Now and Then: From the Archives
Violin Teacher, Suzuki Teacher-trainer, and Founder of The Music Academy, Eleanor Stanlis
As Executive Director of The Music Academy, I find myself spending much of my time considering the future: what are our goals for the next five years, how can we increase our reach, better serve the community, improve our programming and better set our students up for success? As many people may not realize, next year we will celebrate our 40th anniversary as a Community Music School and while there is much to plan, there is also much to reflect upon.
In moving into previous Executive Director, Marti Frantz’s former office, I was overwhelmed but then ultimately fascinated by the many, many archives of newspaper clippings, conference notes, meeting minutes, and marketing campaigns that have lived in two large filing cabinets for nearly 40 years. In sorting through this treasure trove, I came across two very significant folders: fall letters to families from the founding director and violin teacher-trainer, Eleanor Stanlis. These original, typewritten documents contain wisdom about practice, beauty, and the original intentions of The Music Academy.
I have always been grateful to Mrs. Stanlis for founding this school - one that I attended and that laid the foundation for my becoming a successful musician and member of our community - and reading these letters has given me more respect for her; she cared about the right things: the pursuit of beauty, educating the whole child, and the power of an arts education. Her writing makes clear her sincere passion for teaching, her obsession with ensuring that everyone receives the best education possible, and her ability to motivate parents and students to continue this worthy pursuit.
It has been compelling to read these letters; they have helped me to understand where I come from; where my philosophy comes from and how much I was shaped musically and philosophically by The Music Academy. They make me that much more grateful to now be serving our current students and faculty. The letter that I chose to share comes from 1983 (before we were “officially” The Music Academy). It highlights a renewed, studio-wide commitment to listening after Mrs. Stanlis returned from working directly with Dr. Suzuki in Japan.
Music Academy Students in 2023
I’ve been playing viola for over 30 years and upon reading this, was reminded that I, too can use more listening for myself, and for my child who is preparing to begin his instrumental journey. I have made it my goal this semester to take Mrs. Stanlis’s advice and listen as much as I practice and to utilize our modern technology to create an “endless tape” playlist for the family. Please enjoy reading this letter from Mrs. Stanlis to Music Academy students in the Fall of 1983 - and take note of its relevance and similarities with our school today:
August 28, 1983
Dear Students and Parents,
I have just returned from three weeks in Japan at Dr. Suzuki’s school, the Talent Education Institute of Japan, where I attended meetings, classes, and lectures with Dr Suzuki and other Japanese teachers. Hundreds of teachers from all over the world attended these meetings and we all learned much from Dr. Suzuki and each other. We also listened to many, many hours of concerts, including astounding performances by Japanese students.
Each time I am with Dr. Suzuki, I become more of a believer in his genius and teaching ability and more impressed with the validity of the Suzuki method of learning the “mother-tongue” approach. In case you have forgotten over the long, hot summer, this means learning music in the same way that a child learns to speak his native language: in other words, by being in an environment of hearing the language spoken and by building his speaking ability and vocabulary by a step-by-step process of repetition.
Original Letter from Eleanor Stanlis dating 1983
I am always searching for ways to improve the ability of our students and I know we can do it by increasing our listening time. Music is an aural art and we comprehend it through the ear as we do our language when we are learning to speak. The importance of listening continues long after reading ability is established’ in fact, it is constant as long as music is studied or performed. Most parents and students are diligent with their listening habits at the beginning and gradually get a bit lazy about it after reading skills are established.
This year I want to encourage everyone to use endless tapes. These are tapes which play over and over without rewinding and are the best aid to repetitive listening. Everyone should have tapes including 3 pieces; the one just finished, the current piece, and the following one. The entire record can be played once a day, and if the student has a cassette player with ear-hones, the listening with endless tapes can be done during almost any other activity. Riding in the car is a very good time for this. I would like all of you to make your listening time at least equal to your practice time this year. This is Dr. Suzuki’s advice to us and I know we will see much faster progress if we do this. Please make this one of your goals for the year. It is easy and pleasant if you form the habit. Remember also the importance of establishing and following a routine. Things that we do regularly are much easier.
Please think seriously about your responsibilities this year. It is a privilege for all of us to participate in a Suzuki program. We are deeply indebted to Dr. Suzuki and his infinite energy and dedication, to say nothing of his wisdom and analytical ability. He has created a unique method of learning music which brings joy and satisfaction to all students and teachers who contribute their best effort. Please arrive 5 minutes early for your lessons and group activities. It is unfair to others when a few arrive late. If you must miss an activity, notify your teacher in advance.
Have a joyful year.
Eleanor Stanlis