October 2009 Newsletter

The following letter is from Suzuki Chat. I encourage all of you to join this group. The link is following this letter.

My standards for all of my students are pretty much the same:  I believe
that each and every one of them is capable of playing the violin at the
highest level, and I treat them that way.  Some of them, if they continue,
may not get to that level until they hit 70, but, still, I don't want to
sell them short.  I have a vision of excellence, but it's not attached to
a timetable.

Several years ago, a parent asked me "Mr. Sprunger, how do I know if my
daughter was put on this planet to play violin?"  Her question caught me
off guard.  I had to think about it for a day.  Finally, I said that I had
no idea if her child was put on this planet to play the violin, but that
the experience of playing the violin would help her to develop the skills
to do whatever it was that she was on this planet to do.

I don't think that one develops those skills by aiming for mediocrity.  As
someone else recently said, you may never get to the top of the mountain,
so you need to enjoy the trip.

And in the process of the trip up the mountain, you develop muscles that
you wouldn't develop if you climbed a little hill.

Speaking of terrain...I remember a Japanese teacher who told me that
Suzuki once told her something like "Many people see the mountain and just
walk around it.  In Suzuki Method, we need to climb it."

E D M U N D   S P R U N G E R
(sprunger@umich.edu)

St. Louis , MO
Suzuki Chat was created by Maxine Komlos, 1939-2004.
We are grateful for her dedication to the Suzuki spirit.

 

To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/suzukichat/

 

Monday, October 12, 2009 at 4:15 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Hobart Hall is the final rehearsal for the Gulf Coast Town Center Concert. All students performing must attend this rehearsal. Please note *3:45 Violin group will also have their regular class 3:45 – 4:15 pm.

Updated Concert Schedule

October

Gulf Coast Town Center

"FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT"

Friday, October 16, 2009 at 7:30 pm

All instruments - On stage near Borders

Arrive by 7:00 pm in your red GCMS shirt and khaki bottoms.

November

Alliance of the Arts

"WALK THROUGH THE ARTS"

Saturday, November 21, 2009 time-TBA (I requested a time near the youth sym)

Amphitheater Performance and Display Table

Red GCMS shirts and khaki bottoms

December

Cypress Lake Center for the Arts  

" HOLIDAY PERFORMANCE"

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 7:00 pm

Cypress Lake High School Auditorium

GCMS students are guests with the orchestra

Wear black and white for this concert.

The Lakes Retirement Community

" HOLIDAY MUSICAL AFTERNOON"

Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 1:00 pm

All instruments - Holiday Music

The Edison Home

“EDISON & FORD HOLIDAY NIGHTS”

Tentative Date - December 21 or 21, 2009 at 7:00 pm