Revising Suzuki Piano Books 5-7

The International Suzuki Piano Committee, working with Mr. E.L. Lancaster of Alfred Music Company, met in Boulder, CO, in November 2008 to begin work on revisions to Suzuki Piano Method Books 4-7. History was made for Suzuki Piano as a result of our decisions for the revisions of these books. All five regions of the ISA (SAA, ESA, PPSA, TERI and ASA) voted in favor of changes and additions to the repertoire to provide greater stylistic variety to the Suzuki Piano Repertoire. SAA Teacher Trainers are very excited about the changes and look forward to the publication of these new books.

Actual editing by the committee has not begun for Books 6 and 7 and Book 5 is not yet complete. Further work by the International Committee will take place in July 2009 and the new official recordings by Mr. Seizo Azuma will be completed soon thereafter.

The changes in the piano books brought about a temporary dilemma with regard to handling SAA Teacher Development courses, as we await the process of editing, compiling, printing and releasing of the new books and the recording, processing and release of the new CDs. After considerable thoughtful deliberation and discussion, the decision has been made that there will be no teacher training offered for Piano Books 5, 6 or 7 (currently published editions or proposed revised new editions) in any institute, apprenticeship, or long-term training in 2009. Since in Book 4 there is only one new piece, the Tcherepnin Bagatelle, Alfred has given permission for us to use a photocopy of the committee’s editing of Book 4 in time for that unit to be taught beginning with summer 2009, even though the CD will not be released at that point.

All SAA Piano Trainers have been notified that they are to postpone training of Books 5, 6, and 7 (current or proposed new editions) until further notice. It is anticipated that training of Book 5 may be able to be resumed in summer 2010. All current piano teachers and teacher trainers will need to participate in workshops before teaching the new pieces of Books 5 through 7. It is essential that trainers meet together to discuss teaching points and use of the new repertoire prior to offering any training of the new pieces. The first opportunity for Trainers to work together on the presentation of these pieces will take place in October 2009.
Thank you in advance for your support during this important transitional period. It is exciting to be a part of this historical time for Suzuki Piano and for the Suzuki Method worldwide.

Regards,

Mary Craig Powell
Chair, SAA Piano Committee & Co-Chair ISA Piano Committee

Teri Einfeldt
Chair, SAA Teacher Development & Chair-Elect, SAA Board

Gail Lange
Recent Past SAA Board member & Chair of Piano Area Development

Pam Brasch
Executive Director & ISA Board Liaison to Piano Committee

Pam Brasch served as Executive Director/CEO of the Suzuki Association of the Americas for 30 years. Her involvement with the Suzuki method began in 1977 as a parent. In addition she served on the Board of Directors of the International Suzuki Association for many years. Pam and her husband Fred are the proud grandparents of four young Suzuki musicians.

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Teri Einfeldt is chair of the Suzuki department and adjunct professor at the University of Hartford’s The Hartt School An SAA registered teacher trainer, Teri is a frequent clinician at workshops and institutes throughout the United States Teri has taught at International Conferences in Australia, Italy, and Japan.

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Gail Lange is a Suzuki Piano teacher in Guelph, Ontario. A teacher trainer since 1984, Gail studied four months in Japan with Dr. Suzuki and Haruko Kataoka. Always inspired by the spirit of sharing in the Suzuki community, Gail has continued to observe and work with outstanding teachers. She is a frequent clinician at workshops and institutes particularly in Canada and offers training courses throughout the year in her Studio. Past-Chair of the Suzuki Association of Ontario, and former Piano Director of the Southwestern Ontario Suzuki Institute, Gail has also served twice on the SAA Board, was Piano Coordinator of the 2008 Conference and was Piano Ensembles Coordinator of the 2016 Conference. Along with Joan Krzywicki, she spearheaded the production of a video promoting Suzuki Piano. Currently, she is Translation Coordinator for the bilingual Canadian Suzuki e-Newsletter and is active on the Canadian Visioning committee promoting Suzuki in Canada. In 2005 Gail was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Medal by the Canadian government for her contributions to music

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Mary Craig Powell currently teaches piano in her home studio in Columbus, OH. Retired from the Conservatory of Music faculty of Capital University, she has taught piano at both the college and preparatory levels. Ms. Powell is author of the book Focus on Suzuki Piano and contributor to Teaching Suzuki Piano. Currently she serves as the co-chair of the ISA Piano Committee. In recognition of her contribution to Suzuki instruction, she has received the Excellence in Teaching award and the Excellence in Suzuki Teacher Education award from the SAA as well as the Distinguished Alumna award from East Carolina University. As an active member of MTNA, she has been named the State Certified Piano Teacher of the Year by the Ohio Music Teachers’ Association. In fall, 2013 she was featured for her teaching of Suzuki Method through an interview in “Clavier Companion.:

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