Last summer, focus groups at summer Institutes were asked to submit questions for a panel of “Suzuki Experts” to answer. This is the 12th installment.

When and how do we start teaching musicianship and not just performance skills?

This question deserves a book in response or at the very least an article. Here is a short answer.

The reason I teach is to teach children to communicate expressively. Actual playing is part of it.

Start with Verbal Expressiveness

I am aware that I am teaching expressive communication when I say “good morning” to my students, or insist upon them…

Read more of Ask the Experts, part 12: Musicality »

This year, in addition to sending you brochures by postal mail, Summer Institutes will be sending you information about their programs by email.

If you don’t want to receive Institute info via email from the SAA, update your email preferences and change “Institute Info” to No.

Expanded Summer Institute Info Online

Details on Summer Institute pricing, housing, meals, recreation opportunities, and more are now included in the institute listings.

Institutes in the Journal

Want to read about institutes offline? Look for the Summer Institutes feature in the next American Suzuki Journal coming out in March.

There are three Suzuki teacher training courses in Minneapolis before the Conference this May:

Every Child Can! Introduction to Suzuki Education

Wednesday, May 26, 6:30-9:30 pm, continuing on
Thursday, May 27, 8:30-11:30 am
Price: $75

Suzuki Early Childhood Education

Two special course opportunities available only to experienced (5+ years) Suzuki teachers with courses registered through Book 3 or beyond (including Unit 1A or ECE).

1. Short Introduction to Suzuki ECE: 2 hour introduction, Thursday, May 27, 1-3 pm. Price: $40.

2. Suzuki Early Childhood Stage 1: Prenatal and Baby Years. 1st third of the course can be taken in May at the Conference and completed either in Ottawa, Kansas at the Ottawa Suzuki Institute in June or in July in London, Ontario.

   Times for the first part of the course to be offered in Minneapolis: Thursday, May 27, 1-7 pm and Friday 8:30-10:30 am. Price: $150.

   For information about completing the course and possibly taking Stage 2 as well, contact Shirley Koch (Ottawa) at [javascript protected email address] or Dorothy Jones (London, ON) at [javascript protected email address] .

Register Now!

Read more of ECC and Early Childhood Teacher Training at the 2010 Conference »

The first SAA Certificates of Achievement will be awarded at a special ceremony at the Conference in May. If you would like to be among the first to complete the Certificate and receive it at this ceremony, you must have all your application materials postmarked by March 25. You have just 70 days to get your application ready!

Please note: Instructions for application have been revised for clarity. Requirements are unchanged. If you have previously downloaded the Certificate instructions document, we recommend that you use the revised version as your guide in applying for the Certificate.

Certificate of Achievement application

Last summer, focus groups at summer Institutes were asked to submit questions for a panel of “Suzuki Experts” to answer. This is the 11th installment.

How do you balance family life and the Suzuki method, from the busy life and extra activities, to the time spent, to the growth of the child and parent?

Embrace the philosophy: “When love is deep, much can be accomplished.” Dr. Suzuki’s philosophy of love, step-by-step accomplishment, character building, and striving for excellence leads parents, children, and families to bond together on a journey that positively impacts the family as a whole.

Prioritize: With so many choices available, families will need to prioritize what is important. Practicing, listening, lessons, group class, concerts, and workshops/institutes need to be high on the list. This means a lifestyle change, with the benefit of time together scheduled regularly!

Read more of Ask the Experts, part 11: Balance »

American Suzuki Journal volume 38.1 is now being mailed to current SAA members—some of you may have it already! Features include:

• 14th SAA Biennial Conference with details on the Research Symposium and Clinicians.

• Celebration Excellence 2009 CD, the annual fund incentive gift—it’s not too late to contribute!

• Lots of articles on local Suzuki student programs putting on exciting workshops in their communities and traveling the world.

Look for the quotes about TEAMWORK throughout the issue!

The Suzuki International Piano Committee is currently completing its work on the newly revised and edited International Editions of Suzuki Piano Books 4-7. These books are projected to be released at the SAA Conference in May, 2010. The accompanying CDs, performed by Seizo Azuma, will be released approximately mid-summer 2010.

Read more of New Repertoire for Suzuki Piano Books 4-7 »

Register by March 31 and save. Basic full Conference fee for members staying at the Minneapolis Hilton Hotel is $190, plus $20 tickets to the SAA Gala Benefit Concert. (Conference fees remain at the 2008 rate!) Register and pay online for a 5% discount. Prices go up $20 after March 31.

Register Now!

See prices

Read more of 2010 Conference Registration & Hotel/Airfare Discounts »

Celebrating Excellence 2009 features musicians who began their careers as Suzuki students. This year’s collection features 11 performances—solos and ensembles—including violin, viola, cello, piano, guitar, and harp. We are grateful to these talented performers for sharing their artistry with Suzuki supporters and friends and for their statements of support for Suzuki Method!

Celebrating Excellence 2009 is a special gift available to this year’s Annual Fund donors at the $75 level or beyond. Many thanks in advance for your generosity! Note: Your gifts are tax-exempt in the United States.

See the track list and read more about the performers on Celebrating Excellence 2009.

Dear Music Education Researcher:

Have you ever heard of a masterclass for researchers? Notify your students about this unusual opportunity with one of the foremost music education researchers in the country. The Tenth International Research Symposium on Talent Education will take place on May 27 & 28, 2010 at the Minneapolis Hilton Conference Center with Dr. Robert A. Duke, UT-Austin, as the keynote speaker.

On Thursday, May 27th, Dr. Duke will meet individually with each accepted graduate or doctoral researcher. The researcher will present their research idea or work in progress to the Symposium. Then, through a process of conversation and review, Dr. Duke will offer the student-researcher further considerations for analysis and reflection. See the Call for Papers for more details on how to apply.

An honorarium will be provided for each accepted paper.

Co-sponsored by the Suzuki Association of the Americas and the American Suzuki Institute.

The following report consists of three sections:

1. A history of the book revision process,

2. A description of the procedure for the compilation, editing, and publication of the revised editions for Books 1-5 and,

3. A look forward at the upper books in the Suzuki Violin School.

Read more of ISA Violin Committee Report on the Revised International Editions of the Suzuki Violin School »

The SAA is pleased to announce the publication of a brand new, unique item: Math Vitamins for Suzuki Students by Andy J.
Felt and George Kung. The book features over 50 games for parents to play with their young children, ages 3-7.

Dr. Suzuki believed that his philosophy and approach to teaching children could be applied to any discipline, not just music. Suzuki parents and supporters, the authors readily convey their enthusiasm for what Suzuki philosophy offers to build children’s concentration and motivation for learning. They suggest that parents work each day with their child, using…

Read more of Math Vitamins for Suzuki Students »