Exciting News for the 2026 Japan Tour!

We are thrilled to share an exciting update regarding the Pineland Crescendo Suzuki Tour Group’s planned trip to Japan in 2026! This ambitious and enriching journey is well on its way to becoming a reality, offering our students a unique opportunity to experience the cultural and educational vibrancy of Japan, alongside their Suzuki music training.

Educational Update: Matsumoto Summer School Plans
The Matsumoto Summer School is the original Suzuki institute, founded by Dr. Suzuki in his home city.  In 2025, they will be accepting a limited number of foreign students to attend their renowned Summer School, and they plan to continue this tradition into 2026. However, due to the growing interest in these programs and the limited capacity, it’s possible that the Matsumoto Summer School may not be able to accommodate the entire Pineland Crescendo Suzuki Tour (PCST) Group. As we learn more about the numbers they will accept, we may need to consider alternative schooling environments to ensure every student who wishes to attend has the opportunity to do so.

Possible Plan B: Studio Collaborations and Opportunities
The PCST organizers have been working behind the scenes to ensure that every student will still get the full, immersive experience they deserve. Betsy, with her network of contacts in Japan, has secured some fantastic collaborations with local Suzuki studios. These studios are eager to partner with our tour group, offering an enriching and educational experience for our students.
This collaboration will allow our students to work closely with local Japanese Suzuki instructors and students, participate in workshops, and deepen their understanding of the Suzuki Method in an authentic and inspiring environment. We are confident that this alternative plan will provide the same high-quality educational experience as initially envisioned.

We will make a final decision about whether the Matsumoto Summer School or the independent studio visits will be the best fit for the tour in March of 2026. Stay tuned for more updates as the details of this exciting journey come into focus. We are incredibly grateful to the families, instructors, and supporters who are making this tour possible, and we look forward to sharing more information as it develops.

Fundraising Update: Helping Make the 2026 Japan Tour a Reality
As we move forward with planning the 2026 Japan Tour, we are also actively working on fundraising to make this incredible opportunity accessible for all participating students. Our goal is to raise $100,000 to support travel costs, accommodations, and other expenses for the tour.  Many of our fundraisers will be community building, musical events that encourage active involvement and help us achieve our fundraising target.  At this point, we have raised $1,425, and we are optimistic that this number will continue to grow, especially as funds from our recent practice challenge start coming in. We appreciate the support of all families, friends, and community members who are contributing to this cause. Together, we can make this tour a reality for our students!

Stay tuned for more fundraising events and ways to contribute in the coming months!  Thank you for your continued support!
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Best regards,
The Pineland Crescendo Suzuki Tour Group Team