Margery Aber and Her Contributions to the Suzuki Method in the United States

Abstract

Margery V. Aber (1914 - 2001) was a violinist and music educator who was invaluable to the growth of the Suzuki Method movement outside of Japan. Her love and enthusiasm for teaching led her to begin a new job at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point after thirty years of teaching in the Detroit Public Schools and twelve years at Wayne State University. Miss Aber was one of the first Americans to go to Matsumoto, Japan to study with Shinichi Suzuki. His "mother-tongue method" had been gaining much attention in the United States, as he had been extremely successful in teaching very advanced violin pieces to young Japanese children.

In 1971, Miss Aber founded the first summer Suzuki Institute outside of Japan at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. This is very significant because there are now over seventy institutes that were modeled after the one in Stevens Point. Summer institutes are now considered an important part of a Suzuki child\'s education.

Aber was a significant figure in the development of string education during the twentieth century. She authored numerous journal articles and a book entitled, Hip! Hip! Hooray! 30 Years with the American Suzuki Institute In Stevens Point, Wisconsin, which was released shortly before her death. Training numerous Suzuki teachers as well as students, Aber had an enormous impact on string playing in the United States. Looking through the literature, it is surprising to find that more has not been written about Margery Aber and her contributions. This presents an opportunity for a topic of research that deserves much attention.

The purpose of this study is to recognize the work that Margery Aber did to spread the Suzuki Method in the United States. She also traveled to many other countries to help educate teachers, children, and parents about this method, but the focus of this paper will be on her work in the United States. Special attention will be given to the American Suzuki Institute in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, which she founded.