SYOA

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…

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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.

Read more of 2012 Plans »

Young musicians from both North and South America joined together at this year’s “Teamwork” Conference to form two outstanding string orchestras—Suzuki Youth Orchestras of the Americas I and II. Each child arrived at the conference very well prepared, having worked on the music with his/her home teacher. Then, with expert guidance from two amazing conductors, Winifred Crock (SYOA 1) from St. Louis, Missouri, and Marilyn Kesler (SYOA 2) from Okemos, Michigan, students worked diligently forming two fantastic sounding “teams.”

The weekend kicked off on Thursday with full orchestra rehearsals, followed by…

Read more of SYOA: Seventh Successful Year »

The 2010 Conference Student DVD is now available online. It includes the SYOA 1 & 2, Flute Performing Ensemble, and Piano Concerto performances.

If you pre-ordered a DVD at the conference, it should be on the way to you. If you didn’t pre-order, order your copy online!

The 2010 Minijournal is now on sale online, featuring:

• Pedagogical Admonitions by John Kendall
• Let Us Adopt Methods for Developing the Abilities of Every Child by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
• Suggestions for Families Attending an Institute for the First Time by Alice Joy Lewis
  -…

Read more of 2010 Conference Student DVD is here! »

Congratulations to all students who will be participating in and performing at the 2010 Conference!

See Conference Students

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…

Read more of 2010 Conference: Student Auditions and Session Proposals Due October 15 »

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 >>

Preview of the 2008 SYOA DVD

Read more of SYOA 2008 Preview Clip »

Preview of the Suzuki Youth Orchestra of the Americas and Flute Choir Concert DVD from the 2006 SAA Conference

Read more of 2006 SYOA and Flute Ensemble Concert Preview Clip »

The application form for student events at the 2008 SAA Conference is now online. Be sure to read the student participation requirements first. All application materials—including videos and teacher recommendations—are due by October 30, 2007 (September 30 for some events—see the requirements page for details).

Details on student programs for the 2008 conference are now available. Registrations forms will be available online soon.

Please note that there are a number of valuable new materials available on the SAA website. Several new books were recently added: SAA’s newest collection of parent articles, Winning Ways, William Starr’s I Know a Fox with Dirty Socks, Ed Sprunger’s Helping Parents Practice and other selected books and materials.

Now available from the conference: a new 2006 DVD collection of Parents as Partners, featuring highlights of Parent Day; outstanding recordings on DVD of the International Ensembles Concert, SYOA, the Flute Choir and the Piano Concerto winner. We are…

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