American Suzuki Journal 40.1

Cover picture by Victoria Vorrieter

Published December 2011

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American Suzuki Journal 40.1

Features

Songs of Memory The Music of the Golden Triangle

The genius of Shinichi Suzuki was not in creating a new way of learning and teaching music, but rather in listening and remembering. Read more ▶

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ASJ 40.1, page 47

Behind the Suzuki Method The Cultural and Educational Background of Dr Shinichi Suzukis Talent Education

I have been fortunate to be involved with the Suzuki method, as a student and a teacher, for more than thirty years, working in Japan and the US, and I had a feeling that I knew the Suzuki method very well. Read more ▶

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ASJ 40.1, page 51

The School for Strings Celebrates 40th Anniversary

The last week of May was a week of 40th Anniversary Celebrations at Carnegie Hall for The School for Strings, the path-breaking Manhattan Suzuki school and teacher training center founded by Louise Behrend. Read more ▶

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ASJ 40.1, page 54

Columns

Chairs Column Thoughts on Governance Customer Service and Ownership

Fingering Connections in the Suzuki Guitar Repertoire

Anyone who has taken Suzuki teacher training knows that the pieces themselves contain the technical content, thus negating the need for dry etudes. Read more ▶

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ASJ 40.1, page 19

Teaching a Simple Baroque Trill How and Why

“How do you get your students to play those Baroque ornaments so beautifully—so delicate and spontaneous-sounding?” This is a question from colleagues of all instrument areas that I have heard over the years. Read more ▶

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ASJ 40.1, page 22

Dont Let the Dragons Get You Down or How I Made My Peace With the Issue of String Crossing

The challenge that most guitar teachers face with right hand string crossing is the problem of students dragging the fingers from higher to lower strings instead of maintaining alternation. When working with young children, I like to refer to these as “drag-ons” for the obvious reason. Read more ▶

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ASJ 40.1, page 24

Grace Notes Brief Tips for Suzuki Teachers

This new column features a variety of brief tips for Suzuki teachers. Read more ▶

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Teaching & Learning

Are We There Yet  Measuring Genuine Progress

My dad walks quickly. A favorite summertime treat for our family was hiking the Beaver Brook trail, just west of Denver. My younger brothers and sisters and I would go only a few steps before we fell behind Dad and would start whining, “Are we there yet?” Read more ▶

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ASJ 40.1, page 62

Wheres the Tipping Point  Planning for Successful Performances

Where’s the tipping point? You know—the point where some influence puts the energy over the top and makes it inevitable that an endeavor has no choice but to turn out great—or, unfortunately, not great at all. Read more ▶

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ASJ 40.1, page 65

Why Suzukis Talent Education Works Best Practices for GTLD Students

When Shinichi Suzuki began to define his Mother Tongue approach to Talent Education in war-torn Japan, he did not have the benefit of referring to brain imaging technology or child development research studies. He simply saw an approach to unlock the potential of children in a loving way. Read more ▶

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ASJ 40.1, page 67

Viewpoints

The SAA Practicum Unit in Cello My Experience

I had never heard of the SAA Practicum Unit in Cello course until the summer of 2005. Read more ▶

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ASJ 40.1, page 71

Knowing Someone You Can Never Meet

During the past few years, I’ve noticed a trending topic at Suzuki Conferences, Leadership Retreats, and Chapter Affiliate meetings. There is a lot of thought being given to generations. Read more ▶

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ASJ 40.1, page 74

News From Here & There

Whats New at the Aber Suzuki Center  The Aber Suzuki Vocal Performance Troupe

The Voice Program at the Aber Suzuki Center in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, has started an exciting new program offering for its students called the Aber Suzuki Vocal Performance Troupe. Read more ▶

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ASJ 40.1, page 29

Legacy of Love Principal Sharon Goulet Retires After 25 Years

We appreciate all the hard work and visionary thinking of retired principal Sharon Goulet that inspired the unique Suzuki Charter School learning environment in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Read more ▶

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ASJ 40.1, page 31

From Warsaw A New Perspective on Suzuki Listening

Have you ever imagined that given the opportunity, you would sit in an auditorium in a foreign country, for perhaps ten hours a day, listening to young musicians play compositions by only one composer, sometimes the same composition repeatedly? Read more ▶

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ASJ 40.1, page 34

A Weekend at the SPA with Friends

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. Read more ▶

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ASJ 40.1, page 38

Book Review

Book Review The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace

We teachers and parents are in charge of much of the motivation of students, so learning the best ways to show appreciation for the efforts of the students and parents we teach is vital. Read more ▶

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ASJ 40.1, page 73

Stories, Poems & Tributes

In Memoriam Louise Behrend 19162011

It is with great sadness we share with you the news that The School for Strings’ founder, Louise Behrend, has passed away. Miss Behrend was one of the pioneer musicians who introduced the educational philosophy and teaching concepts of the violinist Shinichi Suzuki to the United States. Read more ▶


ASJ 40.1, page 57

In Memoriam Kristi Knecht

Kristi Ann Rassmussen Knecht, 61, of Gladstone, Missouri, passed away September 12, 2011. Kristi was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was the second of seven children. At age five, her family moved to Northfield, Minnesota, where Kristi graduated from high… Read more ▶


ASJ 40.1, page 78

In Memoriam Doris Koppelman

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Doris Koppelman, Piano Teacher and Trainer from San Diego. Doris was beloved by thousands of students, parents and teachers. Read more ▶

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ASJ 40.1, page 78

News & Information

Our Suzuki Footprints Annual Fund Drive 2011

“Lives of great men all remind us we can make our lives sublime, and, departing, leave behind us footprints on the sands of time.”—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Read more ▶

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ASJ 40.1, page 5

Call for Submissions 40th Anniversary Issue of ASJ

In celebration of its fortieth anniversary, the SAA would like to collect untold stories about the Suzuki experience and the growth and impact of the Suzuki method in the Americas that fill gaps in our story and contribute to a richer and fuller understanding of our history. Read more ▶


ASJ 40.1, page 9

Interview with Past SAA Board Chair Teri Einfeldt

How long did you serve on the SAA board before becoming Chair? I served for six years, two of them as chair elect. What aspects of the Chair office surprised you the most? Probably what surprised me the most was beginning to understand… Read more ▶

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ASJ 40.1, page 16

Elizabeth StuenWalker Outgoing Board Member

Outgoing SAA Board of Directors member Elizabeth Stuen-Walker served from August 2008-August 2011, serving as secretary from 2009-2011. Tell us about yourself—your studio, your background, and how you became involved with the Suzuki Method. I have maintained a private a studio… Read more ▶

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ASJ 40.1, page 17