Suzuki Association of Northern California Graduation Process

Graduation Standards

• Follow the SANC guidelines below and review and apply the Suzuki Association of the Americas performance descriptors regarding appropriate skills before making the student graduation recording.  
• Please help your student polish the piece to a high level and submit a recording only if they are well prepared. 
• Violins, Please note metronome markings on the student eligibility guidelines.
• No stopping or splicing in the middle of the piece.
• The teacher may not offer verbal guidance, sing or play the melody line with the student during the performance.
• Accurate pitch, rhythm, bowing style and correct tempo are required.

Recording Procedure

• Preface recordings with Hello, my name is ______ and I am ____ years old.  I am playing a size ____ violin/viola/guitar/cello.  My graduation piece is ______ and my current piece is ____.  My teacher is ______.  Thank you for listening.
• Record with live accompaniment or with an accompaniment CD.  Test for pitch and balance.  (The violin duet from Fun for Two Violins by Marianne Rygner may be used for the following violin pieces: Gavotte by Gossec, Concerto in A Minor 1st mvmt. by Vivaldi and Concerto in G Minor 1st mvmt. by Vivaldi.  Bach Bourree may be played as solo violin or viola at the teacher's discretion.  La Folia and above must be played with piano accompaniment.
• If COVID-19 restrictions are still in place, students may record with live accompaniment, a Suzuki accompaniment CD, or without accompaniment.
• Students may submit two levels on the same registration form for an additional fee.
• Teachers must verify each student's recording link opens properly and approve of their recording in order for them to register for Graduation.
• NOVEMBER 11 DEADLINE IS FIRM. Registration form will be disabled at midnight. No exceptions.
  

Submitting Recordings

• All recordings are submitted on the registration form via a link provided by the parent.

Forms, Fees and Refunds

• All teachers must be current SMAC members in order for their students to register and submit graduation recordings.
• Fees are $45 for Levels I-IV and $50 for Levels V+ and are payable online only.
• Registration is completed by parents and online only.
• Refunds will only be issued to students whose recordings are not approved.

Evaluations

• Teachers are encouraged to volunteer to evaluate as many (other) recordings as they submit.
• Please review the recordings sent to you to evaluate before December 31st, 2021.
• If you receive a recording that does not meet eligibility please contact Nora Grafton, the Graduation Coordinator at graduation@suzukinorcal.org or 925-939-1117.  Do not contact the teacher of the student.  
• Bring your completed evaluations on the concert day.
• More details will by provided as needed

Teacher Participation

All Teachers who have submitted Student Graduation Recordings are asked to assist and support in the smooth running of the logistics of the Rehearsals and Performance during the day of Graduation.  To support the Graduating Students and in an effort to make this a truly special event, Teachers who submit Violin/ Viola/ Cello Student Graduation Recordings are asked to participate in the Teacher’s Orchestra to accompany the Students Graduating from the Concerto Levels.  Pick up your Student Recordings, Evaluation, Pins, and Certificates.  Please attend the Annual Meeting of the General Membership of SANC to be held following the Concert. Guests are welcome.

Questions?