NZSI Newsletter 1988 March Volume 10 No.1
Editorial – Rosemary Bold (Interim Editor)
A reflective piece on the Suzuki repertoire’s widespread presence across New Zealand, encouraging attendance at the upcoming NZ Suzuki Conference in Auckland.
Stop Press: Dr. Suzuki’s Visit
Announcement of Dr. Suzuki’s visit to New Zealand following the Pan Pacific Conference in January 1989. Details are to be shared as arrangements are finalized.
String Camp Reports – Valerie Thorburn
Insights from the Rotorua Summer Camp, highlighting the flourishing Suzuki method in New Zealand, driven by student dedication and parent-teacher collaboration.
Teacher Training Accreditations
Updates on Kerry Langdon’s accreditation as a Suzuki teacher trainer and accreditations for several piano and violin teachers.
Pan Pacific Conference Update
A notice about the updated venue and schedule for the Melbourne-based conference in January 1989.
Thoughts on Performance – Eric Mitchell
A reflection on the importance of enjoying musical activities without placing undue pressure on children to perform.
Membership Renewal Reminder
A call for timely payment of membership fees, noting the decision to retain the $18 annual fee.
For Sale/Swap Listings
Classified ads for musical instruments and accessories, contributed by community members.
EDITORIAL
There must be hedgehogs, sheep, cows and seagulls all over New Zealand now familiar with the Suzuki repertoire after the holidays. I’m sure the friendly hedgehog that returned night after night to our tent came back to hear more. The human neighbours, up under the pohutukawas, hunched over their campfires, paused appreciatively to listen, too.
Now it is back to more familiar routines of listening and regular practise times. A little longer this year perhaps? Those lucky enough to have attended camps will be off to a flying start.
Many of you, we hope, will be planning already to attend the NZ Suzuki Conference, 4 – 9 September 1988 in Auckland. If you have never been to a Conference we hope you will be encouraged to attend this year. A wonderful stimulus and support to both parent and child.
A group from Auckland is already fundraising to attend the Pan Pacific Conference in Melbourne, 4 – 8 January 1989. They will be making a block booking for travel. If other areas are making plans then do let us know so that you can inspire others.
E noho ra
Rosemary Bold
(Interim editor. The Loiselle Family are in Amsterdam for the year)
STOP PRESS DR SUZUKI’S VISIT
The Suzuki Institute has just received the news that Dr Suzuki and his wife will visit New Zealand for 3 – 4 days after the Pan Pacific Conference in January ’88.
What a thrill, at last, to welcome the distinguished founder of the Suzuki Movement to New Zealand. No details of the visit have yet been determined. We will be advised through the newsletter as arrangements are made.
We can polish our pieces for Dr Suzuki in person this year.
FOR SALE
Half-sized Skylark. As new. 2 yrs old. Bow re-haired and set. $130. Johnson, Ph. 799-991 (Auckland)
Half-sized violin. Chinese. $85. Balle, Ph. 88-219 (Pukekohe).
SWAP
Would someone like the use of a German three-quarter or a Suzuki full-sized for the use of a similar quality half-sized. Willing to buy a half-sized violin if necessary. Ph. Melissa Jones, 467-700 (Auckland).
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEETING
Next meeting, Saturday 19 March 1988 in Auckland.
PAN PACIFIC CONFERENCE
Dates now 4 – 8 January 1989. Venue now Methodist Ladies’ College, Kew, Melbourne. The new site is 6 – 8 miles from the city centre. The central city concert hall will still be used for some events.
Dr SUZUKI SAYS…
The only worry for parents should be to bring up their children as noble human beings. That is sufficient. If this is not their greatest hope, in the end the child may take a road contrary to their expectations. Your child plays very well. We must make him splendid in mind and heart also.
The sweetest of all sounds is praise.
– Xenophon
NEWSLETTER
Thank you to the contributors who keep news and views of the Suzuki world rolling in. Please send any contributions to the NZSI, P.O. Box 6058, Hamilton.
CLOSING DATES FOR MATERIAL
June 15
October 15
PUBLICATION DATES
June 30
October 30
STRING CAMP REPORTS
LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
It became evident to me this year, whilst attending the Rotorua Summer Camp, that parents and teachers alike are beginning to understand the true meaning of the Suzuki Method.
The root system has taken its time to become established and now, with gentle “watering” (careful guidance and co-operation of both teacher and parent), we in New Zealand have become a flourishing branch.
I found it an exciting and moving experience to watch a large group of violinists standing as one (almost) – with obvious dedication and desire to perform at the highest possible level of musicianship.
Also, a group of cellists were so motivated by their tutor that not a minute of the day was wasted and as a result each student left the camp with purpose to practise and practise and practise.
May I quote from Talent Education Journal No. 29 – Dr Suzuki’s Instruction by the Suzuki Method – Lecture No. 53:
Teacher’s Responsibility and Mission
“Every child grows, depending upon the teacher.
- Work hard on tone, tone, tone to improve it.
- Teach so as to develop the ability to express musicality through tone, and motivate children. (Teaching is easy!)”
Parent’s Mission
“Every child grows, depending on the parent.
The child’s ability develops at home. All that has to be done is to let children practice playing again and again with the study tapes or records, or if they are advanced, with recordings of the world’s master performers. Through this good daily practice you can help them naturally absorb highly sensitive musical expressiveness and develop good technique. (The masters are giving them private lessons at home via tape.)”
Valerie Thorburn (Auckland)
TEACHER TRAINING ACCREDITATIONS
Kerry Langdon was given authority by Dr Suzuki, after her 3 years of training in Japan, to become a teacher trainer. It is with pleasure that the NZ Suzuki Institute announces her accreditation to become a teacher trainer in New Zealand.
Congratulations Kerry.
PIANO
Kath Ellison – Step 1
Chris East – Step 1
Adrienne McCarthy – Step II
Pamela Burdett – Step 1
Vicki Wallis – Step II
Jill Carter – Step 1
VIOLIN
Elizabeth Madgwick – Step 1
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
At the AGM the membership voted to retain the fee at $18. We do ask for your co-operation with prompt payment of these fees as sending out individual reminder notices is expensive.
ARE WE ALL PERFORMERS?
The Suzuki approach to music study is a wonderful way of enabling the parent, the teacher, and the child to work together as a team for the benefit of all three. One must not, however, expect all children to be PERFORMERS. We do not expect this in swimming, tennis or any other activity. We take part in these activities because it pleases one to do so. Let us all do things with a sense of enjoyment and happiness – not with pressure.
Thoughts from Eric Mitchell, Suzuki piano teacher and trainer, Hobart, Tasmania.
FOR SALE
Half-sized Skylark. As new. 2 yrs old. Bow re-haired and set. $130.
Johnson, Ph. 799-991 (Auckland)
Half-sized violin. Chinese. $85.
Balle, Ph. 88-219 (Pukekohe).
SWAP
Would someone like the use of a German three-quarter or a Suzuki full-sized for the use of a similar quality half-sized? Willing to buy a half-sized violin if necessary.
Ph. Melissa Jones, 467-700 (Auckland).
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEETING
Next meeting, Saturday 19 March 1988 in Auckland.
PAN PACIFIC CONFERENCE
Dates now 4 – 8 January 1989. Venue now Methodist Ladies’ College, Kew, Melbourne. The new site is 6 – 8 miles from the city centre. The central city concert hall will still be used for some events.
GREAT FUN
Great fun is making your own music from our vast range of:
- Pianos (new, secondhand, and electric)
- Guitars
- Flutes
- Clarinets
- Recorders, etc.
While in our showroom give yourself time to browse through our large comprehensive range of SHEET MUSIC. Music for everyone from pops, classics, instrumental, manuscript.
We are also stockists of a huge range of music accessories, e.g., violin, cello, guitar and banjo strings, metronomes, reeds, mouth organs, percussion, music stands, piano stools, etc., etc.
YOUR ONE-STOP MUSIC SHOP
PIANO TRADERS LTD
90 Mt Eden Rd
PH 889-044
8:30 am – 5 pm; Sat 9 am – 12 noon
ADDRESS UPDATES
If the address on the back of your newsletter is incorrect, please return the label with your correct address noted to:
N.Z.S.I. P.O. Box 6058, Hamilton, New Zealand
