WATERVILLE — Pineland Suzuki School will present a marathon concert from 1:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, at the United Church of Christ, 7 Eustis Parkway.

Students, ages 4 to 17, will play for nearly six hours. Proceeds will benefit Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter, according to a news release from the school.

Children have a wonderful natural ability to learn their native tongue by immersion in an environment rich in language. Music is just another language which children can learn from a young age, along with their parents and peers. With games, constant review, daily practice and a whole ton of listening, they work up step by step to being able to play many hours of music beautifully and energetically, according to the release.

After the devastation of World War II in Japan, Shinichi Suzuki wished to raise children to be good citizens with “noble hearts” by teaching them to diligently and joyfully study great music. Now the Suzuki Method, based on how young children learn their mother tongue, is taught throughout the world. Even in this rural corner of the world, there is a group of more than 80 Suzuki violinists, violists and cellists ages 4 to 17 playing together and in harmony.

Funds raised from this concert will be donated to the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter at 19 Colby St.

Freewill monetary donations will be accepted. Items in the category of clothing, food, kitchen and bath needs, as well as gift cards for grocery and department stores are also appreciated.

For a complete suggested donation list, visit the Mid Maine Homeless Shelter website shelterme.org/donate2.html.

For more information, contact Betsy Kobayashi at 621-4166 or pinelandsuzuki@gmail.com.

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