The following application process is now in place for those wishing to take short-term Suzuki teacher-training courses. Applicants may take SAA Unit courses as a Participant or Auditor. To qualify as a Participant, you must submit a videotape along with an application form and fee to the SAA office at least 8 weeks prior to the training. Before beginning any instrument specific training courses (as participant or auditor), the course Every Child Can!© must be completed.

Basic Process

Units 1 Through 4. Submit a videotape application of 2 specified pieces from Book 4 for the appropriate instrument. If this video is accepted, you are automatically approved to take Units 1 through 4 and the Practicum as a Participant. Tapes must include the following repertoire:

Flute: Blavet Sonata #4 in d minor, Sarabande and Finale Send application form, fee and tape to the SAA at 1900 Folsom #101, Boulder, CO 80302. If video is not accepted, applicant may choose to follow the Basic Process above.

Units 5 and Beyond, Overview and Supplementary Units. Participation in training courses for Book 5 and beyond requires an audiotape application including two pieces from the book to be studied. Submit audiotape to the institute you wish to attend along with registration materials provided by the institute. The tapes will be reviewed by the Trainer hired to teach the course or as arranged with that Trainer.

Alternate Process

Units 1 through 10. Teachers who know that they want to complete the entire sequence of training courses for their instrument have the option of submitting one videotaped application with a piece from the final Suzuki books for their instrument. If approved, the applicant is automatically eligible to take as a Participant Units 1 through 10, the SAA Practicum Unit™, Overview and Supplementary Units.

Submit a videotape application including the following repertoire:

Flute: Chaminade Concertino Send application form, fee and tape to the SAA at 1900 Folsom #101, Boulder, CO 80302. If video is not accepted, applicant may choose to follow the Basic Process above.

General Information

If you have already taken units under the previous system, those units remain valid. However, one of the above videotape approval processes will be required prior to acceptance as a participant in any further training courses.

Preparing Your Videotape. VHS format required. You do not need to memorize materials or perform with accompaniment. While it is not necessary to have the videotape professionally done, try to ensure that the sound is of the best possible quality. If possible the use of remote microphones is recommended. Video must show player's hands and body position: it is suggested that you use the closest possible camera placement which includes as much of the entire body as possible.

Submitting Your Application. Keep a copy of your videotape. In pencil, label the videotape to be submitted with your name and the names of the pieces performed. Send the videotape, completed application form and required fee to the SAA office at the address on the application form below. Postmark deadline for the complete application is 8 weeks prior to the beginning date of the first summer institute you wish to attend.

Application postmarked later will require and additional $20US/$30CAN late fee, to be submitted with the application (total fees of $50US/$70CAN). videotape status will probably not be available prior to the institute, and late applicants may register as "tape pending." Status may later be change from Pending to Participant by the Trainer if the tape is approved.

*See the official web site of the Suzuki Association of the Americas for videotape application form. Send form, fee and videotape to: SAA, 1900 Folsom #101, Boulder, CO 80302