Welcome to theHeart of America Suzuki Association! |
WHAT IS GRADUATION?
In Japan, Dr. Suzuki established a graduation program which created a process of polishing and reviewing certain pieces in the Suzuki repertoire to a very high level, recording those polished pieces, and having a group concert featuring the students to recognize their achievements. It is our honor to continue this tradition. All students who fulfill the requirements below are welcome to submit a graduation application. Graduation is a celebration of accomplishment.
WHEN:
There will be two locations for the 2026 Graduation Recitals. All string and piano students will celebrate graduation together. All flute students will celebrate graduation at the UMKC Suzuki Flute Institute. Graduation is open to all students who would are nominated by their teacher.
String and Piano Graduation Recital
Location: Village Presbyterian Church, 67th and Mission Rd.
Rehearsal: June 30, 2026, Tuesday, 6pm
Performance: July 1, 2026, Wednesday, 6pm
Flute Graduation Recital
Grant Recital Hall, University of Missouri - Kansas City Conservatory
5200 Charlotte St, Kansas City, MO 64110
Rehearsal: TBD
Performance: Friday, July 3rd at 11am
AUDITION TIMELINE:
Graduation recordings are due by May 31, 2026!
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
1. Students must be studying with and be recommended by a teacher who is an active member of the Heart of America Suzuki Association.
2. Video Recording -- Students must make a recording of the piece(s) appropriate to their current level of study (see grid below). Students who have participated in graduation before should submit a recording at their current level. Videos must be posted on YouTube and may be unlisted. Both accompaniment and memorization are recommended for 2026.
3. If students are applying on multiple instruments they must send additional recordings and payment for each instrument.
4. Submit the application, recording, and $35 fee by May 31st.
Special note: due to repertoire changes in 2026, students who are qualified to enter at an upper level, do not need to send recordings of earlier levels.
RECORDING REQUIREMENTS
| Violin | Current level : | Submit a recording of: |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation Level 1A | Perpetual Motion | Twinkle Theme and Variations |
| Graduation Level 1B | Late Book 1 | Perpetual Motion |
| Graduation Level 1C | Book 2 | Minuet No. 2 |
|
Graduation Level 1D |
Book 3 | Hunter's Chorus |
| Graduation Level 2 | Book 4 | Minuet in G, Beethoven |
| Graduation Level 3 | Late Book 4 | Gavotte in g minor |
| Graduation Level 4 | Book 5 | Vivaldi: a minor, 1st mvt |
| Graduation Level 5 | Book 6 | Vivaldi: g minor, 1st mvt |
| Graduation Level 6 | Book 7 | Corelli: La Folia |
| Graduation Level 7 | Book 8 | Bach: a minor, 1st mvt |
| Graduation Level 8 | Book 9 |
Eccles: any two movements |
| Graduation Level 9 | Book 10 | Mozart: A Major, 1st mvt |
| Graduation Level 10 | Beyond the Books | Mendelssohn: Concerto, 1st mvt |
| Viola | Current level: | Submit a recording of: |
| Graduation Level 1A | Mid Book 1 | Twinkle Theme and Variations |
| Graduation Level 1B | Late Book 1 | Perpetual Motion |
| Graduation Level 1C | Book 2 |
Minuet No. 2 |
| Graduation Level 2A | Book 3 |
Hunter's Chorus |
| Graduation Level 2B | Book 4 | Minuet in G |
| Graduation Level 3 | Late Book 4 | Gavotte in G minor |
| Graduation Level 4 | Book 5 | Telemann Concerto Mvt. II |
| Graduation Level 5 | Book 6 | Pergolesi: Nina |
| Graduation Level 6 | Book 7 | Bach: Arioso |
| Graduation Level 7 | Book 8 | Handel/Casadesus: Concerto in B minor Mvt. I |
| Graduation Level 8 | Book 9 | Mendelssohn: Song Without Words |
| Graduation Level 9 | Beyond the Books | Bruch: Romanze |
| Cello | Current level: | Submit a recording of: |
| Graduation Level 1A | Perpetual Motion | Twinkle Theme and Variations |
| Graduation Level 1B | Late Book 1 | Perpetual Motion |
| Graduation Level 1C | Book 2 | Bach: Minuet No. 2 (last piece in Book 1) |
| Graduation Level 2A | Book 3 | Hunter's Chorus |
| Graduation Level 2B | Book 4 | Beethoven: Minuet in G |
| Graduation Level 3 | Book 5 | Bach: Minuet in G Major |
| Graduation Level 4 | Book 6 | Bach Arioso |
| Graduation Level 5 | Book 7 | Squire Tarantella |
| Graduation Level 6 | Book 8 |
Popper Gavotte |
| Graduation Level 7 | Book 9 | Sammartini: Sonata, 1st Mvmt |
| Graduation Level 8 | Book 10 | Boccherini: Concerto, 1st Mvmt |
| Flute | Current level: | Submit a recording of: |
| Graduation Level 1A | Go Tell Aunt Rhody | Mary Had a Little Lamb |
| Graduation Level 1B | Late Book 1 | Twinkle Theme and Variations |
| Graduation Level 1C | Book 2 | Moon Over the Ruined Castle |
| Graduation Level 1D | Book 3 | Handel: Bourrée |
| Graduation Level 2 | Book 4 | Telemann: Minuet from Suite in A minor |
| Graduation Level 3 | Book 5 | Gluck: Minuet and Dance of the Blessed Spirits |
| Graduation Level 4 | Book 6 | Handel: Allegro from G Major Sonata |
| Piano | Current level: | Submit a recording of: |
| Graduation Level 1A | Mid Book 1 | Twinkle Theme and Variations |
| Graduation Level 1, etc | TBA | TBA |
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