SAA Training Guide

To help train successful Suzuki teachers, the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) has set up the following program. Teachers interested in studying the Suzuki philosophy, pedagogy and other aspects of the method enroll in courses corresponding to each book.   The first course, Every Child Can!, covers the elements of Suzuki teaching, an understanding of far-reaching goals of the Suzuki method and understanding how to continue training in order to become a Suzuki teacher. Book 1 continues with a thorough study of the entire repertoire and techniques contained in Book 1 of the Suzuki Method. The CSI teacher workshop schedule is designed to give teachers the option of taking Every Child Can!, Book 1 and Book 2 over a 16-day period.  Books 2, 3, 4, etc. follow after a teacher has taken Book I. Read carefully the Suzuki Association of the Americas training guidelines for audition requirements and deadlines.

Suzuki Association of the Americas Guidelines

The SAA considers its Teacher Development Program to be in-depth pedagogical study for professional musicians. To qualify as a Participant in the courses, you must submit and pass an audition. When a course is taken and completed, it will be registered with the SAA. Registered courses count towards earning a Certificate of Achievement.

For further information, please see the SAA website at www.suzukiassociation.org and find the teacher video audition application form and instructions, or call the SAA toll free at 1-888-378-9854.


Training Eligibility Requirements

  • Minimum age of 17 and a high school diploma
  • SAA active membership
  • Every Child Can! course
    no audition is required but this course is a pre-requisite for going into Book 1
  • Video audition accepted by SAA
  • Books 1 through 3 must be taken in order

Required Video Audition & Application

To qualify as a participant in SAA Teacher Workshop unit courses, applicants must submit a video audition to the SAA, preferably well in advance of taking the course.


Required Video Audition & Application Deadlines

Book 1 course participants:  the deadline for all book 1 auditions is 10 days before the course begins.  SAA will not accept book 1 auditions later than 10 days before the start of the course.  Plan carefully.

Book 2 and beyond course participants:  the

Deadline: All audition materials must be submitted and approved by course start.*
*A discounted Audition Fee applies if audition is submitted 8-weeks or more before the course start date. If submitted within 8-weeks of the course start date, the regular audition fee will apply.

Audition processing takes approximately 2 weeks, if submitted online. Auditions submitted early have the advantage of an optional retry (with fees) within the stated deadlines if the first audition was not accepted.

Preparing and Submitting Your Audition

  • Prepare a well-polished performance. Memorization and accompaniment are not required.
  • Home filming is usually adequate. Please review your recording for video and audio quality before submitting.
  • Camera position must focus on player’s hand position and show entire body if possible.
  • Audition must be submitted in video format; make sure it plays both picture and sound. Keep a copy for yourself.
  • Label DVD with your name, address, phone, instrument and piece(s) performed.  Online submission of videos will result in faster results.  Video formats accepted: 3gp, 3g2, avi, f4v, flv, m4v, mod, mov, mp4, mpg, mts, m2ts, ogg, srt, vob, webm, wmv
  • Include application form and payment.
  • It is recommended that you use a trackable form of shipping.

Auditors

The SAA strongly encourages Participant status. Auditor status is also possible for those who wish to review a course taken previously or for teachers who have not submitted an audition. Auditors may not register courses with SAA.

SAA Audition Levels


Basic: For Training in Books 1-4

For training in Books 1-4: Submit an audition of both specified pieces below to SAA. Roman numerals indicate the movement. Edition is your choice. An accepted basic audition qualifies the applicant to register as a participant in Books 1-4.

Bass: Marcello Sonata No. 2 in e minor, Adagio and allegro

Cello: Breval Sonata in C Major, Allegro and Tchaikovsky, Chanson Triste

Flute: Blavet Sonata No. 2 in d minor, Sarabande and Finale

Guitar (Classical): Mozart Bourree and R. Vidali La Folia Variations. For Book 1 training, guitar teachers need to demonstrate fluent use of rest stroke with the fingers, freestroke with the thumb, nail tone, and alteration.

Harp: Carlos Salzedo, Chanson dans la Nuit and Haydn Theme and Variations

Organ: Bach Preludes in C M/m, BWV 553 (from 8 Kleine Preludien & Fugen) and BWV 549 (Peters IV)

Piano: Beethoven Sonata Op. 49 No. 2, I and Minuet I from Bach Partita in B-Flat

Recorder: Handel Hornpipe from Water Music Suite (Soprano Book 4) and J.S. Bach Rondeau from Suite No. 2 (Alto Book 4)

Violin: Seitz Concerto No. 5, I and Vivaldi Concerto in a minor, III *

Viola: Seitz Concerto No. 5, I and Vivaldi Concerto in d minor, III *

Voice: See special voice requirements below.

* Violin and viola auditions are interchangeable through Book 4. Violin and viola courses are interchangeable through Book 3. Book 4 viola is the Book 4 viola is the prerequisite for Book 5 viola.

Intermediate: For Training in Books 1-7/9

For training in the middle books: This audition may be used as an initial audition (as an alternate choice to the others), or after an accepted Basic Audition to continue training beyond Book 4. Submit an audition of the specified pieces below to SAA. Roman numerals indicate the movement. Where two pieces are specified, both must be performed (except flute, where it is a choice of movements noted). Edition is your choice.

Bass: See Comprehensive Audition

Cello: Faure Elegie (for approval through Book 8)

Flute: Mozart Concerto No. 2 in D Major, K. 314, I or II (for approval through Book 9)

Guitar (Classical): both Bach Gavottes 1 & 2 (located in Suzuki Guitar Book 5) and J. Guimares Sound of Bells (for approval through Book 7)

Harp: See Comprehensive Audition

Piano: See Comprehensive Audition

Violin: Bach Concerto in a minor, I, BWV 1041 (for approval through Book 8)

Viola: J.C.Bach Concerto in C minor, I (Bach/Casadesus) (for approval through Book 8)

Comprehensive: For All Training Courses

For training in All Books: This audition may be used as an initial audition (as an alternate choice to the others), or after an accepted Basic or Intermediate Audition for training beyond the level of the previous audition. Submit an audition of the specified pieces below to SAA. Roman numerals indicate the movement. Where two pieces are indicated, choose one. Edition is your choice. Play all cadenza sections (alternate cadenzas are allowed).

Bass: Dittersdorf Concerto No. 2 in E Major, I

Cello: Haydn Concerto in C Major, I or Boccherini Concerto in B-Flat, I

Flute: Chaminade Concertino

Harp: Hindemith Sonata, I

Guitar (Classical): Sor Variations on a Theme by Mozart

Piano: Mozart Sonata K. 330, I or K. 331, I

Recorder: Corelli Sonata in F Major, Op. 5 No. 4, II

Violin: Mozart Concerto No. 4, I or Concerto No. 5, I

Viola: Schubert Arpeggione, I

Evaluation Criteria
Areas that will be evaluated in your audition include: physical balance, ease of movement, tone production, note accuracy, rhythmic accuracy, intonation, maintaining steady pulse, playing with appropriate tempo, dynamic variation, appropriate and consistent articulation, creation of motion in melodic line and phrase shaping and consistency with stylistic conventions.
FAQ

  • Participants who have met the course requirements, including 100% class attendance, will have courses registered with SAA by the trainer.
  • SAA requires that courses be taken in sequence through Book 3
  • Only one short term teacher SAA training course may be taken at the same time. Many violin and piano courses are offered consecutively so two different courses may be taken over the 2 Institute sessions.
  • Teachers enrolling in Book 1 and beyond must be current, active SAA members.
  • Teachers are encouraged to take courses over again to as new ideas and deeper understanding are always gained.
  • Applicants submitting auditions later than 8 weeks prior to the start of your course may not receive audition results prior to the start of the course and will be in the course as an auditor. Auditors may not register courses with SAA.
  • If you have already taken book courses in previous years, those books remain valid. However, one of the above audition approval processes will be required prior to acceptance as a participant in any further training courses.
  • All applicants are expected to prepare the book to be studied to the point of fluent performance. Memory is not required but is recommended.
  • Fifteen (15) hours of observation of student classes is required for book one courses. Eight (8) hours of observation of student classes is required for each course beyond the level of book 1. Trainers will recommend specific observations with the bulk done at the book level being studied. Workshop participants will record their observations in a format prescribed by the trainer.
  • Teachers may attend recitals and concerts, and observe individual and group lessons of any Institute student. There are free daily teacher development seminars of wide appeal.
  • Teachers may record or photograph playins, evening public events, and concerts.  No sound or video recording of any teaching course is permitted.
  • Teacher training classes are limited to 15 participants for all instruments.
  • Teacher Practicum classes are limited to 5 participants for all instruments.
  • Advanced high school students may be admitted to the course as auditors, but SAA course registration forms will only be issued to high school diploma holders.