Living in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii residents are very aware of the high cost of bringing in experts and professionals for workshops. So when I read about the Suzuki Principles in Action (SPA) course in a Suzuki E-News bulletin, I immediately alerted my colleagues during the next Suzuki Association of Hawaii teachers’ meeting: “Look, the SAA will pay the airfare and teacher fee if we get ten people! Just ten people! Let’s do it!” Our SPA chairperson,…
The sheer scope of the Suzuki Association of Utah’s Celebration concerts is difficult to imagine—two thousand Suzuki students playing together in one venue. But then, one sees it: the LDS Conference Center stage overflows with student musicians. They more than fill the designated stage, and a third of the students spill into the auditorium seats. Violins are by far dominant in numbers; the harpists and pianists are so numerous, they’ve formed their own concerts.
And then, the sound. Celebration organizers often refer to it as a “wall,” and the description couldn’t be more accurate. Students are surrounded, enveloped by it.…
Read more of A Joyful Journey: Suzuki Association of Utah’s Celebration VIII »
After conducting Suzuki orchestras and participating in an exchange program between Montreal and Edmonton, Cristian Gort had a great idea of having a concerto competition for Suzuki students.
Cristian Gort is a conductor who has worked with several ensembles, in Amsterdam, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Taiwan and the Czech Republic. He studied in Quebec and Montreal where he is now established.
His idea of the competition is to allow young Suzuki students to have the opportunity to perform as soloist with orchestra, possibly once in their lives. He leads the Orchestre symphonique de l’Isle and their members have generously agreed to collaborate…
Read more of Concerto Competition for Montréal Suzuki Students »
Parents of Suzuki students are familiar with the time frame for preparation that goes into a performance. It is the culmination of listening, private and group lessons, practicing, and more listening and practicing. Such accomplishments must be celebrated and shared! Performances can go beyond showcasing accomplishments, though—they have the power to build communities.
Yoko Acheson, Suzuki violin teacher, creates opportunities for her students and their parents by coordinating annual concerts and events that incorporate playing,…
How can the SAA help us to create a community in our home programs primarily among teachers?
One of the most wonderful features among Suzuki teachers is the sense of community. I am always received positively by the teachers I meet at the SAA annual conference, or leadership retreat, and the same is true for the teachers in my community. It helps if you have a common activity in which to participate. If not, the only time I see the teachers in my home town is at a conference!
Shenandoah Valley Elementary School, taught by Loren Abramson, performed with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra last weekend. Loren Abramson was recognized as SLSO’s 2010 Educator of the Year.
Read more at St. Louis Today: Shenandoah Valley performs with St. Louis Symphony
Read more of Shenandoah Valley Elementary students perform with St. Louis Symphony »
Imagine yourself in a community of Suzuki families living in a small northern city, population about 30,000, a 16-hour drive from any other Suzuki program. There are about 34 violin students in the program, ranging from 4-year-old “Twinklers” to 17-year-old Book Seven-plus teens. For two years you have been without a resident regular teacher.
What would you do? Despair? Give up?
Well, in the city of Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory Suzuki parents are a…
Read more of Suzuki Method in Whitehorse, Yukon: A Special Challenge »
For six weeks during the Spring of 2009, strings were tuned, pieces were polished and pennies were collected. 76 students prepared for Longmont Suzuki Strings’ first “Play For Peace” concert on Saturday, April 18. The students and faculty of violin, viola and cello from Longmont, Boulder, Estes Park, Loveland, Fort Collins, Golden and surrounding areas performed a concert of music from beginning to advanced levels. It included special works that symbolize peace, understanding and harmony around the world. Play for Peace featured *Joyful, Joyful We Adore…
Read more of Longmont Suzuki Strings: Play for Peace—Pennies for Peace »
The Suzuki Association of the Americas offers the Chapter Affiliate Program to Suzuki organizations across North, Central and South America who serve a specified, contiguous geographic area and strive to promote Suzuki through student activities, parent education, and teacher networking and education. Affiliation with the SAA provides increased communication, member involvement, and benefits at local, state, provincial, regional, and national levels.
Chapter Affiliate membership is achieved through a three-step process: application, public comment, and completion of the affiliation agreement. The SAA provides general support and consultation to Chapter Affiliates regarding business practices and educational programs.…
The experience at the SAA 11th Conference in Minneapolis will continue to shape the lives of the young students with East Cleveland Rainbow Suzuki Strings. From traveling via bus to another state, to performing for an enthusiastic audience at the Opening Ceremonies, to seeing professional musicians on stage, to sightseeing in the Twin Cities, to working with master violin clinician and performer Pamela Frank—ECRSS will remember it forever. These young students’ dedication and love of music also made a lasting impact on the Conference attendees.
“You need some help!” is what a new parent said to me when she saw all of the activities available in the Suzuki program I was running in Elgin, IL. It just seemed to evolve, and before I knew it, there were over sixty violin students and ten cello students. It took three part-time violin teachers and a cello teacher to accommodate the growing program. There was a great deal of organization every time we had a performance, an outside clinician or an all-school play-in style concert at the end of the school year. I was doing everything from making performing outfits to renting halls for recitals and concerts with help from a few volunteers. The “you-need-some-help!” exclamation was a welcome suggestion that I hadn’t realized was necessary for my studio to run smoothly.
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