Branch News v11n3

SOUTH ISLAND BRANCH

At this year’s conference in Napier, we had the largest number of South Island Suzuki pupils ever to attend. The experience has enriched and enthused both children and parents, spreading the word that conference is a “must.”

Organization for the summer camp is well in hand, and fundraising is underway to help with costs. Thirty wonderful parents prepared a fundraising breakfast of pancakes and ice cream at Riccarton McDonald’s, and a children’s disco was planned.

OTHER HAPPENINGS IN CHRISTCHURCH

• A very successful ‘spur of the moment’ workshop was held with Sarah Slechta in September.
• This year, one parent organized block bookings for New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Christchurch Symphony Orchestra concerts. This was a tremendous success, with 40 – 70 parents and children attending the various concerts. The CSO is suffering from a lack of funds, so our Suzuki students are holding a busking session to donate to the CSO. Our students want an orchestra to play in their future.

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WELLINGTON BRANCH

Committee for 1989/90:

• Chairperson: Steven Coward
• Vice Chairperson: Paul Wilson
• Secretary: Buck Page
• Treasurer: Murray Pascoe
• Piano Teacher: Gillian Bibby
• Violin Teacher: Tania Dyett
• Debbie Elliot
• Violin Teacher: Ann Goodbehere
• Piano Teacher: Pamela Hancox
• Piano Teacher: Ruth Page
• Piano Teacher: Diane Stevens

WELLINGTON BRANCH NEWS

TEACHERS REPORT

Teachers will have regular meetings on the Friday preceding the Branch Committee meeting to share ideas and establish teaching policy. A checklist will be formulated for each public concert organizer.

A stimulating discussion was held, and teachers perused a collection of books relevant to Suzuki teaching and philosophy. A list of recommended books is to be forwarded to the Wellington and Hutt Libraries, which are willing to purchase selected books.

The family concert in September was successful both financially and musically. The surplus is to be donated to the Friends of Wellington Suzuki account. The next public concert is on November 16th at St Andrews on the Terrace, organized by Hillary Drake.

PIANO REPORT

Concerts at elderly homes are generally very worthwhile. Diane Stevens’ students visited Wesleyhaven and played for the hospital wing. This area is often overlooked by visiting groups, as suggested by the occupational therapist.

Gillian Bibby was invited to teach at the recent RMT of NZ Training Course for beginner piano teachers. She presented a demonstration lesson to groups of three young children, aged 2, 3, and 4 years, which was observed by student teachers. Bibby also taught more advanced students using the Suzuki method for conventional exam pieces. This interaction fostered a stronger connection between Suzuki teachers and the RMT, with twelve teachers expressing interest in Suzuki training.

Margaret Sime has commenced teaching.

Five Wellington piano families and one cello student attended the Annual Conference in Napier. Four teachers also attended—two for training and two observing. Nadia Brissenden from Melbourne delivered concentrated and insightful teaching, providing each student with individual attention due to the small group size.

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VIOLIN REPORT

The family concert in July was a success, although the hall acoustics made it challenging for violinists to hear each other.

All three violin teachers attended the Napier conference, where they were inspired by the overseas tutor. The teachers are hopeful that they gained valuable ideas for organizing the 1990 conference.

On August 16th, twenty-nine of Tania’s pupils performed at a dinner party for Bishops at Government House, an enjoyable evening for all involved. The Petone Senior Citizens Club also donated $84.00 toward the conference when Tania’s group performed for them.

NATIONAL CONFERENCE 1990 – Wellington

The conference will run from Sunday, August 26th, to Friday, August 31st, centered at Victoria University’s new School of Music. Additional details can be found elsewhere in this newsletter.

HAWKES BAY BRANCH

We promised participants at the National Conference two things: a marvelous teaching faculty and a well-run event. From an inside perspective, conferences and similar gatherings rarely seem to be running as smoothly as hoped, but we didn’t receive many complaints. The positive feedback we received outweighed any issues, so we can rest on that. Special thanks to everyone who contributed to making the event work smoothly.

One of our biggest successes was the teaching faculty. We knew that Harold and Nada Brissenden would bring exceptional value, and they did. Yasuki, Kathy, and Prue were also highly anticipated, and they did not disappoint. A special note of thanks to Prue Page, who delivered despite struggling with ill health. Alongside these familiar faces, we had the pleasure of welcoming two surprise additions: Rosemary Forde from Wakatipu (with an airfare that felt international!) and Sarah Slechta from the U.S.A. They exceeded expectations and were both loved by students and parents alike.

Since the conference, Hawkes Bay Suzuki groups have performed publicly on two occasions: once as part of Music Day festivities and once for the Caledonian Society’s Halloween event. Coming up, we have our monthly Play-In on the first Sunday, followed by our end-of-year concert in the Century Theatre and our annual Christmas Party.

Don Anderson

HAMILTON BRANCH

Committee for 1989/90

• President: Donald Carter, Ph. 081949-641, Te Aroha
• Vice President: Shirley Nieuwland, Ph. 62-045, Hamilton
• Secretary: Don Boyd, Ph. 66-139, Hamilton
• Treasurer: Gaye Dufill, Ph. 80-553, Hamilton
• Members: Erica Colbert, Ph. 295-868, Jill Carter, Ph. 79-401, Margaret Gilbert, Ph. 553-832, Evelyn Goodrick, Ph. 64-289, Raewyn Johnston, Ph. 63-824, Beverley Nation, Ph. 496-263, Carolyn Overington-Knight, Ph. 497-784, Hamilton

HAMILTON BRANCH NEWS

A well attended concert was held on September 24th. Parents, grandparents and friends enjoyed the performances of 28 piano and violin students.

45 violin and cello players gathered at the Hamilton Gardens to perform as part of the Spring Festival on October 8th.

The very moment the tuning of instruments was completed, the rain started. Not a shower but a deluge. The performers hurried into a marquee which they filled to capacity. From this shelter a lively concert was given, the audience holding umbrellas in the pouring rain. When the final item ended the rain stopped. Well done players and audience!

Mary la Endert

This is a brief report on the activities of our Suzuki teachers which have been undertaken in the last few months. Speaking to several teachers it was great to discover we all have been doing similar things. Some of these activities include holding concerts to encourage pupils to familiarise themselves to performing in front of a sympathetic audience. Different sorts of quizzes are also popular – memory games to encourage concentration.

Teachers themselves have been involved in playing to other teachers. This provides practice and discussion amongst each other as well as helping towards the Teacher Training Programme.

We have also been inviting parents to come along to meetings to discuss the common problems of how to keep the stimulation of daily practice of the Suzuki repertoire, listening to tapes and other worries they may have. It has been good to hear from other parents and teachers and to share ideas.

Evelyn Goodrick

The Hamilton Branch Committee look forward to the Christmas Concert on Saturday December 2nd at 4.00pm, Hillcrest High School, Morrison Auditorium, Masters Avenue, Hillcrest. A rehearsal will be held on the Friday before (Dec 1st) at 4.00pm.

NEW LIBRARY BOOKS

A number of new books have been purchased through Jill Carter and are now in our library, which is housed at Bev Nation’s residence – 14 Beerescourt Road. The new titles are:

1. “Focus on Suzuki Piano” – Creative and Effective Ideas for Teachers and Parents by Mary Craig Powell
2. “School of Talent Education” – an analysis by Ray Landers
3. “Introducing Suzuki Piano” by Doris Koppelman
4. “Talent Education for Young Children” by Shinichi Suzuki
5. “Studying Suzuki Piano: More than Music” by Bigler/Lloyd Watts

AUCKLAND BRANCH

Committee for 1989/90

• Chairperson: Lyn Shackleton
• Vice Chairperson: Gary Rhodes
• Secretary: Sue Townson
• Treasurer: Denise Loiselle
• Members: Rosemary Cooper, Sophie Hartigan, Margo Short

AUCKLAND BRANCH NEWS

On Saturday 11th November the Auckland Branch was part of the International Suzuki Awareness Day Celebration Concert. All students assembled at 10am in Aotea Square (the weather held out beautifully). This concert was organized by the Auckland Branch of the NZSI in conjunction with the Suzuki Association of the Americas. Worldwide Suzuki events happened on this day in honour of Dr. Suzuki’s lifetime devotion to music education.

Piano students of teacher trainees held a concert on 12th November at the College of Education Epsom.

Richard Austin of Papatoetoe, a violin teacher training under Val Thorburn, is now accepting students. His end of year concert is 25th November 6.00pm at Greenmeadows School, Manurewa. For further details phone 267-0667.

Both Karen (flute) and Joachim (viola and violin) Neupert have recently returned from six weeks study and no doubt inspiration, at the Suzuki School in Matsumoto, Japan. There are more details later in the newsletter.

Sophie Hartigan’s studio has been busy this term with home concerts, parents’ video evenings and a Baroque Festival (see article ‘Minuets in Massey’ later in this newsletter). On Saturday 28th October they had a Halloween fancy dress concert and party, complete with phantoms playing Phantom of the Opera and witches playing and dancing the Witches Dance. On Sunday 12th November a group of Sophie’s students played in the Farmers’ Santa Parade aboard ‘Little Toot’. On Saturday December 2nd there will be busking in Vulcan Lane at 10am. On the following Saturday December 9th, is the Christmas Concert and party. Next year on February 18th another public appearance at the Teddy Bears’ Picnic (in disguise I wonder), organized by People in Parks. What a wonderful programme for Sophie’s students.

Val Thorburn’s and Kerry Langdon’s students are having their wind-up concert in the afternoon of 2nd December at St. Kentigern’s College, Pakuranga.

The Auckland Suzuki Orchestra held a very good concert in October at St. Matthews-in-the-City with guest violinist, Mary O’Brien of Auckland University (see article in Features). It certainly gave inspiration to aspiring orchestra players. There is talk of a junior orchestra audition. Our family takes every opportunity to attend concerts such as these and the choice of music was particularly pleasing.

Till next year.

Sue Townson

NZSI AUCKLAND BRANCH LIBRARY BOOK LIST

1. “Mummy Can I Practise Now?”
2. “To Learn With Love” – William & Constance Starr
3. “I Can Play My Violin Just as Well as Jeremy Can – The Suzuki Way” – Margaret Keith
4. “I Love to Practise” – Yvonne B Halls & Patricia J Steiner
5. “Shinichi Suzuki: The Man and His Philosophy” – Evelyn Hermann
6. “Thoughts on the Suzuki Piano School” – Haruko Kataoka
7. “Stories of Composers for Young Musicians” – Catherine Wolf Kendall
8. “Where Love is Deep” – Shinichi Suzuki
9. “Suzuki Changed My Life” – Masaaki Honda
10. “Kindergarten is Too Late” – Masaru Ibuka
11. “In the Suzuki Style” – Elizabeth Mills
12. “More than Music (Studying the Suzuki Piano)” – Caroline L Bigler & Valery Lloyd-Watts
13. “The Art of Piano Playing” – George Kochevitsky
14. “Listen Drum Speak” – Kathryn Merrill & Jean Brandt
15. “Ready Set Read” – Peggy Wise & Barbara Rubenstein
16. “The Law of Ability and the Mother Tongue Method” – Shinichi Suzuki
17. “The Suzuki Method – A Philosophy for Life Education” – Evelyn Hermann
18. “Where Love is Deep” – Shinichi Suzuki
19. “The Pre-Twinkle Book” – Kathryn Merrill & Jean Brandt
20. “The Inner Game of Music” – Barry W Green with W.T. Gallwey
21. “Nurtured by Love” – Shinichi Suzuki
22. “The String Play” – Phyllis Young
23. “Playing the String Game” – Phyllis Young
24. “The Suzuki Violinist” – William Starr
25. “The Suzuki Violin Method” – B.C.H. Ker
26. “Ability Development from Age Zero” – Shinichi Suzuki
27. “Noh in Snake – Music Theory for Children” – Michiko Yurko
28. “Talent Education for Young Children” – Shinichi Suzuki
29. “The Inner Game of Tennis” – W. Timothy Gallwey
30. “The Suzuki Concept” – Ed. by Elizabeth Mills
31. “More Stories of Composers for Young Musicians” – Catherine Wolf Kendall
32. “A Parents Guide to the Suzuki Method” – Alinta Thornton
33. “Preschool in the Suzuki Spirit” – Susan Grilli
34. “A Manual on Nonviolence and Children” – Stephanie Judson
35. “How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk” – Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlich

JOURNALS:

• Talent Education Journal: Talent Education of St. Louis
• Suzuki World: The Magazine of Talent Education: Athens, Ohio
• British Suzuki Institute Newsletter
• Ability Development
• American Suzuki Journal
• European Suzuki Journal

Note from the Editor: The New Zealand Suzuki Institute no longer has a central library. The book lists supplied in these reports are available to branch members. Please contact your branch for library information.