NZSI Newsletter 1984 September Volume 6
Editorial – Christine Mackenzie
Reflections on the success of the National Conference, new initiatives, and updates on the NZSI Executive.
President’s Report – Val Thorburn
A summary of the year’s achievements, including growth in membership, successful events, and new projects.
Graduation Tapes Announcement
Guidelines and deadlines for submitting graduation tapes for evaluation by Dr. Suzuki.
Suzuki August Conference – Sue Branch
A newcomer’s impressions of the vibrant activities and transformative learning at the August Conference.
Summer String Camp Announcement
Details on the upcoming camp at the Keswick Convention Centre, including registration information and activities.
Auckland Branch News – Lyn Shackleton
Updates on the inaugural meeting and goals for the Auckland Branch.
Hamilton Branch News
Family concert schedules, updates on the Neupert immigration process, and plans for new Suzuki initiatives.
Library and Repeat Tape Services
Information on accessing Suzuki resources, including the library and tape services for violin, flute, and piano.
Editorial
Christine Mackenzie
The National Conference is over for another year, and in its wake are a lot of happy piano, violin, cello, and flute students endeavoring to make a beautiful tone, teachers more motivated and brimming with new ideas, and an enthusiastic new executive.
The Annual General Meeting was attended by approximately 50 people. This number represents less than 10% of the total membership. With 600 members not making themselves heard, I wonder if the time is ripe to consider postal nominations and voting.
The 1984–85 Executive is:
- President: Mrs. Val Thorburn (Auckland)
- Vice-President: Ms. Christine Mackenzie (Hamilton)
- Secretary: Mrs. Gill Ballard (Hamilton)
- Treasurer: Mr. Max Schwer (New Plymouth)
- Committee Members:
Dr. Paul Judd (Hamilton), Mrs. Win Bickerstaff (Napier), Miss Erica Colbert (Tauranga), Ms. Tania Dyett (Wellington), Mrs. Robin Griffiths (Helensville), Mrs. Heather Malins (Hamilton), Mrs. Alison McMorran (Hamilton), Mrs. Gwen Short (Pukekohe), Mrs. Margaret Vujcich (Auckland).
Newsletter Editor: Ms. Christine Mackenzie
This Executive, while commendably representative of most areas in New Zealand where the Suzuki Method is growing, has to face one special problem: travel costs to meetings. It is normal for the Institute to pay travel expenses (i.e., you, the Member), so the number of meetings or the amount of business needs to decline.
One way of aiding the Executive role is for branches, where strong enough, to take over some day-to-day work. Summer Camps, Family Concerts, and Teacher Training courses could well be organized at the branch level.
Auckland has recently formed its own branch, and Hamilton, with its 230-plus members, is soon to do likewise (see later articles).
I hope you like the format of the Newsletter, which I see as fulfilling the roles of communication and education. To these ends, I request area groups to forward information, letters to the Editor, etc., for publication. The deadline for the next Newsletter is 3 December 1984.
President’s Report
Val Thorburn
7th Annual General Meeting
One year ago, a committee of excellent people was elected, but within three months there had been two waves of resignations, leaving only two members on the Executive. At a Special General Meeting on December 4th, sufficient members were elected to enable the Institute to run legally.
The new Executive assumed a caretaking and conciliatory role. It also initiated a meeting of Suzuki music teachers in February to discuss matters relating to Suzuki Method teaching in New Zealand and the current methods of teacher accreditation. A committee comprising Mayme Earle, Dora Harkness, and Kathy Shelhart was formed to review and make recommendations on upgrading the method of accreditation of teachers.
Key Insights from the Review:
- The majority of the Institute’s non-teacher members are not qualified to determine the composition of any system of accreditation.
- Most teachers attempting to embrace the Suzuki Method are also not qualified to determine specific accreditation systems.
We currently rely on the recommendations of the Teachers’ Committee, which represents the greatest experience and attainment in the Suzuki Method in New Zealand.
Other highlights of the year include:
- The Summer String School at Keswick Camp, Rotorua, which was so successful that another is already planned for 1985.
- The return of Mayme Earle as the first New Zealand piano graduate after a year at Matsumoto.
- A benefit concert organized to assist Kathy Shelhart’s training in Japan.
- Barbara Ker’s return from her nine months’ study in Matsumoto, celebrated with a welcome-home concert.
The Executive has also finalized an arrangement with Thomas Cook Travel Agents, where 2.5% of travel costs booked by Suzuki members are donated to a special Suzuki fund.
While challenges remain, including teacher shortages and resignations, the Institute continues to grow, with steady membership increases and successful regional initiatives.
Graduation Tapes Announcement
Last year, over 90 children from New Zealand submitted tapes of their playing to Dr. Suzuki and graduated. Parents who wish their children to participate in this year’s graduation should approach their teacher for details.
For Teachers:
Teachers needing further information or forms for graduating students should contact the NZSI.
Deadline for Applications:
All applications to graduate must be received by 2 November 1984.
Dr. Suzuki reviews nearly a thousand tapes annually, taking about 30 minutes per tape. This dedicated review process reflects his deep commitment to nurturing young musicians worldwide.
Suzuki August Conference
Sue Branch
Random Impressions from a First-Time Violin Observer
There was no mistaking where I was. Everywhere, the rich melodies of Suzuki songs reverberated from classrooms.
John Speer taught with uncompromising, genuine Aussie style: tweaking noses to point over left shoulders, rubbing imaginary chocolate to illustrate high violin holds, and practicing finger exercises “just once”—repeated fifty times. His analogies for big tone were striking: “If the front two rows can hear you, that’s a few hundred dollars. If the whole audience can hear you, that’s thousands!”
Next door, Yasuki Nakamura (or “Mr. Naka”) built tone with warmth and encouragement. His smile, body language, and playing inspired the room. During solos, he knelt beside a pint-sized violinist, wielding the bow while the child fingered with beautiful vibrato, encouraging them to “Look at piece, look at tone—you play that way soon.”
Lunchtime concerts brought variety, from diminutive pianists and flute ensembles to the rich harmonies of cellos in close performance.
Though I stayed only two days, the impressions linger—of music, energy, and the extraordinary educators who bring the Suzuki philosophy to life in New Zealand.
Summer String Camp Announcement
Dates: January 20–25, 1985
Venue: Keswick Convention Centre, Rotorua
Key Details:
- Accommodation: Dormitories and an old villa; bring your own bedding.
- Meals: Provided from Sunday dinner through Friday lunch, including teas and suppers.
- Tuition: Group work only, with additional activities like yoga, sports, and informal chamber groups in the afternoons.
- Evening Events: After-dinner concerts and video sessions for children.
Priority for registration will be given to those who reserved spots last year. Unreserved spots will be processed in order of receipt starting 1 November 1984.
Organizers: Mrs. Gill Ballard and Mrs. Bev Nation.
Auckland Branch News
Lyn Shackleton
The inaugural meeting of the Auckland Branch of the NZSI was held on 11 September 1984 at the Blind Institute, Parnell.
Committee Members:
- Chairman: Mrs. Margaret Vujcich
- Vice-Presidents: Mrs. Robin Griffiths, Mrs. Daphne Stevens
- Secretary/Treasurer: Mr. Steven Hall
- Committee: Mrs. Elahe Khaleghian, Mr. Ivan Ruscoe, Mrs. Lyn Shackleton
The meeting was marked by enthusiasm and a strong willingness among members to support the new committee.
Hamilton Branch News
Plans are underway to establish a Hamilton Branch of the NZSI, with an inaugural meeting scheduled for 17 October 1984 at Waikato Technical Institute.
Key Initiatives:
- Providing a permanent, qualified replacement for Kathy Shelhart’s students. Efforts are ongoing to bring Joachim Neupert, a Suzuki teacher from Germany, to New Zealand.
- Organizing family-oriented events such as concerts and “play-ins.”
- Expanding support for teacher training and fostering other instruments, including cello and flute.
Upcoming Family Concerts at the Baptist Church, Knighton Road:
- 26 October (Friday, 7:00 pm): Convenor: Mrs. Shirley Nieuwland (Phone: 62-045)
- 25 November (Sunday, 3:00 pm): Convenor: Mrs. Barbara Hubbard (Phone: 69-375)
Library and Repeat Tape Services
Library Services:
Librarian: Mrs. Sylvia Hart, 129 Cambridge Road, Hamilton. Borrowers pay postage both ways.
Repeat Tape Contacts:
- Flute: Mrs. Alison McMorran, P.O. Box 12026, Chartwell, Hamilton (Phone: 57-560)
- Piano: Mrs. Chris East, 62 Fifth Avenue, Hamilton (Phone: 69-522)
- Violin: Mrs. Mary Allan, 12 Mansel Avenue, Hamilton.
(Note: Access to tapes is limited to teachers who are members of the NZSI.)
