The Suzuki violinists from Oslo is a group of 30 children between the ages of seven and eighteen years old. The youngest members have already been learning the violin by the Suzuki method for a couple of years before joining the orchestra. While most young hopeful musicians spend their early years dragging not only a heavy instrument case around but also a bursting folder of sheet music, the Suzuki method, also known as the “mother tongue” method, emphasizes listening skills and learning by ear. Starting at an early age is crucial, and the students’ parents play an active part in the musical training.
Red Cap Kindergarten for music and art, the first of its kind in China, has a long history of collaboration with the orchestra from Oslo, and some of its students have also visited Norway. When they meet in Beijing in October 2011 for the 20th anniversary of the Red Cap Kindergarten, they will present a varied program including both Norwegian and Chinese traditional melodies, and advanced chamber music played by the oldest members of the orchestra.
The orchestra is lead by Anne-Berit Halvorsen and sports an extensive list of merits including various TV appearances and performances for the Norwegian Royal Family.