Boulder Suzuki Strings News - Volume 17, Issue 4
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June 1, 2014
Boulder Suzuki Strings News
Volume 17, Issue 4
“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives
up.”
-Babe Ruth
Dear Boulder Suzuki Strings Families,
Happy summer! School is out and it is time for vacation, summer camp, and hot weather.
After attending the Suzuki Association of the Americas biennial conference over the memorial day
weekend, I was reminded how important our Boulder Suzuki Strings family is. It is a community not only
of students and teachers, but parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends. BSS had the honor to perform at
the International Ensemble Concert, which was chosen by taped audition. After the 20 students and
pianist Sara Parkinson performed, there was a surprise celebration for our own William Starr, who was
presented a Model of Lifelong Service award. Many people from Colorado and around the world spoke of
his decades of service from the start of the Suzuki movement in the United States. As an added bonus, we
also were able to celebrate his 91st birthday with him. It became even more clear to our students just how
lucky they are to work with such a legend. The concert concluded with an encore performance of
Petersburger, and the audience clapped along in rhythm. Everyone there would agree that it was a
magical moment.
In recent years, Boulder Suzuki Strings has attracted international attention. In the fall, a Japanese
researcher, Naomi Katsura, will visit Mr. Starr and BSS. She has spent the past three years researching the
Suzuki method. We were also featured in the International Suzuki Journal in the fall of 2013 when Mr.
Mikio Shin visited BSS.
The conference represented Suzuki teachers and students from around the world. There were
participants from central and south America, Canada, Asia, Europe, and everywhere in between.
Fernando Pinero, a teacher from Argentina, has invited the BSS students to perform in Argentina! How is
that for international?
(continued on p. 4)
To reserve your spot for fall, please remember forms and
$50.00 deposits were due June 1st. Please return them if you
haven’t already.Boulder Suzuki Strings June 1, 2014
Colorado Music Festival’s Young People’s Concert
This concert is a fabulous opportunity to perform on the lawn outside of Chautauqua's auditorium as a
pre-show to the professional presentation of "The Orchestra Game" by the CMF Orchestra! We would
love to have a great showing of talented musicians to get the crowd excited about music making! There
are 2 concert opportunities - details below. Sign-up on-line by visiting our website:
bouldersuzukistrings.org and click on the “For Students” tab.
Please fill out one form for each student.
Date: Saturday, June 28
Date: Monday, June 30
Time to arrive: 9:10 a.m.
Location: Chautauqua Park Lawn, 900 Baseline Road in Boulder. Meet near the drinking fountain
outside of the Dining Hall. Please allow plenty of time to park!
Dress: BSS T-shirts
For : All BSS Students: Violins - Pre-Twinkles through advanced. Cellists and Violists too :) Harmony
welcome!
To purchase tickets for the performance by the Colorado Music Festival of "The Orchestra Games"
(immediately following our outdoor performance) please call 303 440-7666 or order online at
www.COmusic.org
Tickets are $8.00 ($7 if you have a group of 10 or more)
Scholarships
Scholarship applications are available for
the 2013/2014 school year. Completed
Bills will go out in early applications are due no later than June
August for Fall semester. 30th. Incomplete applications will not be
This summer, please pay eligible for scholarship money. Please
your private teacher directly apply today. Forms are available from
for lessons. your teacher or online at
bouldersuzukistrings.org/current-
students.
21
2
Boulder Suzuki Strings June 1, 2014
2014/2015 Important Dates
Please add the following dates to your calendars for the 2014/2015 school year. Times
for group classes are 4:15 pm – 6:15 pm. Group classes are held at Mountain View
United Methodist Church – 355 Ponca Place, Boulder, CO 80303
Fall Semester 2014 Spring Semester 2015
• Friday, September 12th – Group • Friday, January 9th – Group
• Friday, September 26th – Group • Friday, January 23rd – Group
• Friday, October 17th – Group • Friday, February 6th – Group
• Friday, October 24th - Group • Friday, February 20th – Group
• Saturday, October 25th – Halloween • Friday, March 6th – Group
Concerts – Location and time TBA
• Friday, March 13th – Group
• Friday, November 7th – Solo Recital
Run-throughs • Friday and Saturday, April 10th and 11th
– Spring Workshop at Boulder Valley
• Friday and Saturday, November 14th Christian Church – 7100 South Boulder
and 15th – Solo Recitals Road, Boulder, CO 80303
• Friday, December 5th – Group • Friday, May 1st – Solo Recital Run-
throughs
• Saturday, December 6th – Holiday
Concerts – Location and time TBA • Friday and Saturday, May 8th and 9th –
Solo Recitals
• Friday, December 12th –
Group/Dinner/Ensemble Concert
View these dates on our Google
• Saturday, December 13th – Holiday
Concerts – Location and time TBA
Calendar:
BSS Calendar
• Sunday, December 14th – Holiday
Concert at Barnes and Noble, time
TBA
3Boulder Suzuki Strings June 1, 2014
Letter from Amy, continued… Boulder Suzuki Strings Fiddlers
REUNION performance
The conference was also an opportunity for our 7/19/14 at the Colorado
own BSS faculty to be together, to learn, and to
socialize. We were all so proud of the
Shakespeare Festival
accomplishments of these 20 students. I GREENSHOW
received such positive feedback from many
successful and renowned teachers— How did The BSS World Peace Fiddlers have been
you get them to move and smile? Tell me the secret! invited back to perform in a Greenshow as part
This was the best group that has ever played at a of the Colorado Shakespeare Festival! ANY
conference. Wonderful performance. They looked FIDDLERS who have worked with Emily at
great and sounded great! They played with such any time are invited to gather for a performance
spirit. They seemed to be so happy and joyful to be on Saturday, July 19th. This is a really fun
performing. So impressive hearing the Twinkle reunion concert! Fiddlers will join in for the
Variations to close the program. Be sure to tunes they know in a session type format.
congratulate these students the next time you Please indicate your favorites of all time in the
see them - they certainly deserve a pat on the sign-up and they will be included. A set list will
back for their achievements! be sent out including tunes from this year and
past years that will be performed. Most (but not
Now getting back to summer routines… all) of the sheet music will also be available via
be sure to schedule lessons, plan daily practice, email, for those who need a refresher. In recent
and attend local concerts. There are so many years we have had several generations of
opportunities in the Boulder/Denver area for fiddlers, some back from college. The
our students to hear music - Go! There’s performance is before the CSF production of
nothing like an amazing concert to motivate. the Tempest.
Have a safe and relaxing summer, There will be a rehearsal/ jam TBA!
CONCERT: July 19th 6:45-7:45, 6:30 check-in
Amy Gesmer-Packman, Director and Violin & tuning at the Hellems green on the CU
Teacher campus. SIGN UP HERE:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewfor
m?fromEmail=true&formkey=dG1IdHViU1Q
0bGMyRTFsNzZXcWhQT0E6MA
4Boulder Suzuki Strings June 1, 2014
Peaks to Plains Suzuki Institute Suzuki Early Childhood
and Advanced String Camp Education Classes Now
Available
A summer institute is a wonderful way to
enhance your child's musical skills in a fun and Baby classes have on-going, open
nurturing environment. We are fortunate to enrollment. Classes are being offered in
have Peaks to Plains Suzuki Institute so close June and July with the fall session starting
to us! We bring well-respected Suzuki teachers at the end of August. Please visit the
from different parts of the country to work with website for more details.
students and parents for an amazing week of http://www.preludemusicclass.com
music. We also offer an Advanced Chamber
Music program for advanced musicians
interested in chamber music. Sign up
now! For more information and to register, log
onto our website: www.ppsicolorado.com
Boulder Suzuki Strings Concert Attire Clothing Swap
What: Swap/Exchange BSS concert attire and t-shirts
When: Friday, September 26th, 2014
4:00 pm-4:30 pm Drop off items
4:30 pm-6:30 pm Swap/Exchange
Where: The drop off and swap will take place just outside the front doors of
Mountain View United Methodist Church, weather permitting, or it will be held
inside the front foyer entrance.
Bring your gently used and outgrown BSS concert attire including black pants,
black skirts, white shirts, black shoes, and BSS t-shirts. This is a great
opportunity to pass along outgrown clothing and find gently used “new” items.
Pay it forward! Any questions, please contact Kate Inskeep:
kate@kateinskeepceramics.com.
5Boulder Suzuki Strings June 1, 2014
Minneapolis 2014
Students’ Perspective
Our 26 hour trip to Minneapolis was exhausting, then found out we were too slow or there was a
busy, and at times infuriating. Our 7:20PM flight bowing change. But, the confidence our teachers
was delayed so many times that Cyndi titled her had in us during lessons and rehearsals helped us
emails notifying us of the delay “You are going believe that a speed of ♩ = 152 for Csárdás was
to hate seeing my name in your inbox.” We actually realistic - as long as we practiced.
finally flew out at around 11:00PM; six hours Rehearsals weren’t all tedious work, either. Once
after some of the group had arrived at the we started moving to the music we were able to
airport. We got in to the hotel around 3:00AM. connect with each other and have more fun.
We had hoped after such a long night, we could
catch up on some sleep, but instead we had Before BSS played, we got to listen to a
rehearsal at 8:30AM in our pajamas. After the Canadian group called Stellae Boreales
early rehearsal, we stumbled back to our rooms composed of advanced students from Ottawa.
and napped until lunch before the next rehearsal We felt intimidated by their performance but
on the stage. After that rehearsal, we helped Mr. when we went backstage to line up for our part
Starr give a demonstration using his book of 77 of the concert, we relaxed as we joked around
Variations, leaving little time to rest and prepare with each other and were encouraged by the BSS
for the concert in the evening. During the teachers. As a result, we went up on stage
demonstration, Mr. Starr talked about the comfortable and excited to share what we had
development of a specific skill, like vibrato, and learned during the last several months of
had us play variations exhibiting that skill using rehearsals. We played with not only technical
music projected onto the wall. We had a very accuracy but with love. Accordingly, the
vague idea of which variations we would play so reaction from the audience after we performed
this demonstration was an adventure for was overwhelmingly positive. We received
everyone in the group. The next day, Saturday, compliments from nearly everyone we saw
we knew we would get even less sleep than the ranging from how great we sounded to how
day before because we had to leave for the great our outfits were. Amy was even asked how
airport at 4:00AM to make it on time for our she got us to move and smile so much while we
high school graduation. played.
No matter how frustrated we got while Even though the compliments were nice, the
practicing for the SAA conference, it was still most memorable part of the trip was hearing the
more enjoyable than the airplane rides. Mr. things other renowned Suzuki teachers said
Starr had us practice fast passages the way about how Mr. Starr had affected their lives.
Itzhak Perlman does: by turning up the After hearing all of these words of kindness and
metronome one notch at a time. Not five, not enthusiasm, we realized two things. We first
three, one. We invested days repeating the same realized that we are extremely lucky for Mr.
measures to get all the pieces up to speed, and Starr to teach at Boulder Suzuki Strings when
(Continued on p. 7)
6Boulder Suzuki Strings June 1, 2014
Minneapolis, continued… Parent’s Perspective…
his fame and incredible importance became The Suzuki Association of Americas 16th
apparent through the numerous testimonials. Biennial Conference
The second is how special and lucky we are to be
a part of the international Suzuki community. Observations and Thoughts From a Backstage
Hearing other students and teachers in Chaperone
attendance speak Spanish and Portuguese
The beautiful, downtown Hilton Minneapolis
underlined the international strength of Suzuki.
was the site of Suzuki Americas 2014, held
As Helen said, being a part of the Suzuki
community not only teaches us how to perfect Thursday, May 22nd through Monday, May 26th.
an instrument, but teaches us how to be good This year’s theme was “Powered by
people and help make the world a better place. Community” and Boulder Suzuki Strings
represented this theme very well given the
We couldn’t imagine a better way to end our diversity and regional commitment of our
time at Boulder Suzuki Strings. We are so students and their families.
appreciative to the entire BSS faculty and our Leading up to the event, preparation for the 20
parents for providing us this opportunity and for student musicians - conducted by Mr. Starr,
making us practice so we would make the most directed by Amy Gesmer-Packman & Stacey
of this trip. Thanks to our teachers who have not Brady, and accompanied by the ever-present
only given us great support in our musical Sara Parkinson - attended a half dozen extra
adventures but our personal lives as well. Thanks rehearsals in Boulder on their own time. While
also to the faculty who came to Minneapolis the core of the group had just returned from their
with us - Robin Alfieri, Jesse Berg, Stacey Brady, international trip to Costa Rica in March, BSS
Amy Gesmer-Packman, Anna Morris, Flori was able to draw from its talented ranks of
Muller (violin), and Sara Parkinson (piano), graduating high school seniors and additional
Psyche Dunkhase, Heather Hadley, and advanced level strings to round out the
Kathleen Star (cello.) Without the help of Cyndi ensemble. To say that they prepared with
Dumont, head chaperone and coordinator of the determination, precision and speed is an
entire trip, our experience in Minneapolis would understatement – Mr. Starr took full advantage
not have been possible. Of course, a HUGE of this at the conference.
thank you to Mr. Starr. Our teachers have
repeatedly told us that Mr. Starr has had a huge Storms Before The Calm
impact on the Suzuki community worldwide,
but this concert and the tribute afterwards helped The BSS students and chaperones were
us realize how big this impact really is. scheduled to fly out of Denver on Thursday
afternoon and arrive before 11:00PM at the
Allyson Stibbards and Elise Steichen hotel. But our Rocky Mountain spring weather
Skyline High School class of 2014 had other plans, and the group was forced to
Broomfield High School class of 2014 wait out violent storms including tornados that
swirled around the DIA and Bennett area. The
delays meant that the beleaguered group arrived
(Continued on page 8)
7Boulder Suzuki Strings June 1, 2014
Parent’s Perspective Continued…
at the hotel just before 3:00AM Friday morning. After only a handful of hours rest, the players gathered
for an 8:15AM rehearsal call time, many players still in pajamas. Thanks go out to the BSS teachers for
providing specialty bake shop donuts!
The 3:00PM Conference Session
On Friday afternoon, Mr. Starr co-hosted a teacher training session with Ms. Hiroko Driver-Lippman
during the 3:00PM class period. Held in the Grand Ballroom, this was one of the key discussion/playing
sessions of the day in that it featured two of the groundbreaking individuals who worked closely in the
early days of the U.S. Suzuki movement with Dr. Suzuki - both in Japan and here in the United States -
who could offer first-hand insights into Dr. Suzuki’s concepts. The reality that the roots to the Boulder
Suzuki Strings program, including Amy, were right in front of us during this session was readily apparent.
The BSS students performed during this session before an international group of teachers and musicians
who in turn had an opportunity to participate in Q&A at the end of the session with Mr. Starr and Ms.
Driver-Lippman. It was very informative, but the players had to be on their toes – both Mr. Starr and Ms.
Driver-Lippman drew from Mr. Starr’s 77 Variations book (the music was projected on a huge screen
beside the stage). This forced the players to read, play and react as directed on the spot – very challenging
and very “Suzuki.” Mr. Starr then asked the BSS ensemble to play his “Hunter’s Chorus Variation.”
When complete, he then proceeded to have them play it faster and faster just to prove that the Suzuki
techniques as learned correctly from memory and at a slow tempo were quickly transferable to increasing
tempos. It was exciting to watch.
Performing with Pizzazz!
Friday night’s concert featured two, student-level, string orchestras - the BSS ensemble performed second,
conducted by Mr. Starr. Resplendent in bright colors – the girls in coral or royal blue dresses with jet
black sashes and shrugs, and the boys in black slacks, lime-green shirts with complementing ties - the BSS
players moved in rhythm on stage with bright smiles and focus on Mr. Starr. Their performance included
six pieces, drawn from Mr. Starr’s arrangements as well as BSS repertoire. The crowd showed their
appreciation after each piece with enthusiasm. At the end of their sixth and final piece “Twinkle
Variations”, a standing ovation was nearly automatic. The playing portion of the concert was complete,
but the night’s entertainment was not over.
Following the BSS performance, the highlight of the evening was undoubtedly an interview in comfy
chairs of Mr. Starr presented à la Ralph Edwards’ “This is Your Life” format from the 1950s and 60s.
Prominent colleagues, former students, and key SAA representatives paid tribute to Mr. Starr for his 40+
years of dedication to SAA and the Suzuki movement, not only here in North America but to all of the
Americas. This was poignant given the Latin presence at this year’s conference punctuated by a
contingent from South and Central America – their string players were featured at Saturday night’s
concert. At the end of the interview, we all celebrated Mr. Starr’s 91st birthday with a grand singing of
8Boulder Suzuki Strings June 1, 2014
“Happy Birthday” (in G Major, of course) and the wheeling in of a monster-sized cake covered with 91
candles! It was delicious! Another standing ovation and Mr. Starr obliged with an encore of “Petersburg
Polka” - the audience responded with rhythmic clapping during the piece and shouts of encore again!
Pride and Participants
Amidst the commotion that surrounded the stage and reception areas after Friday night’s concert, there
were moments when Amy Gesmer-Packman and Mr. Starr could not get a break from the throng of
audience members who lined up for congratulations and praises for the outstanding performance and to
say hello to dear friends. This was an event not to be missed! Later in the evening when Amy finally got
a chance to slow down, the wave of emotion and pride was evident as she thanked each teacher and
chaperone for their help - truly a team experience. The evening’s entertainment could only be
summarized as joyous, polished and highly entertaining.
BSS Performers included: Helena, Stacy, Maggie, Rachel, Piper, Christine, Elise, Casey, Allyson, Alexis,
Steffie, Lindey, Killian, Katie, Emma, Ryan, Henry, Trace, Kaj and Peter. The pianist was Sara. The
Conductor was Mr. Starr. Director was Amy. Teacher, coach and sympathizer was Stacey. BSS teachers
in attendance at the conference were Flori, Jessie, Heather, Robin, Kathleen, Anna and Psyche.
Chaperones included Cyndi, Keri, Miriam, Karen and Brian.
Reflections
As one of the chaperones, it was truly an honor to attend this wonderful conference, to enjoy an historic
evening that featured Mr. Starr, to be so proud of our students and their amazing talents, and to witness
firsthand the legacy and power of the Suzuki movement that Mr. Starr, John Kendall, Hiroko Driver-
Lippman, and all of the groundbreakers of the Suzuki movement have provided to all of us, some 50+
years in the making and still going strong. This event was a lightning rod for all of us as parents who
sometimes forget the legacy that surrounds us every day. It woke me up quickly.
A special thank you goes out to Amy for her bravery in taking a risk at the tender age of 18, to study under
Mr. Starr and later to move to Colorado and start a fledgling program that now boasts over 200 current
students, and has touched hundreds (thousands?) from her string program – as parents, we learned a great
deal about you, Amy, in Minneapolis! Thanks to Amy and Cyndi for making this trip possible and for
gathering such a large contingent into an organized and well-oiled machine – but with panache!
And for all of you who haven’t figured it out yet, “Bill Starr” as he is known to those in SAA and abroad,
is an absolute ROCK STAR on the international stage! To see the crowd surrounding him is truly
amazing. Only to all of us, he’s simply Mr. Starr, the warm, generous, knowledgeable and giving person
who we see every other week. And for all that he is, we can never thank him enough.
Brian Donohue
BSS parent and chaperone
9Boulder Suzuki Strings June 1, 2014
Costa Rica 2014
After much hard work and practice, the Boulder Suzuki Strings tour group
made it to Costa Rica and back. A group of eleven advanced kids, (nine violinists
and two cellists) with the help from Stacey, Amy, and Heather organized a
program of songs, choreography, and speeches in Spanish. We all went to Costa
Rica, where we traveled around with our amazing guide, Seidy, who has been our
tour guide on all our past tours. We stayed in several rural towns and played for the
people there. We even got to be on the radio! While there, we got to experience
traditional Costa Rican food, large bugs, and even played with another Costa Rican
orchestra. Courtesy of Robertson and Sons, we were able to donate two cellos to
their director, Antonio Hernandez. All of the audience loved our music, and always
wanted our autographs.
I think none of us will ever forget getting to hike in the cloud forest in
Monteverde, where we saw a rare quetzal bird and many hummingbirds, along
with a sloth in the trees at the hotel. Our bus drivers were always able to find a nice
place to for us to stay for a couple of hours when roads were closed due to
demonstrations. On one of these nights, after being delayed by a traffic jam for
several hours, everyone got to hike up a steep mountain in the dark to Cerro
Escondido. Here, we spent the night and then learned about the conservation
efforts that the Karen Mogensen Wildlife Reserve, a nonprofit, educational
foundation was doing. This included buying parts of the jungle to save from
deforestation and to be studied by scientists.
We all loved Cerro Escondido and what they were doing so much that we
wanted to help. After coming back home and playing our program on Pearl Street
twice, we have raised over seven hundred dollars for the Karen Mogensen Reserve.
This was such a great experience for everyone, and most of us are even
making plans for the next tour! Look for information about the next tour soon.
Planning will start in the fall for the tour in 2016!
Piper Dumont
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