Mrs. Susan Carlson

Education:

Bachelor of Music Performance, Wheaton College

Master of Music Performance, DePaul University

Illinois Teacher Certification Program, DePaul University

Number of years taught in District 211: 19 

Where Mrs. Carlson taught previous to D211 : Wheaton College Conservatory, Wheaton College Community School of the Arts, Northern Illinois Suzuki Program, DeKalb Suzuki program 

Words my students have used to describe me: funny, challenging, crazy (but in a good way), and encouraging.

Professional orchestral experience:  Currently a member of the first violin section of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, has played with the Lake Forest Symphony, Northwest Indiana Symphony, Illinois Philharmonic, the Chicagoland Pops Orchestra, Des Moines Metro Opera Festival,  and the Spoleto Arts Festival

I believe music is an integral, vital part of a student's education, public or private. Music, as a unique art, affords the opportunity to explore avenues of artistic discovery, in addition to providing a place where the other subject areas can play, commingle, and reflect.

To be a part of an orchestra is to be a part of a team. Every person is valuable. The whole depends on the strength of each individual. I strive to foster motivated learning so that each student experiences true musical progress. Over time, they collectively experience the process of making great music together. I endeavor to communicate this truth through the rehearsal techniques and strategies I select. Every person acquires skills differently, and it is important to try to maximize each student's learning paths.

I believe it is important to foster a healthy practice ethic, for when excellence is reached, the more gratifying the process and result. To simply dabble is to short-change the entire experience. Learning to play an instrument is a detailed, multi-faceted process that engages the mind, spirit, and heart. I believe the partnership between teacher and student when learning an instrument is magnified because of its complexity. Since I was a private violin teacher for 11 years prior to teaching orchestra, I am acutely aware of the student's need to connect with a teacher in order to feel safe, motivated, and inspired.

Orchestra is a social group. It can be and is a home within school. Fostering this spirit de corps is a priority for me, and it informs my decisions about how I encourage the students to interact with one another, and what activities I choose. The other orchestra directors in the district and I work hard to provide opportunities that combine music and friendship, as the two often go hand in hand.

The literature I select is another reflection of my philosophy. I believe it is important to experience a wide range of literature, including classical, contemporary, folk, popular, and jazz. While they might not find every piece may be fun, I want the music to be enjoyable, and surprisingly, they often like pieces they originally did not like!

Some of my recent favorites from the SHS repertoire:  

Symphony:  I loved Overture to Die Fledermaus and the Bugs Bunny What's up at the Symphony medley

Philharmonic :   I loved Carmen by Georges Bizet 

Concert:  Last year, I loved  Under a Winter Sky by Yukiko Nishimura

I loved A Solitary Wish as a combined orchestra program at the Holiday Concert and Wicked at the end of the year concert 

What she would like to see happen with the SHS orchestras: I would like to see more student ownership of the ensemble. By this I mean that I would like to see more percentage of students take their skill growth more seriously so that collectively it makes a qualitative difference in the sound of the ensembles.   Secondly, I’d like to see more ownership in the running of the program on the non-musical side of things.   Spirit wear design, decorating gatherings, celebrating birthdays, social outings.... these types of things help students to feel a sense of belonging in a group.

Favorite composer: that's a tough one. I love Russian classical music- Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Prokofiev to name a few. But I adore Bach and Brahms too. There are so many brilliant composers out there! I can hardly choose.

Earliest musical memory: having my mom sing to me as a small child

I also remember one of my first violin lessons at age 5. I remember standing on a placemat and having my feet drawn on the back of it. I was taking the Suzuki method at the time (Suzuki stresses focus and discipline even at that age) It was so fun playing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. I remember playing for our neighbors.

 Favorite orchestra: the Elgin Symphony Orchestra since I play in it! The 2025-2026 season will by my 30th year as a member. I love it. I think it informs my teaching and it refreshes my musical spirit. It is really fun to see my students out in the audience too!  (They can get in for $11 with their  student ID OR for free with a paying adult who accompanies them)

What I like to do when I am not playing my violin or teaching: spending time with my husband Keith, our sons Andrew (12) and David (9) friends and family, watching their baseball games, watching the Cubs win (and yes, lose !) ,  church involvement/activities, and reading

Favorite movies: Sense and Sensibility  and 90's Rom Coms like You've Got Mail and Sleepless in Seattle