Highlights of the Fourth Decade (1995-2005) - Society for Talent Education

STE celebrated its 30th anniversary at Convocation Hall with a reception at the Power Plant.
March 1995 – STE violin students perform Turkey in the Straw with renowned children’s performer Paul Hann at a benefit concert
Loretta Isaac, Rob Hryciw, Cherie Larson: Co-directors: Summer Institute 1996
In 1997 the Suzuki Charter School and the Society for Talent Education became two independent organizations, each with their own parent board.
Summer 1997 – Heather Christison was hired as Administrator of the Society for Talent Education and for the Suzuki Charter School and Cherie Larson was hired as the Music Director of both organizations.
Summer 1997 – 3rd Fiddlers Workshop held
1997 – Solo Day Recitals introduced (informal solo concerts during regular group lessons). Diana Nuttall is hired to by the Society for Talent Education to be the director of the Alberta Summer Suzuki Institute (ASSI).
February 1998 – Daphne Hughes workshop with the STE teachers. Holiday (Sharing) Concerts introduced: each group presented their own polished piece to the other groups.
April 1998 – Dr. Suzuki’s memorial service was held. Beth Cherwick and Diana Nuttall gave insightful addresses, as both studied in Japan with Dr. Suzuki.
ASSI 1998 – the very first Chamber Music Programme for advanced students was introduced
October 1998 – Suzuki Centennial Celebration – worldwide concerts celebrating 100 years since Dr. Suzuki’s birth.
January 1999 – Edmund Sprunger came to do a workshop for STE. Tom Rolston came from Banff to lead studens in orchestral rehearsals throughout the weekend.
February 1999 – Jenafor Andel becomes Administrator of STE. Lottery Concerts (students prepare their review pieces from the latest book and then “pull out of a box” the piece they are to play – you don’t know what you’ll get – hence the term: lottery) are introduced to Monday night group lessons.
Summer 1999 – 4th Fiddlers Workshop held with a performance at the Capilano Mall.
November 1999 – Board of Directors Retreat
2000 – quartet program for senior division students added along with a yearly ensemble concert. Parent monitors are added to assist the teachers in group lessons.
May 2000 – the first two STE students accepted into the National Suzuki Youth Orchestra (Marcus Becker, cello and Sarah Frank, violin) at the 9th SAA Conference.
July 2000 – ASSI – Canadian Music performed by each group class (Diana Nuttall institute director)
Spring 2001 – STE students in EYO perform with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
May 2001 – Violas featured in the National Missing Children’s Day in Canada concert
May 2002 – STE student Shalan Strelau plays in the National Suzuki Youth Orchestra at the 10th SAA Conference
ASSI 2002 – Theme: Improvisation in classical, jazz and freestyle (Diana Nuttall institute director)
September 2002 – Artstart is created – an inner-city arts initiative: STE teachers volunteer their time to teach inner city children violin and viola in private and group lessons.
February 2003 – Suzuki Triangle parent-teacher-student interview week is introduced
May 2003 – violas perform for Child Find (international missing children).
ASSI 2004 – first SEVEC exchange – 10 students each from Montreal and Edmonton spent a week in each city playing quartets and orchestra at ASSI and the Montreal Suzuki Institute.
2005 – STE has a teaching faculty of 20 and a student body of 250.
May 21, 2005 – Students, faculty and alumni gather together for an orchestral rehearsal under the direction of Thomas Rolston with a reception following.
May 22, 2005 – 40th Anniversary celebration of STE is held at the Winspear Centre for Music in conjunction with the 30th Anniversary of the Edmonton Suzuki Piano School and the 10th Anniversary of the Suzuki Charter School.
Summer 2005 – 7th Fiddler’s Workshop is held with a final concert at the Edmonton Fringe Festival.