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

Courses

Introductory Course: Every Child Can!

July 10
Carrie Reuning-Hummel, instructor
An introduction to Suzuki education, six hours of class work

ECC serves as the required first course in the Suzuki Association of the Americas Teacher Development Program and provides an inspiring, in-depth look at the Suzuki approach to teaching and learning. It also includes an introduction to learning styles, a history of the development of Suzuki education, the role of parents, the importance of Suzuki pedagogical training, and an overview of SAA's role of supporting teachers and parents. The course is instrument nonspecific and is a prerequisite to beginning a sequence of Suzuki pedagogy study.*

Courses for Violin

Courses for Viola

Courses for Cello

The Mozart Violin Concertos
Barbara Barber

A pedagogical and interpretive study of three violin concertos by W. A. Mozart -- no. 3 (K. 216), no. 4 (K. 218) , and no. 5 (K. 219). An in-depth study of these works will include a brief historical background, suggested fingerings and bowings, tone production, vibrato, rhythm, and basic interpretation. Time will be spent investigating basic skills needed for the student to approach these works with ease. Student demonstration lessons and class study of the concertos are integral parts of the course.

For SAA registration teachers must have completed registration for Violin Book 5. The course is also open to non-Suzuki teachers without SAA registration. Tape requirement: first movement of any of the three concertos being studied.

Participants should come with the following editions of the music: no. 3, Henle; nos 4 & 5, Barenreiter.

Violin Practicum

The SAA Practicum Unit was developed to enhance the SAA's system of short-term workshop training. While unit core training mainly focuses on Suzuki repertoire and instrumental technique, the emphasis of the practicum is on honing the art of teaching. Topics to be explored will include communication skills, teaching strategies, diagnostics, and observation. In a nurturing and supportive environment of peers, using video footage from their home studio and on-site teaching, participants will practice self-assessment skills to identify their strengths in teaching and those areas in need of improvement. In keeping with the SAA's commitment to life-long learning, the practicum will provide teachers with an invaluable opportunity at any stage in their development.

Participants must have taught Suzuki students for a minimum of one year and must have completed and registered Every Child Can! and Unit 1. Videotape audition is not a prerequisite. Beyond this required minimum level of training and experience, the practicum unit is appropriate and beneficial for any Suzuki teacher and may be repeated as often as desired.

Activities in SAA Practicum Units to consist of a combination of discussion of participants' videotaped lessons of his/her home students, teaching exercises, and on-site teaching. On-site teaching is to include volunteer students who would receive extra lessons. Volunteer students may or may not be students from participants' own studio.

Minimum Requirement: Videotaped lesson segments should include a complete 30-minute lesson and one 30-minute videotape of materials of the participant's choice. Possibilities are a consecutive lesson of the same student, a group lesson, a reading lesson, a challenging student, a student recital, lessons at different book levels, etc.

The videotape:

1. VHS format required
2. For best quality sound, an external microphone is recommended.
3. Angle of the camera must show the student's hands; it is suggested that the closest possible camera placement be used which includes the students' entire body. It is important that the teacher be visible during much of the lesson. Whenever possible, try to include the parent in the video as well.
4. 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 course.