AMBASSADOR MAY opportunity to get a glimpse of what s possible with some work and some healthy struggle.

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1 AMBASSADOR MAY 2014 Upcoming Events Saturday, May 10, 2014 Solo Recitals Michelsen Hall, 2:00 and 3:30 pm Saturday, May 10, 2014 Central State Chamber Orchestra Concert Michelsen Hall, 7:30 pm Sunday, May 18 Aurora String Quartet Michelsen Hall, 2:00 pm Sunday, June 15 Sam Sheibley and William Rosenthal Joint Senior Piano Recital Michelsen Hall, 1:00 pm Director s Column By Pat D Ercole It s been a good year. We just had two very successful festival concerts that illustrate the breadth and depth of the Aber Suzuki Center. At the String and Voice Festival Concert one could observe all of the instruments that we offer violin, viola cello, piano, voice harp, guitar and our Early Childhood Education class. At both the String and Voice concert and the Piano Festival Concerts we could see the whole span of ability from those just beginning to those who are most advanced. This provides what Daniel Coyle called staring at the vision of our future self. As he said, it s an opportunity to get a glimpse of what s possible with some work and some healthy struggle. Besides our festival extravaganzas, the Aber Suzuki Center students have given 29 monthly recitals, 6 senior recitals and 16 outreach concerts in the community including the holiday marathon played at various senior centers and the Central WI Middle School Honors Orchestra Weekend. We also had 21 students involved in the Collaboration Weekend. Two ASC students were concerto competition winners, and 8 students will be going to the Suzuki Association Conference at the end of May to be the example of Suzuki Voice that will be featured for the first time. In addition, 6 ASC string students will be participating in master classes and the Suzuki Youth Orchestra of the Americas. Our students had the opportunity to play with Rachel Barton Pine, and heard the ASC faculty, and the Brooklyn Rider Quartet for free in recital. And we ve had contests a composer contest, a Margery Aber Essay contest and the 100 Day Practice challenge. (Daniel Coyle even used the 100 Day Practice challenge as an example in his talk.) Our enrollment increased by 3% and the American Suzuki Foundation gave $1,700 in referral rebates. $8,500 was awarded in need based scholarships including two $250 Dedication Scholarships, and $2,000 in Aber Children s Scholarships were given. We also received a $10,000 grant from the College of Fine Arts & Communication to expand our Marshfield outreach to include harp and cello in the fall. We have held two open houses with petting zoos to encourage new fami 1

2 lies. Experienced parents were identified to mentor others who may have questions or concerns, weekly announcements got a new look and we ve remembered and learned about our past directors. That s a summary of what we ve done this year, but the ASC faculty have spent the better part of the year looking forward, too. We have developed a strategic plan, a blueprint of what we aspire to do in the next five years. You can read more about it starting on page 5. Let us know what you think. We will be adjusting and updating it as we begin to implement it. Lastly, the Aber Suzuki Center is vibrant and successful because of the many student parentteacher triangles that, when put together, make the strongest architectural structure and the strongest educational structure. Together we are contributing to Dr. Suzuki s dream of making the world a better place by developing loving, caring, sensitive human beings through music. Pablo Casals said, Perhaps music will save the world. Mrs. Hofer s contribution below may give you another insight of how that can happen. Thanks for a great year! Partners in Greatness by Boris Goldovsky My teacher Marjorie Phelps Kampenga was a singer in the early years of Tanglewood. I have heard this lecture many times, but I thought parents and students of all disciplines might enjoy these thoughts from the esteemed director Boris Goldovsky. Mary Hofer There are various forms of art; such as there is painting, there is sculpture, there is the theater, there is music, there is poetry. But there is a big difference between them in the sense that some of these forms of art are all finished, and in fact do not need anybody else to do anything to them. For instance, if there is a great painting and it hangs in a museum, the people come to the museum and admire it and think it s wonderful, the painting doesn t need anybody. It is finished. The painter had done it and that s it. Or if a great piece of sculpture is over there and people admire it. Or if there is a great cathedral, and it is there and people admire it. But the interesting thing about the theater and music is that, in fact, it does not exist. That means what the great composers and playwrights have given us are not plays, or pieces of music, or operas, but in fact are really only recipes for how to perform them. Mozart didn t write a symphony. Mozart just put black dots on paper; that is not a symphony. That is just a suggestion of how a symphony should be performed. Operas do not exist. The score of opera is not an opera, but just a suggestion about how these words and this music has to be put together. Take Rigoletto for instance. Of course the score is there, but the opera isn t there. That means it takes all kinds of people; people who design and build the scenery, and people who made these costumes, and people who sing this role and that role, and people who play in the orchestra, and this oboe player, and this cellist, and this conductor, and this coach, a whole army. A whole army of people is needed to make it all happen, in order to bring it to life. And that, I think, is what gives us who are involved in these bringing to life operations a very different status from other kinds of people. Because, you see, without us these things simply do not exist. They just aren t there. Only blueprints, only suggestions exist. But not the pieces themselves. Another thing that happens as a result of this is that the great composers and librettists and people who create these things in fact need us in order to bring their works to life. And that gives people in our field of the Performing Arts a very special kind of status. You see, we become partners of the great men who wrote this. And I, for one, find that that is probably the most dignified and exciting title that a human being can have. I think of myself as a partner of Mozart, and a partner of Verdi, and lots of other great men. 2

3 And if someone says to me Now wouldn t you want to be the President of the United States, or the General Secretary of the United Nations? I say, What? That is (pooh). Who wants to have such menial titles? That s a nothing. I would not want to be involved in something so low class. Because, don t you see, I am Mozart s partner, I am Verdi s partner. And that, to my mind, is the most exciting and wonderful thing that a person can be. Now mind you, I cannot do anything by myself, being Mozart s or Verdi s partner. I m completely helpless. That means that we have to work together. I cannot produce these operas. I can only work with a great number of very gifted and dedicated people in order to put it all together. And I depend on you, just as you all depend on each other. So I depend on everyone. Every conductor, every player in the orchestra, every leading singer, every chorister, every guy who pulls the curtain, or who puts together the props, or paints this, or does that. It is an army. An army of people who are all, in one way or another, partners in greatness. And that, I think, is the main reason, whether we know it or not, why we are so attracted to this. Because this sort of thing gives us more importance. We are needed. We are important and needed. And you see, that is what we humans beings really want to be. We want to be wanted. And we want to be wanted by our friends and by our families, and by our children and by our parents. But imagine being needed by people like Beethoven, or Wagner, or Verdi, or Mozart. Now that is the great excitement of the work in which we are involved. And I just want to leave this word with you, that I want you to feel that we are especially blessed people because we, in fact, are partners in greatness. Magic in Wisconsin Woods By an ASI Suzuki Mom (2013) It's been three years since I accompanied my two kids to the Suzuki music camp in central Wisconsin, which is pretty much like an annual pilgrimage ever since they were about 7 and 10, respectively. The younger one just turned 16 and very much wanted to travel solo there from abroad so that she could be with her peers in the teen dorm throughout the two weeks camp. I have been pretty much a hands on mom until the elder one went to university last year. The awareness of the diminishing days of enjoying being the "shepherd" or "shaper" of these two young and wild things continues to take a toll on my mental health, although it is not the only trigger as I know excruciatingly well myself. With her grudging consent and a vague promise that she will come for a last time next year alone, we arrived at the beautiful UWSP campus. Under a sweet and warm early evening sky and the gaze of the Da Vinci Vitruvian man, kids of all ages (3 18) took their violins, striking a perfect posture in the Baldwin circle sending those ringing notes of Bach, Handel and "twinkle twinkle little stars" soaring up to heaven, and thus opened their summer school of magic this year. But, is it a fortune or misfortune that my little girl firmly requested that her mom avoid all her classes at the camp this year? I used to be just like every parent at the camp shuttling from class to class observing, taking notes and sometimes participating in the music lessons with one's own young ones. But it was to be totally different this year. Armed with my university course material for the fall, I settled into reading, wondering in the near by woods, swimming, wall climbing (a spur of the moment event at the campus gym with the kind help and introduction from a most friendly young lady pro who acted as my belayer), kayaking at McDill pond and Lake Joanis, attending the afternoon and evening concerts and, once in a while, chatting with those enthusiastic and engaging moms and dads at the camp. The familiar scenes of hurrying for the early 8 o'clock classes, goading own kids to eat more greens during lunch and licking ice cream while on a roller blade to the next class with their violin case in their back were such nostalgic images for me. One quietly let the melancholy surge and ebb. I had those moments and cannot complain. I am a time traveler this year. 3

4 My younger girl, her attitude toward practicing violin changed significantly the moment she arrived at the camp. At home during school year, it was a regular maximal one hour a day and sometimes not at all thing as school and other hobbies and socials kept her on her toes. But coming to this place and with busy daily class schedule, she seemed to morph into a totally different person: deeply immersed into music making while enjoying friends old and new. Sharing one dorm room with her, I hardly saw her during the day. I stuck to my routines and kept a casual distance from her. Is this how our future relation would be like? Invited by an ex Suzuki mom to a coffee shop downtown, seeing and hearing folks there chatting with one another like in "Cheer" was wonderful. People are warm hearted and down to earth. They seemed truly content with themselves and one another yet friendly to the outsiders. I think this is also how they run the summer camp as well. Dr. Suzuki's philosophy of nurturing young music minds through love has been followed in a most thorough way by the dedicated faculty at the camp. The orchestra and chamber music night at the end capped the two week music making. Some kids graduated this year and will not be back any more. But still there were some few who follow the musical path further and they were invited back and gave touching performances to a hall packed with kids, parents and teachers. The tradition seems to be firmly rooted here. So next year, she will be happy to join her camp buddies again. I can imagine the whole youthful ensemble conducted by Dr. Durbin (the best candidate for the 13 th time lord, imho, whom my kids in their younger years used to nickname Mr. Walrus for, what else, his famous mustache, of course) to the music of Dr. Who, Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland. And, who knows, what more magic will be flowing out of those energetic fingers next year? I will not be there, but it will be fantastic. ASC Plans Two Open Houses for Prospective Students The Aber Suzuki Center has received a $10,000 grant to purchase additional rental instruments and expand our harp and cello programs into Marshfield. Ms. Gilbert and Dr. Mutschlecner have been busy travelling to Marshfield throughout this semester playing and providing educational opportunities for all ages, and laying the groundwork for an open house and petting zoo to be held on Saturday, June 21 from 10:00 to noon at the First Presbyterian Church, 200 Lincoln Ave., Marshfield. Students will have the opportunity to try out the cello and harp as well as violin and viola. A second open house will be held in Stevens Point at the Noel Fine Arts Center Courtyard on Saturday, July 12 from 10:00 to noon. All instruments violin, viola cello, piano, voice, harp, guitar, and the Suzuki Early Childhood Education class will be available to try out. Both events will feature a mini concert and short overview of the Suzuki philosophy. Remember if a new family lists you as a referral you will receive a $50 rebate on your fall tuition. ASC Faculty Develops Strategic Plan In September, 2013, Dean Morin charged all the departments in the College of Fine Arts and Communication to create a strategic plan with one or more goals in each of five areas curriculum, recruitment, diversity/inclusivity, development and outreach. These are indicated in bold italics. What follows is the Aber Suzuki Center mission, vision and strategic plan. ASC Mission: To nurture, educate and inspire students, parents and teachers to incorporate the philosophical principles and music education methods of Dr. Shinichi Suzuki into their lives. 4

5 ASC Vision: We envision a world that values the capacity of every child to learn, and a peaceful society in which music plays a vital role. Curriculum Assess the curriculum to assure that the departmental offerings are appropriate, sustainable, and relevant. 1. By Fall 2015, develop a Suzuki Pregnant Mom s Class for ASC. 2. By 2018 all Book 1 3 students will have an individual lesson and a group class each week. 3. By 2018 all Book 1 3 students will have a music theory component in their group lesson. Recruitment Assess and base the departmental recruitment plan on enrollment trends and defined departmental needs. 1. By Fall 2016, teaching time will increase to 200 total program hours ( 93% capacity). 2. Fall 2014 ASC media, technology and written materials will be better utilized to educate the public regarding availability, eligibility (age, geography) and commitment. 3. Create an FAQ regarding Suzuki philosophy, choosing an instrument, commitment, Dr. Suzuki s biography, age of student, why music/suzuki for adults.to be posted on the web and distributed. 4. Direct the Recruiting Committee to complete by the Fall 2015: Policies and procedures for choosing events we are invited to. A planning timeline for the ASC Open House. Attracting adult students Arrange regular performance opportunity for adults. Explore with Music Department ASC adult student membership in the UWSP Campus Orchestra. Diversity/Inclusivity Assess the current department recruitment plan for staff and students and develop strategies for increased diversity or inclusivity. 1. By Fall 2014, in all ASC communications, (Ambassador, announcements, website, Facebook, enrollment forms, evaluations, etc.) reference to children and family will, when in regard to being an ASC enrollee, be changed to include adult students. Development Assess current departmental development priorities and create a ranked list of departmental needs. 1. Development (in priority order) i. Funding for endowed director s chair. ii. Need based scholarships for low income families. iii. Funding to develop Suzuki Early Childhood Education class in cooperation with Head Start Outreach Assess current outreach strategies and expand options so that outreach specifically occurs beyond campus. Outreach should be tailored to the Partnership for Thriving Communities. 1. By Fall, 2015, expand offerings of cello and harp in Marshfield. 2. By Fall, 2015 offer a Suzuki Early Childhood Ed. Class in collaboration with Head Start for Head Start families. 3. By Fall, 2016, develop a Suzuki Pregnant Mom s Class for at risk mothers. 4. By December 2017, the Central Wisconsin 6th Grade Honors Orchestra sponsored by ASC will be expanded to include all Central Wisconsin Schools that have string programs Marshfield, Wisconsin Rapids, and Wausau. All 6th graders string players will be invited to learn 2 or 3 orchestral pieces. The 6th graders from each of the districts will combine at a rotating location for rehearsals and sectionals with ASC faculty. A concert will conclude the day with all the 6th graders performing 1 or 2 works as an orchestra and then in combination with the Central State Chamber Orchestra serving as mentors. Reflections of Margery Aber January 1978 As we commemorate the centennial birth of our founder, Margery Aber, we would like to share 5

6 some of her thoughts with you. On each recital program, Marge would include timeless words of inspiration and information. We hope you enjoy this insight into Margery Aber. Dare to live! Dare to do the things in your heart, for surely they will be right. Be courageous in making music. Give with everything that is you, for it is the greatest gift. It is the gift of the Spirit. There is a need for performing with conviction. The conviction is a story of life. The bow is the heart of violin and cello playing. As the bow arm moves, it and the bow act as one, pulling the strings to a vibration which lets the instrument speak and sing. It unlocks the gorgeous sounds which are hidden within. It responds completely to the abilities of the performer. Treated with tenderness, the tones come out sweetly; treated gruffly, the tones snarl rebellion; treated with strength, nobility is produced. Heartache, tears, laughter, joy, in fact, all emotions can be shared by the use of the bow. Of course, vibrato helps too, but it is most important that the performer s heart beats with the composer s and that complete knowledge of what the music means is understood. As the music is a part of the person, and the person a part of the music concentration can be total and the gift of the self is evidenced. The song in our hearts should be sung rapturously, passionately, richly, tenderly, sadly, intensely, and boldly. Our bow arms must be quick, slow, sensitive and alive to the love of life. Dare to live! high school aged string players from central Wisconsin. The concert will include works by Georg Philipp Telemann, Leroy Anderson, Camille Saint Saens and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The orchestra will be joined by dancers from the Point Dance Ensemble in a work called Choreography three Dances for String Orchestra by Norman Dello Joio. Pamela Luedtke, Director and founder of the Point Dance Ensemble is the choreographer for the dancers. The dancers are Katelyn Altmann, Amy Suthiemer, Chelsey Becher, Signe Johnson. This work was performed by the CSCO and Point Dance Ensemble in This concert concludes the Central State Chamber Orchestra s 15 th season, and will be the final performance for both director and founder Dave Becker and the ensemble. Mr. Becker is retiring from his position conducting the CSCO and teaching violin and viola classes at the UWSP Aber Suzuki Center at the end of the year. For the past 20 years, Dave Becker has shared his finely crafted skills of musicianship, teaching, and character with students, parents, and faculty at the Aber Suzuki Center, and he will be missed. While this does mean the end of the CSCO, it does not mean the end of a high quality youth orchestra experience. The Central Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra Program will replace the CSCO. This program will include a full symphony orchestra, complete with winds, brass and percussion for grades 9 12, a string ensemble for grades 6 8 and a junior wind ensemble for grades 7 9. Central State Chamber Orchestra to Give Last Performance The Central State Chamber Orchestra (CSCO) will play a spring concert on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. in Michelsen Hall located in the Noel Fine Arts Center at UW Stevens Point. The concert is free and open to the public. A reception will be held immediately following the concert. The CSCO is made up of advanced, junior high and Volunteers Wanted Heartland Hospice is searching for volunteers to provide music for hospice patients in the Stevens point area. If you have musical talent, please consider giving some of your time to a patient who would love to hear you! For more information please contact KC Reichenbach, Volunteer Coordinator, or 4741officestaff2@hcr manorcare.com. 6

7 Student News Gerald Sakamaki will give a senior cello recital on Saturday, May 24 at 2:00 pm at Antigo High School, th Avenue, Antigo, WI 54409). Congratulations, Gerald, on this special event! The following students will be performing in the State WSMA Solo and Ensemble Auditions on May 3 at UW Stevens Point: Emily Horgan, Arielle Lewien, Thomas Meronek, Gerald Sakamaki, Trenton Seegert, Erin Tritz and Natalie Van Tiem, Craig Felt, Tom Felt, Alyssa Eiden, Gina Chung, Joshua Dvorak, Jonathan Peck, Lara Prebble, Roshini Traynor, Antony Van Tiem, Frederick Van Tiem, Michael Treder, Austin Konkol, Philip Grygleski, Ethan Liss, Ashley Hoerter, Caitriona Quirk, Gina Chung, Roshini Traynor, Lydia Ensminger, Marai Studinski, and Caleb Kulich. They qualified to go to state by receiving a I* rating, which is the top rating given to Class A solos and ensembles. These violin and viola students will be competing in the WMTA Badger Non Keyboard Auditions on May 10 at UW Stevens Point: Anna Hahn, William Hahn, Faith Kluck, Max Malek, Thomas Meronek and Lucia Stephani. They qualified at the District Auditions by receiving high scores in music theory exams and by receiving top marks in performing three pieces from different musical periods. The following student participated in the WSMA District Auditions held on May 1 in Marshfield, WI: David Gui. The following students participated in the WMTA District Auditions held at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point: Christopher Coffeen, Lydia Ensminger, David Gui, Katie Huang, Hope Mahon, Emma Nelson, Madeleine Resnick, Adler Simons, Mark Smyth, Lucia Stephani, Victoria Tillotson. Congratulations! The following pianists will be entering the WMTA Badger Keyboard Auditions on May 17 at UW Stevens Point: Katia Anderson, Kobe Carlson, Samantha Carlson, Nicole Eiden, Sophie Emerson, Sam Ginnett, Anna Hahn, William Hahn, Jocelyn He, Supriya Keefe, Marco Kuryzynski and Natalie Van Tiem. These students also received top marks in performances and music theory at the District level in March. Maddie Koehn and Monica Kieke have been asked to perform as part of a string group that will be playing the Mozart Requiem on Saturday, May 31. Antonio Koehn performed violin for his 1 st grade class on Friday, April 11. He answered questions about the violin, demonstrated how to make a bow hold, set up the violin, played several book one pieces and answered questions about the instrument. Sophie Koehn, Hope Mahon, Marco Kurzynski, Tom Felt, and Kate Young auditioned for the WSMA Middle State Honors Orchestra. Rachel Jorgensen will perform Minuet 3 in the talent show at the Plover Whiting Elementary School in early June. This is the third talent show she has performed in. Jacquie Wille performed with the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra and April 12 and 13. Thomas Meronek received a $25 check from the Stevens Point Area Music Teachers Association for participating in the SPAMTA Fall Festival and the WMTA District and State Auditions for all four of his high school years. Thomas will be performing his violin at the Portage County Hospice Memorial Service on Sunday, May 5. The following students will play with the WSMA High School Honors Orchestra in October 2014: Joshua Dvorak, Jonathan Peck, Lara Prebble, and Antony Van Tiem. The Aurora String Quartet will perform a full quartet recital in Michelsen Hall on Sunday, May 18 at 2:00 p.m. Lucas Chan and Roshini Traynor, violins, Antony Van Tiem, viola, and Natalie Van Tiem, cello. The program will include works by Mozart, Turina, Barber and Shostakovich. The Aurora Quartet will also perform on a chamber music master class at the SAA Conference in Minneapolis on May 24. Roshini Traynor will perform in a viola master class at the SAA Conference in Minneapolis on May 25. Dinesh Traynor will perform with the SYOA orchestra at the SAA Conference on May 25. Jane Peterson, age 5, will be playing Lightly Row on her violin at the Grant School's Spring Showcase night on May 15 7

8 Ciana Rose passed the first round of the Classical Singer competitions and she will go on to compete in San Antonio, May 24. Michael Treder, Anna Meilhan, Mary Mc Donald, Roshini Traynor, Olivia Heese, Gabriele Heese, Zsanna Bodor, Caitlin Johnson, Caitriona Quirk, Lydia Ensminger, Victoria Tillotson, Megan O Brian, Sam Ginnett, and Emma Dorshorst participated in WMTA District Auditions. Emma Dorshorst placed second in the Wood County Creative Arts Day Festival. Phil Grygleski, Ethan Liss, Mariah Studinski, Caleb Kulich, and Austin Konkol participated in the Pacelli Musical Production of Thoroughly Modern Milly. Ethan Liss, Phil Grygleski, Mariah Studinski, Caleb Kulich, Austin Konkol, and Ashley Hoerter will perform in the Pacelli Musical Production of Spirit, on May Michael Treder, Mary McDonald, Roshini Traynor, Zsanna Bodor, Emma Dorshorst, Lydia Ensminger, and Victoria Tillotson will participate in Badger State Voice Audition on May 10. Congratulations to the following students and their families who have won Aber Children s Scholarships: Tony Grabacz, Samantha and Trevor Carlson The Bodor Family Jane and Bennett Story Caitriona Quirk Marco Kurzynski Christina Marchel Van Tiem Family Jenny Burton will present a lecture Play It Again, Sam, at the Teachers Conference of the Suzuki Association of the Americas over Memorial Day weekend. April 2014 Graduations Levi Hubbard, Guitar Twinkles Evan Koelemay, Piano Book 1 Jacey Bowker, Violin Book 1 Abe Steinmetz, Violin Book 1 Julia Storch, Violin Book 1 Josalin Kumm, Cello Book 2 Sophie Emerson, Piano Book 3 Richard Meilahn, Violin Book 4 Tom Felt, Violin Book 6 REMEMBER TO TURN IN YOUR ASI REGISTRATION AND CASH FOR CAMP FORMS BY JUNE 1! Faculty News Rosie Gilbert is the Chair of the newly formed Musician Committee of the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra. Rosie also serves on the CWSO Board of Directors. Jenny Burton was asked to serve on the CWSO Musicians Committee for Jenny Burton is Co Chair of the 2016 Retreat Committee for the Suzuki Association of Wisconsin and will meet with the Retreat Committee in Milwaukee on June 29. Have a safe, happy, and healthy Summer! The next edition of the Ambassador will be published October,