currently taking lessons with a Suzuki teacher.

The Festival provides an opportunity for students to perform for a clinician/adjudicator and receive positive comments or suggestions as well as a trophy; tangible evidence of their effort and accomplishments. It also serves in helping to prepare elementary students who will later perform in solo or ensemble festivals and audition for Regional and Youth Orchestras, such as UIL and TMEA.

“We wish to congratulate all of these students and their families for their hard work, determination, perseverance, and dedication to the GISD Suzuki Strings Program. We are very proud of their achievements and look forward to what the future will bring” said Kerr.

The GISD Suzuki String Program is seeking to enroll new students as space allows. Any parent of a student attending Bowie Elementary, Lamar Elementary or Sixth Grade Center interested in signing their child up for Suzuki violin, viola, or cello lessons should contact either Muriel Kerr, kerrm@greenvilleisd.com, or Margaux Pisula, pisulam@greenvilleisd.com.