Conference

Sessions

See a tentative list of conference sessions for each instrument area, as well as the Top Ten Tracks: Business of Teaching, Group Classes, Healthy Lifestyle/Healthy Attitude, Improv/Alternative, Practicing, Suzuki Philosophy: Excellence & Teamwork, and Working with Parents.

Concerts

Inspiring concerts are programmed for Friday and Saturday night at the conference, as well as throughout the day on Sunday.

Sponsors

A big thank you to our 2010 Conference Sponsors for helping us put on this exciting conference program!

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 »

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 »

Why Teamwork?

Teamwork is the theme of the SAA’s upcoming 14th Conference, May 28-31, in Minneapolis. every aspect of the Conference is built around the concept of Teamwork. It is at the heart of “Creating Learning Community” and a core value of the SAA. This fall, we invited members to post their thoughts about Teamwork on our website. You’ll find some of thei ideas in this issue, indicated by the Conference Teamwork logo.

Teamwork means noticing what needs to be done and pitching in to do it, realizing that although it may not be your responsibility and that you may never get credit for having done it, it makes a difference to the overall outcome, and that in and of itself is enough. Noticing requires alertness and involvement. Making the decision to get involved requires action. Not needing to be the one who receives the kudos requires a servant leader attitude. It is a pleasure to work with team players and the results increase exponentially.
—Rebecca Paluzzi, Flute, TN

Read all about the 2010 Conference on the Conference website.

How Children Learn…and How They Don’t

Dr. Robert Duke
Co-presentation with International Research Symposium
Friday, May 28, 8:30 AM

The Talent Code

Daniel Coyle
Sunday, May 30, 2:00 PM

Read more about the keynote speakers

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.

If you or your company is interested in exhibiting at the SAA Conference, advertising in the program booklet, or sponsoring a Conference event, package information and contract forms are now available:

Exhibiting
Booklet Advertising
Sponsorship Opportunities

The Conference Team is busily reviewing the 175 session proposals for the 2010 Conference in May. We expect to have the final decisions made by the first week of January. You will be notified regarding the status of your proposal by email. Thank you for your patience. The array of proposals is truly outstanding!

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.

A record number of session proposals have been submitted—164! Proposals include some great ideas on general and instrument-specific pedagogy, plus our five topical tracks: Group Classes, Meeting the Younger Teachers’ Needs, New Ideas for Experienced Teachers, Healthy Lifestyle/Healthy Attitude, and Working with Parents. Look for a list of sessions and presenters on the conference website early next year.

287 students have applied for masterclasses, preformed and non-preformed chamber group coaching, youth orchestra, and the bass, flute, and recorder groups. Applications for the Piano Concerto are due December 15!

The upcoming SAA Conference deadline is quickly approaching! This is a friendly reminder that all Session Proposals and Student Application DVDs are due this this Thursday, October 15.

We encourage all members to submit their ideas to be part of the exciting plans for May of 2010.

Students of all instruments and ages can apply for a variety of events:

• Masterclasses (all instruments & ages, various levels)
• Chamber Music Masterclass for Preformed Groups (all ages)
• Chamber Music for Non-Preformed Groups (all instruments, various levels, ages 12-15. Apply individually to be placed in a chamber group.)
• Bass Choir (all ages, Book 2 and above)
• Flute Performing Ensemble (all ages, Book 3 and above)
• Recorder Consort (all ages, Book 3 and above)
• Suzuki Youth Orchestra of the Americas (up to age 12)
• Piano Concerto (up to age 14, due December 15)

Visit the Conference website for easy online entries.

The 14th biennial SAA Conference will “feature our own” distinguished SAA members, friends, and former Suzuki students who are now young artist-teacher professionals as our special clinicians for the instrument master classes. True to the theme of the Conference, the format of these master classes will include both team teaching and solo instruction. The young artist clinicians will also be involved in side-by-side chamber music coachings and perform a selection on the Young Artist Recital. Read further about the impressive list being showcased for 2010!

Bass: Paul Sharpe, Nicole Castleberry
Cello: Gilda Barston, Amy Barston
Flute: Bart Feller, Sara Traficante
Guitar: William Kossler, Adam Kossler
Harp: Elinor Niemisto, Angela Dastrup Willis
Piano: Doris Koppelman, Hikari Nakamura
Recorder: Patrick O’Malley
Viola: William Preucil Sr., Matthew Dane
Violin: Thomas Wermuth, Allegra Wermuth, Scott Conklin

SYOA Conductors: Marilyn Kesler, Winifred Crock
Special Guests: Bad Boyz of Bass Quartet

See Clinician bios >>

Tenth International Research Symposium on Talent Education

Keynote Address by Dr. Robert Duke:
“How Children Learn…And How They Don’t”

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

Read more of Call for Research Papers or Projects »

With the 2010 SAA Conference theme being TEAMWORK, we are interested in hearing what teamwork means to you. Please post in 35 words or less how you define teamwork. How does the concept of teamwork play out in your life and work?

Read more of What does TEAMWORK mean to you? »

Session proposals are now being accepted for Top Ten Tracks and instrument-specific pedagogy.

Submit a Conference Session Proposal >>

You will need to log in to submit a proposal. If you haven’t yet set up a website account, you can create one from the “create an account” link on the login page.

Student auditions are now being accepted for all Conference events. Check the student participation requirements for all the students events, eligibility requirements, and audition pieces.

Apply for a Student Conference Event >>

With the 2010 Conference theme being TEAMWORK, it is quite fitting that the weekend’s chamber music offerings are being expanded. Chamber music, defined as one on a part, is truly a spirit of collaboration both musically and socially. This unique learning experience requires interdependence, yet individuality. Each part is so vital to the whole, and the interaction amongst players, young or old, is crucial to success. The process of problem solving and decision making (including “agreeing to disagree”!) builds respect and empathy within an ensemble. What incredible life skills to instill in any human being.

Chamber music, being intimate in…

Read more of Calling all Chamber Musicians! »

1. What is a “Top Ten Track”?

   A “Top Ten Track” is an opportunity for teachers from all disciplines to come together and learn. Each topic in the “Top Ten Track” will feature ten ideas (or more) that you will be able to take home and use during the year. Tracks will be presented by teachers from all of the instrument areas.

2. Why are we having “Top Ten Tracks” at the conference?

   The Conference Planning Team wanted to create a time for everyone to get together and learn from each other. We also wanted to create a change…

Read more of Top Ten Questions about the “Top Ten Tracks” at the 2010 SAA Conference »

There will be a student Bass Choir at the SAA Conference next year. For full details on how to apply, see the student participation criteria.

• New kick-off start time: Friday, May 28 at 8:30 am
• Lots of Chamber Music opportunities
• Top Ten Tracks
• Featuring our Distinguished SAA Member Clinicians and Young Artist-Teacher Professionals
• Young Artist Clinicians’ Recital
• Mother/daughter, father/son and father/daughter teaching combos
• Side-by-side chamber music coachings
• Benefit Concert with the Claremont Trio
• Bad Boyz Bass Quartet
• New remodeled and expanded meeting area on 2nd level (Minneapolis Hilton)
• Special Partnership with the Minnesota Orchestra (details soon!)
• SAA Certificate of Achievement presentations

Watch the list grow each month!