Following the Leadership Retreat in 2007, a group of flute teachers got together with the goal of helping the flute community to communicate effectively, despite the distance between our studios. This group, initially called a committee, has now been named the Flute Community Council, and it will continue to act as a discussion forum for any topics of interest or concern to Suzuki flute teachers. The new Suzuki Flute web page on the SAA site is one result of the group’s efforts.
We would like to invite you all to meet at the 2008 conference in Minneapolis. A special time will be set aside to hear a brief summary of Suzuki flute activities from every region of North America, and to discuss any concerns you may wish to bring up. This meeting will be loosely moderated—equal time will be given to everyone who wishes to present news from their studio or area, followed by an open discussion. Please DO feel free to tell us about your studio—events, accomplishments, innovations, anything at all that you would like to share with your fellow teachers. If you intend to be at the conference and will attend this meeting, an RSVP is requested, so that we can know how many people will be in attendance, and can plan for time and space appropriately. If you cannot be there but would still like to make a report, a written account of news in your area would be most appreciated, and will be read on your behalf. (You can RSVP to any member of the council—email addresses are listed below.) This model is used very effectively by the teachers in South America for their “Encuentros” every four years—each country is allotted a short amount of time, and teachers are enthusiastic about reporting on the progress of the Suzuki method in their area since the last Encuentro.
Remember, no one knows what is happening in your neck of the woods unless you share your news with the wider community. (Suggested topics for presentation: numbers of Suzuki flute teachers and students in your area; if there is an institute, how many flute students were enrolled last year and how many levels of training were offered; any workshops that occurred during the year and how many students participated; special accomplishments of students, exchanges with other programs, fund-raising efforts—anything that helps us to know what is the current status of Suzuki flute where you are.) Please do communicate with teachers in your area to be able to present together—after all, the goal of this exercise is increased communication and sharing of ideas.
Information regarding discounts on plane tickets and hotel accommodation is available on the SAA web site:
Looking forward to seeing you in May!
The members of the Suzuki Flute Community Council
