Suzuki Music Annual
Report
2006 4
Suzuki has had another busy and highly
successful year. The Commonwealth games
interfered with all educators schedules
giving us a truncated first term, after which
we played catch up all year.
Our Autumn Festival became a Winter
Festival and although it was not at the time
of year we prefer, it was an interesting
experiment. The weather was cold but
clear and sunny. Some rooms were
uncomfortable early in the morning but the
teaching more than made up for the chill.
As always there were wonderful guest
tutors; Yoshihiko Terada (Japan) for the
Cellos, Sarah Hanley (UK) for the Flutes,
Frank Longay (USA) for the Guitars, Ruth
Miura (Brussels) for the Pianos and Hiroko
Suzuki (Japan), Yasuki Nakamura (NSW),
Haruo Goto (NSW) and Alison McAlpine
(NSW) for the violins. These tutors we now all
know well and greatly appreciate the
insights they give us especially when it
comes to Suzuki philosophy. Our own
"home grown" teachers worked tirelessly for
us, and of course the office staff efficiently
looked after all details. All the concerts
were excellent. We had the privilege of
hearing Mrs. Suzuki play on Dr. Suzuki's violin
which was a wonderful bit of history. The
Showcase Concert was a joy to listen to,
with every item special. Louisa Breen's
accompanying
skills
were
most
appreciated. To all involved, teachers,
parents and young musicians we all say
thank you so much.
The All Instrument Concerts are now being
run over two Sundays at some venues due
to the large number of participants. I feel
this is a very healthy sign and would like to
remind all teachers to help if they are able,
as they are very worthwhile events. The
`Secondary Age Concerts' were well
attended.
The Pianos have been kept busy with
Keyboards Kool offering the more
advanced students a pleasant social
occasion along with lots of learning and a
concert. There is always great feedback
from these events, especially about the
pizzas! Piano Graduations continue to be a
learning experience well worth doing. They
are a pleasant playing experience. It makes
so much sense to present the piece to an
audience rather than just one examiner.
The Graduation concerts were both well
attended. A Suzuki Piano Play-a-thon was
run in July to raise money for `Very Special
Kids'; a worthwhile endeavour. Piano
Concerts Plus was a new event on the
calendar and by all reports was very
successful.
A Mini Festival was run in October at Scotch
College and was greatly enjoyed by violins,
violas, cellos, flutes and guitars. For those
students who are unable to make the
Autumn Festival, this festival will whet your
appetite for more.
The Grand Annual Concert was well
attended this year. It is always so enjoyable
to see a stage full of young smiling
musicians. Again thank you to the Office for
the organising of the event. It ran like
clockwork and it takes a lot of skill and hard
work to get this to happen. A thank you also
to the teachers present who put in a lot of
time and effort to make the day a success.
All PD events were well attended. These are
so valuable to us all as teachers and I urge
everyone to consider six hours to be the
minimum time of attendance. We should all
be at them all! The hard working PD
Committee has given us another excellent
year of tutoring. Thank you.
There have been other wonderful events
during the year such as the ECE family
teddy bears picnic. What a wonderful idea!
Toni Robson had the time and patience
along with students and friends to knit
blankets for the Sudanese. What a
nurturing, caring enterprise. There are sure
to be lots of interesting events in the Suzuki
family's life that were and are caring,
interesting and lots of fun.
The Violin Graduations continue to be
taped (or DVD'd) as do the violas, cellos,
flute and guitars. The flutes and `cellos also
have live graduations and so cater for all
philosophical ideas. I believe the standard
President's Report
