Preucil School of Music celebrates 50 years of excellence in music education with concert

When Doris Preucil started teaching violin lessons in Iowa City during the early '60s she never dreamed of what was on the horizon. In 1962 Preucil was one of the first violin instructors in America who embraced the Suzuki Method.

The style of musical education is very popular today but that was not so 60 years ago when many questioned the Suzuki Method, which is a music education technique that is based on the concept that children can learn to play music before reading.

“The Suzuki program changed music but there was so much negativity when people found out about it in this country,” Preucil said.

Preucil learned about the Suzuki Method while watching the iconic children's program, “Captain Kangaroo.” Preucil went from teaching her own children the violin with the Suzuki Method to a dozen kids and she capped her class at 50.

“But people were knocking on my door to teach their children,” Preucil said

Christian Tiemeyer, conductor of the Cedar Rapids Symphony — the predecessor to Orchestra Iowa — noticed how proficient Preucil's students were and he encouraged Preucil to take a huge step. “Christian said, ‘You need your own school,’” Preucil recalled.

Preucil, 92, took his advice and opened the Preucil School of Music in 1975. The Preucil School is marking its 50th anniversary Sunday with a special concert slated for the Hancher Auditorium followed by a reception. The event will showcase more than 200 current students and more than 100 alumni, many of whom are working as musicians with symphonies and orchestras around the world.

“I’m so excited,” Preucil said. “One hundred nineteen alumni are coming back. Eighty-seven of the alumni will perform. I’m very much looking forward to the event.”

The highlight of the concert will be the world premiere of “Serenade for String Orchestra and Piano,” a piece commissioned by the Heistad Family and written by Preucil alumnus Peter Bloesch (Class of 1982). This new work will be directed by Anthony Arnone and performed by the Preucil School of Music String Orchestra.

“It is such a beautiful piece of music,” Preucil said. “I can’t wait to see the students and alumni perform. I’m so proud of our alumni.”

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Many alum remain close with Preucil and many are thankful for their education. Christopher Vuk, who performs under the sobriquet The Blue Violin, used to drive an hour plus from Cedar Falls to Coralville a generation ago to learn under Preucil. “Doris Preucil was fantastic,” said Vuk while calling from his Colorado Springs home. “We would drive over an hour to get to the school, but it was worth it. I learned so much. It had such an impact on me as a musician and as a person.”

Preucil believes that the Suzuki Method makes more than a musical impact.

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“It has helped not just my students, who have become professional musicians but also those who have gone on to other careers,” Preucil said. “Some have gone into medicine, physics and politics. Some very smart people started out with the Suzuki Method. You learn by imitation and repetition. It helps build confidence. Parents are proud of what their children have learned and what they can do. Children learn how to hold a violin and they go from there.”

Preucil moved to Iowa City in 1958 when her husband, William Preucil joined the String Quartet at the University of Iowa while playing the viola. The Preucils reside in an assisted living community in Iowa City.

“We’re very happy here,” Preucil said. “And we’re very happy that the school still is doing so well.”

Following the concert, a reception hosted by the Preucil board of trustees and Preucil Guild will be held in the Stanley and Smith areas of Hancher Auditorium. Cochaired by Jessica Altfillisch and Beth Brown, the reception will feature an array of desserts and hors d’oeuvres to honor and thank the Preucil community for their ongoing support.

“It’s going to be a terrific event,” Preucil said. “I’ll be sitting in the back just enjoying it. But I’ve enjoyed so much all of these years teaching. It’s been an amazing experience.”