About

Updated September 2025: If you are interested in joining Suzuki Strings, you can fill out the application here. 

Thank you! 

What: Suzuki Strings is a Schools of Choice Program offered at 10 elementary schools in the Hurst Euless Bedford ISD. In these elementary schools, students have the opportunity to play the violin, viola, cello, and string bass using the internationally renowned Suzuki method. Research shows that playing a string instrument can positively affect students’ abilities in core subjects, such as math, science and reading. The Suzuki Method develops the whole child and provides lifelong skills, such as listening, observation, memorization, and concentration. Students learn discipline and focus, and they gain self-confidence, all of which can be applied throughout life.

Who: Students in grades K through 6th grade are eligible to apply to join the Suzuki Strings programs at participating elementary schools. Students are granted a spot or waitlisted based on availability.

Where: Spring Garden Elementary is one of 10 campuses with a Suzuki Strings program.

When: The window to apply for all School of Choice programs opens in January for the next school year.  Applications completed after the window closes will not take place in the lottery, but will be placed on the waiting list in the order in which they are received.

Basic program expectations:

•        Attend weekly lessons during the school day with the home teacher present (parent, grandparent, etc.). An adult must be present for the weekly lesson to occur.

•        Document or record teaching points of the lesson to assist with home practice

•        Student and home teacher (person attending lesson with the child) will practice consistently at home together to meet individual goals

•        Daily listening to the Suzuki recording

•        Attend scheduled group classes after school. Adults are not required to attend group classes. 

•        Provide instrument and materials for your child

•        Meet yearly goals to demonstrate adequate progress on the instrument

•        Participate in performances as directed by your Suzuki teacher.

•        Adhere to HEB Suzuki behavior expectations

The Suzuki method : The Suzuki method was developed in Japan in the 1940s by Shinichi Suzuki.  In his travels, he noticed that while he, as an adult, might have trouble speaking the language of the countries he visited, native children had no trouble.  He thought about the way that children learn to speak their native tongue and developed guidelines for teaching the violin using the same method.   Children participating in Suzuki Strings are immersed in the sounds of their instrument, listening to recordings daily.  Their parent is always beside them as a coach and cheerleader, supporting and helping the child learn at home.  Just as we don’t chastise a child for mispronouncing his first word, the child is not criticized but allowed to learn at his or her own pace.  This method of teaching has been used around the world to teach many musical instruments successfully

Suzuki Strings in HEB ISD

HEB ISD students in Suzuki Strings take one private lesson each week during school and attend one group session each week after school. A parent must accompany the student at the private lesson and is encouraged to attend the group session after school. Parents will supply the instrument, music books, and other various supplies needed for appropriate instruction.

There are many opportunities for performances, including school recitals, PTA meetings, and the annual Suzuki Strings Festival. The K-6 Suzuki Strings program provides the foundation for the district’s secondary orchestra program, cultivating the full intellectual and personal potential of each student. Students who demonstrate adequate proficiency may participate in the Reading Orchestra, the Fine Tuners and the Elementary Honor Orchestra. Parents say they are giving their child a wonderful opportunity only available in a few Texas schools, which compels HEB ISD to be Different by Design.

 Central Junior High Orchestra

Students have several options for participation in the secondary Orchestra program in grades 7 through 12. Students progressing from Suzuki Strings to Orchestra in seventh grade must transfer to Central Junior High School to join the Orchestra program.

Students who have prior strings-playing experience outside of HEB ISD's Suzuki Strings may audition for the Orchestra at Central. They will then be placed in an ensemble that best fits their performance level. Beginning level string instrument classes are offered in seventh grade on violin, viola, cello, and string bass.

 L.D. Bell High School Orchestra

The orchestral program continues at L.D. Bell High School. Students must progress through the Orchestra program at Central Junior High School and demonstrate successful performance skills on their chosen string instrument. High school students who have prior string playing experience outside of the HEB ISD Orchestra program may audition for the Orchestra at Bell and will be placed in an ensemble that best fits their performance level.

Both the junior high and high school orchestras offer a wide variety of performance opportunities. Individual performance in Solo & Ensemble contest and ensemble performance at concerts and UIL assessments are just a few examples of performance opportunities.