President’s Report 2011

I Firstly I’d like to thank Lesley and Erin Woodroffe for the combined effort over the many years they were managing the Suzuki Qld Office.  Lesley skilfully ran the office for many years, and then when she was unable to continue, trained Erin in the position.  Erin has now gone on to other endeavours.

I’d also like to welcome Hayley Williams who has just started managing the office and congratulate her on how much she has achieved in the short time she has been in the position.  Hayley is the Mum of one of our piano students and her husband is our Treasurer, so it truly is a Suzuki family.  The office is a very important part of our association and we sincerely welcome Hayley.

Last year was a busy year for Suzuki Music Qld.  Our Easter Concerts held at Theme and Variations, at Newstead, had over 40 eager children performing.

We had a very successful Gold Coast Piano Workshop on 2nd May.  Many thanks go to Jill Viner who organised the workshop for almost 50 enthusiastic students. 

Winter School was fun and educational with Ruth Miura and Yasuki Nakamura undertaking teacher training and the children’s workshop.  The 95 piano students and 40 string students had fun with music enrichment maestros, Sam Okoth and Harley Mead.  Many wonderfully talented interstate and local tutors were also involved.  This year I’m looking forward to a fresh perspective with our enthusiastic organisers, Christine Dunaway and Deborah DeLucchio. 

160 students graduated in 2010 with 9 Cello Graduation levels, 91 Violin, 3 Viola and 57 Piano.  We had 2 inspiring Graduation Concerts.  The first, a strings concert held on the Gold Coast was assisted by the Gold Coast Youth Orchestra of which some of our students are members.  Following this, our Brisbane concert consisted of 2 segments for strings and piano with guest compere, composer and entertaining music specialist, Harley Mead.

The Gold Coast String Workshop was a weekend of fun and music making with over 80 String students enrolled. Thank you to all the string families and teachers for making this event ever popular.

Suzuki in Spring was held in October on the Sunshine Coast.  In excess of 35 students participated in the weekend activities for Guitar, Violin and Piano.

The Professional Development days were well attended with Teacher Trainers such as John Mitchell, Jill Viner, Christopher Franks, Zohara Rotem and Adrian Ormiston sharing their knowledge and experience with the teachers.  Val Lack did a wonderful job in organizing these days for Suzuki Qld.  Other Teacher Training involved guest tutors at various workshops such as Nada Brissenden at the Gold Coast Piano Workshop and of course our international guest at Winter School, Ruth Miura.

I’d like to thank Adrian Ball for giving up many weekends to make our Website at www.suzukimusicqld.com.au so wonderful.  It is kept up to date for events, teacher’s details, membership forms and much other information.  The Winter School and Gold Coast Piano Workshop pages contain tutor particulars, as well as comprehensive information for each event including registration and payment options.  There is a gallery of student’s photos from events during the year and a new Teacher’s area with everything from fees to information about becoming a Suzuki Teacher.  The site contains over 90 pages and changes all the time so please refer to it regularly for updated information. 

Congratulations to those teachers completing levels in their Suzuki training.  In piano, Zindzi Brand, Denise McKee, Kiri Vaughan and Yumiko Yamaguchi completed their Primary Levels and Christine Thomas achieved her Intermediate level.   This year also, Alison Harbottle and Christie Lockhardt attained their Primary Levels in violin. 

Thanks to our major sponsors, Ellaways and Kawai who provide 8 professional range pianos including delivery and tuning for use at Winter School.  Many of our piano students are now proud owners of a Kawai piano.  

Thanks also to Theme and Variations at Newstead, the home of Steinway pianos. They have offered their outstanding venue and beautiful pianos for concerts and Teacher Training many times and are always happy to help.

Thanks to the outgoing State Council.  After their two year commitment, Peter Scott, Tenny Cloupet and Maureen Taylor are leaving their positions on Council.  Special thanks go to Maureen Taylor who has worked tirelessly for our Suzuki Association. Maureen has been on Council for many years.  She has been a past President and has raised thousands of dollars for Suzuki Qld as Fundraising Officer. I’d like to thank her for all her work, knowledge and dedication to Suzuki Qld.  Thanks also to other State Council members for their help in 2010: Val Lack, Alan Williams, Belinda Manwaring, Zohara Rotem, Adrian Ormiston and Denise McKee.

Some of the major projects State Council’s been working on over the past year has included huge changes for the Suzuki Qld Website and establishing a new office for Suzuki Music Qld.  We’ve had significant growth in areas such as increased concert and workshop participation.  I would like to see more social functions and concerts so children and teachers benefit socially and enjoy belonging to a Suzuki music family.

The Board of Teacher Trainers has been very busy this year. The Board of Teacher Trainers consist of the Director of Teacher Training Mary Monticone, along with Chris Franks, Belinda Manwaring, Adrian Ormiston, Val Lack, John Mitchell, Jill Viner,  Zohara Rotem, and Sachie Yuki.  They have developed a new brochure for those interested in becoming a Suzuki Teacher; the core part of which is now on the Website.  The Board has also been updating and working on the mentor programme, teacher’s levels and meeting regularly to discuss matters such as selecting workshop tutors. 

I’m hoping that some of our new and/or younger teachers get involved now with the running of the Suzuki Association and hold positions on State Council.  We need representation from all instruments so please let me know if you’d like to get involved.

Thanks to my family for their support and limitless patience during the last 2 years of almost total commitment.

Our first concert of 2011 was at Theme and Variations, with 80 students performing.  We had 3 concerts to accommodate everyone with many pianists and violinists performing.  I’d really like to thank all the teachers for encouraging their students to attend these events resulting in an inspirational outcome.  Photos of the concert are in the Gallery on our Website.

Suzuki Qld has welcomed 41 new families and currently over 175 families are 2011 financial members.  If you are not yet a member or haven’t rejoined so far in 2011, please log onto website to make payment or contact our office.

We have plenty of enthusiasm and fresh ideas in the Suzuki Association and in 2011 I look forward to many inspiring workshops, concerts and other exciting events.

Lynne Buckley
President
STEAA (Q) Inc
 

Any child can be developed;
 it depends on how you do it
Shinichi Suzuki