ASI Honors Recitals
American Suzuki Institute
ASI 2025 Dates:
July 20-25 and July 27-August 1, 2025
More information coming in December!
Registration will open in February
The Role of Recitals at an Institute…
Dr. Suzuki taught that each piece requires three stages of learning—
1) the introduction of the particular technique(s) that a piece utilizes,
2) the fluency phase when students can play the piece from beginning to end from memory with all the correct rhythms, fingerings, bowings and technique, and
3) the artistic phase.
This is the stage when the mechanics of the piece are so habitual that the performer can communicate a mood or character or a feeling through the music. These are the performances that really speak to the audience’s heart. Since the piece is well within the performer’s skill level and the execution is effortless, there is surplus attention to give to the emotional content of the piece. Sometimes the amount of time between when a piece is fluent and when it becomes artistic can be as much as a year or two or when the student is well into the next book. Professional performers for example, never take their newest piece first to the concert halls in big cities with music critics. Instead, they hone their performing skills in much smaller venues until the piece becomes comfortable, easy and they feel confident.
True artists are hardly ever satisfied. They are always trying to improve and are reaching for the next level of playing. And that’s why you’re here—to learn how to get to the next level, how to become an artist. And what better way than to have five consecutive lessons where one can hardly practice a small task incorrectly? Secondly, since as Suzuki students we believe in the power of the environment, we are also here to be inspired by outstanding performers, both adults and students, who have achieved that level of communication in their performance. Occasionally, students will do that on the very first day of class and these are the students who are asked to perform on the 4:00 and informal recitals at ASI.
So the evidence of a successful institute experience is not whether students are selected to perform on a recital, but rather if they leave ASI with the tools and the motivation to be a more artistic player than when they arrived.
Honors Recitals are a special part of ASI. They represent the most polished performances of pieces of all levels. We encourage everyone to submit a recording of your very best playing for consideration – see below for details.
Students of all levels are encouraged to submit their best performance.
- A committee will select performances for the ASI 2024 Honors Recitals by video audition.
- Please complete the 2024 ASI Honors Recital Form, which requires a link to your video on YouTube for completion.
- Your video must be recorded between April 1-June 15, 2024.
- You should play a piece that demonstrates your finest posture, tone, technique, musical tempo and expression. The student must perform the same piece on both the audition video and the Honors Recital.
- Select a piece you have performed with piano accompaniment (if indicated) at a concert.
- Piano accompaniment is recommended (but not required) where indicated for instrumentalists. The CD piano accompaniment is acceptable.
- Performances should be from memory.
- The deadline for the submission of the honors recital audition recordings is June 15, 2024.
- Applicants will receive an email indicating whether they have been selected to perform on an Honors Recital by June 30, 2024.
- See Recording and Submission Information (above) for details on how to create your Honors Audition video.
- The decision of the committee is final.
Video submissions for Honors Recitals and Chamber Music Placement should follow these guidelines:
- Please set your camera in the landscape orientation (sideways) for the recording and position the performer in the center of the screen.
- Video should be in .mp4 format and uploaded to YouTube (submission forms require a YouTube link).
- Settings for your video must be “unlisted” and “Not made for kids”. If this setting is not observed, we will not be able to share your video with committee members for evaluation.
- The video title must include your name (first and last) and the title of the piece.
ASI Talent(?) Show!
The ASI Talent Show is a great way for students, parents, and teachers to relax, unwind and have some fun!
Got Talent? If you have abilities like magic, unicycling, or acting, then you can be part of the ASI Talent(?) Show! Auditions will take place within the first two days you arrive on campus – watch for the sign-up sheet!
Dr. Suzuki said, “only practice on the days you eat.” At the American Suzuki Institute, we take that message very seriously. The ASI 100 Day Practice Club was started by ASI teacher and Suzuki pioneer, Craig Timmerman. Students (and teachers) who have practiced at least 100 days consecutively are welcomed and encouraged to join this elite club of dedicated musicians. We celebrate the focus and energy which you, your practice partner, and your teacher have put into joining the 100-Day Practice Club. We have been amazed throughout the years at the number of ASI students who have not missed a day of practice, not just 100 or 200 days, but YEARS! Practicing can be a habit that’s hard to break!
To help you keep track of your 100 consecutive days, we have created an ASI 100-Day Club Coloring Chart. Click the link, download and print your form, and sart coloring!!!
When you have completed 100 days or more of consecutive practice, please complete the ASI 100-Day Practice Club Members Form. As is tradition, your name will be shared during the Wednesday ASI Talent (?) Show, and you will receive a printed certificate as a memento of your achievement!