Letters to the Editor v1 n1
Dear Editor,
I was delighted to receive the November Newsletter in the post the other day. But as you can see, it’s taken a long time to get here. I also read about all the other newsletters, but I’ve only received two since I attended the Suzuki Conference when Dr Suzuki was present in January 1989, the November 1989 one being one of them. I recall paying extra for airmail postage, which I don’t mind if it comes surface mail as long as it comes. So I am hoping you can extend my membership for another year so I can still keep in touch with all the wonderful Suzuki happenings in New Zealand. My daughter learns Suzuki violin, there are only two other girls we know, so you are very lucky in New Zealand, and we all enjoy reading the newsletters very much. We have only been to New Zealand once in three and a half years, but we do hope on our next visit to coincide with one of your fantastic events. I do hope what I paid in January 1989 will cover two years’ membership as for that money, and the extra I paid for airmail, I only received the two newsletters each five months late.
Thanks very much.
Jo-Ann Kennedy
Singapore
- Editor’s Note:
We hope to have rectified this problem for Jo-Ann Kennedy and give our apologies.
Membership Renewal Reminder:
Please remember that this is the last newsletter being sent out to unfinancial members. Failure to renew membership will mean you will not receive the June Journal.
Membership Renewal Forms make up the inside back cover of this magazine. Fees per annum are $20.50 and should be sent to:
Secretary N.Z.S.I.
P.O. Box 7019
HAMILTON”
Ed.
Dear Editor,
I’d like to begin by congratulating Alix on her very first newsletter. We think it’s a great effort and most interesting to read, both for adults and children.
In January, we were lucky enough to attend the Rotorua String Summer Camp. It was really tremendous and was ‘like a shot in the arm’ for our music playing. Since the camp, the children have practiced daily with great enthusiasm, so there’s no doubt in my mind what it did for them.
We made many friends among the 600 or so people present. Being new to Suzuki Violin last year, we knew no one except our teacher before we went, but came away feeling as though we were among friends we’d known for ages.
The whole programme for the camp was well thought out, with two music classes in the morning where the children were divided into groups and then a concert before lunch. I thoroughly enjoyed these morning sessions. The tutors approached each group with an obvious enthusiasm and an infectious love of music. The focus was always on making the lesson enjoyable as well as presenting at least one special point for the children to be aware of.
We had rousing sing-alongs in the morning after breakfast with energetic actions that sometimes left me wondering if I was poorly coordinated. We also had ‘play-ins’ every evening after dinner.
There was a lovely afternoon outing to Paradise Valley, where the highlight was cuddling a couple of baby lions.
Finally, I read in the last newsletter the words from Dr Suzuki: ‘If a child hears good music from the day of his birth and learns to play it himself, he develops sensitivity, discipline, and endurance… He gets a beautiful heart.’
Having not long returned from the camp and listened especially to Professor Aber from the U.S.A. and Mr Nakamura talk about Suzuki Violin playing, I’ve come to see that Suzuki is really a lifestyle, and it’s definitely one we are delighted to be a part of. We’re looking forward to our next camp in August. The children say, ‘They can’t wait.’
Wendy Consedine
Hamilton
- Editor’s Note:
I am still waiting to hear from Kathy Shelhart regarding the notes taken from her Parent’s Lectures in Napier. As Kathy was expecting a baby in late January, I’m sure it is a very busy time for her.