VOLUME 27, N0. 1, SPRING 2016 1 “The Mission of the Suzuki Association of Ontario is to promote and support the Suzuki Method of learning by nurturing excellence in education” NURTURING THE SUZUKI FAMILY SEE PAGE 16 AREA REPORTS SEE PAGE 5–13 INSTRUMENT REPORTS SEE PAGES 14–15 SEE PAGE 3 FOR FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS NEWSLETTER SUZUKI ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO Letter from the Chair March has certainly come in with a roar this year, so we are all looking forward to an early spring. I hope you took time for yourself over the March Break, whether away or at home. The SAA has been hard at work putting together the Parents as Partners video clips on their website. What fun to watch the different presentations with the wonderful variety of people and topics. If you have not yet joined up, please do; you can view the videos until June. The 17th Biennial SAA Conference will be held in Minneapolis, May 26-30. Come join fellow teachers, parents, and students as we celebrate the theme “We Are Suzuki: Embracing the Vision.” This year promises to be an especially exciting one for me personally. I was very pleased to learn that I have been accepted to become a Piano Teacher Trainer. I will receive my certificate at the Conference, and the adventure will continue on from there. Be sure to check out our website, www.suzukiontario.org, and inside the newsletter, for details on current scholarships for Summer Institute courses or continuing long-term training. The next deadline is May 31, so it’s not too early to begin planning. Speaking of planning, have you set aside November 5 and 6 for our SAO Conference in Ottawa? Doug Murphy and Marie Kusters are hard at work planning a fabulous weekend for us. Domenick Fiore, double bass instructor at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, will be the key note speaker, with the weekend’s theme being ‘Nurturing the Suzuki Family’. Please make a point of keeping this weekend for the purpose of encouraging and supporting your friends in the SAO. Thanks to everyone who contributes to the newsletter. This wonderful vehicle helps us keep in touch throughout the year, until the time we can get together for the SAA and SAO Conferences. Do print out the newsletter and make it available in your Studio for your students to peruse. Even better, encourage your families to take out a membership. Finally, thanks to each one of you who helps to make the SAO what it is today. Whether it is contributing an article to the newsletter, or attending the Conference faithfully every year, you help to make our community stronger and more vibrant. Henry Ford summed it up quite nicely: “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” ◆Nena LaMarre SAO Conference November 4-6, 2016 KEYNOTE SPEAKER: DOMINICK FIORE
Transcript
VOLUME 27, N0. 1, SPRING 2016 www.suzukiontario.org
!1
“The Mission of the Suzuki Association of Ontario is to promote and support the Suzuki Method of learning by nurturing excellence in education”
NURTURING THE SUZUKI FAMILY SEE PAGE 16
AREA REPORTS SEE PAGE 5–13
INSTRUMENT REPORTS
SEE PAGES 14–15
SEE PAGE 3 FOR FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS
NEWSLETTERSUZUKI ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO
Letter from the Chair March has certainly come in with a roar this year, so we are all looking forward to an early spring. I hope you took time for yourself over the March Break, whether away or at home.The SAA has been hard at work putting together the Parents as Partners video clips on their website. What fun to watch the different presentations with the wonderful variety of people and topics. If you have not yet joined up, please do; you can view the videos until June.The 17th Biennial SAA Conference will be held in Minneapolis, May 26-30. Come join fellow teachers, parents, and students as we celebrate the theme “We Are Suzuki: Embracing the Vision.” This year promises to be an especially exciting one for me personally. I was very pleased to learn that I have been accepted to become a Piano Teacher Trainer. I will receive my certificate at the Conference, and the adventure will continue on from there.Be sure to check out our website, www.suzukiontario.org, and inside the newsletter, for details on current scholarships for Summer Institute courses or continuing long-term training. The next deadline is May 31, so it’s not too early to begin planning.Speaking of planning, have you set aside November 5 and 6 for our SAO Conference in Ottawa? Doug Murphy and Marie Kusters are hard at work planning a fabulous weekend for us. Domenick Fiore, double bass instructor at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, will be the key note speaker, with the weekend’s theme being ‘Nurturing the Suzuki Family’. Please make a point of keeping this weekend for the purpose of encouraging and supporting your friends in the SAO.Thanks to everyone who contributes to the newsletter. This wonderful vehicle helps us keep in touch throughout the year, until the time we can get together for the SAA and SAO Conferences. Do print out the newsletter and make it available in your Studio for your students to peruse. Even better, encourage your families to take out a membership.Finally, thanks to each one of you who helps to make the SAO what it is today. Whether it is contributing an article to the newsletter, or attending the Conference faithfully every year, you help to make our community stronger and more vibrant. Henry Ford summed it up quite nicely: “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”◆Nena LaMarre
SAO NEWSLETTERConsulting Editor: Nena LaMarreArticles/Notices Send to the Editor: Carmen EvansArt Director: Carmen Evans, [email protected] Send to: Marjorie [email protected] Waverly St. N. Oshawa, ON L1J 5V9DEADLINE for next edition:June 5, 2016500 word limit
Parents As Partners: why you should enrol your studio 20 ...............................................................
The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life 20...............................................................................
!3
Suzuki Guitar Teacher Posi2on
Guelph School of Music is seeking a qualified and experienced Suzuki Guitar teacher to con:nue to develop and teach our fledgling Suzuki Guitar Programme. Du:es are to begin in September 2016. In addi:on to private lessons, our curriculum includes Performance Classes and Recitals.
Minimum academic requirements include: Suzuki Book 1 Teacher Training, Bachelor of Music OR Grade 10 Conservatory Cer:ficate.
Interested applicants should send their cover leOer and CV to:
VOLUME 27, N0. 1, SPRING 2016 www.suzukiontario.org
Upcoming Teacher DevelopmentTEACHER WORKSHOPS Thames Valley Suzuki School
• Every Child Can! – Jones- June 23, 2016
• Suzuki Early Childhood Education Prenatal and Early Years, Stage 1 – Jones
June 24–28, 2016 • Suzuki Early Childhood Education
Prenatal and Early Years, Stage 2 – Jones June 24–28, 2016
• Suzuki Early Childhood Education Prenatal and Early Years, Stage 3 – Jones
June 26–30, 2016 • Suzuki Early Childhood Education
Prenatal and Early Years, Stage 4 – Jones June 26–30, 2016
• Suzuki Early Childhood Education Prenatal and Early Years, Stage 5 – Jones
June 26 – 30, 2016
Great Lakes Suzuki Flute & Recorder Institute
• Every Child Can! – Gerry July 8, 2016
• Flute Unit 1 – Williamson July 9–16, 2016
• Flute Unit 2 – Perrin July 12–16, 2016
• Flute Unit 3 – Bitticks July 12–16, 2016
• Flute Unit 5 – Gerry July 12–16, 2016
• Flute Unit 12 – Gerry July 12–16, 2016
• "Baroque Style for the Suzuki Flute Teacher"
July 12–16, 2016
Institut Suzuki Montréal • Every Child Can! – Jewell
July 23, 2016 • Cello Practicum – Evenchick
July 23–27, 2016 • Violin Unit 4 – Barsalou
July 23–27, 2016 • Cello Unit 2 – Gagnon
July 24–29, 2016 • Piano Unit 4 – Lange
July 24–29, 2016 • Violin Unit 1 – Jewell
July 24–31, 2016 • Cello Unit 8 – Evenchick
July 27–31, 2016 • Violin Unit 5 – Kimmett
July 27–31, 2016
Southwestern Ontario Suzuki Institute (SOSI) • Every Child Can! – Kimmett
August 6, 2016 • Violin Unit 4 – Barsalou
August 6–10, 2016 • Cello Unit 1 – Gagnon
August 7–14, 2016 • Cello Unit 4 – Walker
August 7–12, 2016 • Piano Unit 1 – Lange
August 7–14, 2016 • Viola Unit 7 – Hardie
August 7–12, 2016 • Violin Unit 1 – Kimmett
August 7–14, 2016 • Violin Unit 2 – Jewell
August 7–12, 2016 • Violin Unit 3 – Melvin
August 7–12, 2016 • Violin Practicum – Barsalou
August 10–14, 2016
For complete information about teacher development courses offered throughout Canada and the US this year, please go to:https://suzukiassociation.org/events/institutes/
VOLUME 27, N0. 1, SPRING 2016 www.suzukiontario.org
Area Reports 416 WEST AREA Royal Conservatory of Music Suzuki students enjoyed a wonderful day-long workshop on February 21, when clinicians Zachary Ebin, Gretchen Abberger and Wendy Seravalle (violin), Carey Cheney (cello) Maureen Walton (storyteller) and Linda Song (body percussion), gave engrossing, exciting, helpful, and inspiring sessions, group classes, and masterclasses to our students in Book 2 and up. The parents loved watching, hearing and learning, as their children responded to these talented, experienced and masterful pedagogues. Our team of office helpers made the whole event run pretty smoothly, including the delicious lunch they provided for the teachers and piano collaborators, Melody Chan and Christine Kim.Such great ideas for us all to run with during the year ahead. We thank all involved for a memorable day!On February 20 North York Suzuki Music school had an exciting drumming workshop with Cheryl Reid. Cheryl has been performing and teaching for over 20 years. Her African call-and-response drumming classes use the simplest of materials, plastic buckets and the human voice, engaging the children in a combination of pop songs, nursery rhymes and drumming. It was a great experience for the students and they had a lot of fun. On January 17 the North York Suzuki School hosted a teen mentoring seminar that was taught by Elayne Ras. There were 16 students from the Miles Nadal jcc Suzuki Program and the North York Suzuki School, representing piano, guitar, violin and viola. Along with learning about helping younger children with their practice, no doubt each participating student learned about helping and/or improving their own practice habits. Elayne has an excellent way of engaging teens, and raising their awareness level about many aspects of their musical journey. Whether or not all the teens end up becoming a practice buddy with a younger student, the course is sure to have “opened their eyes,” and widened their vision as performers, musicians and how their journey impacts on the world. Presently all of the participants are busy completing their required observations and reading assignments for their certificates.Mehan Yano, a participant in the mentoring course says, “I signed up for the teen mentoring course with strong encouragement from my mom because she thought it could be a good experience for me. Going into the seminar I didn’t really know what to expect. Elayne was very knowledgeable about how to interact and practice with young children. She highlighted the importance of using the right language while working with the children. I think that this information will also be useful when working with children at summer camps.”◆Elena Spanu
VOLUME 27, N0. 1, SPRING 2016 www.suzukiontario.org
519 AREA In January and February my students in the Nightingale Piano Studio happily performed twice in the Cambridge Library. The first performance was the annual Piano and Poetry event, in which members of the Cambridge Writers' Collective present some of their poetry, interspersed with piano music. This year a particularly engaging poem, quite long but recited by memory and with some actions, was all about coffee! The second performance was part of the ORMTA recital program, and students enjoyed the chance to hear performers from other studios in the region. We are all looking forward to the Guelph Kiwanis Festival in April.As the Piano Coordinator for the SAA Conference in Minneapolis this May, I would like to encourage all of the SAO members to attend. We are fortunate that the Suzuki community has so much to offer at these conferences, whether you are a studio or school teacher, an institute director, a Teacher Trainer, a student, or a parent. You are guaranteed to return home feeling inspired and with many ideas to enrich your Suzuki journey. If you have any questions about the conference, feel free to contact me. If I don't know the answers, I'll find out!◆Ellen Berry
!6
A very "Suzuki-like" banner that is currently hanging in the Cambridge Queen's Square
VOLUME 27, N0. 1, SPRING 2016 www.suzukiontario.org
519 AREA continuedExperiences Canada Exchange: A Canadian AdventureA large group of violin, viola and cello students from the Suzuki String School of Guelph, along with teachers Elayne Ras, Carmen Evans and Amber Ghent, will be going on a Canadian adventure, participating in an Experiences Canada exchange with the Suzuki Talent Education Program of St. John’s, Newfoundland. Experiences Canada (formerly titled "SEVEC") is a government program that pays for all travel costs associated with exchanges between groups inter-provincially. Students are billeted in each other's homes, which makes it an affordable experience for everyone. There are educational and cultural components to the exchanges. In our case the focus will be on Canada's participation in World War 1, especially with regard to Ontario/Guelph, and Newfoundland experiences, and of course musical exchanges and collaborations. This will include our joint Suzuki repertoire and an exploration of some Ontario and Newfoundland fiddle tunes which will be performed at a joint concert.On the Easter weekend the St. John's students will travel to Guelph, where they will be hosted by SSSG families. We will have rehearsals and visit Guelph attractions, including the John McCrae home of "In Flanders Fields" fame. We will also take them to visit Toronto and Niagara Falls attractions.Our concert will occur on March 27 at the Guelph Youth Music Centre, and we welcome anyone who would like to attend. Our return trip to Newfoundland will happen on the long weekend in May, and we will visit wonderful places and also have concerts there. Stay tuned to hear more about our adventures in an upcoming newsletter! ◆Elayne Ras
VOLUME 27, N0. 1, SPRING 2016 www.suzukiontario.org
519 AREA continuedPerformance Ensemble of Canada China TourIt has been a year now since I started talking with Dean Marshall and John Crozman from the League of Astonishing Strings and Culture Path about taking the senior students of the SSSG to China for a ten day tour. Dean had heard about us through one of our Kiwanis Festival adjudicators, Joan Barrett. He had approached me in 2013 to ask if I would have an ensemble ready to replace another group that had just dropped out from one of their tours. At the time I felt the notice was too short to raise the necessary funds, so I declined but asked to be put on his list for the future.In February 2015, Mr. Marshall and I spoke again, and this time the timing was right. A year later and here we are getting ready to leave on a tour to China! We are joining forces with three other Suzuki schools: Canta Arya School for Strings from Kingston, directed by Karen-Michele Kimmett; senior cellists from Etobicoke Suzuki Music, directed by Tricia Balmer and Margot Jewell; and Institut Suzuki from Montréal, directed by Dragan Djerkic. We are joined by the Guelph Youth Dance Company, a group of contemporary dance students directed by Janet Johnson. All together, 68 students between the ages of 11 and 19 will be leaving for China on March 10 under the name of Performance Ensemble of Canada. The conductors are Dragan Djerkic and David Evenchick.Mr. Crozman says: “The Performance Ensemble of Canada has been given an opportunity to achieve something that even most professional orchestras in North America could only dream of.”Even if we weren't going on tour, all of us would have found this journey of preparation to be an amazing growth experience as we worked in collaboration with four other programs, hearing all the voices, respecting all opinions, channeling the energies of all these wonderful young people to produce a two hour program that is high energy, diverse, and fast-paced. For the students, this was an opportunity to grow musically, socially and personally. Balancing their school schedules, practise times, part-time jobs, social lives and family commitments was a huge challenge for them and I think I speak for all their teachers and parents when I say how proud we are of their sense of commitment. Both parents and students also worked extremely hard at raising funds to make it possible for all the students to have this opportunity, regardless of their financial circumstances.All the repertoire and dance choreographies were chosen through the summer by the teachers involved in the project with the help of Dean Marshall. The string teachers bowed, fingered and distributed all the music by the end of August. The students began working on the tour repertoire at the start of September. The Suzuki groups participated in three retreats to work on the repertoire together. The first retreat happened in September at Camp Oconto near Kingston, the second was in November in Montreal where the students had the opportunity to work on their performance skills for several hours with Dean Marshall, and the third was in February in Guelph where they were joined by the dancers. Our third retreat culminated in a “Send-off” concert in front of a large and supportive audience.More to come in the next issue of your newsletter.◆Paule Barsalou
613 EAST AREA On Wednesday, April 27, 2016 renowned Canadian violinist James Ehnes, along with 100 Ottawa-area violin students will perform in a play-in at Rideau Hall for their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston, among other guests. This event is the kick-off to James Ehnes's cross-country tour in celebration of his 40th birthday. Mr. Ehnes, along with his duo partner, pianist Andrew Armstrong, will also perform a 10-minute recital for the students and hold a Q & A session. More information about Mr. Ehnes and Mr. Armstrong's tour can be found here: http://www.jamesehnes.com/◆Laura Nerenberg
VOLUME 27, N0. 1, SPRING 2016 www.suzukiontario.org
613 WEST AREA It’s been an exciting and busy year here in Kingston for the students in Canta Arya School for Strings. A group of ten of our most senior students have been preparing since the summer for a ten-day five-city tour of China, along with students from Institute Suzuki, Etobicoke Suzuki Music, and SSSG. The rewards, both musical and personal have already been tremendous and they haven’t even left Canada. I hope to have a report from the students on their return for the next newsletter.In other news, this very week is our Kiwanis Music Festival and as always we have many Suzuki students, both piano and violin, participating, including three ensembles from Canta Arya.We have some exciting news on the cello front; Jeff Hamacher, a local cellist has begun Suzuki training and is looking for students. This is made possible in part by the Kingston Suzuki Music Association, which continues to generously support many Suzuki endeavours in our area. We are looking forward to future string quartets and piano trios made up of Suzuki students!If you are a teacher in my area I would love to hear from you! ([email protected]).◆Venetia Gauthier
VOLUME 27, N0. 1, SPRING 2016 www.suzukiontario.org
705 AREA It’s been a busy winter in Barrie. The weeks are flying by as we look forward to spring.The ‘Awesome Adults’, my group of adult students, gathered at Dagnija’s home for a delightful evening of sharing music in late November. Each person played a classical piece as well as sharing a favourite seasonal piece. I really admire each of these students who lead very busy lives and still manage to work in time at the piano. I enjoy working with each and every one of them.Our annual student’s Carol party turned into our first-ever duet event, and it was great fun to see the collaboration among siblings and friends. Everyone did a great job of getting into the spirit of things with lots of red and green clothing and various seasonal hats and accessories. The candy cane reindeer craft is always a hit, and it’s great to see how the students now look forward to seeing who will be gifted with their work of candy cane creativity. We do a lucky draw to give away the craft that each one has made.We had a record turnout of almost 100 peop le a t our annua l Snowflake Serenade. Family and friends were treated to beautiful solo performances from each of the students. I was so pleased to be able to perform a duet with my daughter Rebecca, home from Vienna. Daanvir celebrated his Book 3 graduation and Laurel, Book 4, with great style and joy. A reception was held following the concert.All had a great time bowling one Friday night at the end of January, to celebrate the end of the 100-Day Challenge. It was great to also have lots of parents out, visiting with each other, and dusting off the bowling skills. Five students practiced for 100 days in a row. What an incredible accomplishment!There was a great turn-out for our Music Enrichment event, this year featuring Vox Metropolis. My studio combined with the studios of Jeremy and Lalitha Viinalass to spend a delightful afternoon with this trio, consisting of David Jones (piano), Sara Traficante (flute) and Kirk Starkey (cello). There was a wonderful variety of musical events, from classical music to jazz, interactive cell phone pieces and two films with the musicians performing the music live while the films played. The children were especially delighted with the Buster Keaton film ‘Sherlock Junior’.I am very thankful to Susan Doolan of the Barrie Examiner, our local newspaper, for the lovely article she wrote on my recent acceptance to become a piano Teacher Trainer for the Suzuki Association of the Americas. If you are interested in reading this article, you can find it at: http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/2016/02/17/barrie-piano-teacher-raising-the-bar◆Nena LaMarre
VOLUME 27, N0. 1, SPRING 2016 www.suzukiontario.org
705 AREA continuedThe True Blues Recital was a smash! The purpose was to give students a chance to fuse theory, technique and rhythm into a neat little 12-bar blues format complete with lyrics. Students listened to typical blues, took cadence patterns and a sense of predictable chord pattern from their Book 1 days and tried their hand at songwriting.It was a blast to see their pieces take shape and the lights go on: the realization that composers from Bach to BB King had mastered the I - IV - V - I chord structure that they were, in turn, working on. I observed that students are more readily able to see and hear the harmonic big picture of what they’re playing.Students were lucky to have a drummer and bassist fill in the “band” as they performed. It was a change up to regular Group Class performances!Here is a sample of the clever and humorous lyrics that one student penned.
Sensation of Inflammation - by Jonas LalikI heard a buzzing, I heard a buzzingIn my ear, in my earI heard a buzzing, I heard a buzzingIt was quite near, it was quite nearThen I saw itReady to stingI’ve been bit by my fear
I felt an urge, I felt an urgeTo scratch my face, to scratch my faceI felt an urge, I felt an urgeto pull out mace, to pull out maceMy face is redI feel half deadI want to wipe out the mosquito race
VOLUME 27, N0. 1, SPRING 2016 www.suzukiontario.org
807 AREA What do you do if you live in a small and remote community, you have a small number of students and you wish to stage a musical event that will be long remembered? Suzuki string teachers, and husband and wife, Thomas Cosbey and Michelle Zapf-Belanger have it figured out. They began the Thunder Bay Symphony Youth Orchestra (TBSYO), waited four years, then invited the 40 member strong Winnipeg Youth Orchestra to visit for a weekend, and enlisted the entire Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra to mentor and then combined forces for a veritable “tour de force” concert on Valentine's Day at the sumptuous Thunder Bay Theatre Auditorium. And well remembered it is.Granted this might be beyond the scope of many of us, but then Thomas (TBSO Concert Master) and Michelle (1st Violin) have imagination and seemingly unlimited energy. Four years ago, they wanted an outlet for musical exploration for their Suzuki programs. They thought big ... and they created the TBSYO, the first youth orchestra in Thunder Bay since the previous one that folded some 15 years ago. And while more than half the string players involved come from their studios, there remains significant and necessary opportunity to welcome players from five other string teachers in town, be they Suzuki or mainstream not to mention other wind, brass and percussion players.Not long after launching the Youth Orchestra they realized they had to “fertilize the roots”. Thus began the “Junior Strings” group, now at 24 participants for students in Books 2-4. This past fall Michelle began her Book 1 “Stringlings” program. Its 20 participants come half from her and half from other studios.The weekend of February 12-14 was the crowning achievement to a year of planning. The Winnipeg Youth Orchestra, conducted by Dan Scholtz, hosted the TBSYO last year for an exchange weekend. This year was our turn to host. They arrived Friday by bus in time for a spaghetti dinner and old time Celtic Ceilidh Dance. What a great ice-breaker that was! Saturday was devoted to sectionals in the morning, a concert rehearsal in the afternoon and a toboggan party in the evening. Sunday morning was dress rehearsal with the performance at 2pm. Picture 175 people on stage: The TBSYO, the WYO, the TBSO and the Symphony Chorus all under the baton of TBSO Associate Conductor Jean-Michel Malouf. The program included pieces that would be both challenging and achievable ... Ravel's Bolero with solos by the young players was a stand out. And the Rutter Gloria with participation by the entire Symphony Chorus was incredible.Young and old, Suzuki and mainstream, singers, parents, professionals and amateurs alike, all united in a singular goal: the celebration of community through music. It could not have happened without an amazing amount of effort from a web of supporters, students, parents, teachers, the Youth Orchestra Board, the TBSO organization and more.Sixteen-year-old Grace, violinist and concert master of the WYO writes, “We left Thunder Bay with gratitude in our hearts, and integrity in our stances. We were proud and brimming with completeness. I am humbled by the honesty and simplicity of this trip. I am humbled by the power of communication through art.” It's obvious that something wonderful is happening in Thunder Bay.◆Rob Van Wyck
VOLUME 27, N0. 1, SPRING 2016 www.suzukiontario.org
905 WEST AREA Every December, I set aside one Saturday for a Christmas Play-In for my Suzuki students. Last December 12, 2015 was such a day. My Christmas Play-Ins are special days when each student has the opportunity to play his latest pieces before peers in a fun-filled and relaxed atmosphere. After every piece is played, I encourage the other students to comment in a positive and helpful manner. This sort of activity allows a new beginner to play his music without the fear or shyness or inhibition that typically come during a first time performance. For the more advanced students, the play-in is another opportunity to show off their playing skills.Such an activity helps my students appreciate the fact that while it is always good to prepare well to avoid mistakes, that mistakes do happen and will happen, and that those are really nothing to be embarrassed about. Play-ins help them prepare for their annual recital which is held in June. Since the play-in is held during the Holiday season, it also serves as their Christmas party. After all the presentations are complete, they then turn their attention to the pizza, brownies, cookies, fresh fruit and fruit juice. I am always amazed and gratified to see them enjoy each other's company and how much social interaction evolves among them.◆Lita Zagala
It’s been a busy term in Oakville with several more exciting events yet to come.The Oakville Suzuki Association (OSA) has a tradition of running a Chamber Music Festival in February. This year rather than having an adjudicator, students were invited to prepare chamber groups with family or friends. They performed these ensembles for each other and members of the general public during the open house at the Community Centre where the group classes and many private lessons are held. This open house was organized by the town of Oakville and had an “instrument petting” component to attract young visitors to the program. It was a successful event with over 30 chamber groups performing.In February Carey Cheney taught a daylong workshop to the cello students. The day was divided into group classes, master classes and a technique class. Carey was very inspiring to all of our students, leading the younger cellists in things such as a creative, jazzy version of Aunt Rhody, and teaching one of her very own, newly composed cello ensembles to our senior students. It was a fantastic, inspirational day!During the March break, the “2Birds Band” is conducting a free workshop and performance for our students at the Community Centre. One of the band members is a former Oakville Suzuki Association cello student.There will be separate violin and viola workshops on April 9 and 10 respectively. Joanna Binford and Anita Buttemer will be the clinicians. The viola workshop is open to violists from any program. For information, please contact the Oakville Suzuki Association through the website.◆Pierre and Susan Gagnon with input from Andrea Cook
VOLUME 27, N0. 1, SPRING 2016 www.suzukiontario.org
Instrument Reports SUZUKI EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION REPORT My name is Tova Rosenberg and I am honoured to be the new SECE representative on the SAO board. I am a teacher at the Etobicoke Suzuki Music School, where, this fall, we revamped our pre-instrumental curriculum into the Suzuki Early Childhood Education program. It has been an exciting change so far: after the usual struggles faced when getting something new up and running, I am pleased to report that we are successfully running two SECE classes a week. Our goal is to make these new SECE families feel like a cohesive part of ESM and, when the time comes, make for a smooth transition into instrumental studies. For the first time ever, we invited the SECE families to participate in the winter concert. Before the strings began their twinkles, we performed Little Tommy Tucker and Bow, Wow, Wow. Since it was mostly the parents doing the singing and helping their children with the actions, there was some trepidation on their parts when I first mentioned the idea of performing. However, the majority of the class participants were game, came to the dress rehearsal, and were beaming during the applause at the concert. The sense of family pride was wonderful!At the beginning of January the North York Suzuki School of music started up a brand new SECE class as well! The children and their parents are enthusiastic and are enjoying the class very much. The class runs every Tuesday at 9:15-10:15. There is still room for more people to join and they hope to see it grow as the year goes on. The class is run by Kenin McKay and Elena Spanu. Also in Toronto, the Little Music Suzuki Early Childhood group music classes has begun registration for the Spring session. In the previous session of the Little Music SECE group Toronto singer/songwriter Lindy Vopnfjord brought his two-year-old daughter to classes. As a professional multi-instrumentalist, Lindy understands the value of music education firsthand, and is a devoted and enthusiastic participant in our classes, as is his little girl. It’s a beautiful start to Suzuki Method learning.Alison Porter, director of Lovenotes School of Music in the east end of Toronto reports:
I have created a 12-week program for zero to eight months called Little Babies - Nurturing the Incredible Possibilities. It works as an intro class to the SECE mixed ages class. I use most of the same elements of the SECE but I make the environment a little less formal. Over the 12 week session I am able to deliver bits of the Suzuki philosophy in small digestible pieces. By the time the families are ready to join the mixed-ages class, I have spent quality time inspiring each family and they are SO excited to be a part of the SECE experience. ◆Tova Rosenberg
VOLUME 27, N0. 1, SPRING 2016 www.suzukiontario.org
PIANO REPORT Boom, Boom! Boomwhackers! at North York Suzuki School of MusicIt’s all about teamwork! This was the theme of the NYSSM Piano Suzuki Day Workshop that I presented on Sunday, February 21. Using Boomwhackers, I facilitated four – one hour sessions with students ranging from age five – thirteen years of age. Most of the students had little or no practical experience playing these colourful tubes other than watching a few videos on YouTube to prepare for the workshop. Beat and rhythm was the binding force amongst the participants as they soon realized that playing a scale or creating some call and response improvisations with the Boomwhackers only worked out if one was “present” and attentive to the steady pulse. Inattentiveness caused gaps or irregularity in the overall outcome of the musical activity. Making eye contact with your neighbour to pass the beat around or across the circle took more time to establish among the group members which, interestingly, is quite common in all the workshops and group sessions that I have facilitated. One possible explanation is that the youth of today are used to looking at their smart phones, iPads, tablets and computers, rather than engaging in face to face contact, and so looking at your neighbour seems silly or “weird” as one student pointed out at the workshop. This seemingly simple concept of making eye contact highlights the importance of making music and engaging our students in a wealth of opportunities to build that musical community, whether it is through duets, trios, or through the use of drum circles, Boomwhacker clubs, in order to encourage and nurture the development of these interpersonal skills. Music teachers play an important role in modelling how to use eye contact for music making and in nurturing the ability to intuitively sense when, in a group/partner setting, the tempo of the piece will speed up/slow down/remain steady. As part of the Suzuki team, or ‘triangle’, we not only teach the student but also guide the parent in supporting their “home teacher” role in their child’s music studies. For those students who are not interested in sports, music is their one chance to experience the one-on-one relationship with a teacher as well as become familiar with the teamwork required in ensemble performances. For pianists, who cannot carry their instruments on their back, performing as a group is not an easy accomplishment, but using mediums such as Boomwhackers is, and in the end, it’s a lot of fun!◆Barbara Byczko
editors note: For a different perspective on the same event, please see the following submission from Elizabeth Sherk, a teacher at NYSSM:Sunday morning, February 21, Barbara Byzcko came to spend a whole day with four groups of students. 25 of 54 registered students from age five to thirteen came to spend an hour with her.Barbara was very skilled at introducing the tubes to the children, showing them how to hold them in ready position, how to tune them, how to get the best quality of sound from each tube. The children had experience in passing rhythm and pitch around the circle using eye contact. They also enjoyed reading pitch and rhythm notation, improvising, and collaborating with harmonies on some very familiar tunes and some new, never before heard tunes.We felt sorry that so many of our registered students did not attend, but the ones who did had a great introduction to a whole collection of essential musical concepts. Each participant left a written comment at the end of their group’s lesson.The teachers will use those comments to help us plan next February’s Winter Workshop, and hope more of our NYSSM members can attend.◆Elizabeth Sherk
VOLUME 27, N0. 1, SPRING 2016 www.suzukiontario.org
Conference 2016
SAO Conference 2016Friday November 4 through Sunday November 6Student Workshops and concert November 5 at École Secondaire De La Salle501 Old St-Patrick StreetOttawa, OntarioConference sessions November 6 atRA Centre2451 Riverside DriveOttawa, ONHotel TBAWe are happy to announce that our Main Speaker for this year's conference will be Domenick Fiore. Please see his biography information on the right.The theme for this year’s conference will be: “Nurturing the Suzuki Family”A SPA Course may be held Friday starting at 3:00 pm and finishing Saturday at 6:00 pm if there is sufficient interest.An ECC course will be offered Saturday if there is sufficient interest.A Pre-Conference Reception will be held at the hotel Saturday 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.Conference Registration: Sunday 8:30 am.
P l e a s e m a r k y o u r calendars! It will be a great time of refreshment, connecting, sharing and learning for all.
Domenick FioreDomenick Fiore began the study of the double bass with Wes Fisher in Reading, Pennsylvania, at the age of 14. He attended the Philadelphia Musical Academy where he was a student of John Schaeffer, principal bass of the New York Philharmonic. After graduation, Mr. Fiore freelanced in the Philadelphia and New York City areas, performing in Broadway shows, The Brooklyn Orchestra, the National Ballet of Canada, and the Duke Ellington Pops Concerts.
He earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from West Chester University and began teaching in the Ephrata, PA School District. Mr. Fiore has been director of orchestras and chamber music at the Mid-Southeast Suzuki Institute, Snowmass Suzuki Institute, Chicago Institute, Calgary Suzuki Institute, Central Pennsylvania Institute, and the Hartford Suzuki Institute, as well as clinician at the Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Hickory (North Carolina) and Augusta (Georgia) Suzuki workshops.
He and his wife Linda Fiore co-direct the Ogontz Suzuki Institute in New Hampshire. Previously, he was the director of the five Suzuki orchestras of the Community Division at the Hartt School of Music. In addition, Mr. Fiore had a thriving young bass program through the Community Division at Hartt. He and Ms. Fiore live in the Lehigh Valley where they have established a Suzuki studio and teach throughout the region.
VOLUME 27, N0. 1, SPRING 2016 www.suzukiontario.org
SAO Scholarships The SAO offers scholarships to support teachers and students. Current SAO scholarships and bursaries:• Two $150 awards for travel to Minneapolis for an SAO Board member • Two $150 travel scholarships for a Board member to attend the board meeting in June or
November• Three $200 teacher training scholarships October 31 APPLICATION DEADLINE• Three $200 teacher training scholarships May 31 APPLICATION DEADLINE• Three $150 inter-program exchange awards for $150• Travel bursary student awards for those accepted to the Minneapolis conference
May 31 is the next Teacher Training Scholarship Deadline. This scholarship is to cover a course taken between June 1, 2016 to May 31 2017. To apply send your request to [email protected] or mail it to:
SAO282 Waverly St. N.Oshawa, ONL1J 5V9
Please include the name, date and the location of the course.
There are three $200 scholarships available. If more than three SAO Members apply, recipients will be picked by a lottery draw system.
!17
For complete details see the SAO website, www.suzukiontario.org
VOLUME 27, N0. 1, SPRING 2016 www.suzukiontario.org
The SAA Conference: Making it Work on a Budget by Tim Eckert, Ellen Kogut, Ian SalmonIf you are a new Suzuki teacher or have never been to the Conference before, you might be wondering if it is possible to attend on a budget. The answer is yes! Check out these ways to save: • Register early
• If you register before April 1, you can take advantage of an early-bird rate on the Conference fee.• Student discount
• The SAA offers a $30 registration discount to anyone enrolled in a full-time university program.• Flight deals
• Sites like Skyscanner.com, Kayak.com, and TripAdvisor.com make it easy to compare prices among airlines. Set up price change alerts on flights to Minneapolis to find the best deal. Doing this months in advance can help save hundreds of dollars on travel.
• And don’t forget the Light Rail Transit! A very inexpensive way to get from the Minneapolis International Airport to the downtown Hilton area.
• Carpool • Instead of flying, contact teachers in your area to organize a carpool to Minneapolis. The more the merrier!
• Roommates • Sharing a hotel room cuts your lodging costs in half. Each year, many first-time and returning teachers
connect through the roommate matching program on the SAA website. This can be a great way to meet new colleagues! Did you know? Your stay at the Hilton Minneapolis is essential to keeping the conference meeting space affordable.
• Meals • There are many reasonably-priced restaurants within walking distance of the Hilton. Chains like Chipotle,
Jimmy John’s, and Panera offer plenty of options for under $10.• Rooms at the Hilton are equipped with fridges, so you can pick up a few groceries like yogurt and granola
bars at nearby stores like Target. This is often the most convenient option for breakfast, since presentations begin early in the morning. FYI: Conference attendees from Latin America and Canada may want to know it’s legal to bring food into the US (such as cereal and granola bars) as long as it’s packaged/processed; fresh produce may be denied; all food must be claimed when crossing the border. For more information, go to help.cbp.gov (US Customs and Border Protection website).
• Any teacher who has received Starbucks gift cards can take advantage of the Starbucks in the Target on Nicolett Mall (Canadians can use their Starbucks cards there too).
• Financial Assistance • If you work for a school, inquire about financial assistance with the board or PTA. These organizations
might be willing to cover a portion of the Conference costs. Be sure to explain how continuing professional development positively impacts the quality of teaching you pass on to students.
• If you are self-employed, consider setting up a teacher education fund. Offer families the opportunity to contribute, perhaps in lieu of a year-end gifts. You can also organize a concert with a suggested donation for this purpose.
Attending the Conference is a worthwhile investment in your teaching and your students. It is an important time to learn and stay up-to-date with recent developments in the field. There are scores of presentations and masterclasses, and you will inevitably walk away with a notebook full of ideas to reinvigorate your teaching. It’s also a great opportunity to meet and connect with colleagues, and share in the SAA’s vision for the future. We look forward to seeing you in May!
VOLUME 27, N0. 1, SPRING 2016 www.suzukiontario.org
Being an Adult Violin Student When I finally decided to start learning to play the violin as an adult, I got a lot of people asking “why?” The first few times I’d tell the story of how I’ve always wanted to play violin since I was young and finally decided to do it. I mean, I’m not getting any younger! But the more people asked, the more I’d just say, “why not?” Really, why not? As a child no one ever asked me to explain why I was learning the clarinet! I was in music class and I had to play an instrument. Simple as that. But with violin they’d say “it’s the hardest instrument to learn” or “why don’t you just learn guitar or cello they’re easier.” But after announcing it to the world via Facebook and purchasing my first violin, there was no going back. The purchase is made, so people are less likely to make discouraging statements. I mean, if I wanted to learn the guitar, I would have bought that instead! There are some advantages to being an adult learner. The freedom I have as an adult that I didn’t have as a child is … it’s my money! If I want to throw it at someone to teach me, I can! I’m just starting a new hobby! And unlike when I was a child, I don’t have to practice alone in my room. My husband is very supportive and he pushed me to get started. That’s why he gets to see me giddily whip out my violin to show him what I learned that week, forcing him to pause his movie and watch. Sometimes I’ll follow him around the house and into the kitchen while practicing. This way, when a note goes wrong, we get to share that moment! That moment when your eyes squint and you grimace. No words are needed! Being an adult learner is freeing. You’re self-motivated since you’re doing what you really wanted. You aren’t forced into learning. It may be hard, but you have more awareness and more appreciation for the work you put into it than you did as a kid. Back then things just came along and happened to you. Now you see how you can make it happen for yourself. Nothing is more fun than that! ◆Sarah R., Barrie, Ontario
Gratitude! Over 20 years ago, after graduating with a violin Music Performance degree from U of T, I began working full-time for an insurance company to earn some money. I enjoyed the pay cheque for obvious reasons, however, I soon began having mixed feelings. I was torn between making a relatively comfortable living, and playing my violin. I made a phone call to my past professor, Victor Danchenko, who asked “What are you doing in insurance?” He then suggested I contact a former student of his, and my friend, Anita Buttemer, who was studying the “Suzuki Method”. I made that phone call, and I was invited to register in the second year of a long-term teacher-training course at Seneca College, in North York. I soon realized how lucky I was to have the much-loved Michele Higa George as the teacher-trainer. I was just beginning to understand this unique, detailed, beginning method for children wanting to learn this complex instrument: the violin. This led me to more training in the summer institute in Kingston. After that, I attended my first SAO Conference where I met Margot Jewell, who
then offered me a teaching position. While I was teaching part-time during the week, and keeping a full-time office job, I soon came to realize that I craved a more fulfilling job/career. I wanted to make teaching the violin, using this wonderful method, a priority in my life. I discussed this with Margot who then connected me with Judy Olmstead-O’Regan, who was looking for a full-time Suzuki violin instructor. I was given this amazing opportunity and am so grateful for the wealth of knowledge shared and experienced. Two years later, with my supportive families, I began running the piano and violin program and called it the Beaches Suzuki School of Music. Thank you for following my journey of gratitude. I am particularly reminiscent and grateful as I have just recently completed Book 1 again, with my mentor and so-honoured-to-call my colleague, Margot Jewell. I must also thank the SAO for granting me a scholarship toward tuition costs. I have learned so much and have such a renewed energy in my teaching that I have seen immediate results and happy, smiling, faces! ◆Ines Pagliari
VOLUME 27, N0. 1, SPRING 2016 www.suzukiontario.org
Parents As Partners: why you should enrol your studioLast year, I enrolled my Suzuki Piano studio in the SAA’s “Parents As Partners”, a yearly online event that runs from January to June with weekly video updates by Suzuki heavy-hitters Ontario’s Kelly Williamson and Zachary Ebin were featured contributors in this February’s video library. This year, I have enrolled my studio again.Asking a busy parent to watch videos about being a Suzuki parent, likely after their children have (finally) gone to bed for the night, might be something of a tough sell. As it turns out, the “Parents As Partners” series has a little something for everyone when it comes to finding inspiration, gaining insights from other teachers, and feeling a sense of great, global Suzuki community as teachers address issues across the Americas that might feel unique to a practice parent here in Ontario. Plus, parents can pick and choose which video, and video length, they feel like watching.“Parents As Partners” also brings to our teaching studios the opportunity to discuss the merits of various video talks. In my studio, I have asked each parent enrolled in the event to please try to recommend three videos to my other studio parents by the end of the June. A great conversation kick-off for every parent who has their own experiences to draw from and compare! In weekly lessons, it is great to hear a parent tell me that he or she gleaned information or inspiration from outside my studio - and thankfully through an unquestioningly reliable resource such as the SAA.Parents love to talk about practicing, they love to hear tips and tricks that may work during practice time with their children, and understand how other parents deal with normal things like resistance, power struggles and progress. The vast majority of our students would not be practicing at all were it not for the daily dedication of their parents. The “Parents As Partners” event, I find, gives back to studio parents in a way that feels both supportive and thankful, which is something that I am very pleased to offer as part of my Suzuki Piano program. With parents being such major players in the world of Suzuki, they deserve a little something back…and perhaps a teensy glass of wine while watching that “Parents As Partners” video after the children have gone to bed…?!◆Lenni Jabour
The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life “Kids all over the world grow up on superheroes. What we, their parents, must remind them is documentaries tell stories about real superheroes. Superheroes are based on great people, real people, like Alice Herz Sommer.
Nicholas Reed, producer of The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My LifeLooking for an inspirational film? The Lady in Number 6 is a documentary I will never forget. No hollywood special effects. No Star Wars fantasy creatures. No spectacular Lord of the Rings battle scenes. It’s just the moving story of a real life superhero named Alice Herz Sommer. During her 110 years, Alice was an accomplished concert pianist and teacher, a wife and mother, and the oldest known survivor of the Holocaust. She was born in Prague in 1903 into a cultured Jewish family; her mother was a friend of Franz Kafka and Gustav Mahler. She became a successful concert pianist in the 1930s, married businessman and amateur violinist Leopold Sommer, and had a son, Stephan. Then the war tore their lives apart. Alice suffered tragedies that no one should have to endure.
VOLUME 27, N0. 1, SPRING 2016 www.suzukiontario.org
The Lady in Number 6, continuedDespite the murders of her mother, husband and friends by the Nazis, and being imprisoned with her son at the Theresienstadt concentration camp, Alice survived. Indeed what is remarkable is that she more than survived. She lived with a sense of joy, awe and gratitude. “Every day is a miracle… I have the freedom to choose my attitude to life, ever to find joy. Evil is not new. It is up to us how we deal with both good and bad. No one can take this power away from us.” Alice is also unequivocal in stating that music preserved her sanity and saved her life. A Nazi officer spared her and her son because of her music. She played more than 100 concerts inside the concentration camps.Alice never tired of saying “music saved my life.” At 109 years old, Alice still practised the piano many hours every day. She attributed her long life, less to “good genes” than to “good music”. “It is a mystery,” she says, “that when the first tone of music starts, it goes straight in our soul…. Music is God.”This film is not a grim Holocaust d o c u m e n t a r y. R a t h e r, i t ’ s a celebration of Alice’s indomitable spirit and her unfailing affirmation of life. Gusts of laughter and her smiling eyes fi l l the fi lm, a long wi th unforgettable bits of wisdom such as: “Put as much as you can in your head because no one can take that away from you,” and, “It depends on me whether life is good or not. On me, not on life.”This isn’t a story of survival and loss but rather a story about how to live life well with love, laughter, music, and a true appreciation of the gifts we are given during our time on earth.◆Silvija Abols(The Lady in Number 6 is available on DVD and on Netflix)
