sessions and for the par-ent to take detailed notes in lessons. These “instructions” (notes) are crucial for at home suc-cess. Technology, such as digital and video re-corders can aid in this at home practice, but should not take place of the careful note taking. As students approach the teenage years, often they want to take ownership of their practice. As teachers, we encourage

Learning Together

The Suzuki triangle con-sists of three essential parts: the student, teacher and parent. The parent takes on many roles, including at-home teacher, practice partner and supporter. As the child gets older, the role of the parent also changes as the student becomes a more inde-pendent learner. As teachers and parents, we strive to teach the stu-

dent how to think and learn independently both as a musician and a per-son. This journey of learning together, pro-vides a unique shared experience between the student, teacher and par-ent. In the early years of instruction, the parent‟s main role is as at-home teacher. For this reason, it is important for the teacher to give detailed instructions to the parent for the at home practice

Message from ASA President, Laura Tagawa

Arizona Suzuki Association

Fall 2010

Newsletter Special Po ints of Interest President ’s Message Page 1 Ithaca Story Page 1-2 ASA Workshop Page 3 Workshop Repertoire Page 3 ASA Teacher List Page 4 ASA-PPG Page 5 Group Lessons Page 5 VSSA News Page 6 Home Practice Chart Page 6 Map to Orangewood Church Page 7 Workshop Flyer Page 8 NAU News Page 9 Julie Newton Page 9

Advertising Rates Three Issues Size Full Page$99 Half Page$75 Quarter Page$50 Business Card $30 Two Issues Size Full Page$66 Half Page$50 Quarter Page$34 Business Card $20 One Issue Size Full Page$33 Half Page$25 Quarter Page $17 Business Card$10

I thaca Story, Year Three—by Sanford Selznick, Parent

[ Editors note: the Selznick fam-ily returned to Ithaca for a third year. See their first two year’s ad-ventures in the Fall 08 and 09 ASA Newsletter] We were off to Ithaca for one more summer week at the Suzuki Institute. One more week in a college dormitory that's nicer than my first apartment. Students who attend Ithaca College in upstate New York must live very well dur-ing the academic year. But for two weeks every summer the Suzuki Institute takes over the campus. Parents peer closely at campus maps with their children in tow. Everywhere you look there are kids with violins. (Ithaca College actu-

ally had their orientation the same week. Some of the orientees were a little concerned about the young age of their future classmates.) Kids were playing their violins all over campus, usually under trees or in the grass. It's hard to imagine a more wholesome place. The schedule began much the same way it did our first two years attending the Institute, with an hour-long Repertory class. 30 kids packed in to a gymnasium-sized room with an instructor and a grand piano. For us, this year was a Book 3 year, so the repertory class focused mostly on Book 2 and Book 3 songs. And the teacher played lots of games... speed up, slow down, hold fermatas for a minute or two. The

instructors were very quick to point out how difficult the piano accompa-niment gets for Book 3's Gavotte. And only the best pianists can keep up. Ours did indeed break a sweat. For the hour after Repertory we experienced something new. Where in the past we selected "Dance" as our elective class, Book 3 (and up) students had the option of studying Fiddle. Laurie Hart, the instructor and expert fiddler, informed her new students that they'd all be learning 3 fiddle songs by Friday and playing them all for a dance at the end of the week. The parents were a little skep-tical. So the kids got in to playing position, Laurie Hart fed notes three at a time and in 30 minutes 20 stu-dents learned one fiddle tune. And

Continued on Page 2

Continued on Page 2

parents to allow the stu-dent to practice alone, for part of their practice ses-sion. This can include re-view pieces or a note read-ing or theory assignment. As with many aspects of lessons, when to begin this approach depends on the individual and should be discussed between parent and teacher. In his book, Expanding

Horizons, Suzuki violin teacher and teacher trainer Mark Bjork, en-courages parents to in-volve students in the de-cision making process from an early stage by offering choices such as, “Would you like to prac-tice now or after dinner?” “Would you like to play „Lightly Row‟ first or „Go Tell Aunt Rhody‟?” “Do

you think you should re-peat that section 15 times or would 20 times be bet-ter?” These types of ques-tions involve the student in the learning process by involving them in the deci-sion making process. As the student matures, Bjork encourages parents to ask more analytical type questions, which in-crease the student‟s active

PAGE 2

ARIZONA SUZUKI ASSOCIATION FALL 2010

Drawing for free music lessons! See p. 4 for details.

then we were informed that tomor-row her metronome would be set to 160. That Suzuki method thing really does work, after all. For lunch we rediscovered a little secret on the Ithaca campus. About 50 feet down the hill from the main building was a small Chapel. In front of the Chapel is an impeccably maintained lake. In the middle of the lake is a small island with a picturesque walking bridge leading out to it. It's a perfect spot for lunch. Until you get a attacked by ducks. (They returned to the water when they realized we were out of food.) The picturesque set-ting was perfect for a little prac-tice. The hour-long, four-student semi-private lesson was taught by Ed Kreitman. Ed Kreitman is the author of the very popular Suzuki book for teachers, parents and students "Teaching from the Bal-ance Point". Each day all four stu-dents would share the hour. The three students watching the fourth were required to take notes and hand them to the student at the end

of the lesson. On our first day Ed noticed that one of his new students needed a new bow hold and quickly declared a 5-day "Bow Hold Emergency". Ed starts all of his students with a professional bow hold right from the beginning: Pinky over the dot and bent, knuckles straight, and elbow-to-bow completely relaxed. According to Ed, once a student learns a proper adult bow hold, that student never has to worry about it again. Ed Kreitman demonstrated how a bow pushed along a table top will come to a complete stop all by itself; and this is just what a bow should do on a violin: a bow does-n't need to be stopped, a bow needs to be /allowed to stop/. We learned that each stroke of the bow has three parts: An "attack", a "sustain", and a "release" (start, middle, end). And when each por-tion of a single stroke is relaxed, the note as a whole will sound per-fect, without any screeching. We also learned that when a bow is not on the strings, it should be held

vertically. As Ed explained, only in this position can the hand stay relaxed until it "gives the weight of the bow" to the violin. It makes sense that the lessons were so bow-centric. Only one of the following characteristics of a note is not controlled by the bow: Tone, Dynamics, Rhythm, Pitch, Articulation and Phrasing. (Answer: Pitch.) The week ended with the concert. The concert featured a progression of songs starting with selections from Book 6 down through Twinkle. With each successive song more kids would join in. Listening to the Bach Double played by a few hundred violins was amazing. By the time Twinkle was played there was a packed stage playing in perfect harmony. And each year as our daughter grows up she plays more and more songs. It's amazing to watch them grow up. We heard the Bach Double last year, and we'll hopefully hear it next year too.

Lear ning Together by Laura Tagawa (continued)

I thaca Story, Year Three (continued)

Continued on Page 9

Lily Selznick

PAGE 3

October 22rd & 23th, 2010, ASA Fall Workshop with Carrie Reuning-Hummel at Orangewood Church,

7321 N. 10th St, Phoenix, AZ 85020 MAP p. 7 Student Registration by Oct. 9 is $40 per child, after that date, $50.

Teacher Registration by Oct.9 is $15, after that date, $20.

Student and Teacher Registration

(Must be a member of ASA to participate)

Participant’s Name __________________________

(Child’s) Age_______Instrument__________________

Polished Piece_____________Vol.__________

Second Child’s Name ____________________

Age_______Instrument__________________

Polished Piece_____________Vol.__________

Parent’s Name__________________________

Address_______________________________

City_________________Zip_______________

Phone________________________________

Email_________________________________

Teacher_______________________________

Teacher’s phone________________________

Before October 9, 2010, per student $40_____

After October 9, 2010, per student $50_____

Friday evening Master Class (Advanced) $15_____

Teacher Workshop ($15 before Oct. 9/$20after) $15/20___

ASA Family Membership fee* $10_____

Lunch per person $5______

Total payable to ASA $______

No Refunds

Please keep the Repertoire list. Cut this column and mail it, with the check made out to ASA to: Mary Wilkening 1157 E Acacia Circle, Litchfield Park AZ 85340 Email: marywilkening@cox.net *Notice the Studio/Group Policy of ASA : 10 or more members of a studio/group such as VSSA, NAU etc. registering together pay $5 each for ASA membership. Teachers, please find the group registration form on our website www.azsuzuki.org

Repertoire list is also available at our web-

site azsuzuki.org

Repertoire is to be Memorized

Advanced Orchestra Music will be avail-

able after registration. This need not be

memorized.

Arizona Suzuki Association Fall Workshop

Friday, October 22, 4-7 pm: Master Classes with Carrie Reuning-Hummel for 9 ad-vanced Suzuki violin and viola students. Book 6 and up students will have priority and Book 4 & 5 students may register for a waiting list. Cello students in Book 4 and up may sign up for a Master Class with Julie Newton. Registered teachers are invited. (Master Class students must attend Saturday as well) Saturday, October 23: 8:30 Check In 9-2 pm: Violin, Viola and Cello students in Books 4 and up: String Orchestra rehearsal and Technique with Connie Jahmarkt; Prac-tice Techniques; Suzuki Repertoire Class 9-2 pm: Violin. Viola and Cello students in Books 1-3: Music Mind Games; Technique Class; Suzuki Group Class; Team Build-ing Relays; 2 pm: Orchestra and Group Performances 3 pm: Student dismissal 3-5 pm: Teacher Workshop with Carrie Reuning-Hummel These classes will address various aspects of the role of the parent

as well as offer tips on practicing and creating a positive and nur-

turing environment for learning.

Repertoire List for Violin (V)

Bk1: All

Bk2: Handel Chorus from Judas Maccabaeus, Handel Bourree,

Paganini Theme from Witches’ Dance, Lully Gavotte.

Bk3: Martini Gavotte, Bach Gavotte in G Minor, Bach Bourree.

Bk4: Seitz Concerto #2 ,3rd Movement; Vivaldi Concerto in A

Minor, 1st Mvt.

Bk5: Bach Gavotte

Bk6: Fiocco Allegro

Repertoire List for Viola and Cello

Bk1: All

Bk2: Bach Minuet 3, von Weber Hunters’ Chorus, Schumann

The Two Grenadiers

Bk3: Webster Scherzo, Bach Minuet 3, Dvorak Humoresque

Bk4: Marcello Adagio and Allegro

Bk 5: Vivaldi Sonata in em, Largo

Dress is dark pants or skirts and white

shirts or blouses for Book 4 + Orchestra

Casual Dress for Books 1—3

VOLUME 15, ISSUE 1

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PAGE 4

ARIZONA SUZUKI ASSOCIATION FALL 2010

Would you like to be listed on the

Arizona Suzuki Association

Website as a registered

Suzuki Teacher?

Just register today and send in your

$10 dues* for 2010—2011

Name___________________________________

Instrument______________________________

Address_________________________________

City_____________________________________

Phone____________________________________

Email_____________________________________

Website____________________________________

Send this Form and $10 to Mary Wilkening, 1157 E. Acacia Cir-

cle, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340.

Your Workshop registration

form will be placed in a box for

a drawing for $200 toward mu-

sic lessons. Two prize winners

will be chosen at the close of

the performance at 3 pm. You

must be present to claim your

prize.

Free Scholar ships !

Schedule for 2010—11 of Phoenix Piano Group of ASA

Sept. 1 100 Day Practice-A-Thon begins

Oct. 10 Graduation Auditions

Nov. 12-14 Master classes with Karen Hagberg, Ph.D.

Nov. 15 Deadline to sign up for Practice-A-Thon

Feb. 12 Graduation Auditions

Mar 5 Play-A-Thon Recital at ASU

Apr 16 Graduation Auditions

Apr 30 Graduation Recital

There are several recitals for assisted living facilities with

the dates to be decided in September.

ASA—PPG Piano Group

Teachers : D on’t Miss Car r ie Reuning -Hum mel’s Teacher Workshop!

Carrie Reuning-Hummel will present a Workshop

just for Teachers from 3—5 on Saturday, October 23

immediately following the Student Workshop. Sub-

jects such as inspiring students to practice, tech-

niques for working with various ages, advice for

communicating with parents will be discussed. Don’t

miss it! You are welcome to come for the Workshop

Performance at 2 pm and stay for the Teacher Work-

shop. Use the registration form on page 3 to register.

Registered teachers are also invited to attend the

Master Classes with Carrie or Julie on Friday from

4—7 pm. There is no additional charge for this op-

portunity.

*Teachers, Please go to our website at

www.azsuzuki.org to download a group

application form for your studio. Group

rates are only $5/family for 10 applica-

tions and fees sent in at the same time.

PAGE 5

VOLUME 15, ISSUE 1

Prescott hosts Chapar ral Musicfest in June

Group Lessons are avai lable throughout AZ

Group Lessons are a signature activity of the Suzuki approach to learning. Here are some ASA teachers who are offering group lessons

and welcome additional students:

Cindy Baker ,Violin (North Phoenix)—602-993-9869

Lia Taylor, Violin (North Phoenix)—541-335-9673

Laura Tagawa ,Violin (Tucson)—520-461-4535

Mary Wilkening, Cello (West Phoenix)—623-935-5313

VSSA—See page 6 of this Newsletter

ASA Teachers, If you would like to be listed in this group, email marywilkening@cox.net.

June 2010 was the first year of the Chaparral Musicfest Suzuki Academy in Prescott. 13 Suzuki piano and violin students and their

families gathered in Prescott for this three day long Suzuki camp. Students came from around the state, including Phoenix, Prescott

and Tucson. Students had the opportunity to attend daily masterclasses, repertoire, theory and enrichment classes. The camp ended

with a performance of all students as well as newly composed duet music for violin and piano. For more info please

visit: www.chaparralmusicfest.org/suzuki/ Scenes from Musicfest Suzuki Academy

Chamber Music Summer Camp with Quar tet Sabaku

For the 6th time, the West Valley Youth Orchestra presented a Chamber Music Summer Camp with Quartet Sabaku from July 14—

18, 2010 in Goodyear. Quartet Sabaku is a professional quartet that is listed on the Arizona Commission on the Arts Artist’s Roster.

Several members of the quartet are Suzuki teachers in the valley, and playing chamber music is a natural part of studying string instru-

ments in the Suzuki approach. The 33 students in the camp not only played in small ensembles, they played in one of 2 orchestras

geared to individual playing levels. They also studied music theory and composed pieces. The final performance was in Pebble Creek’s

Renaissance Theater before an audience of 250 people. Plan to join Quartet Sabaku next June for the next camp. See www.wvyo.org

for pictures and more information.

PAGE 6

ARIZONA SUZUKI ASSOCIATION FALL 2010

Group classes will be held from 9:00-10:45am at the Center for Educational Excellence at 1700 E Elliot Rd. Ste 9, Tempe 85284. CEE is in the strip mall on the northwest corner of McClintock and Elliot. August 28 Group lessons September 11 Group lessons September 25Group lessons October 2 Book Promotion tape submission deadline October 2 Group lessons October 22—23 Ariz. Suzuki. Assoc. Workshop (not VSSA activity but recommended event) October 30 Group lessons (yes, and Halloween too!) November 6 Group lessons, rehearsal prior to group for Book Promotion participants November 20 Winter Concert (repertoire classes perform)/Book Promotion Celebration Concert January 8 Group lessons January 22 Group lessons February 5 Group lessons February 26 Group lessons March 5 Group lessons March 26 Group lessons April 9 Workshop – all day event (included in VSSA lesson fees, nominal additional registration fee) See VSSA Website at www.valleysuzuki.org for additional information

VSSA Schedule for 10 -11

Hisami Iijima, ASA Teacher and board member is using this checklist and says, ―Do you want to find out if you are doing a good job as a Suzuki parent? Take the quiz and find out ! It is never too later to start a good habit. Move

ahead with the confidence that you are mindful and motivated to be the best home teacher you can be!‖

The Home Practice Environment Checklist*

N = Never (0) S = Sometimes (1) R = Regularly (2)

1. I assist my child in home practice.

2. I play my child’s Suzuki tape or CD.

3. I make sure prior to the start of the home lesson that all needed supplies are available: printed music, notes from the studio lesson, recorder and tape, metronome, etc.

4. I concentrate my efforts at home on the main teaching points from the lesson.

5. I arrange a quiet, distraction-free environment during home practice.

6. I maintain a ―calm center‖ when I am home teacher, even if I’ve had a rough day myself.

7. I emphasize positives in my child’s practice.

8. When I correct in home practice, I do so descriptively, not judgmentally.

9. I look forward to practicing with my child and communicate my pleasure.

10. I continue to learn and strive for excellence.

Total score

0-10 Whoops! Some environment engineering is in order.

11-15 Read Nurtured by Love for extra motivation.

16-20 Congratulate yourself on your dedication!

*From ―The Home Practice Environment Scale‖ by Pam Kemp

PAGE 7

VOLUME 15, ISSUE 1

Map to Orangewood Church, S i te of ASA Workshop

7321 N. 10th St, Phoenix, AZ 85020

From 51, the Piestewa Parkway, heading north, take the Glendale/

Lincoln exit left (west). Then take a right (north) on 12th St. and go

about 1/2 mile to Northwiew. Go left (west) until the street T-stops at

10th. Take a right (north) and it is right there.

Going south on 51, take the Northern exit going west (right). Go to

12th St. Take a left (south) to Northview, then a right (west) and fol-

low the instructions above.

From I-17, take Glendale exit east (right). Go to 7th St. Take a left

(north) to State, take a right (east) and the street stops at the church.

PAGE 8

Please Post

Arizona Suzuki Association Fall Workshop with Carrie Reuning-Hummel, violin,

and Julie Newton, cello

To Register: Fill out the registration form in the ASA Newsletter, or go on line at www.azsuzuki.org and find the form under ―ASA Fall Workshop‖. Send it to Mary Wilkening, 1157 E Acacia Circle, Litchfield Park AZ 85340.

Cost: Students before October 9 - $40 each + $5 for lunch. Add

$15 for participation in Friday’s Master Classes for advanced students

(see below). This fee is refundable if space is not available. Add $10

for late registration after October 9. No registration the day of the

Workshop.*

Teacher Workshop from 3-5 pm Saturday (Observation in

Friday Master Classes is included): $15*

*(Remember, families must be a member of ASA to participate.

Send in your $10 membership fee, or join through your teacher’s

group membership for $5.)

Orangewood Presbyterian Church, 7321 N 10st St, Phoenix 85020

Schedule:

Friday, October 22, 4 – 7 pm: Master Classes with Carrie Reuning-Hummel for 9 advanced Suzuki Violin and Viola stu-dents. Book 6 and up students will have priority and Book 4 and 5 students may register for a waiting list./ Cello students in Book 4 and up may sign up for a Master Class with Julie Newton. Saturday, October 24: 8:30 am Check In 9:00-2:00 pm: Violin and Cello students in Books 4 and up: String Orchestra rehearsal with Connie Jahrmarkt; Practice techniques with Carrie Reuning-Hummel; Suzuki Repertoire Class 9:00-2:00 pm: Violin, Viola and Cello students in Books 1 – 3: Music Mind Games with NAU student teachers; Technique Class; Suzuki Group Class with Carrie Reuning-Hummel or Julie Newton (cello); Team Building Relays 9:00-2:00 pm: Parents—All will have the opportunity to attend a parent class (see below) with Carrie Reuning-Hummel. 2:00-3:00 pm: Orchestra and Group Performances 3:00 pm: Student dismissal 3:00-5:00 pm: Teacher Workshop with Carrie Reuning-Hummel

With humor and heart, Carrie uses simple techniques that turn music lessons into a powerful vehicle for raising pur-

poseful, self-confident and musical kids. Carrie has two goals within each lesson or group class: that the children

experience excellence and that they each also experience their own passionate learning.

As the pace of our world becomes more and more hurried and bewildering, we as parents can feel unprepared to

keep up with it all. Carrie offers parents help through exploration of the gifts we have to offer. Parent participants

leave the parent education sessions with a new appreciation for their own strengths, a deeper understanding of their

children's gifts and temperament, and an action plan for happier practice sessions in the future.

Carrie Reuning-Hummel

Julie Newton, cello

Learning Together by Laura Tagawa, Continued from Page 2

PAGE 9

VOLUME 15, ISSUE 1

participation in making decisions. Examples of these types of questions include, after the student finishes a piece ask, “How do you think you played?” After the student responds, the parent asks “What do you think could improve?” and finally “What did your teacher suggest to take care of that problem?” or “How can you fix that?” Offering choices of how to address a difficult area gives the student a sense of ownership of his or her playing as well and teaching problem solving skills. Bjork recommends using a five step practice process with steps that the student can easily identify and learn to use independently: 1. Play a piece and ask if anything needs to be improved. (The Examination) 2. After identifying the problem, decide how to correct it. (The Diagnosis) 3. Do the necessary work to affect a “cure.” (The Medicine) 4. Play the piece again to see if the cure has been achieved. (The Check-Up Exam) 5. Decide if the cure needs to be continued at the next practice in order to maintain excellent health. (The Maintenance Plan) While in the beginning stages, the parent will help the student work through this process together, as the student gains independence healthy practice habits will be in place and the student will have the practice tools needed to achieve their musical goals. Even as the student gains musical independence, the parent‟s role continues to support and encourage the student. Upcoming Event: Carrie Reuning-Hummel, Suzuki violin teacher trainer will be offering special parent classes during the 2010 Fall Workshop. These classes will address various aspects of the role of the parent as well as offer tips on practicing and creating a positive and nurturing environment for learning. More informa-tion about Carrie is available at her web-site: www.soundcarries.com. Additional Resources for Teachers and Parents: Expanding Horizons by Mark Bjork (2008), Nurtured by Love (1983) by Shinichi Suzuki, Time to Practice: A Companion for Parents by Carrie Reuning-Hummell.

NAU News

Louise Scott reports from Northern Arizona University that the Suzuki Teacher Preparation program there has nine

undergraduates and 4 graduate students this year. Points of Interest for the fall:

Fritz Gearhart is coming to NAU to give a recital on September 21 and a Master Class on September 22. He will

be participating in the ASTA Workshop on September 25 in Phoenix.

Carrie Reuning-Hummel will be coming October 21 and 22 to give a Suzuki Clinic to NAU Interns.

Two Teacher Interns ran a week-long summer workshop for Suzuki students in June 2010.

Jul ie Newton, Cello Cl inician

Julie Newton began her Suzuki training as a Suzuki cello student herself in Los Angeles, studying with Charlene Wil-

son and later Daniel Rothmuller. She is certified to teach books 1-10, and is a member of SAA. She is a clinician at

many Suzuki workshops and institutes around the country, including the National Cello Institute. She was principal

cello with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, also performing with Utah Chamber Artists and the Opus Orchestra in Salt

Lake City where she served as Regional Coordinator for the Suzuki Association of Utah. She is currently Co-Chair of

the Strings Department of Pasadena Conservatory of Music.

We are on the web

at

www.azsuzuki.org

ASA

1157 E. Acacia Circle

Litchfield Park 85340

ASA Fall Workshop with Carrie Reuning-Hummel at Orangewood

Church on

October 22 & 23. See details inside!