It's a Beautiful Thing

Twelve year old Austin Garner and sixteen year Tyler Garner are different in lots of ways, but they share a love for music.  

The boys live in Lehi, and both have studied piano as long as they can remember.  Austin started before he was three and Tyler started when he was five.

Playing piano is usually a solitary activity, but the Suzuki Association of Utah is turning that idea upside down. 

Both Austin and Tyler are part of a five piano group that was created for a June performance at Libby Gardner Hall.  Seventeen other piano ensembles participated in this Five Piano Concert.   Their piece, Chopin’s Waltz in A minor, was a hit and the group was chosen to perform again in the fall.  

They will perform in a five piano concert on September 18 in the Conference Center Theater, and then again on September 19 in a most unusual concert.

On September 19, hundreds of kids from across the state will join together to perform with one heart and one voice in the LDS Conference Center.  The performers will range in age from three to eighteen and will play on a variety of instruments including, harp, cello, violin, viola, string bass, flute, voice, and piano. 

This is an unforgettable night for everyone who participates and everyone who attends.  It is a magical night, a night of Celebration.   Hosted by the Suzuki Association of Utah this event happens once every five years.  The theme for Celebration IX is Where Love is Deep.  The theme was taken from a quote by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki the founder and creator of the Suzuki Method:  “Where Love is Deep, Much can be Accomplished.

The Suzuki Association of Utah is an organization made up of parents, teachers, and students who embrace the philosophies of Dr. Suzuki.  Dr. Suzuki believed that every child could learn, that a study of music creates noble character, and that music could change the world.

There will also be a Harp Celebration on September 12, in the Tabernacle.  Tickets will be available to the public from the Conference Center beginning August 11.  Group rates are available.  Ticket price includes admission to all three events.

The Waltz group has been practicing together for more than a year.   The others in the group are Aaron and Braden Rasmussen, cousins of the Garner boys, and Haley Boone.  Braden Rasmussen is now serving a mission for the LDS church and Ethan Bramhall has joined the group in Braden's place.

These are ordinary teenagers who don’t even live in the same city.  They play soccer and basketball, swim, read books, go to school, and also study the piano. 

It’s a beautiful thing.

You're Invited!

Something spectacular is about to happen.  The Salt Lake East Piano Region is hosting a five piano concert at Libby Gardner Hall.  Everyone is invited.

This concert has been a year in the making.  There are over 70 performers ranging in age from three to eighteen.   This will be an unforgettable evening, and it happens only once every five years.  It's part of Celebration IX and some of the groups will be selected to play in the Celebration IX Concerts in September at the LDS Conference Center.

You will hear Bach, Chopin, Gershwin, Schumann, Clementi, and Bartok.  You will hear folk songs as you have never heard them before. You will hear children playing in unison from five gorgeous grand pianos. You will have an experience that you will not soon forget.

Admission is free and there is plenty of space, so tell all your friends to join us June 13 at 6:30 in Libby Gardner Hall. 

It’s best to park in the Stadium and walk to Gardner Hall which is located in the President’s School.  Libby Gardner Hall is inside of Gardner Hall.  Parking is free on Saturday and it is a 15 minute walk on good sidewalk. 

Don’t be late.  You won’t want to miss a minute of this exciting concert.

See You There!

Celebration: A Beautiful Tradition

Every few years the Suzuki Association of Utah creates a wonderful event for children in the tradition of Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, founder of the Suzuki Method of teaching.  This is event is called Celebration and is a celebration of music, of children, of possibilities, and many other joyful things.

Planning for Celebration IX is underway.  Children from all over the state of Utah, who study music using the Suzuki Method are invited to join in this incredible Celebration of music.   At the Celebration Gala to be presented on September 19, 2015 in the LDS conference Center,  hundreds of children will join together to play with one heart and one voice.

Harp students, violin students, viola students, piano students, voice students, cello students, flute students, guitar students, and bass students of all ages will come together for this magical evening.  The children will range in age from 3 years old to 18 years old.  They will play in unison.  Each instrument will be featured during the concert, with the finale to be performed in unison by hundreds of joyful students.

This is an unforgettable experience for every child who participates.  Preparation begins now.  Students must develop their skills to a high level for this concert.  The learn discipline, commitment, dedication.  They learn cooperation and teamwork. 

In addition to the Gala Concert, a Harp Celebration Concert and a Five Piano Celebration Concert will be held on different nights, because of space and time limitations for the Gala. 

Dr. Shinichi Suzuki believed in the incredible potential of children.  He believed that every child is destined for greatness.  He believed that with the correct teaching methods there would be no failures.  He taught that music could change the world.

We honor Dr. Suzuki and cherish his philosophies because of our love for children.  We are the Suzuki Association of Utah.  We are a community.  We build children.  We teach, we nurture, and we share the joy of music.  Like Dr. Suzuki, we believe that music can change the world.

Announcing Celebration IX Art Contest

Calling all Suzuki Students!  We need your artwork.  Celebration IX needs a logo.  If you love to draw, paint, color, or doodle, now is your chance to do something fabulous with that ability.  Get in touch with your inner artist and design a logo for our Art Contest.

First place  logo will be used as the logo for Celebration IX:  Where Love is Deep.

Second place  logo will be used as the logo for the Suzuki Convention which will be held in January of 2015.

We will have lots of prizes, and all the logos will be shown in the slide show at the Celebration Gala.

• Who’s eligible: All Registered Suzuki Students, any age.  One entry per student.
• Submission Deadline:  October 20, 2014
• Submission Details:  Submit a jpg of your 8 ½  x  11  artwork scanned at 300 dpi.  Please hold on to your entry.  If you win, we may need your original.  Entries should be emailed to artamishafarnsworth@gmail.com.  Questions should be directed to Misha Farnsworth at the same email.  You can reach Misha at 801-230-8271.
• Any medium is acceptable, including photography and computer graphics.  If you wish you may alter your original design digitally to create a different look. 
• Each entry must be accompanied with a completed application form.  The application form will be available on the SAU website (http://www.suzukimusicutah.org/)  after August 30.  

A logo is a unique design that is a symbol of a community, an event or an organization.  Our logo for Celebration IX should reflect our love for music and the theme: Where Love is Deep.  It could also reflect the joy of children.  It could symbolize diversity.  Let your design symbolize what music means to you.

Simpler designs are usually best.  We would like our logo to be colorful.  

The theme: Where Love is Deep is from a Dr. Suzuki quote:  Where love is deep, much can be accomplished.  You do not have to use the words Where Love is deep in your design.  We can add them later.  The logo that is selected will be used on posters, flyers, programs, and video covers for Celebration IX.

Watch for prize announcements.  We have some exciting prizes in the works, so check back for more details.  Here is the first prize announcement:  Everyone who enters will get something. First, Second, and Third Place Winners will receive a free family registration for Celebration.  

Now's your chance.  Start planning, dreaming, and drawing.