Question about music memorization and Suzuki...?

[monkeyluvsbananas]

I play the viola and have been playing for almost 5 years. My private teacher has me memorize every piece an i have to be able to play with an accompanist. Because of the extra time I must put into each piece I am farther behind in the Suzuki series than some of my peers. Would I still be able to play at the same technical level, and does the memorization actually make me a better player than those that do not memorize each piece?
I am also expected to be able to sight read, because I also play in an orchestra and began learning in an orchestra rather than memorizing. In fact my teacher makes me sight read and then memorize afterwards.

 

[lainiebsky]

It's good to learn how to memorize, but I personally don't ask my students to memorize any more than the occasional piece. I fully agree with asking you to play with accompaniment. Ensemble playing is one of the most important skills in music.

 

[PetrB]

Suzuki typically almost never covers sight-reading. It emphasizes memorization and develops aural memory very well. Both those are good to have, but as a player, you are missing a good third of what everyone else not under Suzuki have been learning all along.

If your teacher will not or cannot teach you how to sight read music of moderate difficulty (for you) at near tempo, you will have to search for a non-Suzuki teacher who teaches violin ~ and music ~ who can and will.


Best regards.