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The Suzuki Triangle in Action Creating Successful Parent-Teacher Conferences at the Upper Valley Music Center

Table of Contents

Upper Valley Music Center 2015 Conference Forms ..................................................................... 2

Upper Valley Music Center 2014 Conference Forms ..................................................................... 8

Forms from other Suzuki schools and studios

Augsburg College Suzuki Talent Education, Nancy Lokken .......................................................... 9

Diller-Quaile, Allen Lieb ............................................................................................................... 13

Northampton Community Music Center, Emily Greene ............................................................... 15

North Texas School of Talent Education, Charles Krigbaum ....................................................... 16

Ottawa Suzuki Strings, Alice Joy Lewis ....................................................................................... 22

Parent  Conference  Week    What?    Parent  Conference  Week  is  a  week  dedicated  to  having  one  on  one  time  with  your  teacher  to  discuss  your  child’s  lessons,  progress,  practice,  goals  and  anything  else  that  you  or  your  teacher  wish  to  bring  up.      When?    Parent  conferences  take  place  during  your  regularly  scheduled  lesson  time  the  week  starting  on  Monday  November  16th  –  Saturday  November  21st.      Why?    Parent  conferences  are  an  important  part  of  each  child’s  journey  for  the  following  reason:    

• To  make  sure  we  have  the  same  goals      

• To  have  an  opportunity  to  talk  without  the  child  being  present  (or  in  some  cases  together  with  the  child)    

 • So  we  can  know  how  to  best  support  you  as  a  parent  

 • So  you  can  share  observations,  successes,  concerns  about  your  child  

 • So  you  can  share  with  us  what  you  feel  is  working  well  as  well  as  things  that  can  be  

changed  or  improved        What  can  I  expect  at  my  conference?    We  will  use  this  time  to  meet  with  you  in  person  and  go  through  some  questions  about  your  child  and  their  lessons.      In  addition  the  bringing  back  the  questionnaire,  please  feel  free  to  bring  a  list  of  questions,  suggestions,  concerns  or  anything  else  you  would  like  to  discuss.  If  you  have  videos  of  home  practice  or  performances  that  you  would  like  to  bring  and  discuss  with  us,  we  will  use  this  time  to  watch  them  with  you  and  talk  about  anything  that  comes  up.      This  time  will  also  be  used  to  make  a  plan  for  the  rest  of  the  year,  set  performance  goals,  practice  routines  and  long-­‐term  goals.      Who  should  attend  the  parent  conference?      In  most  cases  the  parent  that  attends  the  lessons  should  attend  the  conference.  If  you  have  multiple  people  that  are  a  part  of  your  musical  journey  feel  free  to  bring  as  many  people  as  needed.      Students  that  are  in  middle  school  and  older  may  attend  for  a  part  of  the  conference  if  you  and  your  teacher  agree  that  it  is  appropriate.      

 What  if  I  can’t  make  it  to  my  child’s  regularly  scheduled  lesson  without  them  present?      If  you  cannot  make  it  to  your  lesson  time  without  your  child  contact  your  teacher  to  discuss  alternate  times.  Teachers  will  make  every  effort  to  make  themselves  available  at  a  convenient  time  for  both  parties.      So  much  can  be  lost  when  talking  on  the  telephone  or  reading  an  email.    So  much  can  be  gained  by  talking  in  person,  which  is  a  big  reason  why  conferences  remain  important  in  the  age  of  electronic  communication.      Saying  that,  if  you  are  unable  to  travel  to  the  music  center  without  your  child,  ask  your  teacher  about  the  possibility  of  a  skype  conference.  In  person  conferences  are  preferred  but  other  arrangements  can  be  made  where  needed.        What  will  my  child  practice  during  conference  week?    Your  teacher  will  make  a  conference  week  plan  at  the  previous  lesson  for  each  student  goals  to  cover  the  time  between  lessons.                    

Upper  Valley  Music  Center  Suzuki  Program  

Thank  you  for  the  Ottawa  Suzuki  Talent  Education  for  their  guidance  and  inspiration  for  these  questions    

Parent-­‐Teacher  Conferences  2015 PARENT CONFERENCE FORM NAME_______________________

Please fill out this form and bring it to your Parent Teacher Conference.

General Questions Over the last year what has my child gained or accomplished through studying in UVMC’s Suzuki Program? What do you like about your child playing their instrument and participating in activities at UVMC? What would you change about your child’s participation at UVMC? How has your child’s relationship with their musical journey evolved since last year?

Upper  Valley  Music  Center  Suzuki  Program  

Thank  you  for  the  Ottawa  Suzuki  Talent  Education  for  their  guidance  and  inspiration  for  these  questions    

Practice Questions What is your child’s attitude in regards to:

Daily practice: Lessons: Group Class: Note reading: Concerts/Performances: Ensembles/Orchestra: Listening:

How do YOU feel about these things? How is your current note taking system working during lessons?

Goals What inspires or motivates your child? What are your goals for your child’s development/progress? Areas in which I need more ideas or instruction: Areas in which I feel really competent to help my child:      

Upper  Valley  Music  Center  Suzuki  Program  

Thank  you  for  the  Ottawa  Suzuki  Talent  Education  for  their  guidance  and  inspiration  for  these  questions    

Parent-­‐Teacher  Conferences  2015 STUDENT FORM

NAME___________________ Please fill out and return at or before your parent-teacher conference

Something I like about group class: Something I don’t like about group class: Something that has improved in my playing: Something I need to improve in my playing: Something I like about my lessons: Something I don’t like about my lessons: A goal for myself for this year: Something else I want to tell you about playing my instrument:

Upper  Valley  Music  Center  Suzuki  Program  

Parent-­‐Teacher  Conferences  2015  TEACHER CONFERENCE FORM

 Student:___________________Parent:____________________Date:  11/___/15  

Conference  type:  __________________    What  is  working  well:        What  is  not  working:  

     How  is  practice  going  (Enough  assignments/too  much  work?):        Parents  role  during  lessons  (Is  it  working  for  you?):          Group  Class/Chamber  Music/Orchestra:          Progress:  Did  the  student  set  a  goal  last  year?  Did  they  reach  it?  What  was  it?          Long  term  goals:        Instrument  questions:        Anything  you  (parent)  would  like  to  share  about  school  or  home  life  that  could  affect  our  work  together:          Other:  

Parent Conference Week 2014 Student:___________________Parent:____________________Date: 11/___/14 Conference type: __________________ What is working well: What is not working: How is practice going (Enough assignments/too much work?): Parents role during lessons (Is it working for you?): Group Class/Chamber Music/Orchestra: Progress: Instrument: Long term goals: Other:

ACSTE Conference Form Nancy Lokken

Augsburg College Suzuki Talent Education

PARENT - TEACHER Conferences For parents of older students who are starting to practice independently,

please fill out everything you can. Week of March 14, 2016

In preparation for conferences, please fill out and give to your teacher. Workshop How was the workshop helpful to you as a parent? How was the workshop beneficial to your child/children? What did you both enjoy at the workshop? Practice Content How is practice time used? If you have a system, what is it? Knowing that quality is more important than quantity, what is the approximate time you spend daily on practicing ____________ Number of days in a week that we practice is _____________ Are lessons clearly understood? If not, how can the teacher help? I have found that the best way for us to remember our lesson, so we can practice effectively, is by: Home Practice Preparation: As the practice “coach” or “home teacher,” do you have a plan before you begin practicing with your child? If you do, what is it? Actual Home Practice Describe your “ideal practice” at home: When the ideal isn’t there, what specifically prevents practicing from being closer to an “ideal practice?” (Ex. Child doesn’t cooperate; child is exhausted; parent doesn’t have time, no motivation, interruptions, distractions, etc.)

What changes could be made to move ahead in a positive way? Environment: How much talking vs. playing is done by the student? How much verbal direction is done by you, the practice coach? What other approaches could communicate what needs to be done? If there was one thing you would want to change in your practicing, what would it be? Parent Role: What I do when my child doesn’t want to practice….. Besides working on the music and technique, how do you work on cooperation, and mutual understanding? To become an easy automatic skill, a technique needs many repetitions. How do you use repetitions and still keep the child involved? When I get frustrated and need motivation, the resources I use include ……… Group Lessons (Parents’ awareness and observation during group lessons makes a difference.) I attend group lessons regularly because……… My role at group lessons is ……. Ways I have seen my child grow this year: We could use more help/ideas in these areas: Listening: We listen: 7 days a week _________ 6 days a week _________ Other ___________ Summer Music Plans:

Thank you for helping and supporting your child (children).

ACSTE Conference Form Nancy Lokken

Augsburg College Suzuki Talent Education

CONFERENCE STUDENT FORM For Older Students

Practicing Independently or Semi-independently

Week of March 14, 2016 Please fill out and return to your teacher, before conferences if possible.

: I have a practice routine I follow regularly. _________ I do not have a plan I follow regularly. __________ I practice _________ days a week. I listen ____________ days a week. Outline a typical practice session: ( Use more paper is needed. Please be detailed.) This is my review plan during the week: I don’t have a plan and could use some help. __________ Areas I feel I am competent: I feel I need more skill in these areas: (Example: left hand facility; double stops; bow division; vibrato; shifting; performing preparation; tone; straight bows; ensemble playing; reading, etc. ) What I really enjoy about my music/instrument/practice is: What I find most challenging is: I need help setting priorities and management of my practice time. ____________ Please describe what is challenging for you. I am able to manage my practice time well. __________ What does this actually mean for you….the order of the practice, amount of material being covered, focusing on a specific goal from your lesson, etc. Please describe.

Workshop My favorite part(s) of the workshop : This is what I learned at the workshop: What I really enjoy in group lessons: What I really enjoy in orchestra (if applicable): What I really enjoy in chamber music (if applicable): A piece I look forward to playing is: Amount of time I spend on homework daily: My current favorite class in school is: The last book I read for enjoyment was: Summer is a vast amount of time. Besides summer lessons, what do your summer music plans include: Other thoughts, goals, questions I have: Thank you for taking time to do this!

Emily Greene, Northampton Community Music Center

Parent/Teacher Conference April, 2016 Tone/Sound Quality Intonation Posture Left Hand Shape Vibrato Shifting Other Right Hand Bow Hold Shape Bow Arm Other Reading Review Attendance Attitude Listening Practice Group/Theory Growth Overall

North Texas School of Talent Education

Conference Questionnaire for Advanced Students This form is for students who are primarily responsible for their own practice. Conferences will be scheduled with your parents, with you and your parent, or only with yourself. Check with your teacher. Name: Date: Age: Grade: Book Level: Current Working Piece: The following are some questions about your musical growth. Please take time to think about

the following and answer with care. Discuss these issues with your parents, too, and use this as an opportunity to share.

Return the forms to your teacher by (before conferences). Please bring all of your lesson music to the conference. Practice What I enjoy most in my practicing is: What is most difficult for me in practicing is: Practice occurs: □ Daily □ Other (describe) Amount of time I use during a practice: Areas of my playing: (Check one) I feel competent I need to improve Balancing my practice time □ □ Focusing while I practice to be efficient with my time □ □ Concept of rich tone □ □

Note reading □ □ Rhythm □ □ Phrasing □ □ Interpretation of style □ □ Listening □ □ Vibrato □ □ Appropriate review □ □ Breaking down a problem to make it easier to master □ □ Intonation □ □ Hearing resonance □ □ What I’d like to improve on the most is: Organizing the Practice Time

Describe each area of your practice in detail. Note what is consistent in your practice sessions, and what you might do occasionally. Include the approximate amount of time you spend on each area. Example: Activity How the activity is done Time Check if done daily Scales A Major / a minor 3 octaves, 25 minutes □

(including arpeggios, octaves, 3rds, chromatics)

***PLEASE CONTINUE BY USING THE BACK OF THIS PAGE***

Review

The importance of review is: Describe your system for review at your level: Etudes (if applicable) The importance of etude study is:

Scales

The importance of scale study is: Private Lessons

Check what you find most helpful: I take notes □ I read my notes before each practice □ I audio tape my lesson □ I video tape my lesson □ I listen to / watch my tape at home □ I use a practice video □ (where the teacher puts spots on the video) I use a practice sheet and follow it at home □ The teacher takes notes □ I read those notes before each practice □ No one takes notes. I have a good memory. □ A piece/s I can hardly wait to learn: (This could be in the repertoire, or a piece heard on a recording, at a concert, or that a friend plays.) Goals I have for my progress and development this year: Listening

I listen to the recordings of my music: □ Daily □ Other (describe) The best times in the day for me to listen are: Artists I particularly enjoy listening to are:

Currently my favorite artist is__________________________, because: I listen to / watch the “practice video” my teacher makes (if applicable) □ Daily □ Other (describe) The best time for me to listen to / watch this practice tape is: There is a speaker / CD player in my room: □Yes □ No Other places I can also listen: □ Car □ Kitchen □ Family Room □ Other □ I also use head phones (when? / where?) The value in listening to the recordings is: (List as many benefits as you can.) Other classical music recordings I have to listen to in our home include: (Try to be specific about what composers and what type of music. For example, Beethoven Symphonies, or Mozart Quartets, or Boccherini Cello Concerto, etc.) Group Lessons

What I enjoy most in group lessons: (For example, scales, technique, supplemental repertoire, playing repertoire together, performance where we all play for each other, experiences such as learning how to lead pieces, follow a leader, etc.) Something I’d love to do in group is: A piece I wish we could learn and play in group is:

Summer Music Opportunities

In addition to lessons, I am aware of the following music opportunities for me during the summer months: This summer I hope to attend: Orchestra

I play in an orchestra outside of school: □ Yes □ No If yes, which one? I’m interested in playing in an orchestra outside of school: □ Yes □ No What I like best about playing in orchestra: What I like least about playing in orchestra: Viola (if you are a violinist) I am really interested in learning how to play viola: □ Yes □ No Performing

Besides the NTSTE solo recitals, I have opportunities to play my instrument at: (example: church, school, nursing homes, community functions, competitions, etc.) I don’t have many opportunities to perform solos other than in the Suzuki program: □ Competitions I am not interested in competitions at this time: □ I am interested in competitions, and would like information on: All-Region / All-State □ NTSA Scholarship Auditions □ Collin County Young Artist Competition □ Dallas Symphonic Music Festival □

Hubbard Chamber Music Competition □ Lake Lewisville Symphony - Vernell Gregg Young Artists Competition □ Allen Philharmonic - Roger & Ella Jo Adams Concerto Competition □ Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition □ SAA Performance Opportunities □ Other (share information on a competition you’ve discovered) □ School

Other activities besides music I am involved in: Daily amount of time I spend on homework: I enjoy reading: □ Yes □ No If yes, list three books you have read recently: My favorite subject/s in school is/are: Have you started to think about colleges/schools? □ Yes □ No If so, what are you looking for in a university? (size, location, strengths, degrees) What is a possible major(s) you are considering? One more thing I’d like to add…