Violin Book 1, Revised

The newly revised editions of the Suzuki Violin School, Books 1, 2, and 3 with accompanying CD, are now available for purchase. The revised Piano Accompaniment Books for Books 1, 2 and 3 will in print by the end of 2008. Book 4 music, CD, and accompaniment book are already at the publishers for formatting and proofing, and should be available by fall 2008.

Next up is Book 5. The SAA Violin Committee is in the process of preparing its proposal for this volume for the next ISA Violin Committee meeting to be held in October 2008. The ISA Board has directed that all regional associations bring their own proposal for this volume, and for each succeeding volume, without a previous model from TERI. Each regional association’s proposal will be examined on its own merits, and a consensus of the committee will determine the distillation of the best material to be included.

This continues to be an extremely exciting and productive process for our association and the Suzuki movement as a whole. This process examines important issues that go to the very core of our teaching philosophy, and so we are understandably sensitive about them. We have the tremendous advantage, however, of starting from a position of strength in our professionalism, and unity in our ideals and goals. Our first challenge is to incorporate the revised notes and bowings in the first three volumes. We all understand there may be some general confusion during this transitional phase, but students are often much more resilient in these situations than we adults. Like many “previews” in the repertoire, this will take a little extra patience, practice and review. To this end, the SAA Violin Committee will led a general meeting at the SAA Conference this past May with all interested teachers to discuss these new developments in detail.

The SAA has literally thousands of teachers across two continents who function as a coherent group and actually like each other! We have had issues in our past that led to acrimony and tension. We realized that we did not function well as an association under these conditions, and that any successful process needs time, thought, inclusion and re-evaluation—in essence, the same qualities that inform all good teaching. The Kreisler Highway can have many lanes, and take us in many directions. What better tribute can we pay to Dr. Suzuki’s legacy than to continue his pursuit of excellence in all aspects of our teaching, including the repertoire, and to honor his spirit of constantly seeking the better way for students and parents around the world.

Respectfully submitted,

SAA Violin Committee
Allen Lieb, Chair
Ronda Cole
Lorraine Fink
Karen Kimmett
Sandy Reuning
Louise Behrend, ex officio