The Ascent, 1981 March 5
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ASCENT Vbi36 No. 10 • ÖwapwCeÄeee, Anlwst, HY. " " Ä MardtS, S9K SUZUKI'S WAY TO PEACE by Rhonda Luter He stepped up to the piano and mounted the bench. He thought a mo ment about what he would play. His small fingers began to move steadily upon the keys. As his large, brown, ex pressive eyes moved from one hand to the other, his concentration could be sensed. When he finished, inward satisfations came beaming through his smile. Michael McGovern is one of about 250 students that study music through the Suzuki method at Daemen. The Suzuki movement was started after World War II by Professor Shinichi Suzuki, a native of Nagoya, Japan. Suzuki is based on the "mother tongue" theory of learning. Dr. Suzuki recogniz ed the remarkable ability of little children to speak their own languages (mother tongues). He realized that the reason for this is that children are sur rounded by the sounds of their language from birth. He thought that if children a member of the Suzuki Association of ing to get the children to try other in were surrounded by musical sounds, America. During the year, especially in struments. they could develop remarkable music the summer, Suzuki workshops are ability. Mr. Vasquez strongly suspects that organized all over the country. Families the Suzuki method enhances other types The parent plays a key part in the come together at these workshops for of learning. He has a son that studied Suzuki method, for it is the parent the lessons, discussions, and recitals. violin under Suzuki. Mr. Vasquez at child learns to imitate. Specially trained At Daemen, a Suzuki workshop is be tributes his son's ability to read and Suzuki teachers work with the parent ing planned April 11 for the piano and child. The parent and child not only memorize with ease to the discipline he students. There may also be another obtained from Suzuki lessons. have lessons together, but they also workshop for the string instruments in Like most theories, the Suzuki method practice together. Although there are May. Suzuki teachers from out of state many fathers who take Suzuki, the has received some criticism. Some feel will be having lessons with the parents that reading skills will not be developed parent involved is usually the mother. and their children. through Suzuki. Mr. Vasquez challenges The Suzuki groups began to form in On April 11 recitals will be held in this criticism by asking, "How do the U.S. around 1960. In Buffalo, the Wick Center. Conferences will be held at oldest group, directed by Mrs. Mary children learn their language?...do they Dun Scotus in room 34. Valery Lloyd- learn to read first?" He went on to ex Cay Neal, is about 13 years old. The Watts, a Suzuki teacher who has written Suzuki program at Daemen is a branch plain that children use their language about the method, will be performing on long before they read and write. The of this organization and was organized piano. Suzuki children begin as young as three shortly after the music preparatory divi Suzuki orginally began with violin. sion came into being. Mrs. Neal is the and although they start off imitating, The instruments being studied at when they reach a certain point, the coordinator of the string instruments, Daemen are violin, viola, cello, piano and Mr. Claudio Vasquez is the director teacher begins to teach them to read and flute. Mr. Vasquez said that most of music. of the program. the children take either violin or piano The Suzuki organization at Daemen is The community is becoming more and that sometimes it takes some coax- (Continued on page 3 ) Letters to the Editor.........pg. 3 IN THIS Peace Center for CO'S. .pg. 10 Black History Week.........pg. 4 Todd's LP Heals............. pg. 12 ISSUE Pants Down Republicans. pg. 8 Classifieds............................ pg. 15 Page 2 The ASCEN T March 5 ,1981 DAEMEN COLLEGE Box 419 4380 Main Street EDITORIAL Amherst, N.Y. 14226 839-3600 ext. 327 Co-Editors-in-Chief: ; JKde* Brian Mulaiiy Arts Editor Stephanie Doyle Art Director Jamie KubaSa Layout Editor by Susan Pries Howard Kubicki Student Association elections will we should get rid of the present Advertising Editor soon be taking place. Last year all Association; but I think that a com Thomas Domino the candidates, except those running petitive election would help to for President, ran unopposed. strengthen the organization. And it Business Manager When only one person runs for is important that students be Kelly Lawless office, the voter is left with no alter presented with alternatives. Staff: natives. It would be great if we What we need most, of course, could see a number of people seek are candidates — students willing to Diane Alfano, Laurie Didden, ing office this year, competition will run for office and accept respon Patty Dwyer, Vanessa Frith, Julie bring out different ideas and views sibility. Hetherington, Tim Hubbard, and stir up some discussion. If you feel you have something to Patty Hughes, Rhonda Loter, Debate and discussion are contribute, you have nothing to Lynn Madden, James McClain, necessary elements in government lose. By seeking office you would be able to get your ideas out into the Ja a Ptafc. and help us to look at issues from all angles. Students need to look at a open. And if you don't win the elec Graphic Design: number of candidates in order to tion, that shouldrCt limit your par Jamie Kubala make an intelligent choice. ticipation in SA. Like any student, If we had a competitive election you can attend meetings and get in The editorial commends which this year, it would spur student in volved with the different boards and appear in the ASCENT are not terest. And interest in the elections committees. necessarily the views o f the entire may even encourage students to Offices for which a candidate runs unopposed may appear to be stall. Any comments contrary to participate in SA itself. This year we have a strong Stu unimportant. But these offices are these opinions are welcomed. dent Association, and they have ac important, and SA is an important Letters to the Editor may be sent complished a lot. Most important, organization. So, think about par to the ASCENT, Box 419, Cam they are well aware of SA's financial ticipating in the upcoming election. pus Mail. Names will be withheld limitations and have worked to keep Whether you run for office, support upon request and the authorship spending down. a candidate, or simply vote — your will be kept confidential, BUT By encouraging more active elec involvement is crucial. THE AUTHOR MUST SIGN tions, I am not trying to imply that THE ORIGINAL LETTER. Republication of any material NEXT MEETING........................MARCH 10 herein, without the written con sent ol the Editor-in-Chief, is NEXT DEADLINE......................MARCH 16 strictly forbidden. The ASCENT is serviced by the College Press Service. March 5,1981 The ASCENT Page 3 (Continued from page 1) familiar with the Suzuki program at LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Daemen. Terri McGovern, Michael's father, said that he and his wife became interested in Suzuki through other families that participate in the program. A THANK YOU They were impressed when they heard To the Editor: thank Jeanne Argentieri, Kieran Kays, some of the children play and noticed I would like to take this time to Bob Olivieri and, most of all, Paul that the children seemed to be enjoying sincerely thank a few very important Michael, becuase without their caring themselves. people in my life for standing by me and reassurance I would have been twice Terri and Michael have been in Suzuki when I needed them most; As many of as miserable. about six months. They practice every you know, I was "let go" from the I would also like to wish the women's day and Terri admitted with a smile that women's basketball team last December team for next year the best of luck. I feel Michael "does better than I do...he cat because of a basic personality conflict there is a lot of potential if everyone ches on very quickly." Terri feels that with the coach. This action hurt me works together and puts their all into it. this method works well for his son very, very much and throughout the I think with the good possibility of Rick because Michael has a good memory. two months following I really was not DeWater's being the coach for next year Terri said that sometimes Michael myself. I felt as if the "system" was the outlook for a good season is great. reminds him to practice. working against me and I felt I had put Thanks again, Jeanne, Kieran, Bob The Suzuki lessons have encouraged a everything into the sport because it was and Paul. I love you guys!! special relationship between Michael one of the most important things in the and his dad. Terri remarked, "It's world to me. My good friends knew Sincerely, something special for the two of this, and I would particularly like to Suzie Mack us... Sometimes we practice for 15 minutes, cometimes 45 and it doesn't seem that long." Terri realizes that a dif ferent method of instruction could lead SEARCHING FOR SPACE to some isolation because there may be a Dear Editor: necessary funds. But don't fret! Just lack of interest on the part of the parent. Has anyone ever looked at the front because there isn't enough revenue, it Terri assumes that the discipline lawn of Daemen College? Of course not! doesn't mean that our front lawn should Michael gains from Suzuki will have a Why? Because it just sits there doing have to suffer.