Director's Message

“Parental Involvement, Guidance, and Encouragement are Keys to Success.”

THE SUZUKI MUSIC SCHOOL OF MARYLAND, INC. (SMSMD), NOW CELEBRATING OVER TWENTY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY, IS THE OLDEST AND MOST ESTABLISHED MUSIC SCHOOL OF ITS KIND BASED IN HOWARD COUNTY. As a College Preparatory Music School [with increasingly high standards!] serving over seven counties in Maryland plus Washington, DC, we continue to be a leader in the ever growing and expanding musical opportunities that we offer to the whole family and community at large. In addition to being the Region’s Finest and Most Comprehensive Music School Offering Both Suzuki and Traditional Instruction in All Instruments and Voice, there is a wide selection of Classes available from beginning through advanced levels which afford the serious, motivated and dedicated music students to be well prepared for college entrance and beyond. We always strive to customize our Programs to suit the needs and interests of our students, without sacrificing standards in quality and excellence.

THE SUZUKI MUSIC SCHOOL TOURING ENSEMBLE, INC. (TSMSTE) became a separate NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION in 2006 and a Formal Educational Partner with The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) in 2007. TSMSTE is open to all qualified music students and musicians who successfully pass the Audition. With a continuing commitment to sharing our musical talents with the Community, we have given numerous Concerts in Retirement and Nursing Homes, and participated in many significant Howard County events, most recently including Columbia’s 41st Birthday Celebration at Lakefront Stage (immediately following its Cake-Cutting Ceremony), and their last year’s Big 40th Birthday Celebration, as well as the Big 40th Birthday Celebration of The Village of Wilde Lake’s (Columbia’s oldest Village!). Over the years, the Touring Ensemble has presented Showcase Concerts for the Howard County Sesquicentennial Celebration, The Columbia Festival of the Arts (Lakefest), other Columbia Birthday Celebrations, and The Six Flags Best of Maryland Festival. We have also given Concerts at the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Post Office Pavilion in Washington, DC. We were also selected to be included in a nationally televised PBS Children’s Education Special "Preschool Power which aired locally on Maryland Public Television. We have also been invited to perform this coming season in Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center through "Perform America."

The Suzuki Music School of Maryland, Inc.(SMSMD) firmly stands by the belief that music education can assist parents in building a solid learning foundation for their children’s overall education. Studies have shown that music can promote problem solving, better listening skills, good concentration, improved memory, emotional growth, self-esteem and self-discipline. Research suggests that music skills transfer to academic skills as well. Music Education promotes further benefits of social interaction, cooperation, sharing, and teamwork by involving a ‘learning community’ of students, parents and families, and teachers all working together for the common good of all. Parental involvement, guidance, and encouragement are keys to success. Ideally this process begins at birth, by providing a positive home learning environment in which unconditional love, individual nurturing, and mutual respect serve to strengthen family ties and build a strong foundation for good citizenship throughout the years. SMSMD prides itself on providing a customized positive and nurturing learning environment in which parental involvement plays a very important role. As always, we wish to thank everyone who has contributed to and continues to support quality and excellence in the arts and education, and for making our growth and expansion possible.

Dr. Joan Spicknall, B.M., M.M., D.M.A