Registration for the 2012 Conference is now open online. Prices for members start at $225. Register by March 31 for the early bird discount!
Conference
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A Star for Don
I’m a sucker for a good old American dream story. That’s the kind where somebody starts with nothing, and through determination and hard work, creates something fabulous. It makes me happy to be part of a society that values that sort of thing. The story I’m going to tell is particularly intriguing because it’s about two entities, once unknown to each other, and how they became entwined based on their common values—and dreams.
The first character in this story is the Suzuki Association of the Americas. This year will mark the fortieth anniversary of the organization. Started by a small group…
Clinicians & Special Guests
Plans are well underway for the SAA 15th Biennial Conference, May 24-28, 2012, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mark your calendar! Don’t miss our 40th anniversary!
SAA Conferences are sentinel events for teachers, parents, and students. Expect enlightening sessions on Suzuki philosophy and pedagogy in general and for each instrument. Learn to run your studio and work with parents. Become adept in new technologies. Enjoy special topics of Bach and outreach. Share and learn from colleagues. Listen to master classes, performing ensembles, the 40th anniversary Kaleidoscope Concert, Suzuki Youth Orchestras, and professional artists. Connect with the Suzuki community. See old friends, and…
Hotel & Travel
The conference is being held at the Hilton Minneapolis hotel in downtown Minneapolis, MN.
Special discounted hotel rates are available from May 23-30. Register early to reserve your preferred accommodations. Hotel reservations with Suzuki discount closes on May 3.
- 1 King Bed $103/night
- 2 Double Beds $103/night
- 1 King Bed Junior Suite $153/night
Or call the Hilton at 1-888-933-5363 to make hotel reservations. Reference the Suzuki conference (code SUZ) to get special SAA rates.
Bass & Recorder Students for Conference 2012
Attention teachers and parents!
Student opportunities are still open for recorder and bass at the 2012 SAA Conference next May.
- Bass: Masterclass, Bass Choir, SYOA 1 & 2, Kaleidoscope Concert
- Recorder: Masterclass, Recorder Consort, Kaleidoscope Concert
Auditions will be accepted until November 30.
See the student participation criteria for more details on how to apply.
Time for Three to Perform at Conference 2012
The 2012 Conference Team is excited to announce very special guest performers for the 15th Biennial Conference, 40 and Forward. Time for Three (Nicolas Kendall, Ranaan Meyer, Zachary DePue) will be the featured performers at the SAA conference on Sunday night, May 27, 2012.
Time for Three has roots in classical music, but explores myriad styles in a unique fusion of sounds. Their first music video, “Stronger,” debuted online in October 2011, bringing a positive anti-bullying message to thousands of viewers:
Conference Session Proposals Due Sunday (Nano & Mini Due Nov 15)
NOTE: DEADLINE FOR REGULAR SESSION PROPOSALS HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL NOVEMBER 6 DUE TO EMERGENCY CONDITIONS ON EAST COAST.
Dear Colleagues,
The deadlines for 2012 SAA Conference session proposals are fast approaching!
The title of this conference is Forty and Forward. 2012 is the 40th anniversary of the SAA, so we will be celebrating the accomplishments and key figures that have contributed to our current success, as well as looking forward to our continuing pursuit of excellent music education in the future.
The featured themes of the conference will be communication, outreach, and the music of Bach. However, sessions in instrument areas can be…
Read more of Conference Session Proposals Due Sunday (Nano & Mini Due Nov 15) »
Student Conference Applications Due Tomorrow, October 15
Applications for most student events at our next conference are due tomorrow, October 15. This includes Chamber Music, Master Classes, Flute Performing Ensemble, Recorder Consort, Bass Choir, Guitar Ensemble, and SYOA 1 and 2.
Complete the online application by midnight on October 15. You can upload your video with the online application, or postmark your DVDs on the 15th.
Requirements for Student Participation Opportunities
Due later:
- November 30: Kaleidoscope Concert
- December 15: Piano Concerto
Kaleidoscope Concert
Sponsored by Robertson & Sons Violins
In celebration of its 40th anniversary and over 50 years of Suzuki education in the Americas, the SAA proudly announces a very special event, the Kaleidoscope Concert. A unique feature of the 15th SAA Conference in Minneapolis, the concert will take place on Friday evening, May 25, 2012.
The Kaleidoscope Concert will showcase student performers from all Suzuki instrument areas who have achieved a high level of development at a young age. In addition to outstanding musical performances, the program will feature a special guest host and interviews with the students. The event will be presented to conference attendees, aired through various media and recorded for future use by the SAA.
The SAA is setting up a library of excellent student performances in all instruments/levels. Audition materials submitted for the Kaleidoscope Concert may also be considered as additions to the archival library.
Conference 2012: Kaleidoscope Concert, Session Proposals, and More!
Plans are underway to make the SAA 2012 Conference a high point in a year of celebration, marking the 40th anniversary of SAA. Building on reverence for the past and delight with the present, we hope to lay the groundwork for an inspiring future.
The 2012 Conference will take place May 24-28, in Minneapolis, MN.
Save the dates—SAA biennial Conferences are not to be missed!
Read more of Conference 2012: Kaleidoscope Concert, Session Proposals, and More! »
Cello Rentals at Conference 2012
Cellos will be available for use at the conference for a small fee. Please contact Marilyn George if you need one. Deadline for cello requests: March 31, 2012. [javascript protected email address]
Attending a Conference on a Budget
I have to admit that before I attended my first conference, I wasn’t sure why everyone was so excited about it. My colleagues thought it was one of the most important Suzuki events for a teacher to attend, saying you get to refresh and deepen your understanding of Suzuki ideas, see people who are leaders in different parts of the country, listen to inspiring speakers, and just get excited about teaching. So I left my children, ages three to thirteen at the time, with some serous “Daddy time” and drove to Cincinnati. I went on trust, and hoped for the best.
I had to do everything for that trip in the same way that I always do: making it the most fun without spending too much. Here are some tips for attending conferences on a budget. These ideas are for implementing now or in the fall.
2012 Plans
Photo by Michiko Yurko
2008 Conference attendees. Front row: Dee Martz, and Joanne Martin. Back row: Delaine Fedson, Mary Kay Waddington, and Michiko Yurko.
Plan now to attend the 2012 SAA 15th Biennial Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota!
The conference will be held May 25-28, 2012, and will feature valuable sessions for teachers, teacher trainers, and parents—not to mention Suzuki Youth Orchestras of the Americas (SYOA) and other exciting events for your students!
Read on for many more reasons to save the dates in 2012.
Conference
Prices start at $225
Highlights
Schedule pick-up and walk-in registration begins Thursday, May 24 at 5 pm. Some “warm-up” session will begin that evening.
Most sessions begin on Friday, May 25, at 8:30 am.
All events conclude by 11:45 am on monday, May 28.
In addition to the many daily session, don’t miss these events:
Thursday, pre-conference:
-
Every Child Can!
10 am—4 pm -
Trainers’ Meeting
1-5 pm -
11th International Research Symposium on Talent Education, 3-9 pm and Friday, 8:30-11:30 am
-
Group Class Techniques with Carey Beth Hockett, 6-9 pm
Thursday evening:
- Check-in starts at 5 pm
- Optional pre-conference activities
Friday:
- **Sessions…
2 More Days to Register for the Leadership Retreat
April 30 is your last day to register for the Leadership Retreat.
Email, fax, or postmark your registration by April 30 if you plan to come. Don’t miss this special event!
SAA’s 9th Biennial Leadership Retreat, “Creating the Future Together 2011,” will take place in May at the American Airlines Training and Conference Center near the DFW Airport in Fort Worth, Texas, from Thursday, May 26 to Sunday, May 29.
This year’s theme will feature Communications as well as other leadership topics of interest to Suzuki teachers. Teacher Trainers, Institute Directors, Conference Team, Chapter leaders and all others interested…
Read more of 2 More Days to Register for the Leadership Retreat »
Suzuki Cello News: 2011 Leadership Retreat Sessions
Hello cello friends,
We just wanted to share with you a bit of information about what is going to happen at the Leadership Retreat in Dallas May 26-29. Keep in mind that this opportunity is not only for trainers and institute directors. It is for all interested Suzuki teachers and I encourage you to consider attending. Go to the SAA website for more specific information regarding schedule and registration.
There will be a number of general sessions, however we just wanted to tell you a bit about what we are planning for cellists. Instead of delving…
Read more of Suzuki Cello News: 2011 Leadership Retreat Sessions »
Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the International Research Symposium on Talent Education
A record number of Suzuki teachers, researchers and graduate students gathered on May 27 and 28, 2010, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the International Research Symposium on Talent Education. Dr. Robert Duke, Professor of Music and Human Learning from the University of Texas at Austin, was the graduate student seminar facilitator and keynote speaker. The symposium included discussions of research in progress, presentations of current research, and time to socialize and discuss research and statistical methods.
In an effort to develop more involvement of graduate students in Talent Education research, a graduate student research seminar was…
