Suzuki teacher training for recorder teachers

New Suzuki courses for recorder teacher level 1 and level 2 will start in November 2024, following the syllabus of the European Suzuki Association (ESA). In this course, which lasts about a year, you will learn more about the Suzuki method and its (further) application in recorder teaching.

Suzuki teachers are trained to guide children from about three or four years old in their musical growth through a positive and supportive approach. This approach also has a great positive impact on the child's social and emotional growth.

The training
The course is taught by ESA recorder teacher trainer Jaap Delver. The full Suzuki training consists of five consecutive levels. After obtaining the level 1 diploma, you are a recognised Suzuki teacher in all ESA member countries.

Each level takes at least a year to complete, but you can take longer. Such a level consists of three weekends spread over the year and fortnightly online sessions of an hour or two during the year. It is also compulsory to participate in a Suzuki workshop. The exam that entitles you to the official ESA certificate at the end of the course is conducted according to `Continuous Assessment`. This means that there are a few moments during the year when progress up to that point is shared with the examination committee, which consists of three teacher trainers from different countries. In this case the other two are Nancy Daly from England and Mary Halverson-Waldo from the US. An interview with them may follow at the end.


The level 1 course consists of 120 contact hours, of which you observe up to 40 hours of lessons by Suzuki teachers. Level 2 has 100 contact hours, of which a maximum of 40 hours is also observation. The observations are not instrument-related and may also be done abroad.

Course details
For level 1 students:

• You must have completed a conservatory recorder course or be able to demonstrate a comparable level in playing and music education.
• To participate, you will audition and we will have an intake interview. The audition consists of two contrasting movements from Handel sonatas and a piece of your choice. This may be recorded on video and does not have to be played by heart.
• Before the course starts, you must be registered as a teacher member with your national Suzuki association (for the Netherlands: Suzuki Vereniging Nederland (SVN): www.suzukimuziek.nl/lidmaatschap).

General details:

• For level 1, you must observe a Suzuki workshop. Level 2 trainees must actively participate in such a workshop. Possibilities for this include the spring workshop in Biezenmortel in The Netherlands and the summer workshop in England.
• The price of the course is €1,500. That includes exam, but excludes travel costs, accommodation, costs for observing a Suzuki workshop, food and personal expenses.
• In principle, the language of instruction is Dutch. Should there be students for whom that is a difficult language, it may be decided to speak English.

Essentials

• for level 1:
  • sheet music and CDs (available at a discount for SVN members at www.suzukiwinkel.nl):
    • Suzuki Soprano Recorder, Soprano Part, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2
    • Suzuki Soprano Recorder, Accompaniment Part, Vol. 1 and Vol 2
    • CD Soprano Recorder Vol. 1+2 (or mp3s via iTunes Store)
    • Suzuki Alto Recorder, Alto Part, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2
    • Suzuki Alto Recorder, Accompaniment Part, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2
    • CD Alto Recorder Vol. 1+2 (or mp3s via iTunes Store)
  • books:
  • `Nurtured by Love` - Shinichi Suzuki (available from www.suzukiwinkel.nl)
  • `Ability Development from Age Zero` - Shinichi Suzuki (available from www.suzukiwinkel.nl)
  • a soprano and alto recorder
  • and, of course, writing utensils and a notebook or laptop/tablet

• for level 2:
  • sheet music and CDs (available for SVN members at a discount from www.suzukiwinkel.nl):
    • Suzuki Soprano Recorder, Soprano Part, Vol. 2 and Vol. 3
    • Suzuki Soprano Recorder, Accompaniment Part, Vol. 2 and Vol. 3
    • CD Soprano Recorder Vol. 1+2 and Vol. 3+4 (or mp3s via iTunes Store)
    • Suzuki Alto Recorder, Alto Part, Vol. 2 and Vol. 3
    • Suzuki Alto Recorder, Accompaniment Part, Vol. 2 and Vol. 3
    • CD Alto Recorder Vol. 1+2 and Vol. 3+4 (or mp3s via iTunes Store)
  • books:
  • `The Law of Ability` - Shinichi Suzuki
  • `The Mother Tongue Method of Education` - Shinichi Suzuki (both available from www.suzukiwinkel.nl)
  • a soprano and alto recorder
  • and, of course, writing utensils and a notebook or laptop/tablet

  
  Dates
  The course consists of:

  • three physical weekend meetings in music school Breukelen (Schepersweg 6b), The Netherlands; provisional dates: 9/10 November 2024, 5/6 April 2025 and 4/5 October 2025. Time: 9.30 am-5.30 pm (GMT+1)
  • biweekly online sessions from 9-11 am (GMT+1), in principle on Mondays, but if a majority prefers another day it can also be on Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays.
    Schedule to be determined.
  • an exam. The exam date will be fixed at a later date. Examination procedure: ESA Continuous Assessment.

  
  What will I learn in the course?
  In the level 1 course, time is first devoted to `Suzuki philosophy: the history and characteristics of the Suzuki method. You learn about his pedagogical and didactic approach and how the parent(s) is (are) involved in their child's learning process. You master and memorise the repertoire from book 1 to halfway through book 2 (level 1) or up to book 3 (level 2). Book 1 mainly contains surprising and beautiful children's songs and traditionals, but from book 2 onwards, music from the classical (recorder) repertoire is used.
  
  During the course, you gain practical experience in teaching in the Suzuki way and receive feedback about it. You will also observe other Suzuki teachers for between 20 and 40 hours, preferably in the level you are doing. This provides a valuable opportunity to learn from experienced teachers.
  You will receive handouts on how to embed the Suzuki method in your teaching practice.
  
  The Recorder Teacher Training is designed according to the guidelines of the European Suzuki Association. To take the ESA-level exams and receive accreditation as a Suzuki teacher, a trainee must complete the ESA training syllabus.
  
  If you have any further questions or would like to register, please contact me.