FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

By Dee Martz

I could feel the excitement building as the summer slowly moved toward the beginning of August. This year at the American Suzuki Institute we planned to launch Margery V. Aber’s newly published book Hip! Hip! Hooray! 30 years with the American Suzuki Institute in Stevens Point, Wisconsin with a concert and a series of book signing events. After years of work by Miss Aber with the assistance of Kay Kalke, Gail Shoemaker and many others, this book would be in our hands and its many stories would touch our hearts. I grew even more eager when I saw that the cover included a photograph of Margery leading “Hip, Hip, Hoorays.” That wonderful smiling face invites us all to open the book and find out more about the great adventure of her life, starting and nurturing the Suzuki program in Stevens Point.

The 2001 Institute began as planned with a fabulous recital presented by some of Miss Aber’s former students who are members of the ASI faculty: Corine Brouwer, Patricia D’Ercole, John Klein and San San Lee Kletzien. Each of them also wrote something about their experience studying with Miss Aber for the program. Although I enjoyed the music I loved the impromptu storytelling that happened as each performer reminisced about being one of Miss Aber’s students. The evening’s program drew to a close when many members of the ASI faculty performed the first movement of the Bach Concerto for two violins and the Suzuki Twinkle Variations. As far as I could tell there was not a dry eye in the house as the heartfelt Twinkle performance was clearly a thank you to Miss Aber from the faculty, all of whom had been changed in some way by the gifts of this very special woman.

However, the true highlight of the evening happened after the official program ended. Margery Aber took this opportunity to speak to the audience and in her own way special motivated all of us to appreciate and yet to strive for more. When she spoke, the crowd hushed as if each member knew that this would be something special. This is what she said:

“I want to mention something about each of those kids who played tonight – kids! They are my kids. You know, some of us have children, and some of us don’t, but those are my children. And, you know, Dr. Suzuki always said, “You don’t teach children to become professionals, you teach them to be noble human beings. You make them into something…make them…have their hearts show.” And I feel that these people all showed their hearts while they played. And when you who are their students, uh, find that you’ll…you’ll see the compassion that they have, the sympathy and the sensitivity that they have for each one of you. But I want to say that, you know, you’re supposed to not ever have a favorite student, and so I have to admit that I did have a favorite student – all six of them! (laughter) But then I had other favorites, too. That was their parents.

You know, parents are sooo marvelous. And you can do so much help each other, your husbands, your other children, your relatives – you can do so much for them. But, you are the ones who do the most for your own children, and you have to be able to appreciate even the slightest improvement.

I can hear lots of improvement in each one of these performers – more sensitivity, more depth of tone, more beautiful phrasing, better intonation…See, I could tell you some stories about each one of them (laughter), but it’s maybe better if I don’t. (laughter) They might gang up on me on the way out (laughter), and I can’t run quite so fast right now. (laughter) But, anyway, all of you that have just played, thanks so much, and thank all of you for coming out to this concert. It was great! Really great!”

Much to our surprise Margery V. Aber died on August 16^th, less than 10 days after the recital and less than 10 hours after she led her final “Hip! Hip! Hooray!” It is true that she is gone but she left us with so much. She influenced thousands of people who one by one gained understanding of the Suzuki philosophy and were moved to change their lives because of it. Her actions stand as a monument to the idea that one person can make a difference. Miss Aber, “Hip, Hip, Hooray!” from all of us.

Goalsetting

By Kyoko Fuller

Now that fall has come and school is back, I have been surprised by how many have been refreshed in the return to the familiar order of work. Several parents have expressed to me, "Oh, boy! It's great to get back the routine again!" Students also are ready to get back to work. Its great to see their anticipation for a fulfilling new school year. This freshness of spirit is a special time, that when nurtured in the right way, can lead to great accomplishments. Parents and children are ready to have new goals set before them. Now is the time to make appropriate commitments to new goals.

Already I have seen some students get into goal setting early. During the Institute, several made commitments with their friends to practice every day for a hundred days straight, without missing a single day! Doing this completely voluntarily, they are being rewarded with an eagerness to do more than they thought they could do before. Thirty days and counting! They are really excited!

Some goal setting comes very naturally. For example, you can always do more of what you have been doing well. But goal setting is more than that, because we also need to think about doing more of what we haven't been doing well, and that is harder. So goal setting has to begin with some self-evaluation. Besides what you think yourself, remember what your teacher has been saying to you! Here are some areas that you might want to consider setting goals for:

Environmental goals: The Suzuki Method has always emphasized the development of a nurturing home environment. Practically, this means setting goals to improve the amount of classical music heard in the home, establishing practice times and places without distractions, and participating in local concerts. Now is the time to check your calendar and schedule upcoming performances. Setting a date for giving a home concert and sharing your music to your neighbors and friends is a wonderful goal.

Practice goals: At each level of ability, there is an appropriate amount of practice that will ensure progress. Your teacher will help set different practice goals, how much to refine review pieces, how much to practice tonalization and to work on a new piece, etc. Without practice goals, you might be concentrating only on the things you are already good at. Consistency is so important in practice, so schedule a time and a length that will allow you to do it daily.

Technical goals: This is mainly what you will get in your lessons, so it is vital that you remember to take notes. Your teacher will help you set the right goals here. A popular goal among many students is to graduate from a book by a certain date. This is fine, but in addition to learning the notes of the pieces, there are essential techniques that must be mastered at each stage, such as posture, vibrato, intonation, shifting technique, etc. With technique, the larger goals will only be met as we pay attention to the smaller goals.

Musical goals: No matter how good your technique may get, there are qualities of music that can only come from understanding musical expression. Music is a language of the heart that requires a growth in our sensitivity to art. This comes from listening to great performances and also from what great performers say about their music. Actually, growing in this area often entails a getting in touch with the creative side of your being and your imagination. Along with technical practice, you must begin to take time to foster your dreams! This is a difficult goal to measure, but you will know when it begins to happen in your life.

Character goals: Dr. Suzuki believed that learning to make beautiful music could help develop nobility in every person. Practicing music not only works to make good sound, but it also works to produce finer attitudes within us. This happens when we begin to work consciously on our discipline and character. Even in simple things, like caring for your instrument, you can develop steadfastness and greater discipline. A great quality is service because music is never just for ourselves, but for the benefit of others. That's why Marathon can be such a great opportunity for older students to inspire and show an example to younger students. There are so many areas of character that music can develop in us. Consider respect for parents and teachers. Not only does respect make our lessons go more smoothly, but also it helps us listen and learn much faster. Another area to grow in is patience. In music, one of biggest problem areas is frustration and discouragement about lack of progress. Patience with yourself will carry you through difficult times in your music so that you may appreciate even small advances in your skills.

These days, a lot has been said about how to set goals and how to measure them. Clearly, it is not wise to set goals too high or too low, or to set too many. But it does help to think about them and plan a course of action that is directed by balanced approach. Perhaps, it will be useful to set a goal in each of the above categories so that you may focus on greater achievement in new areas. Good luck and have a great new school year!

music of the masters

to honor handel

The American Suzuki Foundation will be presenting its annual Music of the Masters Dinner on Saturday, October 20. The Stevens Point Holiday Inn will be the site of the annual event, with cocktails and dinner, live music by the students and faculty of ASTEC, and lots of items to bid on in the silent auction. The special host for the evening will be George Frederick Handel, one of the great composers of the classical era.

The proceeds from the evening’s festivities will help support the mission of the Foundation, which is the support of the students and program of ASTEC through scholarships and grants. Not only will you have a fantastic evening of great music and company, you will be helping the Foundation in its important work.

We hope to see you there. Tickets are available from Mimi Johnson at the Suzuki House, the UWSP Box Office, and from all of the board members.

BARBARA ZIEBELL ERA ENDS

By Dee Martz

As difficult as it is to believe, it is true that the “Good Morning, Suzuki House, this is Barbara’ voice of Suzuki at UWSP retired on September 27. Every day for nearly 25 years Barbara Ziebell has been ready with a warm smile, a kind word, a clear explanation of all those crazy forms, a gentle reminder of timelines and unending patience no matter what. Barbara has provided living definitions of strong work ethic, team player, lifelong learner, excellent people skills, good listener and Suzuki style teacher. She has always been most comfortable in the background doing whatever it took to make sure that everything was perfectly organized and ready on time. The work that Barbara did enhanced the quality of the Suzuki programs at UWSP yet she was always quick to give credit to everyone around her. At her retirement luncheon with the ASTEC faculty, best wishes and tears all flowed simultaneously as we hesitantly said farewell.

Barbara, thank you for being who you and a Bzillion best wishes for a terrific retirement.

VOILA VIOLA

By Dee Martz

After school on Tuesday September 11, 2001 Harry DeBauche walked from P. J. Jacobs Junior High School to the Suzuki House and quietly came through the door of my studio. As I greeted him, Harry seemed smaller and more vulnerable than he had the week before. Perhaps that was because I felt smaller and more vulnerable than I had just a few hours before.

Harry, his mother and I spoke briefly about the events of the day. We were trying to sort things out and to share our feelings, but we were unable to express the complicated emotions that had taken over our minds and hearts. Although the news that we had seen and heard on and off throughout the day was too horrible to comprehend, it was already clear that our lives had been changed forever.

Eventually, I asked Harry to get his viola out of the case because after all Tuesday afternoon is the time he has set aside for his lesson. Once the viola was tuned it was time to begin but neither of us really wanted to go through the ordinary motions of a weekly viola lesson. Harry is a very good reader so I pulled out a book of viola duets and selected music that was clear, optimistic and uplifting.

While we played, the sound of the music began to help us feel just a bit better. There are many things about September 11, 2001 that I will remember for the rest of my life. The only one that I really want to dwell on is the feeling that I had standing side by side with Harry, making music that soothed our souls

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

By Barbara Ziebell

At last April’s Festival Concert I was given a very nice retirement send off. Then, during the summer, you would come into the Suzuki House and still see me at the desk. Some of you thought I had come back to help out. In actuality, my retirement was set for October. I was here to help Mimi Johnson get through her first American Suzuki Institute experience. Incidentally, she managed extremely well. I will definitely be retired and out of the Suzuki House by the time you read this article.

It has certainly been my pleasure to have had the opportunity to meet everyone. What a great time to see the children grow from their Suzuki beginning lessons through their graduation concerts. In fact, some of the new Suzuki Moms were Suzuki children when I first started working. Good grief!!

I can’t say good-bye because I tear up each time I say this word. I’ll just say, thanks for the memories. I’ll surely see you at the store, or at a concert, or most definitely at next summer’s American Suzuki Institute concerts and play-ins.

NOTES FROM THE ENDPIN

By Lawrence Leviton

Welcome back cellists. Congratulations to all of you for all of the exciting things you did with your

cellos this summer. Many of you attended Institutes-in fact, I think we had record numbers of cellists from the Astec program. Others attended other music camps and all of you came back this fall with your batteries recharged and energy for a new year of music making. Welcome to all of the new cellists in the program. It's great to have you in the program and I've already enjoyed our lessons and the sensational marathon from last weekend.

And, speaking of marathons, here's the schedule for upcoming Marathons:

9 - 9:30 a.m. Pre-Twinkle

9:30 - 10:15 a.m. Books One through Three

10:45 a.m. - Noon Books Four and Up

Please see me if you need clarification on which session you should go to. Of course, you are welcome to stay and observe for the whole morning if you would like. I might even find something for you to do.

Please mark your calendar for the Music of the Masters Dinner. It's coming up soon on October 20th. Many of the cellists will be participating and I'll have details and brochures at your upcoming lessons. I hope you all have a great year.

From the Endpin.....Lawrence Leviton

PARENT INFORMATION SESSIONS

Suzuki: Living the Philosophy, an information series for first-year parents will begin on Sunday, October 7 at 7:00 p.m. in Room A206 of the Fine Arts Center. Sessions 2 – 6 will be held at 7:30 p.m. in Room 107 of the Suzuki House.

First-year parents are expected to attend the first session and at least three of sessions 2 through 6. “Seasoned” parents are welcome and encouraged to attend any or all sessions.

Future topics and dates include:

November 13, “…First, you gotta create da mood…”

December 11, “Practicing: The Great Quest for Consistency Without Boredom”

February 19, “Note Reading 101: A Survival Manual For Parents”

March 12, “Do You Hear What I Hear”

April 16, “The Art of Reviewing With a Purpose”

Please mark your calendar and plan to attend.

CALENDAR

The following is a list of upcoming events, please mark your calendar and plan to attend:

Sunday, October 7 – Suzuki: Living the Philosophy, Parent Orientation, 7:00 p.m., Room A 206, Fine Arts Center.

Saturday, October 13 and Sunday, October 14-Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra, “Flutes and Flicks,” 7:30 p.m. on 10/13, 4:00 p.m. on 10/14, Sentry Theater.*

Friday, October 19 – Aber Children’s Scholarship Applications due, Suzuki House, 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 20 – Marathon Saturday, 9 a.m. – 12 noon, COFA.

Saturday, October 20 – Music of the Masters Dinner, 6 p.m. cocktails, 7 p.m. dinner, Holiday Inn.

Sunday, October 21 – Suzuki Ensemble and Solo Recitals, 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., Alumni Room, University Center.

Saturday, October 27 – Halloween Concert, Michelsen Concert Hall, COFA, 11 a.m.

Saturday, November 17 – Marathon Saturday, 9 a.m. – 12 noon. Ask your teacher for your site.

Sunday, November 18 – Suzuki Ensemble and Solo Recitals, 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., Michelsen Concert Hall, COFA.

Saturday, December 8 – Marathon Saturday, 9 a.m. – 12 noon, COFA.

Sunday, December 9 – Suzuki Ensemble and Solo Recitals, 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., Alumni Room, University Center.

*Phone 346-4100 for ticket information.

FACULTY NEWS

Dee Martz attended the Suzuki Association of the Americas Leadership Conference in Boulder, Colorado, May 23 – 28. She served as a clinician at the Intermountain Suzuki String Institute in Salt Lake City in June and at the Chicago Suzuki Institute in July. Her three-year term on the Board of Directors of the Suzuki Association of the Americas began on August 1.

Pat D’Ercole taught teacher-training courses at the Utah Suzuki Institute in Sandy, Utah, June 7 – 16 and at the Chicago Suzuki Institute in Deerfield, Illinois, June 30 – July 8.

Kyoko Fuller was a clinician at the Suzuki Strings of Madison Workshop at Madison, Wisconsin in May, the Peaks to Plains Suzuki Institute at Boulder, Colorado in July and at the American Suzuki Institute at UW-Stevens Point in August.

Pat D’Ercole was the coordinator for the 7^th International Research Symposium on Talent Education, which was held on campus on August 11, 2001. The theme of the Symposium was “Applications of Research in Skill Development: Developing Competence and Confidence Efficiently.”

Dave Becker and Dee Martz are serving on the Fine Arts Addition Building Committee. They met with the architects on and off throughout the summer and will continue to do so as the plans for this big project develop.

Hip! Hip! Hooray!

30 years with the American Suzuki Institute in Stevens Point, Wisconsin

By the late Margery V. Aber

Available at the Suzuki Office

$15.00

STUDENT NEWS

Kristin Mocadlo is a member of Wisconsin High School Honor Band and participated in its summer Camp at UW-Eau Claire in June.

Christopher and Jennika Marion won the $100 grand prize at the Central Wisconsin State Fair Fiddling Contest. Jennika also won first place in her age division.

Christopher and Allison Patchett and Kelley and Stacey Rolak attended Colorado Suzuki Institute.

Tyler and Spencer Millican attended the Orchestra Camp in the Upper Peninsula this summer.

Monica Asuquo and Ross Moore attended the WSMA Honors Orchestra camp in late June.

Suzuki students were featured in the “Thanks a Million” event on May 16, where John and Patty Noel’s $1,000,000 gift for the Fine Arts Addition was announced. In their remarks, the Noel’s made it clear that the Suzuki program was a very important part of their decision to make such a large donation. Thank you to all the students and faculty who participated in this celebration.

The following are ASTEC students who attended ASI 2001:

Monica Asuquo

James Banovetz

John Banovetz

Joseph Banovetz

Mary Banovetz

Lyndi Benz-Dean*

David Cecil*

Eric Christensen*

Kelsey Christensen

Shelby Cronce

Michael Crump

Naomi Crump

Christian Czernicki

Jamie Davis*

Sally DeBauche

Madeleine DeBot*

Wade Dittburner

Wyatt Dittburner*

Chris Droske

Michael Enright

Xue Fan*

Forrest Fleishauer

Rebecca Furdek

Emily Gruselle

Nicholas Guzowski

Walker Guzowski

Kristin Henry

Brad Hessler*

Billy Jenkins*

Laura Josephson

Michael Josephson

Benjamin Karbowski*

Carolyn Karbowski

Emily Karbowski

Jonathan Karbowski*

Ken Kellner

Anna Krueger*

Peter Krueger*

Jacob Kubisiak

Anna Luetmer

Grace Luetmer*

Paul Luetmer

William Luetmer

Bryce Marion

Christopher Marion*

Jenika Marion*

Zachary Markman

Zara Markman

Karl McComas-Reichl*

Roy Meyer

Spencer Millican

Tyler Millican*

Jane Mitchell

Will Mitchell*

Lindsey Mocadlo*

Katie Munck*

Peter Munck

Courtney Nenn

Quinn O’Reilly

Alex Oberthaler

Natalie Olson

Elisa Prebble

Maria Prebble

Mariah Pursley

Brynn Rathjen

Alex Reeser

Rachel Reichert

Kelley Rolak

Stacey Rolak

Jessica Ryan*

Emma Sands

Erik Sands

Petrea Schedgick

Emily Seegert

Matthew Seegert

Lauren Sheibley

Jason Smith

Jeff Spaay

Karl Spaay

Christa Spieth

Naomi Tranel

Nathan Tranel

Sarah Tranel

Brian Turner

Nakisa Vaezzadeh

Parisa Vaezzadeh

Sarah Zahn*

Matt Ziehr*

* Students who performed in recital at ASI.

GRADUATES

Book One

Wade Dittburner, Violin

Hannah Locher, Piano

Michael Enright, Piano

Book Two

Lindsey Mocadlo, Violin

Grace Luetmer, Violin

Rachelle Werth, Piano

Ken Keller, Piano

Emily Karbowski, Piano

Emmalee Boyle, Piano

Book Three

Jonathon Kamps, Viola

Brad Hessler, Viola

Book Four

Sarah Tranel, Piano

Book Six

Sarah Zahn, Viola

Book Seven

Wyatt Dittburner, Violin

Anna Luetmer, Violin

Book Eight

Madeleine DeBot, Violin

Congratulations to the all our graduates.