Guitar

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March 23, 2010 / , /

Our 2010 SAA Conference includes a full palette of Guitar opportunities—varied and informational activities for our instrument. As a bonus we will enjoy keynote sessions, concerts and camaraderie with the wider community of Suzuki Teachers. In keeping with the theme of “Teamwork,” our invited clinicians for the Master Classes are William and Adam Kossler. Bill is a Co-Founder of Suzuki Guitar and one of two original Teacher Trainers. His son, Adam, began his music lessons at the age of two as a violin student in Matsumoto, Japan. Adam is now a doctoral student of renowned Guitar Professor Bruce Holzman at Florida State University.

Other Guitar sessions include:

  • Alexander Technique for Suzuki Guitar Teachers (Chris Mincer)
  • Making the Most of Suzuki Guitar Accompaniments (Seth Himmelhoch)
  • How to Structure a Reading Development Curriculum (William Kossler)
  • Great Ideas for Guitar Group Class (Brent Weaver, Daniel Srugo, and Kevin Hart)
  • Teaching Rest Stroke and Relaxation (MaryLou Roberts)
  • Rasgeados and Alzapuas and Golpes, Olé! (Eric Schroeder)
  • Developing Reading Skills for the Young Suzuki Student (David Madsen)
  • A general session with Guitar participation: Family Affair: Teaching your Own Child (Concert & Round Table Discussion) Moderated by Andrea Cannon

We hope you will join us in Minneapolis and partake in what promises to be a most exciting Gathering of Guitarists!

Andrea Cannon, Guitar Coordinator

March 16, 2010 / , , , , , , ,

Teachers of violin, viola, guitar, flute, and recorder are encouraged to bring instruments. If possible, bring cellos and basses too. (We’ll try to borrow extras cellos.) Some informal chamber music playing opportunities are possible on Saturday evening.

January 5, 2010 / ,

Present: Frank, Mary Lou, Bill, Dave, Andrea, Seth, Mychal

Trainers Report from the Boston Conference

Mychal says it was great, and the other committee members who attended agree. Mychal mentions that meeting Mr. Toyoda was a particular pleasure. Dave says it was great and inspiring. Mary Lou mentions that the sense of Japanese philosophy and culture coming from the Japanese teachers was very affecting. Just the bow itself had deep meaning, and the respect it engendered spread through the rest of the things going on there.

The guitar trainers at the conference got a lot done on the new Guitar Teacher Trainer Syllabus, with attention to each book in turn. A higher playing level will be required for trainees at each higher level of teacher training. The syllabus is now being finalized and email exchanges are being made to get this done. The syllabus in intended as an ISA syllabus, not just SAA. One suggestion being considered is to have different books to be read for each training level, for example, Nurtured by Love for Book 1, and Ability Development From Age Zero for Book 2.

Progress on the Book 8 and 9 Recordings

Frank says that he has been sending in edit requests. The committee expresses its thanks to Frank for the work he is doing on the recordings.

Argentina/South American Developments

Mary Lou reports that many more trainees in South America are now joining the SAA.

November 13, 2009 / , , ,

The SAA would like to welcome three new Teacher Trainers:

Mary Hofer

Mary Hofer
Voice
Stevens Point, WI

Joseph Pecoraro

Joseph Pecoraro
Guitar
Winston-Salem, NC

James Hutchins
Violin
Silver Spring, MD

These Trainer Candidates completed the final steps in the approval process following the ISA Teacher Trainer Conference in Boston last month. We look forward to their service in this new and important capacity.

November 10, 2009 / , /

Ask the Experts, part 5: Guitar Technique and Repertoire

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

How can we maintain the joy of playing guitar without weighing the student down with technique?

The better technique a student has, the more joy in making music she will experience. When a child has good technique, he can play expressively and musically without any restraint from the fingers, in the same way children use their voices. When technique is carefully presented and fully developed a child will not be weighed down, but will be free to develop their ability to the fullest. Creating a fun environment is important and we should remember Dr. Suzuki’s words, “Without hurry, without rest.”

Read more of Ask the Experts, part 5: Guitar Technique and Repertoire »

November 4, 2009 / , , , , , ,

Student participants are still needed for the following events at the 2010 SAA Conference next May.

  • Bass: SYOA 1, SYOA 2, Bass Choir
  • Flute: Masterclass, Performing Ensemble
  • Guitar: Masterclass, Non-Preformed Chamber
  • Recorder: Masterclass, Recorder Consort, Non-Preformed Chamber
  • Piano: Concerto performance (due December 15)

Applications are being accepted until November 30.

See the student participation criteria and online student application.

Previous Headlines

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Last updated August 25 2010

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Guitar Teachers

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Staying In Touch and Keeping Informed

Database: Helping Us Stay In Touch With You

If you would like to be placed on the Guitar mailing list please print this form, fill out the pertinent information and mail it in to be added to our database. Teachers on this list are sent occasional updates concerning Suzuki Guitar training opportunities.

Current Projects, Issues, and News

Interested in the latest developments in Suzuki Guitar method? The SAA Guitar Committee meets regularly via a monthly phone conference. Read the condensed minutes from their most recent meeting.

Contacting Other Teachers Through the Suzuki Guitar Listserve

One of the best ways to communicate with other Suzuki Guitar teachers is through the Suzuki Guitar Listserve. The Listserve is an informal and unofficial meeting place for Suzuki Guitar teachers worldwide. It is maintained through the kind efforts of Seth Himmelhoch.

To join the Listserv, teachers can email Seth at [javascript protected email address] . Please provide the name of your teacher trainer, the unit studied, and the Institute name where you took their training.

The International Suzuki Guitar Committee

The International Suzuki Guitar Committee (ISGC) is the official Instrument Committee of the International Suzuki Association (ISA) designated to represent the guitar community of the various regions. Currently the European Suzuki Association (ESA), Pan-Pacific Suzuki Association (PPSA) and the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) are represented by Harald Söderberg of Sweden, Zeah Riorden of Australia and Frank Longay of the United States respectively. For more information on the work of the committee see the ISA web site at www.internationalsuzuki.org/Instruments/guitar.htm

SAA Guitar Committee

The members of the Suzuki Association of the Americas Guitar Committee welcome your communication.

Andrea Cannon

Phone: 281-320-9656
Email: [javascript protected email address]

Mychal Gendron

Phone: 401-781-3451
Email: [javascript protected email address]

Seth Himmelhoch

Phone: 201-928-1641
Cell: 201-486-7744
Email: [javascript protected email address]

William Kossler

Phone: 336-722-9064
Email: [javascript protected email address]

Andy Lafreniere

Phone: 203-264-1247
Email: [javascript protected email address]

Frank Longay

Chair, ISA Instrument Committee Rep.
Phone: 408-343.0933
Web: www.longay.com
Email: [javascript protected email address]

David Madsen

Phone: 860-768-7768 ext. 8660
Email: [javascript protected email address]

MaryLou Roberts

Phone: 734-769-5704
Email: [javascript protected email address]