A teacher development workshop featuring Charles Krigbaum, SAA Teacher Trainer.
February 16-18, 2018
In this 10-hour Enrichment Course, participants will examine the challenges and rewards that are present at the intermediate stage of violin study. The course will introduce participants to three of the publications of Kerstin Wartberg: Enjoying Violin Technique, Recital Training Vol. 1, and Recital Training Vol. 2. Valuable for both Suzuki teachers and traditional violin teachers, these works include technical studies, preparatory exercises, and repertoire that are intended for use during the study of Suzuki Books 4 – 6. Kerstin Wartberg was the first German to travel to Japan and study with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki. They maintained a close connection for decades.
Kerstin Wartberg’s many publications seek to supplement and highlight the most important teaching points of the Suzuki Violin School, while also adapting the material for present day students, parents, and teachers. Her materials include numerous practice suggestions and detailed instructions drawn from her many years of teaching experience as the Director of the German Suzuki Institute. Charles Krigbaum was the first American Suzuki teacher to study Kerstin Wartberg’s unique contributions to violin pedagogy, and the two have worked closely together for well over a decade. Many of Kerstin Wartberg’s materials were tested prior to their publication by students of Charles Krigbaum. Charles has traveled to Germany on six different occasions to collaborate with Kerstin, and together they co-authored The Journey Through Pre-Twinkle, a free downloadable e-Book for students, parents, and teachers.
Many of Kerstin Wartberg’s exercises include a lively, imaginative, and inspiring piano accompaniment composed by David Andruss. These accompaniments are highly motivating for students and are designed to make home practice easier, more organized, and more musical. Correctly applied and in the proper amount, playing with recordings can be a wonderful enrichment for the practice routine. Experience has shown that both the enjoyment and the quantity of practice will increase if provided the opportunity to do so with an excellent piano accompaniment. Increased practice time, especially when well-directed and enjoyable, results in more effective learning.
Participants will be given the opportunity to explore developmentally appropriate technical exercises (scales, left-hand velocity, collé, finger motion, vibrato, shifting, and double stops) and repertoire (including the most essential preparatory exercises) presented in a step-by-step manner, while also learning practical ways to incorporate these studies into lessons. As valuable as this material will be in private lessons, these musical exercises will also add a new dimension to group lessons.