American Suzuki Journal 51.4

by Melanie Lowe

Near the end of Volume One of the Suzuki Violin School, students encounter a series of three Minuets, “Minuet No. 1,” “Minuet No. 2,” and “Minuet No. 3” in Suzuki parlance, long attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach.1 Of the three… Read more ▶

Bach, Minuet 3, Music History, Parent
ASJ 51.4, page 10

As string players, we are fortunate to be able to see in action the muscles with which we play. Unlike wind players and vocalists—whose tone production and articulation are controlled by muscles in the mouth, throat, and diaphragm—we can observe… Read more ▶

Classroom, Community, Music Education, Pedagogy
ASJ 51.4, page 13

By Jenine Brown Between the original editions from the late 1970s, the revised edition thirty years later, and the international edition, the three editions of the Suzuki violin school method have remained remarkably consistent. That is, the repertoire is incredibly static,… Read more ▶

Editions, Pitch, School, Suzuki, Suzuki Violin, Violin
ASJ 51.4, page 17

By Veronique Mathieu Creativity, or the driving force to effect change, build, develop, and foster growth in the world, is an essential part of human existence. In the realm of musicians, however, this important aspect sometimes gets overshadowed by the focus… Read more ▶

Chamber Music, Contemporary, Contemporary Composers, Creativity, Pedagogy
ASJ 51.4, page 23

By Nate Zeisler There is something special about the arc of a school year. As educators, we work tirelessly to scaffold and implement a plan based on our annual goals to help our students find success. From the exciting start of… Read more ▶

Business of Teaching, Mentoring, Schedules
ASJ 51.4, page 27

by Aubrey Faith-Slaker

I recently spent over a year living in the south of Mexico. It was an amazing experience, but as one might expect, time flew. I think that it was much more than just the fact that I was having fun,… Read more ▶

Business of Teaching, Teaching
ASJ 51.4, page 30

by Hannah Murray

Rejuvenation is the perfect theme for summer. We’ve survived the school year and orchestra season and have made it to the land of longer days, more sunshine, music festivals, and, hopefully, a little time to breathe and reflect. As teachers,… Read more ▶

Balance, Health
ASJ 51.4, page 34

by Brandon Christensen

By Brandon Christensen Six years ago, I did something unimaginable: I quit a full-time university job. My friends were concerned, my family was considering an intervention, my colleagues were aghast. Comments were whispered in hallways and classrooms about my mental health.… Read more ▶

Career, New Studio, Studio Growth
ASJ 51.4, page 37

by McKenzie Clawson

When a student begins music lessons, the goal is rarely to become a professional musician. Student, teacher, and parents are usually hoping for other things: a musical community, a well-rounded education, or an opportunity to develop discipline. Yet often, when… Read more ▶

Lessons, Music, Teaching, Transitions
ASJ 51.4, page 40

by Judy Bossuat-Gallic

While visiting his daughter near Rochester NY, my husband Warren unexpectedly ended up in Strong Memorial Hospital. A teaching hospital, Strong is known for its teams of doctors that work together to find solutions. After a week of testing, Warren… Read more ▶

Suzuki
ASJ 51.4, page 42

by Tanya Carey

When I think of Rick Mooney, the descriptive words start flowing: friend, teacher, mentor, bon vivant, innovator, colleague, teacher trainer, contributor, nurturer, cellist, author, composer, arranger, editor, organizer, and magician. Rick got his education at the University of Southern California,… Read more ▶

Memorial
ASJ 51.4, page 44

by Ellen Kogut

As the summer in the Northern hemisphere sets in, many of us are decompressing after the end of a busy school year. Wherever we live, our lives and teaching tend to correspond to seasons. These may be the seasons of… Read more ▶

Chairs Message
ASJ 51.4, page 2

by Kerri Williams

Turn Up the Heat! It is my privilege to greet you at the beginning of a new fiscal year for the SAA, a new term for me as Board Chair. The theme for this edition of the ASJ, Rejuvenation, is so… Read more ▶

Chairs Message
ASJ 51.4, page 4

by Angelica Cortez

I’ve found it really difficult to be honest about my own need for rejuvenation. I have in my head that I should be able to give 150% for twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week. No pause, sleep,… Read more ▶

ASJ 51.4, page 8