SEMSA strings perform at Rochesterfest on Wednesday,June 20th,. The performance begins at 11:45 on the Civic Center Drive Stage, at the intersection of Civic Center Drive and North Broadway. The rehearsal is that morning, 10:30 – 11:20, at the Congregational Church. (We realize that some may be able to get lunch time off, but not rehearsal time – Please see your teacher for assistance.)Reserve the date and sign up with your teacher. See Rochesterfest repertoire list.
Save the dates! Our next Gasshuku workshop will be at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, Friday, November 9th, 1:00 PM, through Saturday, November 10th. Suzuki students will have a great time playing with nationally-known clinicians and enjoying Eagle Bluff's attractions. See SEMSA's Gasshuku page for more information. Early enrollment starts in May.
SEMSA receives 10% of every Kwik Trip card you purchase from us. This is an important source of income for SEMSA, and helps to fund group lessons, concerts and Gasshuku. You can order Kwik Trip gas cards or get them at group lessons.
The Southeastern Minnesota Suzuki Association is old by American Suzuki standards. Teachers here began working with the method in the mid-1970's. A public school teacher, Georgia Daniels, was first to experiment with the new ideas coming out of Japan. In 1984 a group of teachers met to plan a workshop for area music students. SEMSA was formed to secure funding for that event.
Over our twenty-five year history, we have sponsored over sixty honors recitals, teacher recitals, parent workshops, and field trips to the Twin Cities to hear orchestra concerts and operas. Our biennial workshop, Gasshuku, focuses the community's attention on special topics like the Dalcroze method, chamber music, accompanying and concerti. For the November, 2009, Gasshuku, we commissioned a chamber work by nationally known composer, Catherine McMichael. Students studied the art of composition, composed their own original pieces and premiered McMichael's work.
