Debbie Surowicz dances with children during a 'Mozart for Children' class at Lenox Community Center recently. Children, from left, are Massimiliano Savenije, 7, A.J. Barry, 5, Michael Wessel, 7, and Alessandro Savenije, 5. Photos: Ben Garver / Berkshire Eagle Staff

Making music fun for young children

By Jackie Connolly
Eagle Correspondent

LENOX -- Twenty years ago Debbie Surowicz, a classically trained singer, realized that educational programs that expose children to classical music were fading away.

With that in mind, she and her husband, Simon Surowicz, developed a venture that incorporates a genuine appreciation for classical music with a twist of fun.

For about three years, Surowicz has brought her New York City-based "Mozart for Children" program to the Lenox area and holds classes for small children ages 3 to 7.

Classes are offered in 15 sessions per semester, at a fee of $475 per semester or $895 for two semesters.

Alessandro Savenije, 5,
takes his turn with a
conductor's baton
during a recent class.

The idea is to spark the children's imagination through works by composers such as Mozart and Vivaldi, and not weigh them down with heavy information. Through dancing, singing, instruments and the use of puppets, the goal is to provide children with a good time, all the while learning some of the most important musical fundamentals.

A typical day of the program begins with a "hello song," for which Surowicz cleverly rewrote the lyrics to "La Ci Darem La Man," from Mozart's "Don Giovanni." From there, she incorporates the use of puppets, whose names come from various operas, as a vehicle to inspire the young students.

"Children can be shy and intimidated at first. But if they choose a puppet to do the play singing and dancing, it removes that wall [of shyness]," Surowicz said. It is better to get the kids involved than having them sit in a corner, she added.

Other ways she gets youngsters involved is by incorporating the children's names and writing songs around them. She choreographs dances to prerecorded music or a live musician, with a theme that is appropriate to the children's age. This gives the students a chance to use their imagination.

"It is so innocent and healthy to use your imagination," she said. "They never get a chance to when they sit in front of the TV or computer."

Through the fun and games, the children are not just spending their summer vacations playing, but also are learning valuable lessons in music. Basic fundamentals such as pitch and rhythm, solfege syllables, solo and ensemble, introduction to opera, and instrumental timbres, or the distinct sounds of various instruments, are taught.

Children also receive a basic introduction to conducting as the other students become the orchestra. Through this they get to be a leader and learn ear training and control. A 4-year-old is able to leave the program and identify the dynamics of a composition, such as pianissimo (very soft), crescendo (louder) and fortissimo (loudest).

Many of the students go on to play a musical instrument, she said.

Surowicz noted the apparent decline of the classical music audience in recent years.

"If we don't expose children to this music, we won't have future audiences." she said.

Surowicz feels that many programs that try to teach music appreciation are lackadaisical in form and make the experience more boring than enlightening for a child.

She and her husband have been coming to the Berkshire County area for 25 years, and recently became primary residents. The classes are taught in small groups at the Lenox Community Center on weekends. She also holds private mini-groups at her home. During the school year, she teaches 12-week semesters in the spring and fall in New York.

Surowicz has taught children whose parents are involved in Tanglewood, as well as the offspring of actors such as Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke. She taught her program in Paris in both English and French for three years. Her program also has been taught in Japanese.

Perhaps most rewarding, she said, is working with special-needs children. As her husband pointed out, music is universal, and these challenged children get to draw in the experience.

"It's a sort of music therapy for them," she pointed out.

Surowicz studied at Mannes School of Music in New York City.

"If someone doesn't know wine, they are so fearful to order the right kind if not properly introduced," said Simon Surowicz. "It is like that with music; the children are introduced to the basics, so they won't fear [appreciating it]".

For more information about "Mozart for Children," one may contact Debbie Surowicz at 637-1361 or visit http://www.mozartforchildren.com/.