Happy Juneteenth and Happy Summer! (6/20/2025)
Yesterday I attended an uplifting concert by the Howard University Gospel Choir at The Allen Center in West Newton.
The voices, in harmony or in solo, were meant as an expression of freedom. In commemoration of hundreds of thousands of Black Americans who were finally released from slavery in Galveston, Texas two years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19th. Its purpose is to recognize that we must all still work towards the respect of all people and fight the racism that still exists today. While Juneteenth is a joyous holiday, we are also reminded that freedom comes with the responsibility to continue the activism that enables our freedom of speech and freedom as individuals to continue.
The energy at the concert by these musicians also reminded me how music is transformative. Music brings us all together. At the concert we were encouraged to sing together and also to learn the words of the songs. The power of music and singing together was strong and the audience left the concert with good cheer and good spirits. This is what we want our music-making to attain with our students.
Tonight we arrive at the summer solstice and tomorrow is the first day of summer. It is my favorite season! I love the longer days of sunlight, the warmer weather and the ability to be outdoors much more. Children feel liberated from school, too! I know as a parent, summer is harder to manage with less structure to children's schedules making it more difficult to juggle with work responsibilities. Nevertheless, let's hope we all may spend more quality time for family, self renewal, and happiness.
As this is the end of the regular School Year, please look out for an electronic survey for getting Feedback on how the Suzuki School experience has been this year. We also have just mailed our June appeal letter. We are most grateful to the 180 families who have already donated this year! As you know, a gift of any size makes a difference. Whether it can help a scholarship student, pay for the coffee for our K-cup machine, or allow the teachers to attend the Suzuki conferences, we appreciate your generous support!
This is the last Friday Upbeat for the school year---we will send out occasional electronic email bulletins, but the weekly Friday Upbeat! and Note from the Director will resume in the fall. Lessons resume officially on September 4th, 2025 and group and musicianship resume on Thursday, September 11th. (link 2025-26 Calendar here)
Be sure to re-register for the next School Year if you have not already! Also, we have several amazing summer program offerings including a Musicianship boot camp, Early Beginners in violin and piano, Preschool Camp, August Music and Arts, and the start of our Musicianship choir. We still have room in our full-day arts integrated Preschool with Mandarin, yoga, Suzuki violin and Suzuki piano built into the curriculum.
Have a happy, healthy summer---and continue to make joyous music!