Short-Term Teacher Development Course - guide to Application (except voice)

Prerequisite to Training: Every Child Can! (ECC) is required prior to taking Book 1.

Course Order: Courses must be taken in order through Book 2.

Audition Requirements: To qualify as a participant in training courses rather than auditor, applicants must submit a videotape audition of specified repertoire to the SAA, preferably prior to enrollment. Tapes should be submitted at least 8 weeks prior to the course start date, with the required fees and a completed application form. If submitted later than 8 weeks before the course start date, audition results determining participant eligibility may not be available prior to the course, and will require late audition fees. For courses occurring during summer 2006, applicants submitting tapes later than March 31, 2006 may not receive audition results prior to the course, even if meeting the above deadlines. An applicant may enroll late as “tape pending”, but will incur late audition fees, and audition results determining eligibility for participant credit will probably not be available until after the course. If auditions from “tape pending” applicants are not accepted, their course work will not be eligible retroactively for SAA credit registration as a participant, only as an auditor—even if course work was completed. For further information, please see the SAA website at www.suzukiassociation.org, in the teacher section under training, the downloadable video audition application form (with instructions); or call the SAA toll free (888) 378-9854 for this form.

Required Course Preparation: All workshop participants are asked to prepare the repertoire to be studied to the point of fluent performance. Memorization is not required but is recommended. Additionally, participants should be conversant with the ideas presented in Dr. Suzuki’s Nutured by Love .

All participants will be performing in class. Strings and woodwinds are expected to provide their own instruments. It is recommended that participants bring a tape recorder and a notebook to all sessions. 100% attendance is required for registering the course.

General Information

The SAA considers training to be professional pedagogical study, i.e. for professional musicians, for course content, pace and audition purposes. To qualify as a Participant in Short-Term courses, you must submit an audition to the SAA. An accepted audition permits you to be a Participant in training for the levels accepted, at any future time. With an accepted audition and a completed training unit as a Participant, you then register that course with the SAA prior to teaching that level. Training is to be taken and registered in order through Book 2. Violin and viola audition acceptance is interchangeable through Book 4 only; the violin and viola courses are interchangeable through Book 3.

This guide provides tape application information for new teachers beginning their training after 9/01/2003. Additional information is available at www. suzukiassociation.org.

Audition Deadlines: It is recommended that auditions be submitted well in advance of deadlines. T he postmark deadline is no later than 8 weeks prior to the course start.* This deadline allows adequate processing time, which varies from 4-7 weeks in most cases. Late fees are due after that date, and results may not be known by the start of the course. If no audition results are known by the start of the course, or no audition sent, you may enroll in the course as audition pending (provisional participant status).

* PLEASE NOTE: Processing time is often longer after March 31, due to the large number of seasonal submissions. To be sure to receive audition results prior to your selected course, it is advantageous to submit your audition by this date. Audition results delays from submitting less than 8 weeks before the course, incomplete applications/fees, and defective recordings/wrong repertoire are the applicant’s responsibility.

Basic Audition (for Books 1-4)

For training in Books 1-4 and supplementary/overview courses on those books : Submit an audition of both specified pieces below to SAA. Roman numerals indicate the movement. Edition is your choice. If this audition is accepted, you must submit the Intermediate or Comprehensive Auditions for training in Books 5 up. Currently for Books 5 and up you may also submit an audiotape cassette with your performance of 2 pieces from the book(s) to be studied. Choice of pieces is yours. This is sent to the institute/workshop (short-term training) or trainer (apprenticeship) prior to training. This cassette audition option is to be discontinued 1/07.

Violin : Seitz Concerto No. 5, I; Vivaldi Concerto in a minor, III

Viola : Seitz Concerto No. 5, I; Vivaldi Concerto in d minor, III

Cello : Breval Sonata in C Major, Allegro; Tchaikovsky, Chanson Triste

Bass : Saint Saens Elephant Song

Piano : Beethoven Sonata Op. 49 #2, I; Minuet I from Bach Partita in B flat

Flute : Blavet Sonata #2 in d minor, Sarabande and Finale

Harp : Carlos Salzedo, Chanson dans la Nuit; Haydn Theme and Variations

Intermediate (for Books 1-8/9)

For training in Books 1-8/9 and supplementary/overview courses based on those books : This audition may be used as an initial audition (as an alternate to Basic or Comprehensive), or after an accepted Basic Audition to continue training beyond Book 4. Submit an audition of the specified pieces below to SAA. Roman numerals indicate the movement. Where two pieces are specified, both must be performed (except flute, where it is a choice of movements noted). Edition is your choice. If the Intermediate Audition is not accepted, the Basic Audition may be an additional option as a retry, depending on the training levels desired (see retry options for deadlines).

Violin : Bach Concerto in a minor, I, BWV 1041 (for approval through Bk. 8)

Viola : TBA

Cello : Faure Elegie (for approval through Bk. 8)

Bass : TBA

Piano : NA (see Comprehensive Audition)

Flute : Mozart Concerto #2 in D Major, K. 314, I or II (for approval through Bk. 9)

Harp : TBA

Comprehensive (for all training courses)

For training in ALL books and supplementary/overview courses : This audition may be used as an initial audition (as an alternate choice to the others), or after an accepted Basic or Intermediate audition to continue training beyond the level of that previous audition. Submit an audition of the specified pieces below to SAA. Roman numerals indicate the movement. Where two pieces are indicated, choose one. Edition is your choice. Play all cadenza sections (alternate cadenzas allowed). If this audition is not accepted, the Basic or Intermediate are also options as a retry, depending on training levels desired (see retry options for deadlines).

Violin : Mozart Concerto #4, I or Concerto #5, I

Viola : Schubert Arpeggione, I

Cello : Haydn Concerto in C Major, I or Boccherini Concerto in B flat, I

Piano : Mozart Sonata K330, I or K331, I

Flute : Chaminade Concertino

Bass & Harp : NA

Preparing & Submitting Your Videotape

Prepare a well-polished performance. Memorization and/or accompaniment are not required.

Home filming is usually adequate but ensure sound is best quality possible.

Acceptable formats*:

• VHS Video Tapes: full size videos; if recording outside North America, not PAL or SECAM, NTSC only.
• Camcorder Video-Cassettes: VHS-C only; not EP mode, digital or Hi-8 Camcorder cassettes.
• DVDs: DVD-R, and if recorded in North America only; not DVD+R, RWs, Mini-DVDs/-DVs.*

Set camera to show player’s hand body positions, using the closest camera distance to include most or all of the body.

Multiple auditions: More than one type of audition can be on the same recording if made by the same person and on the same instrument; if on different instruments, only violin/viola may be paired on the same recording by the same person. Otherwise multiple auditions must be submitted on separate recordings (multiple fees due regardless).

Make 2 copies and check that both function in playback.**

Label submission with name, address, phone, instrument and pieces(s) performed.

Keep one copy in case submission is lost or damage in transit or defective. Use a traceable form of shipping to know when received. Shipping with padding is recommended.

* Other formats are not viewable by our evaluators. If recording on another format, please transfer to these formats for submission. Camera stores often offer rentals and transfers; high school & college AV depts. are also resources.

Audition Pending (Provisional Participant Status)

This option allows you to register for training when the preferred audition process (audition processed before the course begins) is not possible. The postmark deadline for this audition process is no later than 8 weeks after the course finish. Audition pending enrollment is provisional until results are known, and depending on submission/results timing, may result in no retry options if the initial audition is not accepted. If an audition pending submission is accepted, your status becomes Participant. If the audition pending is sent after the postmarked deadline, or not accepted, your status becomes Auditor. If the status at course finish is audition pending, no SAA registration form is issued. The forms are issued if the audition is submitted and accepted according to the process above.

Retry Options

Retries on unaccepted auditions are welcome, with a new application and fees ($40US/$60CAN), if postmarked by 8 weeks after the course finish (the same deadline for audition pending submissions).

Auditor

The SAA strongly encourages the Participant status. Auditor status is appropriate when you are unable to meet course attendance, observation and playing requirements. As an Auditor, you may not have full participation in the class, and will not be able to register the course.

Additional Guidelines

The SAA requires that Every Child Can! ©, Book 1, and Book 2 courses be taken in sequence. Training taken out of order may not be accepted by the SAA. Book 1 may be taken immediately following completion of Every Child Can! ©.

All trainees who have met the audition requirement, attendance requirements (100%), high school graduation requirements, and who fulfill class assignments will receive an SAA unit registration form signed by the Teacher Trainer, which can be registered with the SAA. Advanced high school students may be admitted to the course as Auditors; SAA registration forms will not be issued to high school students.

Enrollment in courses Book 1 and higher (as Participant or Auditor) requires proof of current active SAA membership. Additionally, course registration requires active membership with the SAA.

Practicum Unit

The Practicum Unit is strongly recommended for all teachers. The Practicum Unit focuses on pedagogy and honing the art of teaching. Topics to be explored will include communication skills, teaching strategies, diagnostics and observation. Activities will consist of a combination of discussion of participants’ videotaped lessons, teaching exercises, on-site teaching. One year of Suzuki teaching plus completion and registration of ECC and Book 1 are prerequisites. Registration of the Practicum Units follows the guidelines of the unit courses. Participants must bring videotaped lesson segments of their home teaching to Institute. Criteria for videos:

• A complete 30-minute lesson.

• One 30-minute segment containing materials of their choice. (Possibilities are consecutive lessons of the same student, a group lesson, a reading lesson, a challenging student, lessons at different book levels, etc.)

• More footage can be included on the videotape, but video viewing will depend on time constraints, class size and other factors.

• Angle of the camera must show the students’ hands.

• The closest possible camera placement should be used which includes the student’s entire body.

• The teacher should be visible during much of the lesson.

• Whenever possible, include the parent as well.

• Video must be VHS format.

• For best quality sound, an external microphone is recommended.

It is recommended that participants record many lessons over time and select from them the portions to include on the videotape brought to the Practicum Unit.

Supplementary Short Term Course – Developing the Intermediate Cellist

Supplementary courses are for teachers who have registered core courses through Book 4. Registration of supplementary courses follows the guidelines of the unit courses.

The Supplemental Cello Class will include study of 5th, 6th and 7th positions, a tenor clef introduction to thumb position, treble clef, double stops as well as continuing development of bow technique, style and musicianship.  Materials used in the class will be taken from the Suzuki Cello Books, (mainly books 4,5 and 6)  and the following books written by Rick Mooney:  Position Pieces Book 2, Thumb Position Book 1 and Double Stops.