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General Information and Requirements Introductory Courses Teacher Observation Application for Short-Term Courses

Application for Short-Term Courses

Teachers may enroll in any SAA course as either participants (for graduate credit or noncredit) or auditors. Teachers may enroll for only one course per time period listed.

The ECC course is noncredit. The violin and cello book 1 courses carry 2 graduate credits. All other courses carry 1.5 graduate credits. All courses are also offered on a noncredit basis.

Participants must provide their own instruments and will perform during class sessions. The auditor category is designed for teachers who do not have the technical facility to perform the material in the book being studied. Auditors do not perform during class sessions.

To qualify as a participant in training courses rather than an auditor, applicants must submit a videotape audition of specified repertoire to the SAA, preferably prior to enrollment.

Tapes must be submitted at least eight weeks before the course start date (by May 12), with the required fees and a completed application form. If submitted later than eight weeks before the course start date, audition results determining participant eligibility may not be available prior to the course and will require late fees.

An applicant may enroll late as "tape pending" but will incur late fees, and audition results determining eligibility for participant credit will not be available until after the course. If auditions from "tape pending" trainees are not accepted, their coursework will not be eligible retroactively for SAA credit registration as a participant. Their status for that course will be changed from “tape pending” to “auditor.” For more information please see the SAA website teacher section for downloadable video audition application forms (with instructions) at www.suzukiassociation.org, or call the SAA toll-free at 888-378-9854 for this form.

Audition Options

Approval to enroll in core courses is determined by SAA based on a videotape submission, using one of three options:

Applicants may videotape performances of two specified pieces from book 4 for their instrument. If these are accepted, the applicant is automatically approved to enroll as a participant in book 1 through 4 courses and the practicum.

Entry-level repertoire:

• Violin: Seitz, Concerto no. 5, mvt. I; and Vivaldi Concerto in A Minor, mvt. III
• Viola: Seitz, Concerto no. 5, mvt. I; and Vivaldi Concerto in D Minor, mvt. III
• Cello: Breval, Sonata in C Major, Allegro; and Tchaikovsky, Chanson Triste

Participation in training courses for book 5 and beyond requires an audition --- on VHS videotape, audiotape, CD or DVD --- that includes two pieces from the books to be studied during the training. Submit the recording and registration materials directly to the institute.

Applicants may videotape a piece specified below from the final Suzuki book for their instrument. If this is approved, the applicant is automatically eligible to enroll as a participant in books 1 - 10 plus the practicum, overview, and supplementary units.

• Violin: Mozart Concerto no. 4 or Concerto no. 5, mvt. I
• Viola: Schubert Arpeggione, mvt. I
• Cello: Haydn Concerto, mvt. I or Boccherini Concerto, mvt. I

Courses already completed under the previous system remain valid. However, a videotape submission will be required for acceptance as a participant in any further training courses.

Preparing Your Videotape

• VHS or VHS-C format is required.
• You are not required to memorize materials or perform with accompaniment.
• While it is not required that the videotape be professionally made, please ensure that the sound is of the best possible quality. If possible, the use of remote microphones is recommended.
• The video must show the player's hands and body position. It is suggested that you use the closest possible camera placement that includes as much of the entire body as possible.
• Keep a copy of your videotape. Make sure the copy to be submitted to the SAA functions well.
• In pencil, label the tape to be submitted with your name, address, phone, instrument, and the names of the pieces performed.
• If the jurors find that your tape does not fulfill the criteria above, you will be asked to send another one, along with a second application fee.

Submitting Your Application

• Obtain an application form from the Suzuki Association website, www.suzukiassociation.org (see sidebar for downloadable forms), or from the SAA office, P.O. Box 17310, Boulder, CO 80308.
• Send the videotape, completed application form, and required fee to the SAA office at the address on the application form. Fees if postmarked by deadline: $40 U.S./$60 Canadian .
• Postmark deadline is eight weeks prior to the beginning of the first summer institute you wish to attend. Deadline for Ithaca institute: May 12, 2006.
• Applications postmarked after the deadline will require an additional $20 U.S./$30 Canadian late fee, to be submitted with the application (total fees of $60 U.S./$90 Canadian). In this case, audition results regarding eligibility as a participant may not be available prior to the training; late applicants may register as "tape pending." Status may be changed retroactively from pending to participant by the trainer if the audition is accepted.
• For courses occurring during the summer of 2006, applicants submitting tapes later than March 31, 2006, may not receive audition results prior to the course, even if meeting the above deadlines.